Other recent articles under: Justin Amash as of Nov 5, 2010
Topic: Justin Amash
Justin Amash elected to Congress
Endorsed by Ron Paul, dubbed a 'rock star' by the Club for Growth, this young libertarian Republican wins a House seat on his first try. by George Dance
(libertarian)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Justin Amash wins seat in Congress
Dubbed a "rock star" by the Club of Growth, this young libertarian Republican cruises to victory in his first try at a House seat.
A red tide rolled over Michigan on November 2, 2010. Republicans won the governorship and all statewide offices; took control of the state House and Supreme Court, and increased their majority in the state Senate. (1) So one more Republican victory, in a safe Republican seat, was not particularly noticeable. I missed hearing about Justin Amash's Congressional win in that state until the following day, when I read on the Republican Liberty Caucus page:
The Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) Board of Directors are excited and optimistic about the election results. The most exciting result for Republican Liberty Caucus members is electing two of our own members to Congress:
Dr. Rand Paul is Senator-elect from Kentucky. Justin Amash [...] is Representative-elect from Michigan's Third Congressional District. Congratulations, Rand and Justin! RLC supporters have no doubt that these two champions of liberty will work vigorously to promote our vision of a free country in Congress. (2)
Justin Amash, as Ron Kampeas of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency notes, is "the first Palestinian-American in Congress." (3) His father, Attallah Amash, came to America, with his family in 1956 as a teenager, from a Palestinian refugee camp. Attallah Amash later founded and built up Michigan Industrial Tools, a successful importer and wholesaler of hand tools.. His three sons John, Justin, and Jeff all graduated at the top of their class from Grand Rapids Christian High School. (4)
Justin Amash (born April 18, 1980) is also a graduate of the University of Michigan (in economics) an the U. of Michigan Law School. His Wikipedia page says little about his early political involvement, though it notes that "During the 2008 presidential primaries, Amash donated to the campaigns of Congressman Ron Paul and John McCain" (5)
Amash heightened his political profile considerably that year, though, when he contested and won, first the Republican nomination for State House District 72, and then the House seat itself. "He kind of came out of the blue," said Kent County Republican Chairwoman Joanne Voorhees. "He won that seat with a lot of hard work." (4)
"Since his election," Wikipedia adds, "Amash has received praise for his commitment to transparency, becoming the first legislator to use his Facebook Page to post, and provide explanations for, all of his votes in real time, and to interact with constituents. Additionally, Amash was one of the first two state representatives to post all of his office expenses, staff salaries, and legislative benefits online. In the 2009 annual State Capitol Leadership Survey, Amash was the most frequently named freshman legislator in response to the question, "Who is the most effective member of the Michigan House?" (5)
His friend and chief online fan, blogger Eric Larson of Red State Eclectic, is quick to point to other Amash achievements at the state level:
He turned down the lifetime health care benefits upon leaving office which all Michigan elected representatives and senators qualify for. He has single handedly moved the state Republican party in the direction of ending the terrible Michigan Economic Development Corporation that picks and chooses which businesses can qualify for handouts from the state.
He has introduced legislation to end universal health care in the state of Michigan with a constitutional amendment. He has consistently fought special interests in licensing laws, economic restrictions to competition, and the Michigan Business Tax. Simply put, Amash is the future of the conservative movement within the Republican party (or perhaps the libertarian/conservative wing). (6)
A quick glance at the Justin Amash for Congress website's "Issues" page turns up quotation after quotation like these, which confirm the campaign's essentially libertarian orientation: :
Economy: "Our high unemployment rateboth here in Michigan and nationallyis a direct result of government central planning."
Education: "The right of parents to educate their children as they see fit, including the right of homeschooling, should not be infringed."
Energy: "Government subsidies, regulations (like cap and trade), and taxes result in costlier and less efficient forms of energy than would be produced in the free market."
Environment: "The best way to protect and preserve the environment is through the strict enforcement of property rights."
Farming: "The future success of Michigan farmers is endangered, however, when the government seeks to micromanage farm production with needless, and often onerous, regulations."
Free Markets: "Government must respect each person's economic freedom. Government intervention in the market should be seen for what it isa decision by government bureaucrats with limited information about how you and I should spend our time and talents."
