Romney Picks Ryan: Cast Set for November

POLITICO: ROMNEY PICKS PAUL RYAN AS RUNNIG MATE: Mitt Romney has selected House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis) as his running mate, and will unveil the ticket at an event in Norfolk, Va. Saturday morning, Republican sources confirmed to POLITICO. The move is a bold choice for Romney and one that a number of conservatives had urged him to make in recent weeks, with some of the loudest calls coming from the pages of the Weekly Standard and the Wall Street Journal. At about 3 a.m., a new web site, Romneyryan.com, debuted, paid for by the Romney campaign. http://politi.co/Nmp8M8

THE PATH TO PROSPERITY: A BLUEPRINT FOR AMERICAN RENEWAL: For years, both political parties have made empty promises to the American people. Unfortunately, the President refuses to take responsibility for avoiding the debt-fueled crisis before us. Instead, his policies have put us on the path to debt and decline. The President and his party’s leaders refuse to take action in the face of the most predictable economic crisis in our nation’s history. The President’s budget calls for more spending and more debt, while Senate Democrats – for over 1,000 days – have refused to pass a budget. This unserious approach to budgeting has serious consequences for American families, seniors, and the next generation. We reject the broken politics of the past. The American people deserve real solutions and honest leadership. That’s what we’re delivering with our budget, The Path to Prosperity. House Republicans are advancing a plan of action for American renewal. http://1.usa.gov/Nnql66

AP: ROMNEY NAMES RYAN HIS NO. 2: Romney was the subject of an April Fools prank in which Ryan played a role. Romney showed up at a supposed campaign event where he heard Ryan calling him "the next president of the United States" - only to find the room nearly empty. In recent days, conservative pundits have been urging Romney to choose Ryan in large part because of his authorship of a House-backed budget plan that seeks to curb overall spending on benefit programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps. RNC finance chairman Ron Weiser of Michigan, said Friday night that Ryan's selection would help Romney win Wisconsin and its 10 electoral votes in the fall. The state typically supports Democrats in presidential contests, and Obama won it handily four years ago. http://apne.ws/PaTR0o%0A

August 6, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

PRIMARY NIGHT PARTY: Join us on Tuesday night at World Café, 200 Center Ave., Bay City, for a primary results watch party starting at 7 p.m. It will be our first look at the set of candidates that will go onward to November and help us take back the White House, turn our U.S. Senate back to G.O.P. control, keep our control of both the state House and the U.S. House, and earn a Republican majority on the Bay County Board of Commissioners for the first time in decades.

Tom Wassa, one of the candidates for Congress in the Fifth District, will be joining us as well as several local candidates.

Please invite your friends and neighbors to join us on Tuesday night.

THE MAN WHO SAVED CAPITALISM: It's a tragedy that Milton Friedman—born 100 years ago on July 31—did not live long enough to combat the big-government ideas that have formed the core of Obamanomics. It's perhaps more tragic that our current president, who attended the University of Chicago where Friedman taught for decades, never fell under the influence of the world's greatest champion of the free market. Imagine how much better things would have turned out, for Mr. Obama and the country. Friedman was a constant presence on these pages until his death in 2006 at age 94. If he could, he would surely be skewering today's $5 trillion expansion of spending and debt to create growth—and exposing the confederacy of economic dunces urging more of it. http://on.wsj.com/QYCw6Y

Snyder looking at second term, still has lots to do: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder isn't yet announcing his re-election bid, but he said Friday there's still a lot he wants to accomplish that may spill into a second term. The Republican governor told the Associated Press in an interview he's excited about continuing his administration's efforts to match more residents with good-paying jobs. http://bit.ly/QCOXLk

Portman's 'genteel' conservatism: Sen. Rob Portman is a Bush man, all right. But just not the Bush you may be thinking of. In both his political education and political identity, Portman is much more closely aligned with the 41st president than with the 43rd. The Ohio senator and GOP vice-presidential finalist got his start in national politics on George H.W. Bush's 1980 presidential campaign and partly owes his first congressional victory to former first lady Barbara Bush, who recorded a radio ad name-dropping Cincinnati's Skyline Chili and Portman in the same sentence. And overall, his views and political style are more reminiscent of the first President Bush: center-right, bipartisan, results-oriented and gentlemanly, if not terribly charismatic. http://politi.co/LX74st

Editorial: EM law repeal must be defeated: The Michigan Supreme Court has properly ruled that a labor-backed proposal to repeal the state's emergency manager law should be placed on the fall ballot. Now that it's on the ballot, it must be defeated. It is a self-serving proposal designed to protect the interests of public employee union members at the expense of taxpayers. ... The key objection labor unions have with Act 4 is that it allows emergency managers to re-open public employee union labor contracts if their pay and benefits can no longer be afforded by financially strapped cities or school districts. The unions have couched their objections in terms of wanting to protect local self-government and democracy, but that's a smokescreen. They want to protect their pay and perks, even if a city or school district is dancing on the edge of bankruptcy. http://bit.ly/Nc8e15

CLINT EASTWOOD ENDORSES MITT ROMNEY: "Dirty Harry" star Clint Eastwood, who made waves when he appeared in the "it's halftime in America" Super Bowl ad, was at a Mitt Romney fundraiser tonight, per a pool report flagged by POLITICO's Ginger Gibson. http://politi.co/QryIhW

Sunday Shows: Republicans Attack Reid Over Romney's Taxes: On today’s Sunday shows: Republicans attacked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid over his allegations that Mitt Romney has paid no taxes in the last decade; Texas Senate candidate Ted Cruz says the tea party wave will grow this year; and Bill Keller of The New York Times says a Wikileaks hoax using his byline was both silly and annoying. http://bit.ly/MHbh08

Democrats, Republicans offer rival views to control health costs:Democrats and Republicans agree that the next U.S. president will have to contend with rising healthcare costs that pose a growing, destabilizing burden for families, employers and government budgets. But two articles published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday show how far apart each side stands on the question of what to do, ahead of a November election showdown between President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney. http://reut.rs/QwcEEZ

Pfeiffer eats crow on Churchill bust: One of the more humorous sideshows of this year's summer dog days concluded yesterday when White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer apologized to Charles Krauthammer, The Washington Post columnist and Fox News contributor, for accusing him — on the White House blog, no less — of falsely claiming that a bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had been removed from the White House. http://politi.co/N2VKsr

BIRTHWEEK: Tuesday. Garrison Keillor. Friday. President Herbert Hoover, Angie Harmon. Saturday.  Hulk Hogan.


THE GAMES OF THE XXX OLYMPIAD—Wieber bounces back to anchor US gold-medal push: Jordyn Wieber didn't wait for the arena announcer to finish saying her name before the reigning world champion took off. The sooner she could get past the most crushing disappointment of her stellar career, the better. Eyes set down the runway, Wieber sprinted as if the gold medal was inches in front of her — the medal the U.S. women's gymnastics team has been chasing for 16 years. Three seconds later, she grabbed it. http://bit.ly/MzENF3

Allison Schmitt of the U.S. wins gold in 200m freestyle: Allison Schmitt shared a joke with Michael Phelps before her 200 meters freestyle final on Tuesday and she was still laughing afterwards. The bubbly American fizzed with energy in the pool and was still pretty lively out of it after completing a set of Olympic swimming medals with a gold medal to go with the silver and bronze she had already won. http://bit.ly/Qgb3kh

July 30, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

Cautious consumers, foreign trade curb second quarter growth: U.S. economic growth slowed in the second quarter as consumers spent at their slowest pace in a year, increasing pressure on the Federal Reserve to do more to bolster the recovery. Gross domestic product expanded at a 1.5 percent annual rate between April and June, the weakest pace of growth since the third quarter of 2011, the Commerce Department said on Friday. http://reut.rs/OqMcqQ

THE 1.5% PRESIDENCY: President Obama didn't comment on Friday's report of declining growth in the second quarter, and that's no surprise. The economic story of his Presidency is by now familiar: a plodding recovery that has taken its third dip in three years and is barely raising incomes for most Americans. http://on.wsj.com/QpXj30

SUNDAY SHOWS--Scalia Says Guns May Be Regulated: On today’s Sunday shows: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said the Second Amendment leaves room to regulate guns; Mitt Romney makes efforts to clarify his position on Israel and Iran; and the latest Newsweek cover, headlined “The Wimp Factor” with an image of Romney smiling, apparently doesn't bother him. http://natj.rnl/072912

7 YOUNG BRITISH ATHLETES LIGHT CAULDRON TO OPEN GAMES: The queen and James Bond gave the London Olympics a royal entrance like no other Friday in an opening ceremony that rolled to the rock of the Beatles, the Stones and The Who. And the creative genius of Danny Boyle spliced it all together. Brilliant. Cheeky, too. http://on.msnbc.com/PId1sT

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. Bud Selig. Tuesday. Milton Friedman, J.K. Rowling. Wednesday. Francis Scott Key, Melanie Ellison, Robbie Rankey. Friday. Alan Mulally, President Obama,. Saturday. Sunday.

