With offensive messaging and out-of-staters hopping in the Senate race, chaos runs amok in the MIGOP
LANSING — This week, Michigan Republicans got blasted in the media yet again for their outrageous insults of new parents, anyone caring for sick family members, and everyone in our state whose well-being would improve with a paid family leave plan. After calling the overwhelmingly popular policy “summer break for adults” last week, it is more clear than ever that these comments are out of step with Michiganders’ values.
To add fuel to the fire, Republicans have started throwing their hat in the ring for the Michigan Senate race, but it seems like they’ve forgotten a key element of representing Michigan in the United States Senate: actually living in our state. Florida-resident-former-Representative Mike Rogers declared his run this week, and given his record of pushing the interests of big corporations at the expense of the middle class and threatening Social Security… maybe he should fly on back to Florida.
One way or the other, this week has made it abundantly clear that Michigan’s Republican Party doesn’t care about Michiganders.
Let’s take a look at their downward spiral this week:
FIRST, a leaked document from last Friday showing their callous messaging around the incredibly popular paid family leave policy continued to make the rounds in the news:
Truthout: “Deeply Out of Touch”: MI GOP Calls Paid Family Leave “Summer Break for Adults”
- Apparently, Michigan Republicans believe that people should be forced to work or miss out on pay if they have to take care of themselves or their family.
- Republicans were blasted for their obtuse messaging on what is a crucial labor policy for workers and families.
Not that they have any data to back that up…
- A Navigator Research poll in September 2022 found that 80% of Americans support paid family and medical leave, including 76% of Independents and 70% of Republicans.
- A 2015 Denno Research poll found 86% of Michiganders support paid sick time.
THEN, former Representative Mike Rogers joined the Senate race, although first he had to…move back to the state:
The American Independent: Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers moves back to Michigan from Florida to run for Senate
- In a statement on Wednesday, the Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes said: Michigan Republicans’ nasty primary will leave them with a badly damaged nominee who is out of touch with Michigan families and will struggle in the general election. Retread Mike Rogers quit on Michigan nearly a decade ago, but he won’t be able to hide from his record: pushing the interests of China and big corporations at the expense of working families, putting Medicare and Social Security on the chopping block, and even backing an abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest.
Things are tense over there in the Grand Old Party, and we can’t wait to see who in the Michigan GOP is going to win the endorsement of the man who is currently facing four criminal indictments:
The Messenger: Trump’s Endorsement Threatens to Complicate Michigan Senate Primary
- Michigan’s Republican primary is shaping up to be one of the most contentious in the country, with a slew of Republicans eyeing the race. Former Rep. Mike Rogers announced his campaign on Wednesday and Peter Meijer, another former congressman, launched an exploratory committee last week. Both have been outspoken about their opposition to Trump – Meijer was one of ten House Republicans to vote for impeachment – making it nearly impossible that the former president endorses either top candidate.
- [James Craig] was widely considered to be the frontrunner for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2022 — but he was kicked off the ballot after the state elections bureau recommended that he and four other candidates be disqualified from the ballot after officials found fraudulent signatures that were submitted.
Yeah…the Michigan GOP has a real slate of winners there. Let’s be clear – Michigan Republicans are broke, fighting against common-sense policies, and shipping in Floridians to run for Senate. Thankfully, Democrats are creating a bright future for all Michiganders – and now it’s up to the GOP to get on board or get out of the way.
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