My blog last week on the tea party, (“The Michigan tea party is dead,” March 6) garnered plenty of strong reactions in the Comments from conservative activists and other readers who disagreed with my take on the miserable electoral record of the tea party in primary races.
So I have a challenge for Michigan conservatives: Nominate conservative firebrand and West Michigan Congressman Justin Amash for U.S. Senate.
Another statewide race that Republicans believe they can win is another chance for conservatives to flex their electoral muscles. It’s clear that Amash is considering a run and believes he can win support from moderates (a dubious proposition given his record of supporting deep cuts to popular programs like Medicare and Social Security).
But Amash doesn’t even need to win the general election to prove conservatives have arrived on Michigan’s electoral scene. With a hard-fought primary win against an entrenched elected official with establishment support like Mike Rogers or Terri Land, the tea party may finally be able to shake off the disappointing results of the last two statewide elections.
Amash already has a head start.
He’s been promised “six to seven figures” by the executive director of Liberty for All, a libertarian super PAC started by a 22-year-old millionaire heir. And he’s received generous support since launching his political career from members of the DeVos family.
So it’s time to show us the money, conservatives: Can you finally prove yourselves by winning an election?
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