June 21, 2006
'08 MI Proxy War Continues: Updated
The Michigan Proxy War continues.
Sen. John McCain's Straight Talk America PAC has sent more than $140K to state and local candidates and party committees in Michigan since the beginning of the year, and his generosity has piqued the interest of rivals, especially MA Gov. Mitt Romney.
Both Romney and McCain see Michigan as must-win state; McCain, who won the state in 2000, has many allies (and not-so allies). Romney, whose father was a two-term MI governor, may base his presidential campaign in Oakland County, where he grew up. (Maybe -- don't hold us to this prediction.)
Battle lines have hardened already. There are McCainiacs and Romneyites; RNC committeeman Chuck Yob is known (but not confirmed) as a McCain guy; former ambassador Ron Weiser is his top fundraiser in the state. A superstar on Romney's team is John Rakolta president of the wonderfully named Walbridge Aldinger, one of the largest construction companies in the Midwest. Michigan House Speaker Craig DeRoche is said to be a Romney fan, too. (Chris Cillizza has more about staff.)
This weekend, as the state committee met in Lansing, allies of Romney distributed a letter detailing his comittment to help Republicans win in races across the state.
Writes Romney: "Now more than ever we need fight for Republican principles of free enterprise, fair and free trade, accountability in education, personal responsibility, tolerance, strong families and a national defense second to none." He notes his PAC has donated "nearly $70,000" to candidates and organizations in Michigan. He promises to "double that effort to ensure that Republicans succeed at all levels."
The letter tips a hat to Dick DeVos, Terri Lynn Land and Attorney General Mike Cox. It winks at Romney's own record in Massachusetts: "And given my experience with activist judges, you can be sure that I am committed to a conservative majority on the Michigan Supreme Court."
He ends the letter by promising to "be in Michigan on a regular basis" between now and the election.
(Note: an early version of this post suggested that Romney won the favor of James Nicholson, the CEO of PVS Chemicals and one of the top financial givers in Michigan -- but Nicholson has also given money to McCain.) [MARC AMBINDER]
Posted at 11:10 AM
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