'Jeffersons' star Sherman Hemsley dies at 74: Actor Sherman Hemsley, famous for playing Archie Bunker's former neighbor George Jefferson in the "All in the Family" spin-off "The Jeffersons," has died at 74, his representative said in a statement to Reuters. On "The Jeffersons," Hemsley played a dry-cleaning tycoon who'd worked his way up from a small store to a chain. Isabel Sanford played his wife Louise, whom George often called Weezie, and Marla Gibbs played the couple's maid, Florence. http://bit.ly/MFZnIc

July 23, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

UPCOMING EVENTS—County Convention: Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bay County Building (call to convention). Dennis Poirier: A fundraiser is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, August 2. Details will come in due course. Summer Picnic (date change and time adjustment): The summer picnic will be Tuesday, August 13 at Bigelow Park from 6 to 9 p.m. Joe Davis: A fundraiser is scheduled for Tuesday, August 21. Details will come in due course.

We the People Picnic: A friendly reminder to all of our Patriots - Tuesday, July 24 we will begin the evening with a picnic under the pavilion at Williams Twp. Park at 5:30 p.m. Our regular monthly meeting will be in the hall at 7 p.m. We hope you can join us for both but if you are double-booked we will also take you for one or the other!

If you would like your fundraiser or other event put in the Bulletin, please e-mail the details to chair@baycountygop.org.

GLENN SUSPENDS CAMPAIGN, BACKS DURANT: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Gary Glenn, a social conservative backed by elements of the tea party movement, suspended his campaign and announced he will support rival Clark Durant in the final 2 1/2 weeks before the August 6 primary. http://on.freep.com/MrERsR

Hoekstra's 2Q fundraising triples Durant's: Former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra had a nearly 3-to-1 fundraising advantage in the second quarter over Clark Durant, his chief fundraising rival in the GOP race for U.S. Senate. Hoekstra, the frontrunner in GOP primary polls, ended the quarter with nearly $1.7 million in cash on hand after raising $734,407 in net contributions in the second quarter this year. He'll face Durant, co-founder of Cornerstone Schools; Randy Hekman, a former judge and administrative pastor; and Gary Glenn of Midland, who earned the backing of a coalition of Michigan tea parties in the Aug. 7 primary. Durant has $1.4 million in cash and raised $272,844 in the second quarter. http://bit.ly/O9lZyV

BAD ECONOMY TAKING ITS TOLL ON OBAMA: The first round of polls is out after President Obama's Bain attacks against Mitt Romney and the results aren't good news for the White House. By themselves, the national toplines are discouraging enough - Romney holds a (statistically-insignificant) 47 to 46 percent lead in the new CBS/NYT poll, and the president is stuck at 47 percent in the just-released Fox News and NPR poll in 12 battleground states. http://bit.ly/MtRuSv

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. Justice Anthony Kennedy. Tuesday. José Valverde. Thursday. Mick Jagger. Sunday. Alexis de Tocqueville, Ted Lindsay.

FIRST-PLACE TIGERS SWEEP SOX, Miguel Cabrera clubs 300th homer: Why just win a series when you can sweep it. Charging into first place on Saturday, then adding a game to their lead on Sunday, the Tigers applied the finishing touch to a three-game sweep over the Chicago White Sox with a 6-4 triumph at Comerica Park. The Tigers lead the Sox by 1.5 games in the AL Central. http://bit.ly/NqrtXW

July 16, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

CALENDAR: Tom Wassa Fundraiser: Tuesday, June 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bigelow Park in Bay City. Cost is $15/person, $25/couple and $30/family. The menu includes brats and hot dogs, sides and beverages.

Dennis Poirier: A fundraiser is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, August 2. Details will come in due course.

Summer Picnic: The summer picnic will be Tuesday, August 14 at Bigelow Park from 7 to 9 p.m.

Joe Davis: A fundraiser is scheduled for Tuesday, August 21. Details will come in due course.

THE RAMBLER AMERICAN: DETROIT -- Is Michigan about to flip for Mitt? Let's stipulate that by the word flip we are not talking about heedless somersaults of ecstasy. This is not that kind of place, and Mitt Romney is not that kind of candidate. Michigan is not particularly flighty. Up north they take their fishing so seriously they pursue it in forbidding wintry conditions. In Ann Arbor and East Lansing, the gridiron game is played with stern, nearly religious devotion. No one doubts that, despite its resurgence, there aren't many laughs in the auto industry these days, and the state of Detroit is no laughing matter. http://bit.ly/OtAYjl

Health care on agenda when Michigan lawmakers return this week: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and his fellow Republicans could find themselves knee-deep in health care issues Wednesday when lawmakers briefly return after a five-week break. Snyder needs to get reluctant House Republicans on board with his efforts to create an online site where individuals and small businesses can comparison shop for private health insurance. He'll also likely be comparing notes with GOP legislative leaders over whether it will be a good idea in 2014 to extend Medicaid to around 500,000 more low-income residents with the help of $2 billion annually in federal aid. http://bit.ly/NbjZrz

George Shultz: Memo to Romney — Expand the Pie: George Shultz has one of the most preposterously impressive résumés in recent American history. World War II Marine (1942-45); distinguished academic economist; business executive; secretary of labor (1969-70); director of the Office of Management and Budget (1970-72); secretary of the Treasury (1972-74); chairman of Ronald Reagan's economic transition team; and the secretary of state (1982-89) who wound down the Cold War. He's also been an active adviser to GOP leaders including George W. Bush in the years since. And, as I just learned, he's not a bad singer either. bit.ly/M1seC8

Sunday Shows: Obama Says Washington 'Feels as Broken as it Did Four Years Ago': On today’s Sunday shows: President Obama says Washington “feels as broken as it did four years ago” and addresses the need for a second term; the presidential campaigns clash hard over Mitt Romney’s business experience at Bain Capital, and when he retired from the company; pressure builds on Romney to release more tax returns; and Michelle Obama says where she’d like to vacation. bit.ly/M1tLZ0

July 2, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

Now that #SCOTUS has upheld #ObamaCare, we must redouble our efforts to #repealandreplace by taking back the Senate and electing @MittRomney
— Bay County GOP (@BayCountyGOP) June 28, 2012

"The Affordable Care Act's requirement that certain individuals pay a financial penalty for not obtaining health insurance may reasonably be characterized as a tax. Because the Constitution permits such a tax, it is not our role to forbid, or to pass upon its wisdom or fairness."
—Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. (Opinion of the Court)

COURT BACKS OBAMA ON HEALTH LAW—In a Surprise Ruling, Chief Justice Sides With Liberals to Uphold Insurance Mandate; Republicans to Press for Repeal: Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. joined the Supreme Court's four liberals Thursday to uphold the linchpin of President Barack Obama's plan to expand health coverage to nearly all Americans, a surprise conclusion to a constitutional showdown. The ruling clears the way for the biggest revamp of America's health-care system since the 1960s—and sets the stage for a renewed political fight over its merits. By a 5-4 vote, the court held the law's mandate requiring Americans to carry health insurance or pay a penalty valid under Congress's constitutional authority to levy taxes. The financial penalty for failing to carry insurance possesses "the essential feature of any tax," producing revenue for the government, Chief Justice Roberts wrote.

But the court handed a consolation prize to the 26 largely Republican-led states that challenged the health-care overhaul—and opened a new door to their resistance. It ruled that the federal government could not expel states from Medicaid if they refused to go along with the expanded eligibility for the federal-state health program that is part of the health-care law. http://on.wsj.com/QDaCiL

THE ROBERTS RULES—The Chief Justice rewrites ObamaCare in order to save it.: Thursday was destined to be an historic day for American liberty, and it was, though the new precedent is grim. The remarkable decision upholding the Affordable Care Act is shot through with confusion—the mandate that's really a tax, except when it isn't, and the government whose powers are limited and enumerated, except when they aren't. One thing is clear: This was a one-man show, and that man is John Roberts.

