By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)
I absolutely love the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling's books, the movies, the whole lot. One of Rowling's masterful feats was convincing readers Professor Snape was a friend of the dark side and in cahoots with he who shall not be named.
"You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? It was I who invented them, I'm the Half-Blood Prince!"
That's what Professor Snape snarls to Harry at the end of the 6th film after just killing Dumbledore, a culmination of years of toying with readers. It appeared as though the conventional wisdom was confirmed.
But things were not as they seemed...
In the ultimate switcheroo, Rowling subsequently reveals in the last book that Snape was a good guy the whole time, a double agent who was protecting Harry all along.
With that in mind-and my derping over... Back in the real world, let's take a look at 2018 Michigan politics.
Or does it?
What if the LG shocks the political world and announces he's running for US Senate against Debbie Stabenow instead?
My friend Matt Maddock raised the issue recently, and it makes a lot of sense.
First of all, it allows Calley to avoid a bloody knife fight with Attorney General Schuette, who has been prepping a run for Governor since Calley was a young teen.
Second of all, it gives Republicans a top shelf candidate in the Senate race, something they desperately need.
I also believe conservative voters upset with Calley over various positions would be far more willing to forgive Calley in a race against Do-Nothing Debbie than they would in a Governor's race. Not all, but many.
Almost every vote Stabenow takes is horrendous, with Calley we'd have a strong conservative voice 60-80% of the time at the least. A 180% swing is pretty damn good.
While Calley's record isn't perfect, too often his disappointing moments have completely overridden some great bright spots.
'Member when he broke with Gov. Snyder to back a Part Time Legislature? I 'member. Right To Work passed? Thousands of BS regulations given the #ByeFelicia treatment?
We'll examine Calley's strengths and weaknesses more in the future for sure.
We'll also take a look at other possible candidates, like former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Bob Young.
Young is a mixed bag who undoubtedly has talents, but his history of controversial court rulings is a Dem operative's wet dream. His slow-paced, academic style also doesn't lend well to retail politics, and Debbie would have a field day debating him, at least stylistically.
What will happen on May 30th? Stay tuned, things could get pretty crazy, sometimes conventional wisdom isn't so wise...
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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.
>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
Agree with you that a run for the US Senate would be a better idea for Calley than run for governor. I WOULD FORGIVE HIM FOR PAST GRIEVANCES! He, for sure, would be known by ALL VOTERS; name recognition.
ReplyDeleteQ: "Will Calley Shock The World On May 30th And Run For Senate Against Stabenow?"
ReplyDeleteA: Not likely. If he does, he will lose. Resoundingly.
Exactly what is the difference between these two low-grade morons again?
ReplyDeleteBoth are for expanding government.
One even used state government to make everyone pay for his daughter's autism coverage. Guess which one that was?
Both are for higher taxes.
One of them was brought into the state capitol building to cast the tie breaking vote giving us PA 176 of 2015 (a warmed over version of Proposal 1 which got nuked just a few months earlier). Guess which one that was?
Shall I continue? I've actually got pages of this stuff.
While I have a lot of respect for Mr. Maddock, based on the people I've spoken with already, I don't need my Magic 8-Ball to tell me that 'Lil Guv's chances won't be getting any better if he chooses a different ring to throw his hat into.
He's damaged goods.
'Nuff said.