Health Care: "Health care is a personal issue. I have pledged to repeal the federal government's plan to force families and individuals to purchase government-approved health insurance."
and so on ... (7)
Asked about his libertarian leanings, Amash replies: ""I've always been a conservative, I've always been a Republican." and then adds, "I don't believe libertarian is a bad word." He will quote Ronald Reagan's famous declaration that "libertarianism is the heart and soul of conservatism." (4)
When Amash announced in February that he was running to replace incumbent Rep. Vern Euhlers, Red State Eclectic enthused: "For fans of liberty all across the country, this is tremendously welcome news. Representative Amash has been an unabashed champion of small government, free markets, and individual liberty during his time in the Michigan House of Representatives." (6)
Amash soon picked up other powerful endorsements. An important early one came from "Amway scion and former GOP gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos and his wife, Betsy, announced they were endorsing Amash. Justin is a really smart reflective state representative who will serve in Congress with honor, commitment and integrity,' says Betsy DeVos, a former state GOP chairwoman. I think he is a really fresh and long-overdue voice that needs to be heard and represented at a federal level." (4)
On June 21, Ron Paul and his political action committee, Liberty PAC, endorsed Amash. Said Jesse Benton, chairman of Liberty PAC: "We believe that Justin Amash is the best candidate in this race and is best poised to win in both the primary and general elections. We hope the people of Michigan will send this fine conservative leader to Washington at a time when he is sorely needed." Ron Paul stated:
"I am proud to endorse Justin Amash for United States Congress.
"Justin Amash is one of the most principled young leaders I have seen in a generation. Justin will do the work to fight for lower taxes and spending and for more freedom in Washington. We need people like Justin voting with me in Congress.
"Justin Amash understands our Constitution and will fight against out-of-control government to restore our Liberty. Justin has the courage to stand up against the bailouts and government takeovers being forced down our throats by Washington insiders.
"In addition to his impeccable voting record and tremendous personal integrity, I have been thoroughly impressed by Justin's commitment to transparency. Justin draws back the shroud of secrecy that Big Government uses to confuse our fellow citizens and shows his constituents, plainly and clearly, what our tax dollars are paying for.
"The American people need more than just another vote. We need a man of principle who will always stand up for what is right. We need a citizen politician who will represent US. Justin Amash is just that kind of individual." (8)
On June 28, the Club for Growth and its PAC endorsed Amash. ""Justin Amash is a name pro-growth conservatives are going to hear and know for a long time," said Club President Chris Chocola. "Amash epitomizes a new breed of limited government conservatives committed to breaking Washington's addiction to deficits and debt, and freeing a rising, entrepreneurial generation to rescue our economy and our nation from political mismanagement." (9)
In July, the Club began "surrogate advertising" for Amash. (4) Commented a Club spokesman: ""We will do whatever we can to help Justin Amash win this race. This guy is going to be a rock star the moment he is sworn in." (10)
On July 29, FreedomWorks PAC gave Amash.its "Champion of Freedom" endorsement. ""The moral character and unwavering loyalty to limited government principles that Justin Amash has displayed during his career as a legislator in Michigan is exactly what Washington needs right now," commented Matt Kibbe, president of the PAC. "When limited-government conservatives take back the majority in Washington this year, I am confident that Justin Amash will be among those leading the way." (11)
Amash cruised to an easy victory in the Aug. 3 primary, taking 40% of the vote in a five-way race. (4)
Not that Amash had no detractors. Progressive blog Down With Tyranny called him a "neo-fascist candidate," adding: "Amash is an out-of-the-mainstream teabagger fanatic who had already announced he would primary Ehlers. The powerful Grand Rapids GOP Establishment is uncomfortable with Amash's extremism and prefer more practical, mainstream conservative pork barrel earmarkers like Ehlers, Paul Henry before him and Harold Sawyer before him." (10)
That last narrative of Amash as an extremist out of touch not only with Americans but even mainstream Republicans was the one adopted by Democratic candidate Patrick Miles (who ran as a centrist).
