Second Schauer Protest & CTV Seminar

All in one day!

It's uplifting to see so many people getting excited about something that has been a major part of one's life for such a long time.

Today Wyck Seelig, 7th District Chair, joined us for the protest at Mark Schauer's Jackson office, took some great photos, estimated the crowd at about 140 and dubbed the corner "Reagan's Corner" since there were so many conservatives present. The four Sheriff's patrol cars sitting silently in a row toward the back of a nearby service station certainly weren't needed. We have one more week to go so we'll see what next week brings.

Now that the newspaper finally wrote that indeed there were folks bused in from points west to Muskegon and east to Detroit to pad the crowds they might be a little embarrassed to try to fool the public again. Although, sometimes I get the feeling, especially when listening to Mark Brewer, that nothing comes close to embarrassment with them.

Capping the day was a two hour (no break) concentrated political education for folks of all levels of experience who feel the need to become active in the process.

Tim Walberg opened the event with a few introductory remarks followed by a former state legislator whom I didn't know--I think his name was Alan Lowe. He shared a very practical tale of how as a total neophyte politically he defeated a 20 year incumbent. It can be done! He was very persuasive and we couldn't help wondering why he didn't stay in politics. Perhaps he believes in citizen legislators.

James Muffett of Citizens for Traditional Values gave a 30 minute tutorial which an ordinary mortal would have taken 45-50 minutes to tell. He really talks fast, but there is no problem understanding him. He was followed by Scott Hagerstrom, State Director of Americans for Prosperity which is a relatively new national organization. Again, extremely practical information on another level of getting started and how to network.

The last half hour was a Q&A and the audience asked some astute questions which meant to me that they were really paying attention. Attendees came from some distances such as Muskegon, Traverse City and Port Huron area. One little note: Amy Hawkins was the emcee and about 5-6 years ago when she hosted the first event of her first job out of Spring Arbor University she admitted to a bit of stage fright. Not so this evening--a comment was made, in fact, that perhaps she should be thinking about running for office. That would really be a good demonstration of everything the evening laid out.

If you have an opportunity to attend any event put on by these folks, it would be worth your while. In the meantime you can access www.ctvmichigan.org and www.afpmi.org.

Sleep well-
God bless...........