Posted by
Ron Devito on Thursday, August 16, 2012 5:42:22 PM
Former U.S. Representative Peter Hoekstra told LaDonna Hale Curzon, host and Executive Producer, Sarah Palin Radio he is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan because what Obama and his opponent, Sen. Debbie Stabenow are doing "is terrible for our kids and grand kids." His motivation is "to get this country moving in a different direction. Stabenow is a 12-year Democratic incumbent. Rep. Hoekstra said the differences between Stabenow and himself are a "classic liberal/conservative race."
Stabenow "is a Senator who does not deliver solutions. I find it amazing that they're going after Paul Ryan and his legislative accomplishments. Here's a guy who's Chairman of the Budget Committee and passes a budget every year. I'm running against a Senator who sits on the Budget Committee in the US Senate and hasn't passed a budget in over 1,200 days," he said.
He said Sen. Stabenow voted for the Obama stimulus plan and her beliefs align with his infamous "you didn't build this" rant. She voted for ObamaCare and is one of the most liberal Senators, if not the most, Rep. Hoekstra said.
Closing Gap in Polling...Opponent Needs Her Money "to Defend Atrocious Record"
Though Sen. Stabinow has much more money in her campaign than Rep. Hoekstra, he said "she is going to need it to defend her atrocious record." The latest Rasmussen Poll on their campaigns shows Sen. Stabinow at 46% with Rep. Hoekstra at 40%. He expects the gap to close by Labor Day and said pundits consider an incumbent vulnerable once their numbers drop below 50%.
Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan has endorsed Rep. Hoekstra. He expects to pick up endorsements from pro-business, pro-life, and pro-gun groups in the coming weeks. His campaign got between 40% and 45% of the Tea Party vote during the primary, but now they are united behind his general election run. Rep. Hoekstra said he would welcome Gov. Palin's support but has not been endorsed by her as this story goes to press. He is not on the American Grizzlies United 2012 Candidates List.
Rep. Hoekstra said he was thrilled that Romney picked Paul Ryan to be his running mate. "Paul Ryan is a very good friend. He's shown incredible leadership," Rep. Hoekstra said. Rep. Ryan also sits on the Ways and Means Committee which develops all of our tax policies. "He's not only leading on balancing the budget and paying down the debt, but he's also leading on tax policy, creating a tax structure that would drive the economy and...growth," Rep. Hoekstra said. He added that Rep. Ryan is a "gym rat," who slept in the office and met colleagues in the gym. He believes that Rep. Ryan's solutions focus will appeal to Independents as well as conservatives, and even Democrats who seek solutions. Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a Reagan Democrat stronghold where the Romney-Ryan ticket could do well.
Gov. Palin Awesome in '08
Curzon noted that despite Gov. Palin's best efforts in 2008 - she had "gone rogue" to campaign there - Obama still carried the state. "Gov. Palin was awesome in '08 when the top of the ticket said 'hey we're leaving Michigan,' and she said, 'No! No! No! Send me to Michigan. I can win Michigan. She's welcome to come to Michigan anytime she wants to come. People in Michigan remember that," Rep. Hoekstra said.
He also said "Romney is our favorite son. He is from southeast Michigan. He understands the car industry. He understands manufacturing...I think he's got a great shot at winning Michigan. After he wins those electoral votes, he's going to take a friend with him into the U.S. Senate, so Michigan is a very key state in this election.
Rep. Hoekstra is an avid cyclist and has biked across the state in the past, though he has not done so this year. A bicycle is featured in one of his campaign logos.
His website is: http://www.hoekstraforsenate.com/.
Complete Audio Transcript of Interview with Peter Hoekstra, US Senate Candidate, MI