On Sep. 20, Miles released a list of over 50 Republicans who were endorsing him. The Grand Rapids Press opined: "The campaign of Miles, a Grand Rapids resident, is hoping the endorsements will position him as a centrist while labeling Amash, of Cascade Township, as a conservative ideologue who would lack influence in Washington if elected." The list included three former King County GOP chairmen, plus the two daughters of Rep. Eulers. (12)
On October 19, Miles released another list of 50 local Republicans who were backing him, including Gerald Ford's brother, Dick, and four-term state representative Vic Krause. Attending a press conferen e for Miles, Krause stated that, ""Extreme partisanship is permeating Congress and electing right wing conservative Republicans and left wing liberal Democrats in November is only going to make matters worse. (13)
Yet in this case the Tea Partier as Extremist' narrative never got traction nationally. What little national press Amash received was favourable. For instance, in October Time magazine put him on its prestigious list of "40 Under 40" national figures, remarking that he "looks poised to surf the Tea Party wave to a victory in the state's 3rd Congressional District.."
"My biggest heroes are economists like F.A. Hayek and Frdric Bastiat, Amash told Time. "Those would be my political inspirations, as well." (14)
That may have been a response to traditional Republican Karl Rove, who recently dissed the Tea Party movement with the sneer: "It's not like these people have read the economist Friedrich August von Hayek." (15)
"Amash, the 30-year-old Republican state legislator running for the House seat once held by Gerald Ford in Michigan, frequently posts links to essays by Hayek and Bastiat on his Facebook page, his chief vehicle for communicating with voters," the New York Times told its readers in October. "There is no single economist or philosopher I admire more than F. A. Hayek," the paper quoted Amash as writing in May. "I have his portrait on the wall of my legislative office and the Justin Amash for Congress office." (16)
In the end it was no contest, as Amash beat Miles 60%-37%. "It is an incredible honor to have received the support of so many West Michigan residents," Amash told his thousands of Facebook readers the next day. "Thank you for everything you have done over the past months to make this possible.... In Congress, I will continue to serve in a transparent manner and fight for limited government, free markets, and individual liberty principles that will help turn around our economy and improve the lives of West Michigan families." (17)
(1) Mike Wilkinson, "Michigan's GOP wins are bigger than forecast," Detroit News, detnews.com, Nov. 4, 2010. Web, Nov. 4, 2010. http://www.detnews.com/article/20101104/POLITICS02/11040368/1024/POLITICS03/Michigan-s-GOP-wins-are-bigger-than-forecast
(2) "Republican Liberty Caucus Celebrates Victories Across the Country," Republican Liberty Caucus blog, Nov. 3, 2010. Web, Nov. 5, 2010. http://www.rlc.org/2010/11/03/2010-results/
(3) Ron Kampeas, "Political PointsHannity told me not to come," Capital J, Oct. 13, 2010. http://blogs.jta.org/politics/article/2010/10/13/2741260/political-points-hannity-told-me-not-to-come
(4) Jim Harger, "Profile: 3rd Congressional district candidate Justin Amash," Grand Rapids Press, Mlive.com, Oct. 24, 2010. http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/10/profile_3rd_congressional_dist_1.html
(6) Eric Larson, "Justin Amash Announces Bid for Congress," Red State Eclectic, Feb. 9, 2010. Web, Nov. 4, 2010. http://redstateeclectic.typepad.com/redstate_commentary/2010/02/justin-amash-announces-bid-for-congress.html
(8) "Ron Paul Endorses Justin Amash for Congress" (press release), Business Wire, Jun. 21, 2010. Web, Nov. 4, 2010. http://www.businesswire.ca/portal/site/ca-en/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100621006745&newsLang=en
(9) "Club for Growth Endorses Justin Amash," The Western Right, June 28, 2010. http://wmugop.blogspot.com/2010/06/club-for-growth-endorses-justin-amash.html
(10) "Club For Growth-- Making Trouble In Michigan, North Carolina... And Across America," Down With /Tyranny!, Jul. 6, 2010. Web, Nov. 4, 2010. http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2010/07/club-for-growth-making-trouble-in.html
(11) "FreedomWorks PAC Endorses Justin Amash, Candidate in Michigan's Third Congressional District" (press release), Business Wire, July 29, 2010. Web, Nov. 4, 2010. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100729007059/en/FreedomWorks-PAC-Endorses-Justin-Amash-Candidate-Michigan%E2%80%99s
(12) Jim Harger, "Longtime GOP backers favor Democratic candidate Patrick Miles Jr. over Republican Justin Amash in race for 3rd District House seat," Grand Rapids Press, Mlive.com, Sep. 20, 2010. Web, Nov. 4, 2010. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/09/longtime_gop_backers_favor_dem.html
(13) Jim Harger, "Democratic congressional candidate Pat Miles releases second list of Republicans who will vote for him over Justin Amash," Grand Rapids Press, Mlive.com, Oct. 19, 2010. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/10/democratic_congressional_candi.html
