Interviews from Mackinac Republicans Leadership Conference

By: Nicholas Kowalski

While on the automobile-less, horse- and bicycle-aplenty oasis that is Mackinac Island for the 2009 Biennial Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference, I was fortunate to have conducted brief interviews with past, present, and future leaders of the Republican Party, within the great State of Michigan and beyond.

Interview 1: Ron Weiser, Michigan Republican Party Chairman

Spartan Review: What have you accomplished for the Michigan GOP since you were elected as Chairman?

WEISER: [Given that Michigan] is broken and we need to fix it, [I have developed] a mission, [and that is] to win in ’10, and a focused strategy to get more people to vote republican, not be republican, a message of hope and change.

SR: Haven’t the people been preached enough about (false) ‘hope’ and ‘change’ from Obama? How will they tell the difference?

WEISER: Well, Michigan is a state, not the nation. Granholm and Cherry stand for seven years of bad [government and] no transparency. We need change; a new division.

SR: Why will the election cycles of 2010 and 2012 turn out better for the Michigan GOP than did 2008?

WEISER: These things are cyclical. The policies of Granholm scream “Help!” If Cherry is the candidate [for Governor], he stands for seven years of bad decision making, more of the same.

SR: Not just seven years of tax hikes, right?

WEISER: Yes.

SR: What are your aspirations for the future, next few years?

WEISER: My only aspiration is to win in ’10. It is the only reason I’m here. Then, I’ll go back and do other things.

SR: Thank you for your time, Chairman.

WEISER: No problem.

Interview 2: Michael Bouchard, Oakland County Sheriff, and Terri Lynn Land, Michigan Secretary of State

SR: What unique aspect do you bring to the table over the other candidates for the Republican nomination?

LAND: [He’s] been a high vote getter [in the Senate and as Sheriff]. Look at the reform that we’ve made in the Department of State…consolidated elections, implemented mandatory photo ID (driver’s license) in order to vote.

SR: Do you believe that your team has a comparative advantage over, say, Attorney General Mike Cox, in terms of the Oakland County and state-wide votes, and, if so, why?

LAND: Well, for one, we have double the experience. The Sheriff has been in the legislature, was a leader in the Senate. We stand for downsizing, consolidating government.

BOUCHARD: We have an advantage over all other candidates. [I] have been there, done that. [We will] reform welfare, education, roads. I was a leader in the Senate, and I can do it again. I also run a very large government organization. I know how the administration and the legislature work.

SR: If elected Governor, what would you do on Day 1?

BOUCHARD: [We] must freeze non-essential government spending. We also need to put in place a budget proposal immediately…a two-year rolling budget. And for each day the budget is not balanced past May 15th, every legislator loses their day’s pay.

SR: What is your position on Proposal 1, a call to have a Constitutional Convention to discuss the Michigan State Constitution?

BOUCHARD: I say no to a Constitutional Convention as it would cost a tremendous amount, budget-wise, and it [would be] open [discussion], with endless possibilities. I would rather selectively amend the problems, surgically fix them.

SR: Thank you both so much for your time. Good luck!

Interview 3: John Engler, former Governor of Michigan

SR: With measures such as the Michigan Promise Scholarship receiving a ‘death threat’ from the Michigan Legislature and Governor in mind, what can be implemented to help keep students here in Michigan for public university and ultimately, long-term (jobs, future living)?

ENGLER: I’ve gotten asked this question by a reporter and I really don’t know. I’m no longer following the legislative issues in the State of Michigan. You should ask them, the [politicians and] candidates (pointing in the direction of a handful of State Legislators).

SR: Why should a young person, like myself, stay in Michigan, a state with a terrible economic situation? What is the incentive?

ENGLER: By coming to this conference, you have shown an interest [in politics]. It would be to your political advantage to remain in Michigan and run for public office.

SR: But what is the incentive? How is it truly advantageous for one to remain in Michigan given the economic circumstances as opposed to going to school or permanently moving out-of-state?

ENGLER: (as an announcement is made that the Congressional Q & A is about to begin) I’m sorry. I really don’t know the answer.

Interview 4: Eric Cantor, U.S. House Minority Whip (R – VA)

SR: What is your opinion of health care reform on the whole and the only bill that has made it through House Committee?

CANTOR: The status quo of the health care is unacceptable. We need to drive down the cost for Americans. However, HR 3200 is not the answer. Any form of health care reform must include a private sector option. It is important to remember that government must not get between the public and private sectors. And health care reform can not break the bank.

SR: Would health care reform be on the legislative docket if republicans were in control of the House?

CANTOR: Yes, health care reform would be on the agenda. From an economic stand point, employers simply cannot afford health coverage for their employees.

SR: Why will 2010 be a better election cycle for the GOP than was 2008?

CANTOR: For one, the public is dissatisfied with Obama. The American people have a value system. They recognize the American they want to see, and this isn’t it. The GOP understands common sense principles, traditional values. The 2008 elections turned out as they did for a few reason. The people weren’t pleased with the Iraq War. They also were disgusted by the implosion of the economy, the Leman collapse, and bailout.

SR: If you were Speaker of the House, which issues would be at the top of the docket and why?

CANTOR: The number one issue is jobs. The credit market is not functioning [as it should]. Thus, we must get the economy going again. We need to send a signal to the world [that the U. S. needs] to stop the [irresponsible] spending. We also need to help job creators get back in the game. We can provide small businesses with tax breaks. It is important that we fix the credit markets.

SR: What are your aspirations for the near future?

CANTOR: We must look to take back the House. A Republican majority is a possibility as Republican values are on the rise. If the elections were held today, we would take back forty seats. We must first demonstrate to the American people that [the Republican Party] can ‘chart the course.’

SR: Thank you so much for the interview, Congressman. Good luck in the future.

CANTOR: Yes, it was my pleasure.