Regulars here know that I've spent the past few weeks touting Lance Enderle for his write-in campaign in MI-08 to clean up the messy primary situation left by Kande Ngalamulume dropping out of the race after the filing deadline, leaving a phantom candidate on the ballot.
HOWEVER, while I've been concentrating on that, there's been all sorts of other fun stuff going on here in the Wolverine state. Let's get started below the fold, shall we?
First, just 7 days before the primary election, the other shoe finally dropped in Tamara Greene murder case, when an eyewitness finally came forward in sworn testimony to declare that not only did Attorney General Mike Cox (and GOP gubenatorial candidate) help bury the investigation into the murder of stripper Greene (which has been rumored for years), but that he actually attended the infamous 2002 Manoogian Mansion party.
""He witnessed lap dances occurring for both Mike Cox, as well as for Kwame Kilpatrick. He knew Tammy Greene, so he knew that to be Tammy Greene who was providing Kwame Kilpatrick a lap dance," Yatooma said. "He says that Carlita came in, assaulted Tammy Greene. I think the word he used was that she punched her and that they collapsed on a coffee table, broke the table and that Carlita used a leg of that table to beat Tammy Greene with." Yatooma calls this a motive for a murder cover-up by the ex-mayor since dancer Tamera Greene was shot to death in April of 2003., as well as for Kwame Kilpatrick. He knew Tammy Greene, so he knew that to be Tammy Greene who was providing Kwame Kilpatrick a lap dance," Yatooma said. "He says that Carlita came in, assaulted Tammy Greene. I think the word he used was that she punched her and that they collapsed on a coffee table, broke the table and that Carlita used a leg of that table to beat Tammy Greene with."
Yatooma calls this a motive for a murder cover-up by the ex-mayor since dancer Tamera Greene was shot to death in April of 2003.
Is it awfully suspicious/convenient that this witness suddenly popped up a week before a nasty gubernatorial primary? Yes. Is Mike Cox--who, up until this morning, was neck-and-neck with Pete Hoekstra for the GOP nomination--utterly toast regardless of how this latest twist plays out? Probably.
Say hello to the Republican nominee for Governor of Michigan, Pete "Christmas Bomber = Money Bomb!" Hoekstra.
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Meanwhile, in Michigan's 11th State Senate district, there's a fun little brouhaha going on in their own GOP primary race.
One week before the Aug. 3 primary, sex, drugs and lies have moved to the fore in a state Senate race in Macomb County.
Former state Rep. Jack Brandenburg is at the center of the fuss, dodging accusations and innuendos as he faces a tough Republican primary...The campaign was always feisty but has become more so in recent weeks with accusations by Jennifer Gratz, a leader in the 2006 statewide referendum that banned the use of race in college admissions and government hires.
...Gratz claimed that Brandenburg phoned her in January 2006, pretended to be a reporter and asked, "What do you think of oral sex?"...
[Brandenburg] said Gratz is making the late-hour accusations because she supports Drolet. Brandenburg claimed she's sore that he spurned her interest in him...
A political ally of Brandenburg went to Gratz's Facebook page and posted a comment about Drolet's support of legalized marijuana.
Political commentators Joe DiSano and Joe Munem began the Facebook page, Citizens Demanding Republican Jack Brandenburg Submit to Drug Testing...Meltzer and Drolet agreed to be tested but Brandenburg didn't.
Yup. This story involves, as MichiganLiberal put it, oral sex, drugs and sodomy (Brandenburg's campaign has also allegedly accused one of his Republican primary opponents of being a "Sodomite: because he, in turn, allegedly supports gay marriage). It also involves Michigan's infamous 2006 Proposal 2 Initiative, which basically banned publicly-funded Affirmative Action in Michigan.
I should also note, as an aside, that I actually have genuine respect for Ms. Gratz here. While I strongly opposed the anti-AA initiative that she spearheaded 4 years ago, and I'm sure I oppose her on just about every other political issue there is, I genuinely respect her for wanting to set the record straight. She hasn't lived in Michigan for several years, and has no reason to get involved in the MI-SD11 race other than what I presume is a true sense of integrity (ie, not wanting people to take credit for her work if they weren't involved), as well as letting people know how creepy she feels Brandenburg is. I disagreed with Proposal 2 but respect the amount of work she put into it.
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But that's not all! Just when you thought all of the Massive Oil Spill fun was limited to the Gulf of Mexico and China, Kalamazoo has decided to join in:
840,000 gallon oil spill in Kalamzoo
That's right, the latest oil spill is here in Michigan, washing up on the grass of backyards along the Talmadge Creek that flows along into the Kalamazoo River. Enbridge Energy Partners has taken responsibility for the spill, according to Susan Lambert reporting for the Battle Creek Enquirer.
Originating from a leak in a pipeline that runs from Indiana, through Michigan, and into Ontario. Recent heavy rainstorms are said to be aiding the swift spread of oil that has already made its way past the booms in Marshall Township, toward Historic Bridge Park.
Pipeline pumps were shutdown, but no word on when repairs might begin or how long they might take. Also no word as yet on a clean-up response. Marshall Township does have booms in place to help collect oil along the Talmadge Creek.
No swimming or fishing orders have already been issued.
(video at the link)
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SO, now that I've brought you up to speed on the latest goings-on here in Michigan, perhaps I can return your attention back to Lance Enderle's write-in campaign in MI-08?
To summarize: Due to circumstances that I've explained in numerous previous diaries, the only name that's going to appear on the Democratic Primary ballot for Michigan's 8th Congressional District a week from today is that of a candidate who publicly dropped out of the race and then left the state(supposedly).
In other words, if Lance Enderle--a pro-choice, progressive Democrat from Lansing--is unsuccessful in winning the primary race, Republican Mike "Let's Drill for Oil in the Great Lakes!" Rogers will have a completely free ride in November.
Lance Enderle for Congress
Lance's Facebook Page
If you can't donate money, please at least rec this up to help spread the word, Thanks!
Full disclosure: While I'm working for far less than my normal rates, I am still being modestly paid. Mostly, however, I'm just upset at the mess caused by Kande's withdrawl and am trying to help salvage the situation.