(14) "Justin Amash," 40 Under 40, Time (n.d.). Web, Nov. 5, 2010. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2023831_2023829_2025197,00.html#ixzz14QF1N5CF
(16) Kate Zernicke, "Movement of the Moment Looks to Long-Ago Texts," Nw York Times, Oct. 1, 2010. Web, Nov. 3, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/02/us/politics/02teaparty.html
A red tide rolled over Michigan on November 2, 2010. Republicans won the governorship and all statewide offices, took control of the state House and Supreme Court, and increased their majority in the state Senate. (1) So one more Republican victory, in a safe Republican seat, was not that remarkable. I missed hearing about Justin Amash's Congressional win in that state until the next day, when I read in the Republican Liberty Caucus blog:
The Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) Board of Directors are excited and optimistic about the election results. The most exciting result for Republican Liberty Caucus members is electing two of our own members to Congress:
Dr. Rand Paul is Senator-elect from Kentucky. Justin Amash [...] is Representative-elect from Michigan's Third Congressional District. Congratulations, Rand and Justin! RLC supporters have no doubt that these two champions of liberty will work vigorously to promote our vision of a free country in Congress. (2)
Justin Amash (uh-MOSH), as Ron Kampeas of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency notes, is "the first Palestinian-American in Congress." (3) His father, Attallah Amash, came to America, as a teenager with his family, in 1956 directly from a Palestinian refugee camp. Attallah Amash later founded and built up Michigan Industrial Tools, a successful importer and wholesaler of hand tools.. His three sons -- John, Justin, and Jeff -- each graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School at the top of his class. (4)
Justin Amash (born April 18, 1980) is also a graduate of the University of Michigan (in economics) and the U. of Michigan Law School. His Wikipedia page tells little about his early political involvement, though it notes that "During the 2008 presidential primaries, Amash donated to the campaigns of Congressman Ron Paul and John McCain" (5)
Amash heightened his political profile considerably that year when he contested and won, first the Republican nomination for state House District 72, and then the House seat itself. "He kind of came out of the blue," said Kent County Republican Chairwoman Joanne Voorhees. "He won that seat with a lot of hard work." (4)
"Since his election," Wikipedia continues, "Amash has received praise for his commitment to transparency, becoming the first legislator to use his Facebook Page to post, and provide explanations for, all of his votes in real time, and to interact with constituents. Additionally, Amash was one of the first two state representatives to post all of his office expenses, staff salaries, and legislative benefits online. In the 2009 annual State Capitol Leadership Survey, Amash was the most frequently named freshman legislator in response to the question, 'Who is the most effective member of the Michigan House?'" (5)
His friend and chief online booster, blogger Eric Larson of Red State Eclectic, is quick to point to other Amash achievements at the state level:
He turned down the lifetime health care benefits upon leaving office which all Michigan elected representatives and senators qualify for. He has single handedly moved the state Republican party in the direction of ending the terrible Michigan Economic Development Corporation that picks and chooses which businesses can qualify for handouts from the state.
He has introduced legislation to end universal health care in the state of Michigan with a constitutional amendment. He has consistently fought special interests in licensing laws, economic restrictions to competition, and the Michigan Business Tax. Simply put, Amash is the future of the conservative movement within the Republican party (or perhaps the libertarian/conservative wing). (6)
A quick glance at the Justin Amash for Congress website's "Issues" page turns up quotation after quotation like these, which confirm the campaign's essentially libertarian orientation:
Economy: "Our high unemployment rate -- both here in Michigan and nationally -- is a direct result of government central planning."
Education: "The right of parents to educate their children as they see fit, including the right of homeschooling, should not be infringed."
Energy: "Government subsidies, regulations (like cap and trade), and taxes result in costlier and less efficient forms of energy than would be produced in the free market."
Environment: "The best way to protect and preserve the environment is through the strict enforcement of property rights."
Farming: "The future success of Michigan farmers is endangered, however, when the government seeks to micromanage farm production with needless, and often onerous, regulations."
Free Markets: "Government must respect each person's economic freedom. Government intervention in the market should be seen for what it is -- a decision by government bureaucrats with limited information about how you and I should spend our time and talents."