The Chief Justice ruled that ObamaCare's mandate violated the Commerce Clause, joined by the Court's conservative bloc, but he also said that the mandate fell within Congress's power to tax, joined by the Court's liberal bloc. In practice this is a restraint on federal power without real restraint—and, worse, the Chief Justice had to rewrite the statute Congress passed in order to salvage it. The ruling will stand as one of the great what-might-have-beens of American constitutional law. http://on.wsj.com/QDevnV

ROBERTS SWITCHED VIEWS TO UPHOLD HEALTH CARE LAW: Chief Justice John Roberts initially sided with the Supreme Court's four conservative justices to strike down the heart of President Obama's health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act, but later changed his position and formed an alliance with liberals to uphold the bulk of the law, according to two sources with specific knowledge of the deliberations. Roberts then withstood a month-long, desperate campaign to bring him back to his original position, the sources said. Ironically, Justice Anthony Kennedy - believed by many conservatives to be the justice most likely to defect and vote for the law - led the effort to try to bring Roberts back to the fold. http://cbsn.ws/KULhRr

"The Court today decides to save a statute Congress did not write. It rules that what the statute declares to be a requirement with a penalty is instead an option subject to a tax. ... The court regards its strained statutory interpretation as judicial modesty. It is not. It amounts instead to a vast judicial overreaching. It creates a debilitated, inoperable version of health care regulation that Congress did not enact and the public does not expect."
—Justice Antonin Scalia (Dissenting Opinion, joined by Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel A. Alito, Jr.)

Gov. Snyder signs next Michigan budget into law: Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday signed into law a roughly $49 billion state budget that includes increased funding for education and public safety, while paying down debt, tucking away savings and granting a small tax break to individuals. This is the second year in a row Snyder and the Legislature delivered the state budget well ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline. The new budget year starts Oct. 1. http://bit.ly/LBEbMX

Republican state senator considering a 2014 challenge to Carl Levin: A Republican state senator said Tuesday he is considering a 2014 challenge to U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, a Detroit Democrat. Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Township, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, confirmed his interest in the race in an interview with the Free Press after attending Gov. Rick Snyder's signing ceremony for the 2013 state budget. http://on.freep.com/N3jPQM

BIRTHWEEK: Tuesday. Amy Carl. Wednesday. President Calvin Coolidge, Lisa Valentine. Thursday. Huey Lewis, Sen. Roger Wicker. Friday. Nancy Reagan, President George W. Bush. Saturday. Doc. Severinsen, Ringo Starr. Sunday. George W. Romney, Toby Keith.

June 25, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

CHAD DEWEY FUNDRAISER: Friday, June 29 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Bay Lanes, 6243 Euclid Ave., Bay City. Contribution is $15 per person which includes three games of bowling, shoe rental, and a chance to earn prizes. Additional contributions welcome! Please RSVP for this event by emailing christina@chaddewey.org or by calling 989-698-6217.

ROMNEY: DON'T LET U.S. 'BECOME EUROPE' UNDER OBAMA: Mitt Romney stopped in his native state on the last day of a swing through battleground states won by Barack Obama in 2008, telling Michiganders to give him chance to avoid seeing the United States turn into Europe. "I do not want to become Europe," he told hundreds at a rally outside the Bavarian Inn Lodge in the German-themed tourist town of Frankenmuth, southwest of Saginaw. "I want to restore the principles that made America the powerhouse of the Earth." http://bit.ly/NMDEid

GUILTY—Sandusky guilty on 45 of 48 counts: After nine days of arguments and testimonies, about 21 hours of deliberations and months of court filings and arguments in the case, former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was found guilty of 45 of the 48 counts of sexual abuse against him Friday night. http://bit.ly/LO3zVr

The Cornerstone: Welcome to the molten core of the political universe, the hottest battleground in the biggest battleground state. Since 1960, Hillsborough County has called every single presidential election except for one—and there’s no reason to think that voters here won’t do it again. http://bit.ly/O78cvh

Michigan Is Looking Rosier to Romney: Mitt Romney spent Tuesday baking pies in DeWitt, just north of Lansing, but his campaign also sent a message to President Obama: Mr. Romney says he believes that Michigan is up for grabs in November, and if nothing else, his campaign plans to force Mr. Obama and the Democrats to spend time and money defending turf that, until recently, seemed safely in the blue. Campaign aides say they believe that Michigan is, in fact, in play for Mr. Romney, who came of age here as the son of an auto executive turned governor of the state. They pointed to his full slate of events here Tuesday, the final swing of a five-day bus tour, as a sign of his seriousness about the state. http://nyti.ms/Lz9eP5

Poll: Former SCOTUS clerks think the mandate is done for: A new poll of 56 former Supreme Court clerks finds that 57 percent think the individual mandate will be overturned. That’s a 22-point jump from the last time the same group of clerks was surveyed, right before oral arguments. Back then, 35 percent thought the court would toss out the required purchase of health insurance. http://wapo.st/NeuiWA

Sunday Shows: Issa on Investigations: 'We're Not Fishing': On the Sunday shows, California GOP Rep. Darrell Issa defended his investigation into the Fast and Furious scandal; Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio said he was against using tax reform revenue to lessen the deficit; members of both campaigns agreed on something for once; and Rick Perry called Obama's use of executive privilege to protect documents from Issa's investigation "Nixonian." http://bit.ly/MPmXf1

Henninger: It's a Single-Issue Election: The terms on which the 2012 U.S. election will be contested have been set, appropriately by the incumbent president speaking recently at a community college in Ohio. Mr. President, the microphone is yours: "Yes, foreign policy matters. Social issues matter. But more than anything else, this election presents a choice between two fundamentally different visions of how to create strong, sustained growth." http://on.wsj.com/LDS6I0

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. George Orwell. Wednesday. Thursday. Mel Brooks. Friday. Saturday. Terri Lynn Land, Thomas Sowell, Michael Phelps. Sunday. Dan Aykroyd.

"Another solid draft": Three Saginaw Spirit players picked in first five rounds of NHL Draft: Even in an age of rapid draft information dissemination, thousands knew that Justin Kea had been picked in the NHL Draft before he did. Kea opted to watch the draft from his home in Woodville, Ontario Saturday. He had the television on when the Buffalo Sabres announced that they had taken him with the 73rd overall pick -- but the broadcast was showing analysts, not announcing picks. http://bit.ly/L5cNbL

June 18, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

CHAD DEWEY FUNDRAISER: Friday, June 29 at Bay Lanes, 4243 North Euclid Avenue, Bay City. Check-in is at 6:30pm with bowling to start soon after. The event lasts until 9:30pm. Contribution is $15 per person which includes three games of bowling, shoe rental, and a chance to earn prizes. Additional contributions welcome! Please RSVP for this event by emailing christina@chaddewey.org or by calling 989-698-6217.

ROMNEY REVS UP DRIVE IN MICHIGAN: Barack Obama breezed to victory in Michigan in 2008 and, until recently, his bailout of the state's auto industry looked to have armored him well for November. But signs of trouble are brewing in the Great Lakes State. If they grow, they would signal broader problems for the president in the industrial Midwest. http://on.wsj.com/MY9NR7

Bridge deal may boost gov's legacy: Governor Rick Snyder's legacy will be tied to his New International Trade Crossing which, if built, will arguably be the most significant infrastructure project in Michigan's history, experts said Friday. Forging an agreement with Canada that required neither money nor approval from Michigan legislators is viewed as a spectacular end-run around the Republican-controlled Legislature, which opposed the project — cementing Snyder's reputation for getting things done. http://bit.ly/MA0hmv

School pension reform delayed as Michigan lawmakers adjourn: Lawmakers headed back to their districts for the summer Thursday after sending Gov. Rick Snyder a small income tax cut but failing to complete a major overhaul of the school employee retirement system. Senators adjourned just before 5 p.m. without taking up a multibillion-dollar overhaul of the retirement system the House approved earlier in the day on a 57-47 vote. http://bit.ly/LvGbIR

FEC: Campaigns can raise money via text message: The Federal Election Commission on Monday night unanimously voted to allow Americans to make political donations via text message, making Androids, iPhones and BlackBerrys the newest weapon in the battle to raise unprecedented amounts of money. Both parties, as well as campaign finance reform advocates, say the move will allow Americans of modest means to play a greater role in a democratic process dominated this election cycle by billionaires and multimillionaires and political organizations such as super PACs that may raise and spend money without restriction. http://politi.co/Moj0l2

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. Sir Paul McCartney, Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE). Tuesday. Lou Gehrig.  Thursday. Prince William. Friday. Brit Hume.

