George Weeks: McDowell seeks rematch

George Weeks

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George Weeks

September 18, 2011

By George Weeks, Syndicated columnist ---- The Record Eagle Tue Mar 13, 2012, 10:40 AM EDT

Hay farmer Gary McDowell, a Democratic ex-state representative from Rudyard who last year lost to now-U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek, R-Crystal Falls, is making another pitch for the congressional seat in 2012.

At this early stage, odds are against McDowell in the sprawling district that had been long represented by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee.

The district, as remapped by the Legislature and signed by the governor after the census-required redistricting, is more Republican than it was when McDowell lost decisively to surgeon Benishek, a political newcomer with tea party support, 52 percent to 41 percent.

The district still includes all of the Upper Peninsula, and below the bridge loses five northeastern counties while picking up six northwestern counties.

Furthermore, as noted by the Wall Street Journal, decisive GOP wins last week in two House seats "have Democrats increasingly worried they will face problems in the 2012 elections if the economy and President Barack Obama's job approval ratings don't improve significantly."

But early polls are almost meaningless; odds change rapidly in such matters, and the district has unique Great Lakes and other issues.

The National Journal said recently, "... as House Republican prepare for a fall that might be every bit as contentious as the spring and summer, they would do well to recognize the risks of appearing intransigent."

In announcing, McDowell wisely criticized both parties:

"No one in Washington is looking out for regular people in northern Michigan and the U.P. The Democrats don't recognize we need to cut spending and the Republicans don't care what happens to people like us who have to work for a living."

(McDowell's announcement came the same week that Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, longest-serving member of Congress, wrote in the Detroit Free Press: "The American people are fed up with the finger-pointing blame games and infighting by all of us in Washington -- the president, Congress and the media. They are angry and frustrated. ... this partisan viciousness needs to stop.")

McDowell, longtime member of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners, said he seeks to bring "northern Michigan common sense to Washington."

Of course, if there is to be a Benishek-McDowell rematch, McDowell would have to win a possibly contested primary.

Benishek spokesman Kyle Bonini said, "Dr. Benishek looks forward to comparing specific proposals on ways to reduce the federal deficit and create jobs in northern Michigan."

A statement from the Benishek campaign said: "Unfortunately, McDowell begins his second attempt using the same scare tactics, falsehoods, and distortions that he used in his failed 2010 bid to win the hearts and minds of our fellow Michiganders."

Meanwhile, Benishek has joined the parade of Republicans in the Michigan congressional delegation to endorse former Rep. Pete Hoekstra, of Holland, for the GOP nomination to oppose Sen. Debbie Stabenow, of Lansing.

Romney: Jabs, and an endorsement

Over the years, former Govs. Jennifer Granholm and Mitt Romney, of Massachusetts, have exchanged periodic partisan barbs.

In her just-published book -- "A Governor's Story," written with her husband, Dan Mulhern, and published by Public Affairs books -- Democrat Granholm chides Romney for "pandering" in winning Michigan's 2008 Republican presidential campaigning and later rewriting history by "boldly" claiming credit for the auto industry's turnaround.

Sparring with Granholm is less important to Romney in Michigan than getting support here to be the GOP's 2012 presidential nominee. He got a key nod last week from Republican National Committeeman Saul Anuzis, former chairman of the Michigan GOP.

Anuzis said, "Romney will make Michigan competitive for Republicans in 2012 on the day he wins the nomination. ...

"I think now, more than ever, it makes sense to support the most conservative candidate who can win ... Mitt Romney is that candidate and now is the time to start rallying our forces," Anuzis said.

Anti-Asian carp coalition grows

Attorney General Bill Schuette and others in state government have some private-sector allies in their uphill fight to get the federal government to be more aggressive in preventing Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes.

Last week in Lansing, the Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association, the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, and the Michigan Boating Industries Association highlighted their unique partnership of conservation, business and conservation with an "Asian Carp Summit."

The same day, Sen. Howard Walker, R-Traverse City, won Senate approval of his resolution asking Congress to take immediate action to close the O'Brien Lock and Dam in the Chicago Waterway System.

Walker said:

"We are running out of time to stop the single greatest threat to the health of the Great Lakes: Asian carp and other aquatic invasive species. If these fish get into our lakes, it would mean billions of dollars in lost revenue and thousands of lost jobs. It would be devastating."

Walker noted that Great Lakes commercial and recreational ﬁshing is a $7 billion industry, and the recreational boating industry in the state is worth $9 billion.

Walker's resolution states that immediate and decisive action is required to protect these industries from Asian carp, which are voracious feeders that compete with native ﬁsh and wildlife for food.

Meanwhile, the feds dither.