November 08, 2006
McCain Allies Launch Effort To Oust MI's Anuzis
Allies of Sen. John McCain in Michigan have launched an effort to oust party chair Saul Anuzis, who they view as biased against McCain and beholden to established financial interests in the state party.
Today, in an unusually personal letter to Michigan Republicans, Anuzis announced his re-election campaign and blamed "presidential politics" and "personal agendas" for the opposition.
Anuzis, in his letter, does not mention McCain but noted that his opponents planned to replace him with MI GOP 3rd district chair David DiShaw. DiShaw is a key McCain ally in the state and was the Finance Chairman for Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land this cycle.
"This appears to be a McCain and Yob power rplay. I think this is not in the best interest of the party," Anuzis told the Hotline.
According to Michigan Republicans, other potential chairman candidates are ex-MI House Speaker Chuck Perricone and ex-Senate candidate Jerry Zandstra.
Republicans sympathetic to Anuzis believe that RNC committeeman Chuck Yob has convened several conference calls over the past few days to discuss a campaign to remove Anuzis. Yob and RNC committeewoman Holly Hughes are unofficial members of McCain's kitchen cabinets in the state. A source close to Yob strongly denies that any such conference calls or meetings have taken place, saying that a campaign in the midst of a campaign would rub many potential allies the wrong way.
"As we go through the Presidential process, I believe it’s critical to have someone who is neutral and can help hold the party together," Anuzis writes in his letter. "I have been clear to everyone that I intend to stay neutral and that it would be beneficial to have a State Chairman who could help keep the party together during the upcoming Presidential campaigns."
A source close to McCain said that his top political advisers, including John Weaver, are aware of and endorse the campaign to remove Anuzis. They view Anuzis as a quiet cheerleader for Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA), who is likely to base his presidential campaign from MI's Oakland Co.
One McCain ally noted Anuzis's "ties" to the Sterling Corp, which is assisting Romney in the state and whose consultants managed Mike Bouchard's Senate campaign. "There's no way Saul can be with the Sterling Corp., which is running Romney, and still be neutral in the presidential race." Anuzis's executive director, Jeff Timmer, is a former VP of the Sterling Corp, and the party has paid the group more than $1M this cycle, making it one of five vendors to recieve state party contracts.
Anuzis has called McCain "the closest thing we have to a rock star" and "the guy to beat" in MI.
When Anuzis first ran for chair, Yob supported his then opponent, Andrew Raczkowski.
MI Republicans will choose their next chairman at a convention in February.
Anuzis was prompted to act so quickly because he believed that Yob and other McCain allies would quickly call for his removal.
Anuzis's full letter is after the jump. [MARC AMBINDER]
Dear Friend,
I have decided to run for Chairman again.
To be perfectly honest with you, I was not planning on jumping into this so quickly, but the stories that were brought up in the press last week appear to be more real than not. There is a campaign underway to “find” a new Chairman. Just for your information, they are planning to have Dave Dishaw replace me.
Presidential politics is coming into play, along with personal agendas here that have nothing to do with electing Republicans. And some people are already maneuvering for who should be our next Governor nominee.
I believe that the Michigan Republican Party and the grassroots party did an excellent job in putting together our Get Out the Vote effort. We did more in every measurable matrix and I think we’ve put the party in the best shape we have ever been structurally.
There’s no sugar coating it; a national “anti-Republican tsunami” hit last night. But in Michigan, even in this negative environment, I am very proud that we re-elected Attorney General Mike Cox and Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. And we kept our 20-year-running state Senate majority, truly bucking this national trend.
This is quite an accomplishment when you look at many states, particularly here in the Midwest, that lost several Republican congressman, many of whom a week ago didn’t even know they were in trouble. They lost GOP Governors, sitting U.S. Senators and GOP control of their legislative bodies. In Michigan, we held the line against this tidal wave and re-elected ALL of our incumbent members of Congress, re-elected our two statewide SOS and AG candidates and kept control of our state senate, protecting Michigan from an emboldened Democratic Party and the extreme agenda it wants to impose on us.