June 11, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

WALKER WINS RECALL RACE OVER BARRETT: Scott Walker on Tuesday became the first governor in the country's history to survive a recall election, besting his 2010 rival in a contest that broke spending records and captured the nation's attention. "Tonight we tell Wisconsin, we tell our country, and we tell people all across the globe that voters really do want leaders that stand up and make the tough decisions," Walker told an overflow crowd at the Waukesha County Exposition Center. http://bit.ly/JUJ08z

FUNDRAISER FOR CHAD DEWEY: Chad Dewey, candidate for the state House for the 96th District against Charles M. Brunner, will hold a fundraiser at Bay Lanes on Friday, June 29 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. More details are forthcoming.

IMPORTANT EVENTS THIS WEEK: Bay County G.O.P. Executive Committee: Thursday, June 14 at 7 p.m. at Midland St. Jack's, 605 E. Midland St. Fifth District Dinner Cruise: Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. aboard the Islander at the foot of Ninth St. in Bay City. Tickets are available online: http://www.donationpages.com/directory/EventEcard/1512

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED—"The private sector is doing fine." The man who said so isn't: President Obama called a press conference this morning to deliver an important announcement: "The private sector is doing fine." Seriously, he said that. Then he said, "The big challenge we have in our economy right now is state and local government hiring has been going in the wrong direction"--meaning it hasn't been growing fast enough. As the Washington Examiner notes, he went on to call "for Congress to avert the layoffs of police, firefighters, and other public employees that have taken place at the state level." http://on.wsj.com/KqeX5p

Detroit will be broke next week if lawsuit isn't dropped, mayor says: With Detroit teetering over a monetary abyss, Mayor Dave Bing and the city's new chief financial officer issued a clarion call Friday, warning bluntly that the city will run out of cash next week if a lawsuit challenging the financial agreement the city made with the state to avoid insolvency isn't dropped. http://on.freep.com/KKaMpu

Poll: Barack Obama in dead heat with Mitt Romney in Michigan as popularity slips: President Barack Obama’s popularity in Michigan has slipped in recent months, leaving him in a dead heat with Republican challenger Mitt Romney, according to a new poll of state voters by EPIC-MRA of Lansing. The poll, released Thursday morning to the Free Press and four TV stations, shows Romney leading Obama 46%-45%, a reversal from the last EPIC poll in April which showed Obama ahead 47%-43%. http://on.freep.com/K1010K

Daniels: Wis. a 'turning point' in reforming unions: Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says he sees the results from Wisconsin’s recall race as a “turning point” in trying to curb the influence and benefits enjoyed by public-employee unions. http://politi.co/KtnSTw

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. Vince Lombardi, Hugh Laurie. Tuesday. President George H.W. Bush, Spencer Abraham, Wednesday. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. Saturday. Phil Mickelson. Sunday. Newt Gingrich, Jason Hanson.


'MR. TROLOLO' DIES IN ST. PETERSBURG, AGED 77: Russian baritone Eduard Khil, whose Trololo song enjoyed a comeback in 2010 after decades of oblivion, died in a St. Petersburg hospital at the age of 77 on Monday. Khil, who was given a People's Artist Award in the Soviet Union, became famous in the West after his song of 50 years ago, "I Am So Happy to Finally Be Back Home," which contains no words but only a melody of a series of "tro-lo-los," suddenly hit the internet. http://bit.ly/KJmY8b

June 4, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

MITT IS IT—Romney clinches Republican nomination: Mitt Romney Tuesday night claimed his win in the Texas primary gives him the requisite number of delegates to clinch the Republican presidential nomination. "I am honored that Americans across the country have given their support to my candidacy and I am humbled to have won enough delegates" to be the GOP nominee, Mr. Romney said in a statement. According to a tally by the Associated Press, Tuesday's win in Texas puts Mr. Romney over the threshold of 1,144 delegates needed for the nomination. http://on.wsj.com/JzBgIT

WRITE-IN CANDIDATES FOR PRECINCT DELEGATE: If you didn't make it down to the clerk's office by 4 p.m. a couple weeks ago to file for precinct delegate, fear not. You can still run as a write-in. The write-in candidate declaration of intent is available here (in PDF format). The form must be filed by 4 p.m. on Friday, August 3 with your city or township clerk (Michigan law does not provide for filing as a write-in for precinct delegate at the county clerk's office). You can also file the form at your polling place on Election Day before the polls close at 8 p.m.

Snyder: Detroit financial board needs to begin its work: Gov. Rick Snyder wants the Detroit Financial Advisory Board to meet with or without the two Detroit members the city has neglected to appoint, he told The Detroit News on Tuesday, before the start of the Mackinac Policy Conference. "What they've elected to do is not appoint members to the board, and my view is I think the board should meet," Snyder said. "If they don't show up, there's no reason the board can't meet, if you look at the agreement." http://bit.ly/L4mtmk

McCotter abandons write-in bid, will end career in Congress: U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter, plagued by a criminal probe into his nominating petitions, on Saturday said he is ending his write-in campaign for re-election and will focus on serving out the final days of his 10-year congressional career. The decision by the five-term congressman ends a stunning political week that began with the Secretary of State's office determining he was ineligible for the Aug. 7 primary ballot with widespread invalid and tampered petition signatures. McCotter, in agreement with the office, launched a write-in campaign and requested a criminal investigation into fraudulent petitions he said he trusted his longtime staff to handle. "I have ended my write-in campaign in Michigan's 11th Congressional District," McCotter said in a statement released Saturday afternoon. http://bit.ly/Ku8lGW

State budget nears approval: For the second year in a row, state lawmakers are on course to approve next fiscal year's budget months ahead of schedule as they continue to focus on making over the state's finances. The Senate will meet on Tuesday to make their final votes on the $48.2 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 after the House held a rare Friday session to take their final votes. http://bit.ly/L8Cj1g

Snyder: Michigan on upswing, but there's still work to do: Michigan is on its way to economic recovery but still needs to focus on 10 areas critical to the state's future, from public health to the environment, transportation and distressed cities, Gov. Rick Snyder told business leaders at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Thursday. The governor gave a shout out to Legislators who missed the Detroit Regional Chamber's annual event on Mackinac Island to finish work on the state budget, saying, "I want to thank the legislators for staying in Lansing to get this done right now." Lawmakers are trying to meet a self-imposed Friday deadline to sign off on a nearly $48 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1. http://bit.ly/KjsSi7

BIRTHWEEK: Wednesday. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA). Thursday. Dean Martin. Friday. Barbara Bush, Gabrielle Giffords. Saturday. Dick Vitale. Sunday. Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA)

Tears flow during Magglio Ordoñez retirement ceremony: Magglio Ordoñez brought swagger to a Tigers organization that was downtrodden and in need of a face to lift the organization back in 2005. "I didn’t take a chance on the Tigers, the Tigers took a chance on me," Ordoñez said today as he announced his retirement from baseball in a ceremony that took place at Comerica Park before the series finale against the New York Yankees. He received a standing ovation as he walked in from rightfield, clad in a dark suit and sunglasses, with his family already seated in front of the pitcher’s mound. Derek Jeter and former teammate Curtis Granderson watched the proceedings and applauded. He was presented a portrait of his game-winning three-run homer in the American League Championship Series in 2006 against Oakland. http://on.freep.com/KZbThP

Albom: Smiles, tears for Hockeytown hero Nicklas Lidstrom: The Ice Man melteth. It took 20 seasons, but those steel blue eyes began to water. The voice quivered. He was out of his element, wearing a suit, not a sweater, in front of a news conference, not a raucous arena, with notes in his hand, not a stick. And he was saying good-bye. http://on.freep.com/KhEiTe

May 28, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

MEMORIAL DAY. ". . . that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth." —Abraham Lincoln


Thank you to all our veterans past and present. We are the great nation we are because of you.