Health Care: "Health care is a personal issue. I have pledged to repeal the federal government's plan to force families and individuals to purchase government-approved health insurance."
Asked about his libertarian leanings, Amash replies, "I've always been a conservative, I've always been a Republican," and then adds, "I don't believe libertarian is a bad word." He quotes Ronald Reagan's famous declaration that "libertarianism is the heart and soul of conservatism." (4)
When Amash announced in February that he was running for Congress, Red State Eclectic was ecstatic: "For fans of liberty all across the country, this is tremendously welcome news. Representative Amash has been an unabashed champion of small government, free markets, and individual liberty during his time in the Michigan House of Representatives." (6)
Amash soon picked up other powerful endorsements. An important early one came when "Amway scion and former GOP gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos and his wife, Betsy, announced they were endorsing Amash. 'Justin is a really smart reflective state representative who will serve in Congress with honor, commitment and integrity,' says Betsy DeVos, a former state GOP chairwoman. 'I think he is a really fresh and long-overdue voice that needs to be heard and represented at a federal level.'" (4)
On June 21, Ron Paul and his political action committee, Liberty PAC, endorsed Amash. Said Jesse Benton, chairman of Liberty PAC: "We believe that Justin Amash is the best candidate in this race and is best poised to win in both the primary and general elections. We hope the people of Michigan will send this fine conservative leader to Washington at a time when he is sorely needed." Ron Paul stated:
"I am proud to endorse Justin Amash for United States Congress.
"Justin Amash is one of the most principled young leaders I have seen in a generation. Justin will do the work to fight for lower taxes and spending and for more freedom in Washington. We need people like Justin voting with me in Congress.
"Justin Amash understands our Constitution and will fight against out-of-control government to restore our Liberty. Justin has the courage to stand up against the bailouts and government takeovers being forced down our throats by Washington insiders.
"In addition to his impeccable voting record and tremendous personal integrity, I have been thoroughly impressed by Justin's commitment to transparency. Justin draws back the shroud of secrecy that Big Government uses to confuse our fellow citizens and shows his constituents, plainly and clearly, what our tax dollars are paying for.
"The American people need more than just another vote. We need a man of principle who will always stand up for what is right. We need a citizen politician who will represent US. Justin Amash is just that kind of individual." (8)
On June 28, the Club for Growth and its PAC endorsed Amash. "Justin Amash is a name pro-growth conservatives are going to hear and know for a long time," said Club President Chris Chocola. "Amash epitomizes a new breed of limited government conservatives committed to breaking Washington's addiction to deficits and debt, and freeing a rising, entrepreneurial generation to rescue our economy and our nation from political mismanagement." (9)
In July, the Club began "surrogate advertising" for Amash. (4) Commented a Club spokesman: "We will do whatever we can to help Justin Amash win this race. This guy is going to be a rock star the moment he is sworn in." (10)
On July 29, FreedomWorks PAC gave Amash its "Champion of Freedom" endorsement. "The moral character and unwavering loyalty to limited government principles that Justin Amash has displayed during his career as a legislator in Michigan is exactly what Washington needs right now," commented Matt Kibbe, president of the PAC. "When limited-government conservatives take back the majority in Washington this year, I am confident that Justin Amash will be among those leading the way." (11)
Amash cruised to an easy victory in the August 3 primary, taking 40% of the vote in a five-way race. (5)
Not that Amash had no detractors. Progressive blog Down With Tyranny called him a "neo-fascist candidate," adding: "Amash is an out-of-the-mainstream teabagger fanatic who had already announced he would primary Ehlers. The powerful Grand Rapids GOP Establishment is uncomfortable with Amash's extremism and prefer more practical, mainstream conservative pork barrel earmarkers like Ehlers, Paul Henry before him and Harold Sawyer before him." (10)
That last narrative -- of Amash as a Tea Party extremist out of touch not only with mainstream Americans but even mainstream Republicans -- was the one adopted by Democratic candidate Patrick Miles (who ran as a centrist with bipartisan appeal).
