Comment: How can this race
be over if I'm still running?

As the Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in the 13th District, I have grown increasingly frustrated by the media’s coverage of my campaign. They appear to be having a good time crowning my opponent, Democrat Hansen Clarke, as the “winner” in our district. I find that amazing as more endorsements from the citizens continue to come in and my calendar tells me that it is September, not November 2nd. Didn’t we learn anything from ‘Dewey Beats Truman’? 

My campaign continues to gain strength through endorsements from such significant political circles as state Senate majority leader Mike Bishop and U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, as well as local residents such as Bill and Betty Brooks and William White of the River Rouge school board. In addition, internal polling conducted daily with a sampling of more than 150 voters has me less than ten points behind Mr. Clarke with more than 35 points reflecting people who are undecided.

If my opponent has already won, why are so many people still on the fence?  I believe it is because my platform is based on common sense, while my opponent wants to continue the policies that have left Michigan in ruins. Perhaps the citizens of the 13th have had enough of the career politicians who seem to ignore the problems we are facing on a daily basis.

My platform is rooted in the economy and jobs; public safety; education; trade policy; and natural resources and energy. (You can learn details on my website.) 

Clarke speaks rhetoric and strategies to lull the district – and apparently the media – into a false sense that first, he’s already won and second, the current situation can be mended with government bailouts and unchecked spending. What I see, and would gladly share with the media, is a voter base who no longer wants to be played like sheep.

Clarke has avoided all invitations to debate and speak to the issues under the guise of “we’ve won, why waste my time?” However, I believe that getting oneself elected is not a substitute for solutions or a true exchange of ideas.  The career politician only succeeds by using the backs of the people to stay employed. It’s a con and we’ve been conned enough.

Mr. Clark: Do you really want change? Do you have a plan to address what we are living with every day? Do you have a strategy that will work for the long term, not by begging for federal money that will be wasted as in years past on programs that didn’t work in the first place? I say he does not. My growing number of supporters say he doesn’t and the overwhelming voter base that hasn’t seen enough to endorse him are clearly showcasing their feelings by saying they have yet to make up their minds.

Every weekend, some team who supposedly doesn’t have a chance on a football field shows up, fights hard, and upsets the favorite.  My point spread in political terms isn’t an obstacle, it’s an opportunity. You – the media, the voter, Mr. Clarke – can either jump on the bandwagon now, or after the citizens of the 13th cast a vote for true change. My camp accepts all listeners as this isn’t a game, it’s our lives.

Wouldn’t you want to at least know both sides of the story? I hear that’s called "balanced reporting" on the opportunity to make an ‘educated choice.’  The people of my district deserve that.  Step in the ring Hansen Dewey; the Trumans of the district cannot afford to stand by awaiting your next career-oriented move.

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