SNYDER, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AGREE TO INCOME TAX CUT, MORE EDUCATION FUNDING: Michiganians can expect individual tax relief this year as part of an agreement on the state budget hammered out late Wednesday that also includes more money for education, roads and film tax credits. The state will use $90 million in one-time money to reduce personal income taxes by one-tenth of a percent through either a reduction in the rate, a personal exemption or a combination of both, according to Gov. Rick Snyder's office. He and Republican legislative leaders have still to work out the details. http://bit.ly/KNFmgQ

Dems’ bid for House majority is not simple math: Just 25 seats separate Democrats from the House majority. It seems like a reasonable enough goal, except for one catch: The magic number for Democrats is actually a lot higher than that. In reality, Democrats probably will have to win 35 to 40 Republican-held seats to wrest the speaker’s gavel from John Boehner. Not only that, the party would need to defy an electoral pattern that’s held for almost half a century. http://politi.co/KDOUe8

McCOTTER MAY NOT MAKE AUGUST BALLOT: Representative Thad McCotter's re-election bid may be in jeopardy over questions about the number of petition signatures he submitted to appear on the August ballot. The Livonia Republican and former presidential candidate said late Friday he's been informed by state officials that his campaign may not have enough signatures to appear on the August G.O.P. primary ballot. The Secretary of State's website said McCotter submitted 2,000 signatures, double the number necessary to qualify, by the May 15 deadline. But an agency spokeswoman late Friday said a preliminary review suggests McCotter "will not have the needed 1,000 or more valid signatures," said secretary of state communications director Gisgie Gendreau. http://bit.ly/LmchYY

Ford regains logo with investment status upgrade: Ford Motor Co. reclaimed its Blue Oval when it received its long-awaited second investment-grade rating Tuesday, the final step it needed to get back the assets it mortgaged six years ago. Moody's Corp. upgraded Ford's debt from junk status, one month after Fitch Ratings did the same. The automaker needed two investment-grade ratings to reclaim the logo, Glass House, plants and machinery it pledged in 2006 to secure the $23.5 billion loan that kept the automaker afloat during the recession. "The Ford Blue Oval is back where it belongs with the Ford family of 166,000 employees around the world," said Chairman Bill Ford Jr. http://bit.ly/Lpm7Fb

CBO WARNS OF 2013 RECESSION: What would happen if a deadlocked Congress did nothing?If the expiring Bush tax rates are allowed to lapse and the automatic spending cuts kick in next year, it could hurl the U.S. economy back into a recession, the Congressional Budget Office warned in a report released Tuesday. http://politi.co/Ll9ej9

Democrats limp to finish line in Wisconsin: What seemed a few months ago like an unstoppable crusade to oust Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker now has the look of a marathon runner pulling up limp in the last mile. Two weeks from Election Day, Democrats face the real prospect of defeat: The last three public polls of the race show the first-term Republican up between 4 and 9 points. Local Democrats are seething that the national party has been MIA from their recall effort. The state’s largest newspaper argued over the weekend that whatever Walker’s sins, he doesn’t deserve to be booted from office. http://politi.co/K6iDLA

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. Rudy Giuliani, Kirk Gibson, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). Tuesday. Bob Hope, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX). Thursday. Clint Eastwood. Friday. Andy Griffith, Tony Snow. Saturday. Martha Washington, C.S. Mott. Sunday. Ransom E. Olds.

PERSONAL ANNOUNCEMENT:As many of you know, I recently accepted a job in State Representative Phil Potvin's office in Lansing as a legislative assistant. At this time, I intend to commute to the capital daily (possibly staying with family or friends overnight every so often to save a bit of gas). I intend to continue my duties as chairman as much as I can and do not intend to abandon the Party during this critical part of the 2012 election cycle. I remain as committed as ever to earning a majority on the Bay County Board of Commissioners, helping Mitt Romney kick Barack Obama out of the White House, take back the U.S. Senate, and achieve Republican victories right down the ballot.

May 21, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

Roy Schmidt was first
elected as a Democrat to
the state House in 2008.

APPETIZER: @MIGOP welcomes Grand Rapids state Rep. Roy Schmidt to the GOP after he leaves Democrats: Roy Schmidt’s filing deadline switch to the Republican party has been immediately embraced by GOP colleagues who credited the now-former Democrat from Grand Rapids with aligning for the people he represents and not a party platform. http://bit.ly/LchVyX

ENTREE: FILING DEADLINE IN BAY COUNTY--Dewey to challenge Brunner; sheriff, drain commissioner candidates; six of seven county commission seats have a GOP candidate

Chad Dewey (right) is challenging
State Representative Charles M. Brunner.

Chad Dewey, a Republican from Monitor Township, has filed for candidacy to challenge State House incumbent Charles Brunner, D-Bay City, for the 96th District seat. Dewey, 39, of 5044 7 Mile Road, was born in Saginaw in 1973 and grew up in Freeland, according to his web site. He started a family and ran a small business in the 1990s. http://bit.ly/JhhsLo

DESSERT: Michigan unemployment rate improves to 8.3% in April, as workforce grows by 3,000: Michigan’s unemployment rate kept moving in the right direction in April, dropping two-tenths of a percentage point to 8.3%. Data released Wednesday afternoon by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget showed that the state’s workforce rose slightly by a net increase of 3,000 workers. Meanwhile, a monthly survey of employers showed that the number of jobs at major employers rose slightly in April by 5,000 to just under 4 million. April job additions were led by an increase of 6,000 jobs in professional and business services. http://on.freep.com/Jwqt3b

#MRP2012--STATE CONVENTION IN DETROIT: RNC Chairman optimistic about Romney's chances to win Michigan: Republican National Committee chairman @Reince Priebus told Michigan Republicans on Saturday that President Barack Obama campaigned to unite the country, but instead he's spread "hate and division." In a kickoff speech at the Michigan Republican Party State Convention, Priebus compared Obama's campaign to a television sitcom: "It's the Seinfeld campaign," Priebus said. "It's the campaign about nothing." Afterward, Priebus told reporters he was optimistic about Mitt Romney's chances of winning Michigan in November, though the state hasn't voted for a Republican for president since 1988. Noting Republican gains statewide after the 2010 election: "The last I checked the map in Michigan is bright red everywhere," Priebus said. http://bit.ly/JskJXi

Fifth District Delegates to #RNC2012: Prudy Adam, Denise Graves, and Michelle Voorheis. Bay County had a sweep of the alternate delegates positions: John Engel, Daniel Raymond and Randall Raymond. Congratulations to all!!

Rep. Dave Agema and former SoS @TerriLLand
were elected to represent Michigan on the RNC.

Republicans deny Anuzis, Hughes reelection to party leadership posts: Republicans on Saturday ousted two of their representatives to the national party. Saul Anuzis, the Michigan Republican National Committeeman and one-time candidate to lead the national party, and state Rep. Holly Hughes were voted out of their posts at the Michigan Republican State Convention. http://bit.ly/LonHh4

Snyder tells Republicans to keep Michigan's momentum going in 2012: Gov. @onetoughnerd kicked off Saturday’s Michigan Republican Party convention by asking attendees to help maintain what he considers positive momentum during the 2012 election. Snyder noted the state’s economy has begun to turn around. Michigan’s unemployment rate, which topped 14 percent during parts of 2009, dropped to 8.3 percent in April. The jobless rate was in double digits when Snyder took office in January 2011. "We cannot be complacent or content," Snyder told the convention during a short welcoming speech at Cobo Center in Detroit. http://bit.ly/KnK2Eh

@MittRomney, @GOP take in $40 million in April: Mitt Romney and the Republican Party raised a combined $40.1 million in April, a figure that nearly matches the Democratic haul last month and shows the GOP coalescing around its presumptive nominee. By comparison, President Obama and the Democratic National Committee raised $43.6 million in April. Both candidates share their fundraising with the national party and state committees. "Voters are tired of President Obama's broken promises," Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement released by the Romney campaign. "Mitt Romney has the record and plan to turn our country around - that is why he is receiving such enthusiastic support from voters across the country." http://usat.ly/JM15Ug

Michigan considers 'interlocal agreement' with Canada on new bridge: Gov. Rick Snyder said Wednesday that he's considering fallback options in case the state legislature doesn't back a plan to build a new bridge from Detroit to Windsor, Ont., including seeking an "interlocal agreement" with Canada that wouldn't require legislative approval. The Republican governor says he still hopes the Republican-led House and Senate will back the bridge plan. But given his lack of success in getting legislation through the Senate, he's also pursuing other options. Snyder met with Canadian Transport Minister Denis Lebel and other top officials in Windsor last week to discuss plans for a new bridge. He has declined to speak much about the negotiations, but said Wednesday he remains hopeful a bridge agreement can be reached this year. http://bit.ly/JvLASY

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. Mr. T. Wednesday. Mitch Albom, Drew Carey. Friday. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Frank Oz. Saturday. Queen Mary. Sunday. Henry Kissinger.

May 14, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

JOE SAYS THANKS: County Commissioner Joe Davis wants to thank everyone who came to his fundraiser at Webster House. He also is still accepting donations. Please send checks payable to "Joe Davis for County Commissioner" to 909 N. Wenona St., Bay City 48706.

Precinct Delegate Deadline Tuesday: The deadline to file paperwork to run for precinct delegate is Tuesday, May 15 at 4 p.m.

