CTV James Muffett Opinion

I received the following email recently, and I think it's a "common sense" approach to the elections this coming November.
Moving Forward ...
Analysis on the August 3rd Gubernatorial Election

By James Muffett, President of Citizens for Traditional Values

I have been asked my opinion on what took place Tuesday, August 3, 2010 regarding the outcome of the gubernatorial primary election.

I believe that leaders are appointed and chosen: both by the people and by God. Sometimes the results are very disappointing and leave us with questions about going forward from here. How should we continue the battle for our ideas, our values and our issues? The worst choice is inactivity, retirement from citizen participation and a sad retrieval from cultural engagement at all.

In thinking about the upcoming November General Election, as responsible Christian citizens, we should be mindful of a few things.

TWO WINDOWS: In every election there are two windows through which we must look. In the primary, which often provides a variety of options, we pick the candidate we like the most and work for them, contribute to them, campaign for them and vote for them. The problem is that our candidate does not always win.
In the most recent Republican Gubernatorial Primary, social conservatives split their vote four ways, with a sizeable majority (64%) of the Republican voters choosing a conservative candidate. So when you hear the media talk about the Michigan Republican party moving more moderate that is simply not true.

The rank and file are overwhelmingly pro-life and pro-family.
This same situation also happened a few years ago in the 7th Congressional District when four conservative Republicans divided the vote allowing the moderate to win. Open seats often attract multiple candidates and no one can tell them not to run. In this race, conservatives were unable to agree on the best standard bearer, and by default, with only 36% of the vote, the more moderate candidate won.

After the primary, however, a recalculation is necessary for the General election. The window of comparison has now changed. In this new window, if you wish to support a viable candidate, your options are narrowed considerably, and it often appears that there are no "good" choices.

When given this kind of decision, it is my philosophy to choose the candidate who has the best chance to do the least harm (considering our philosophy of limited government), or the candidate who lines up closest to your values. I have never come across a perfect candidate yet!

OUR CHOICES: In this recent primary, next to all of the other Republicans, Rick Snyder was not my choice. Compared to Virg Bernero, however, he looks pretty good. It is important to note, that as of the writing of this analysis, Mr. Bernero has already received prestigious endorsements from pro-gay rights groups, anti-life organizations and pro-union status quo networks. For more information click here. And there are still over 70 days left of the campaign so who knows what is coming next!

I understand that some people will find it very difficult to vote for someone who does not represent their views in full. However, in this case, with only two viable candidates, if you choose not to vote, the mathematical effect will be a vote for Bernero. That is something my conscience would never allow me to do, but I understand fully that others might have a different view.

MANY BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN: Regardless of your choice for Governor, remember that there are many other crucial races being decided in November. The ballot this fall will include contests for State House, State Senate, State Supreme Court, U.S. Congress, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State School Board and University Boards. Certainly among all of those races, everyone should be able to find a candidate to support.

Congress There are 3 Congressional Seats in play this fall. Tim Walberg in the 7th, Rocky Raczkowski in the 9th and Dan Benishek in the 1st, are all conservative and viable candidates. Wouldn't you rather have a conservative standing guard for you in Washington DC to fight the current liberal agenda?

State Senate We currently have a narrow conservative majority in the State Senate, but because of term limits, 29 of the 38 Districts have open seats. The Senate has been an incredibly important conservative firewall against the liberal agenda, and continues to be critical in supporting our values of life, family and limited government.


State House Although the liberals have controlled the State House since 2006, there are an incredible number of great conservative candidates running in districts throughout Michigan.

Michigan Supreme Court This Court will once again take center stage in the November elections. News stories are flying all over the country as to how liberal judges with empathetic philosophies are ignoring the Constitution and taking the law into their own hands. We have had an incredibly conservative Supreme Court for over a decade now, and that majority is now on the line. Justice Young has been a stalwart defender of the idea that a judge must "interpret" the law-not "make" the law. We must pay attention to the judiciary and support justices with conservative philosophies!

MOVING FORWARD There are many important battle lines this November. I urge all conservatives to stop finger pointing, casting blame, being distracted by confusion or stop thinking "if only." Now is the time for statesmanship and diplomacy.

I urge everyone to follow their own conscience, while not condemning others for following theirs. Find candidates at all levels who share your values and get involved in their campaigns.

Let us all become citizens of excellence who work to build a community that is stronger next time. And remember, elections like the one we just went through are part of what makes America great-the opportunity to choose!

In God, not government, do we trust. Providence, in the end, will determine the outcomes and our duty as Responsible Christian Citizens does not change no matter who is in office. Let our aim always be righteousness, our manner love and respect, our olive branch dignity and our purpose to continue to restore the brilliant bedrock of sacrifice and reliance on God our founding fathers so willingly established so long ago.

God bless America and God bless these next few days of selecting leaders for our fine state of Michigan.

James Muffett
President
Citizens for Traditional Values (PAC)