On Sep. 20, Miles released a list of over 50 Republicans who were endorsing him. The Grand Rapids Press opined: "The campaign of Miles, a Grand Rapids resident, is hoping the endorsements will position him as a centrist while labeling Amash, of Cascade Township, as a conservative ideologue who would lack influence in Washington if elected." The list included three former Kent County GOP chairmen. (12)
On October 19, Miles released a second list of 50 local Republicans who were backing him, including President Gerald Ford's brother, Dick, and four-term state representative Vic Krause. Speaking at a press conference for Miles, Krause stated that, "Extreme partisanship is permeating Congress and electing right wing conservative Republicans and left wing liberal Democrats in November is only going to make matters worse." (13)
Yet in this case the Tea-Partier-as-Unacceptable-Extremist narrative never got traction nationally. What little national press Amash received was favourable. For instance, in October Time magazine put him on its prestigious list of "40 Under 40" national figures, remarking that he "looks poised to surf the Tea Party wave to a victory in the state's 3rd Congressional District.."
"My biggest heroes are economists like F.A. Hayek and Frederic Bastiat," Amash told Time. "Those would be my political inspirations, as well." (14)
That may have been a response to establishment Republican Karl Rove, who recently dissed the Tea Party movement with the sneer: "It's not like these people have read the economist Friedrich August von Hayek." (15)
"Amash, the 30-year-old Republican state legislator running for the House seat once held by Gerald Ford in Michigan, frequently posts links to essays by Hayek and Bastiat on his Facebook page, his chief vehicle for communicating with voters," the New York Times told its readers in October. "There is no single economist or philosopher I admire more than F. A. Hayek," the paper quoted Amash as writing in May. "I have his portrait on the wall of my legislative office and the Justin Amash for Congress office." (16)
In the end it was no contest, as Amash beat Miles 60%-37%. "It is an incredible honor to have received the support of so many West Michigan residents," Amash told his thousands of Facebook readers the next day. "Thank you for everything you have done over the past months to make this possible.... In Congress, I will continue to serve in a transparent manner and fight for limited government, free markets, and individual liberty -- principles that will help turn around our economy and improve the lives of West Michigan families." (17)
---
Photo 1: Justin Amash (courtesy Justin Amash for Congress campaign).
(3) Ron Kampeas, "Political Points—Hannity told me not to come," Capital J, Oct. 13, 2010. http://blogs.jta.org/politics/article/2010/10/13/2741260/political-points-hannity-told-me-not-to-come
(6) Eric Larson, "Justin Amash Announces Bid for Congress," Red State Eclectic, Feb. 9, 2010. Web, Nov. 4, 2010. http://redstateeclectic.typepad.com/redstate_commentary/2010/02/justin-amash-announces-bid-for-congress.html
(8) "Ron Paul Endorses Justin Amash for Congress" (press release), Business Wire, Jun. 21, 2010. Web, Nov. 4, 2010. http://www.businesswire.ca/portal/site/ca-en/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100621006745&newsLang=en
(9) "Club for Growth Endorses Justin Amash," The Western Right, June 28, 2010. http://wmugop.blogspot.com/2010/06/club-for-growth-endorses-justin-amash.html
(10) "Club For Growth -- Making Trouble In Michigan, North Carolina... And Across America," Down With /Tyranny!, Jul. 6, 2010. Web, Nov. 4, 2010. http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2010/07/club-for-growth-making-trouble-in.html
(11) "FreedomWorks PAC Endorses Justin Amash, Candidate in Michigan’s Third Congressional District" (press release), Business Wire, July 29, 2010. Web, Nov. 4, 2010. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100729007059/en/FreedomWorks-PAC-Endorses-Justin-Amash-Candidate-Michigan%E2%80%99s
The views expressed
in this article are those of George Dance only and
do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
George Dance is solely responsible for the contents
of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated
with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
Posted By: George Dance
Date: November 8, 2010 07:07:17 AM
Since the article was published, I've read in forum and blog comments that Dick Ford actually backed Amash. I haven't found anything I can cite, and didn't want to change the article without a citation, but I thought that should be mentioned.
Justin Amash (born April 18, 1980) is also a graduate of the University of Michigan (in economics) and the U. of Michigan Law School. His Wikipedia page tells little about his early political involvement, though it notes that "During the 2008 presidential primaries, Amash donated to the campaigns of Congressman Ron Paul and John McCain" (
On June 28, the Club for Growth and its PAC endorsed Amash. "Justin Amash is a name pro-growth conservatives are going to hear and know for a long time," said Club President Chris Chocola. "Amash epitomizes a new breed of limited government conservatives committed to breaking Washington's addiction to deficits and debt, and freeing a rising, entrepreneurial generation to rescue our economy and our nation from political mismanagement." (