Obama launches campaign amid fears of a jobs crisis: When Senator Barack Obama came to Richmond four years ago, Rio Bridges dropped everything. Then 25, he queued for four hours in the freezing cold to claim one of 13,000 spots in the city's Coliseum. "It felt like you just couldn't miss it," Mr Bridges remembers. "We were making history". While another 6,000 shivered outside, Mr Obama entered the amphitheatre to an ear-splitting roar. As flashbulbs popped and teenagers screamed, he declared: "You and I – together – will change this country and change this world". To Mr Bridges, "there was electricity in the building – I'll never forget it". Yet this 29-year-old music producer will not be among the crowds when Mr Obama comes back to this American city of 200,000 people, some 110 miles south of the White House, to officially launch his re-election campaign this morning [SATURDAY]. "I'm kinda busy," he said. http://tgr.ph/INAZ2M

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. George Lucas. Tuesday. John Smoltz. Wednesday. William H. Seward, Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN), Jack Morris. Friday. Perry Como, Blessed Pope John Paul II. Saturday. Brandon Inge. Sunday. John Stuart Mill.

May 7, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

The May 2012 MIGOP State Convention
will be held May 18-19 at Cobo Hall
in Detroit.

COUNTY CONVENTION RESULTS: The following will represent Bay County at the Michigan Republican State Convention next weekend as delegates in Detroit: Robbie, Bob and Mary Ann Rankey, F. Patrick Daily, Vaughn Begick, Aaron Baylis, Kellie Brennan, Gilbert Bartz, Kyle Winters, Christopher Rumberg, Kim and Chris Bennett, John Engel, Ashley Giddings, Daniel Raymond, Stacey Whyte, Paul Masson, Tim Sampson, Dave Boehringer, Bruce Neitzel, Randall Raymond, and Chris Grappin.

Rankey for National Convention: At the county convention, Robbie Rankey (@robrank14 for those on the Twitters) announced his candidacy for Republican National Convention delegate. Party Chairman Aaron J. Baylis has given Robbie his endorsement and hopes you will support his candidacy.

Hollande is the first Socialist to occupy
Élysée Palace since François Mitterand.

Socialist Hollande wins French presidency: French socialist Francois Hollande has won a clear victory in the country's presidential election. Mr Hollande - who got an estimated 52% of votes in Sunday's run-off - said the French had chosen "change". Admitting defeat, centre-right incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy wished "good luck" to Mr Hollande. http://bbc.in/Jpq0uN

Michigan drops plan to set age for health coverage: Gov. Rick Snyder and Republican legislative leaders are abandoning a plan to make public school employees wait until age 60 to collect retirement health insurance benefits. Setting a specific age for retired school employees to get health care coverage has been one of the most controversial aspects of a massive legislative overhaul of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System. http://bit.ly/IO8ORk

POLI-BITES: Secretary of State dons helmet, proper gear on hog: Secretary of State Ruth Johnson donned her leather jacket last week and rode her Harley-Davidson Sportster with a group of bikers near Grand Rapids to call attention to May as Motorcycle Safety Month in Michigan. Notable from the event: All the riders, including Johnson, wore helmets even though Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill last month allowing bikers to feel the wind in their hair. Part of the message for Johnson was to "wear the proper gear," but her news release made no mention of helmets. http://on.freep.com/J7hcup

Rubio says Obama campaign magic is dead: The Obama campaign magic is dead. That’s the conclusion of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), speaking on "Fox News Sunday." "All the things that made him different and special four years ago are gone," Rubio told host Chris Wallace during an interview that focused heavily on President Barack Obama’s record on the economy. http://politi.co/IvCW1Y

51st state? Yoopers are talking up secession from Michigan again: Would it be called the State of Northern Michigan? How about the State of Superior? Michigan's Upper Peninsula is going to need a new name if it secedes to become the 51st state. And that's exactly what they're talking about up in Marquette County, where the issue was raised at the last Marquette County Board of Commissioners meeting and quickly spread via several U.P. media outlets. http://on.freep.com/IA7ej5

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. Former Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM). Tuesday. F.A. Hayek, Don Rickles. Wednesday. Former Attorney General John Ashcroft, Billy Joel, The Captain Steve Yzerman, Dana Perino, Prince Fielder. Thursday. Chris Berman, Rick Santorum, Bono, Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV). Friday.  Charlie Gehringer. Saturday. Yogi Berra, George Carlin, Sweet Lou Whitaker. Sunday. Stevie Wonder.

April 30, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

OFFICIAL CALL TO THE BAY COUNTY REPUBLICAN CONVENTION: There shall be a meeting of the duly elected Precinct Delegates and the At-Large Delegates to the County Convention at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, 2012 in the old chambers of the Bay County Board of Commissioners on the second floor of the Bay County Building, 515 Center Avenue, Bay City. The purpose of this meeting shall be to elect Delegates and Alternates to the May 18 – 19, 2012 State Convention to be held at Cobo Center in the City of Detroit. The purpose of the State Convention is to elect delegates to the 2012 Republican National Convention, and to elect our National Committeeman and Committeewoman. Only Precinct Delegates elected at the August 3, 2010 Primary Election, the last recent Republican nominees for County and State Legislative offices, the Michigan Congressional Delegation, the Republican National Committeeman and National Committeewoman from Michigan and Michigan Republican Party Officers (see Rule 5C) where such person resides in the county in question and Precinct Delegates elected to permanently fill vacancies at all subsequent county conventions will be seated and considered eligible to vote at this convention.

Reps. Dave Camp and Eric Cantor
speak to media after a Republican
fundraiser at the H Hotel in Midland

CANTOR: SILICON VALLEY HAS NOTHING ON MIDLAND: Representative Eric Cantor, the Republican House majority leader from Virginia, compared the global reach of technology mecca Silicon Valley to Midland on Monday. "It’s ironic, you go to Silicon Valley, and they say if you live in Silicon Valley you wake up thinking globally," he told a gathering of about 300 Republicans in the ballroom of Midland's The H Hotel at a breakfast fundraiser. "I don’t think Silicon Valley has anything on Midland, Michigan." "The irony of a state that’s had such challenges and to have a community like this that is leading the global competition ... hats off to you." http://bit.ly/IcliUl

GOP builds national campaign network from its grass roots: The Republican Party over the next few weeks will open a series of local campaign offices in a half-dozen key swing states to help mobilize GOP voters this fall and catch up with President Obama's head start in campaign organization. Over the next two weeks, these "victory offices" opened jointly by the Republican National Committee and state GOP committees will develop and share voter contact information, grass-roots organizing and get-out-the-vote efforts with state party committees. By summer, the network will be at the service of the party's nominee, presumably former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. http://usat.ly/IlLFXU

Belleman a finalist for Wisconsin position: Bay City Manager Robert Belleman is a finalist for the same position in Fond du Lac, Wis., according to their local newspaper. According to the Fond du Lac Reporter, Belleman is among five finalists for city manager, with interviews and a reception scheduled for May 11. Fond du Lac is a city of about 43,000 compared to Bay City's nearly 35,000. Fond du Lac's current city manager, Tom Herre, is retiring June 15. The salary for a new city manager has not been determined, but Herre made $121,303 and had a car allowance of $100 per month. Belleman's salary is $89,776. He could not be reached for comment this afternoon. http://bit.ly/KkIT0r

TRUSTEES REPORT SOCIAL SECURITY OUTLOOK WORSENING: The Medicare and Social Security trust funds are both on "unsustainable paths" — as they have been for years — and will be exhausted by 2024 and 2033, respectively, a trustee report (PDF) released Monday said. "The projections in this year's report are somewhat more pessimistic than last year's report," Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said. The 2024 date for depletion of the Medicare trust fund was the same as predicted last year, while trustees moved up the date for the Social Security fund running out by three years compared with last year. http://usat.ly/Ic7R2s

BIRTHWEEK: Monday: Stephen Harper (Conservative PM of Canada). Friday: George Will. Sunday: Willie Mays, Bob Seger, George Clooney.

Calvin Johnson beat out
Panthers QB Cam Newton
for the Madden NFL '13 cover.