As we go through the Presidential process, I believe it’s critical to have someone who is neutral and can help hold the party together. I have been clear to everyone that I intend to stay neutral and that it would be beneficial to have a State Chairman who could help keep the party together during the upcoming Presidential campaigns.
I wasn’t prepared to get a campaign together before all the votes are counted, but I think all of you know my background and what I have done as Chairman. So I’m throwing out this quicky email.
I would like to ask you for your support. If you are willing to endorse me up front, please let me know. I think I have served the party well and am willing to commit two more years of service. If you agree, please join me.
Thanks again for all you have done. I would appreciate your support and look forward to serving you in the future.
Take care.
Posted at 05:04 PM
Comments
Chuck Perricone would be a disaster for the party. He was a horrible speaker of the house for us. He also ran the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners (MCRGO) into the ground after he took it over in 2002. I was the former PAC treasurer of MCRGO before resigning after witnessing 5 months of Mr. Perricone's new direction.
For information about why he'd be a disaster, go to these sites.
http://care4mi.sitesled.com/ - created by former MCRGO members
http://www.cpltrainer.com/ - CPLTrainer, run by former MCRGO board member Neva Li.
His "My way or the Highway" approach would have all the activists in the party take the high way.
Republican Michigander | 11.08.06 08:17 PM
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This comment disturbs me. How exactly did he run MCRGO into the ground? As far as I can tell they are still the preeminant gun org. in the state. They have 3 state legislators on their BOD. Seems like he's doing a good job to me.
GOPG | 11.30.06 03:30 PM
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Why won't the Michigan Republican Party let Keyes particiapte. He has great ideas ? What are you afraid of ?
Jay Maurer | 10.04.07 08:47 AM
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It's simple...democracy, there is no reason in a country like this why anyone should be excluded. Democracy is what our country is founded on, isn't it?
Jennifer Frost | 10.04.07 04:03 PM
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Alan Keyes should be allowed to participate in the Oct 9th Michigan debate.
Paul Kosloski | 10.04.07 08:47 PM
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if the gop wishes to win, it better get its act together Keys is a go. robert hoying
robert hoying | 10.05.07 02:11 PM
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I am not understanding a few things here.
I have a page dated nov. 8, 2006, yet the replies are dated 10.04.07. Time warp?
Jennifer Frost, you are so wrong about this nation!
Bush wants you to believe that this is a democracy (as we are spreading this around the world (Iraq).
This nation is a CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC. My gosh, don't you even read the documents that make this nation a reality? Our founding fathers had a real aversion to 'democracies', as most believed that this was the same as 'mob rule', and wanted no part of it. Therefore, we pledge allegience to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands---
What part of 'republic' do you not understand?
Jay and Paul,
I am investigating this Dr. Keyes thing now, and will be taking action on the web---
Know that this slur will not go unanswered to the Michigan voters!
Washtenaw local
Annarbor boy | 10.06.07 02:50 AM
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You know, I have a grand idea! How about someone run the party that is not BOUGHT or particularly partial to ANY of the candidates? You know, someone to actually run the party, not a particular candidates campaign?
The entire 'establishment' part of the GOP is going to be the death knell of this great party. Mark my words!
Blue Collar Republican | 10.06.07 11:49 AM
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Keyes is a fringe candidate who need not be included. He has never placed better then last in any election he has entered. There is a reason for that FACT - his views are the marginal views of the fanatical right. His inclusion will invalidate and eliminate any credibility to a serious debate.
Bluetooth | 10.06.07 03:59 PM
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I think if Alan Keyes wants to run for president, let him, He is as good or better than a bunch of them that is running, And thank God he does have morals and convictions. May God see to it that he gets to run.
Doris Davis | 10.09.07 10:04 PM
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