MEGATRON ON MADDEN COVER: Fresh off a mega contract, Calvin "Megatron" Johnson has landed the coveted cover of "Madden NFL 13." The Detroit Lions wideout beat out second-year Panthers quarterback Cam Newton for the honor. The vote was announced Wednesday afternoon on "SportsNation" on ESPN2. Johnson, who won by garnering 52 percent of the more than 651,000 votes cast in the competition, said he was "shocked" by the decision. http://es.pn/ILiV82

LIONS PICK REIFF AT #23: The Detroit Lions addressed the offensive line in the first round of the NFL draft. With the 23rd pick in tonight's draft, the team took Iowa offensive lineman Riley Reiff. Reiff, 6-foot-5 3/4 and 313 pounds, was the first player from the Big Ten selected in tonight's draft. "Words can't describe how happy I am right now," Reiff said. "I'm super excited to be a Lion. I really can't put into words what I'm actually feeling but I'm excited. The Lions are a great team and it'll be great seasons ahead." http://on.freep.com/JEESZV

49ers pick Trenton Robinson in 6th round: The suspense is finally over for Bay City native Trenton Robinson. After a longer than expected wait, the former three-year starter at free safety for Michigan State saw his dream realized on Saturday when the San Francisco 49ers made him the 10th pick of the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. "I'm very excited that they took a chance on me," Robinson said in a conference call with the 49ers. "I'm just really ready to get out there and work. My dream is here. I just don't even know how to feel except that I'm super excited to get out here and work and show them what I can do." Robinson becomes the first person from Bay City to be drafted into the NFL since 1973 when Jerry List was taken by the Oakland Raiders in the 11th round out of Nebraska. http://bit.ly/IIq2jx

Tigers Release Inge: Without any tears or spoken regrets, the newly released Brandon Inge told reporters this afternoon that he still loves having played for the Detroit Tigers and their fans and that he hopes to continue his career with another team. He received word of his release immediately after today’s game from general manager Dave Dombrowski, assistant general manager Al Avila and manager Jim Leyland in a meeting in Leyland’s clubhouse office. "I could kind of see how things were going," Inge, 34, said. “But there are no hard feelings whatsoever. This is my family. This is where I’ve been my whole career. I’ll miss the guys -- I will. ... My heart will always be in Detroit." http://on.freep.com/IozlGo

April 23, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

Governor Rick Snyder visited troops
in Afghanistan along with the governors
of Rhode Island and South Dakota.

FROM THE TWITTERS: @onetoughnerd: Good news to report: #Michigan's unemployment rate dropped to 8.5% & total employment went up by 21,000 last month. #Michigan's unemployment rate is now a full two percentage points lower than it was a year ago #TheReinventionIsWorking

MICHIGAN'S 8.5% JOBLESS RATE HITS LOWEST LEVEL SINCE AUGUST '08: Michigan's March unemployment rate fell by three-tenths of a percentage point, down to 8.5 percent from the February rate of 8.8 percent and two full points below the same month last year. Payroll employment increased by 1,000 jobs, and total employment by 9,000, suggesting a gain in self-employed workers, according to data released this afternoon by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. The number of jobless workers declined by 12,000 and the state labor force — everyone with a job or looking for one — climbed by 21,000. http://bit.ly/I5yzZn

JOE DAVIS FUNDRAISER: Commissioner Joe Davis is having a fundraiser on Thursday, April 26 at Webster House, 900 Fifth St., in Bay City from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $50; please mail a check payable to "Joe F. Davis for County Commissioner" to 900 N. Wenona St., Bay City, MI 48706.

SAGINAW COUNTY GOP PRECINCT DELEGATE TRAINING: Join the Saginaw GOP for a precinct delegate training session with pizza on Monday, April 30 at 6 p.m. at their headquarters, 3071 Bay Rd., Ste. 300, Saginaw. If you are currently a precinct delegate, a new precinct delegate, or aren't quite sure, attend this training session to learn how to make the most of your tenure as a precinct delegate.

Filing deadline is May 15: In order to be a candidate for precinct delegate, a person must file an Affidavit of Identity with the county clerk no later than 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15. The form must be notarized. The clerk has forms in her office.

Santos' move from Bangor Township to Saginaw city clerk 'a giant step up,' boss says: Earlier this week, Janet Santos announced her resignation as Bangor Township clerk to accept the position as clerk in Saginaw. Santos had served as Bangor Township's clerk since 2000. http://bit.ly/JO1EsU

HATCH FACES UTAH PRIMARY FIGHT: Sen. Orrin Hatch failed to clinch his party’s nomination at the state GOP convention Saturday, ensuring a June primary against state Sen. Dan Liljenquist. The six-term Republican incumbent fell just short of the 60 percent threshold necessary to skirt a June 26 face-off. On the second ballot, Hatch notched 59 percent of the vote to Liljenquist’s 41 percent. While Hatch avoided the fate of former Sen. Bob Bennett — who was denied the renomination in dramatic fashion at this convention two years ago — he now enters a two-month campaign that he would have liked to avoid. In the end, Hatch fell short by fewer than 50 votes from avoiding a fight into the summer. http://politi.co/IcRLsz

Romney raises more campaign cash in Michigan than Obama: Despite the credit President Barack Obama gets for helping turn around Michigan's signature auto industry, he trails the man he's likely to face in November -- Michigan-born Mitt Romney -- in campaign fund-raising in the state. At least for a few more days. A Free Press analysis of Federal Election Commission records shows that as of the end of February -- the most recent period for which data are available -- Obama had raised about $1.6 million in Michigan. http://on.freep.com/INzuUT

Legislators' agenda will test Snyder's leadership: Lawmakers return from their spring break Tuesday — and back into a tug of war with Gov. Rick Snyder over the state budget that started before their vacation. Snyder and the Legislature have agreed to get the budget done by June 1 — like last year when they delivered the fastest budget in three decades. But with a year's experience under their belts, Republican lawmakers are showing more independence. http://bit.ly/I1lSCr

State Representative Dave Agema
is challenging Saul Anuzis for re-election
to the RNC from Michigan.

Tea party activists recruit Agema for high profile Republican race against Anuzis: In his bid to beat Saul Anuzis for the Michigan Republican National Committeeman position, term-limited state Rep. Dave Agema said Tuesday he’s not going to engage in negative campaigning against the party veteran. The Grandville resident was not as demure in an email sent the same day announcing his candidacy and seeking support of conservatives. He initially takes a veiled approach vowing not to work as a "paid political consultant while in a party office" without naming Anuzis, who runs the Coast to Coast Strategies firm, has held the national post since 2010 and served four years as the state party chairman. Agema later writes about his opponent inviting him to support the National Popular Vote, an effort to get states to combine their electoral votes behind the presidential candidate who wins the most votes overall, without full disclosure of his interest. http://bit.ly/J5QcOs

HERITAGE GUIDE TO THE CONSTITUTION: The Heritage Guide to the Constitution is intended to provide a brief and accurate explanation of each clause of the Constitution as envisioned by the Framers and as applied in contemporary law. Its particular aim is to provide lawmakers with a means to defend their role and to fulfill their responsibilities in our constitutional order. Yet while the Guide will provide a reliable reference for lawmakers and policy-makers, and be especially useful for the trained jurist, it is written to be explanatory and educational, accessible and helpful for informed citizens and students of the Constitution generally. http://herit.ag/Y0x

BIRTHWEEK: Tuesday: Todd Jones. Wednesday: Sen. John Kyl (R-AZ), Al Pacino. Thursday: Frederick Law Olmsted (designer of Bay City's Carroll Park, NYC's Central Park and U.S. Capitol grounds) (h/t a duck in the pond), Carol Burnett. Friday: Ulysses S. Grant, Jack Klugman, Casey Kasem (h/t a long-distance dedication). Saturday: Nicklas Lidstrom, John Daly. Sunday: The Duke of Wellington, Duke Ellington, Jerry Seinfeld, Mike Babcock, @MattFrendewey.

Philip Humber pitched the
21st perfect game in MLB history
on Saturday in Seattle.

PERFECTION: White Sox's Humber throws perfect game: For only a few seconds Saturday, Philip Humber's perfect game bid was out of his hands. "Go get it," Humber said as catcher A.J. Pierzynski chased down an errant slider that pinch-hitter Brendan Ryan was ruled to have swung at. "Throw him out." As soon as Pierzynski retreated and completed his throw to first base to complete the 27th consecutive out, the latest chapter in Humber's amazing ascent was completed. http://trib.in/JyyC0T

Spirit’s Greg Gilbert OHL Coach of the Year: The Ontario Hockey League Tuesday announced that Saginaw Spirit Head Coach Greg Gilbert is the 2011-12 recipient of the Matt Leyden Trophy presented to the OHL Coach of the Year. Gilbert joined the Spirit midway through the 2011-12 campaign and in 36 games behind the bench earned a 20-10-1-5 record for 46 points helping the Spirit climb from ninth place in the OHL’s Western Conference standings with 28 points to a fifth place finish with 74 points. The sixth coach in club history, Gilbert becomes the first Matt Leyden Trophy winner in the Spirit’s 10-year history in Saginaw. "I am very honoured and humbled to be recognized with this award and this is something that I will always cherish," Gilbert said. "I have been fortunate to be involved with a great organization with a tremendous ownership group and supporting staff, and of course a lot of credit needs to go to the players who opened their minds with a willingness to learn and work hard." http://bit.ly/I2q3un

The Lions will have one
Monday Night Football game
on October 22 in Chicago.

LIONS SCORE FIVE NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAMES: The NFL has released its regular-season schedule and it declares the Lions must-see TV. The Lions will be featured in four prime-time games and five nationally-televised games (including Thanksgiving), the most allowed to any one team. The one drawback for Lions fans is three of those nationally-televised games are on the road (49ers, Bears and Packers) and the two at Ford Field aren’t until Week 12 (Thanksgiving) against the Texans and Week 16 against the Falcons. http://bit.ly/IVQlok

April 16, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

JOE DAVIS FUNDRAISER: Commissioner Joe Davis is having a fundraiser on Thursday, April 26 at Webster House, 900 Fifth St., in Bay City from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $50; please mail a check payable to "Joe F. Davis for County Commissioner" to 909 N. Wenona St., Bay City, MI 48706.

SANTORUM BOWS OUT: Rick Santorum suspended his campaign for the White House on Tuesday, clearing the way for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to claim the Republican presidential nomination and end the primary season after three months and 37 contests. The former Pennsylvania senator told a news conference he had made the decision over the weekend with his family. Trailing far behind Mr. Romney in the delegate count, Mr. Santorum faced a growing chorus of calls from within his party to exit the race and allow Republicans to unify their forces for the November election. http://on.wsj.com/Hvgcm2

WSJ DELEGATE COUNT: Romney: 684. Santorum: 270. Gingrich: 136. Paul: 52. http://bit.ly/x8AjFP

COUNTDOWN: 113 days to primary, 204 days to general.

COUNTY CONVENTION: There shall be a meeting of the duly elected Precinct Delegates and the At-Large Delegates to the County Convention at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, 2012 in the old chambers of the Bay County Board of Commissioners on the second floor of the Bay County Building, 515 Center Avenue, Bay City. The purpose of this meeting shall be to elect Delegates and Alternates to the May 18 – 19, 2012 State Convention to be held at Cobo Center in the City of Detroit. The purpose of the State Convention is to elect delegates to the 2012 Republican National Convention, and to elect our National Committeeman and Committeewoman.

Proposed industrial district in Bangor Township could lure investments, spur riverfront development: Officials and business owners say that a stretch of property along the Saginaw River could jumpstart the local economy if it receives the green light to be developed as an industrial district. "This step is kind of a formality — the exciting part is when the companies start to move in," said Terry Watson, Bangor Township supervisor. "Once the property sees improvement, then it becomes much more valuable, and that's where it is a win for the township." http://bit.ly/IC8zLp

BAY COUNTY CHAMBER LUNCHEON: Johnson, Stamas say education needs reform and financial support: Education was highlighted by the final two speakers at today's State Legislative Luncheon, hosted by the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce at Bay Valley Resort & Conference Center. Rep. Joel Johnson, R-Clare, is working toward foundation grant equity for all schools that will be achieved over a three-year span. http://bit.ly/ImrGof

Brunner says Pure Michigan works, and airport needs a new name: Pure Michigan is working, said Rep. Charles Brunner, D-Bay City. Addressing the State Legislative Luncheon hosted by the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce at Bay Valley Resort & Conference Center, he said that throughout his 10 years in government, he has been required to make cuts. One investment that is proving worthwhile in Michigan is tourism, he said. Every dollar of the $14.2 million spent out of state on Pure Michigan brought $4.90 back to the state. http://bit.ly/HxJXPt

AMERICA'S DEBT BOMB WORSE THAN EUROPE: It has been said many times in recent months that we aren’t Greece. Now it will start to be said that we aren’t Spain. Both propositions are certainly true. (For one thing, Spain elected its socialist government in 2004, thus getting a head start on us.) But if we compare America’s debt crisis to Europe’s as a whole, how do we stack up? The Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee did the math and produced this graphic, which shows that the U.S. is now deeper in debt than the entire Eurozone, plus the United Kingdom. (The Democrats on the committee are too busy dodging their legal obligation to come up with a budget to produce anything.): http://bit.ly/HHXhSY

Motorcycle helmets now optional: Gov. Rick Snyder has signed into law a bill making motorcycle helmets optional. "While many motorcyclists will continue to wear helmets, those who choose not to deserve the latitude to make their own informed judgments," Snyder, a Republican, said in a news release Wednesday. Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, twice vetoed similar legislation. http://on.freep.com/HEppUD

Snyder signs bills tightening lottery winners' eligibility standards: Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation aimed at ensuring lottery winnings and other assets are taken into account when determining eligibility for food stamp and other welfare programs. Snyder signed the bills Wednesday. They come after Michigan officials twice found out that lottery winners continued to use food stamps after collecting a jackpot http://bit.ly/IGe4I4

MICHIGAN'S UPTON DELIVERS GOP ADDRESS: House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) delivers this week's address on House Republicans' 'all-of-the-above' energy plan to address skyrocketing gas prices and help create jobs. We've passed several energy bills now stuck in the Democrat-controlled Senate. If the president and Senate democrats are serious about removing government barriers to energy production and job creation, they'll consider our bipartisan legislation. http://youtu.be/7Gna4XjXwJQ

DRINK: Obama paid lower tax rate than secretary: President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama had a combined income of $789,674 in 2011 but paid a lower tax rate than the president's secretary, who made less than $100,000, the White House confirmed Friday. The Obamas paid an effective rate of 20.5 percent. White House aides would not reveal presidential secretary Anita Breckenridge’s tax rate but confirmed it was higher than the first family's rate. Breckenridge earned $95,000 last year. The Obamas' rate is less than the 30 percent the president wants millionaires to pay under his proposed Buffett Rule. http://fxn.ws/IavyK2

CHASER: George W Bush enters debate as he criticises Barack Obama's 'Buffett Tax': George W Bush made his first intervention in the US presidential election campaign on Tuesday, calling for lower taxes as President Barack Obama said America's highest earners must pay more. During a rare public appearance in New York, the former president said: "If you raise taxes on the so-called rich, you're really raising taxes on the job creators." http://tgr.ph/HxVqTt

Snyder talks EMs, mammoths in online videos: In case you wondered, the governor's favorite prehistoric animal is the wooly mammoth. Gov. Rick Snyder made the revelation Thursday on the first of a series of question-and-answer videos on YouTube called #AskGovSnyder. http://bit.ly/HEpJ5P

BIRTHWEEK: Monday: Pope Benedict XVI. Tuesday: Ryan Raburn. Wednesday: Miguel Cabrera, Paul W. Smith. Friday: Rep. Dan Benishek, M.D. Saturday: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (h/t the corgis), Tony Danza (h/t Louie De Palma), Matthew Bierlein. Sunday: Jack Nicholson.

Tigers owner Mike Ilitch driven to rebuild Detroit: Michael Prather walks unevenly down Montcalm Street past Comerica Park, where the Detroit Tigers will play in a few hours. He holds a whiskey bottle, clumsily covered by a brown paper bag, in his right hand. He requests handouts with his left. Prather, 54, who says he's an unemployed general laborer, is wearing a stained black sweatshirt. His gray paints are torn. The reek of alcohol is overpowered only by the stench of his clothing. "I know I don't look so good, and the city don't look good, either," Prather says. "But things will be better. They got to. There are good people trying to make this city better. The man over there, the one that runs the Tigers and our hockey team, he's trying. He's trying real hard. You got to admire that man." http://usat.ly/HBEWZG

Spirit eliminated from OHL playoffs with 5-3 loss to London in Game 6: The 2011-12 Saginaw Spirit waved their sticks goodbye to a thunderous applause from the home crowd, vanquished by a 5-3 loss to the London Knights but quickly able to look at the big picture. This team made it exactly as far as last year's team did: to Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, as far as any team in the franchise's 10-year history. But this team did it after looking dead in the water halfway through the season, going through a coaching change, a roster makeover and rallying to a fifth place finish and to the second round of the playoffs. http://bit.ly/ItnzVe

SAAD OHL’S MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER: The Ontario Hockey League Thursday announced that Brandon Saad of the Saginaw Spirit is the 2011-12 recipient of the William Hanley Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player. Saad, a 19-year-old from Gibsonia, PA, scored 34 goals and 42 assists for 76 points in just 44 games while recording just 38 penalty minutes in his second OHL season with the Spirit. He becomes the second member of the Spirit to win the award following current Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tom Pyatt who received the honour in 2006-07. http://bit.ly/HygR17