Barbara
New Member
This is quite an interesting and intelligent commentary. I highligted the quotes that I thought were most interesting, but for context purposes, the whole article should be read.
http://www.heraldtimes.com/articles/2004/05/24/news/opinion/opinion02.txt
Candidate Ramsey
By Jim Grisso
Already off on the wrong foot!
http://www.heraldtimes.com/articles/2004/05/24/news/opinion/opinion02.txt
Candidate Ramsey
By Jim Grisso
...Lights, camera, action - John Ramsey announces his candidacy for the 105th District in the Michigan House of Representatives. That's our district, which is made up mostly of trees. ..
...Ramsey's opponents were lucky if their announcements made the front page of their hometown newspaper. (By the way, we published every state House candidate's announcement on our front page.) ...
.....But he says he's been given a "platform" (to run for office). The platform is his daughter's death and ensuing investigation, which has not been closed. He wants to use that platform for the "good" (of the people).
...I would prefer his platform be based on what he can do in Lansing for the counties of Otsego, Antrim, Charlevoix and Cheboygan, in particular, and the state of Michigan in general. The mere fact he has suddenly become a permanent resident of Charlevoix, or that he has an unusual "platform," does not qualify him for public office.
He obviously is running on the coattails of his notoriety, or, as some call it, celebrity status. However, his announced "platform" does nothing for us living up here among the trees.
...Voters in the 105th had better step back and take a deep breath. We have five other Republicans and two Democrats seeking the office, some of whom possibly have more knowledge about the district than Ramsey.....
...The Ramseys' experience in Michigan has been primarily limited to living the good life as summertime resorters overlooking the yacht basin in Charlevoix. He says he will focus on jobs, but what does John Ramsey really know about working people in our area? What qualifies him to make important decisions for northern Michigan, not to mention the entire state?
All voters in the district should probe deeply into this man's background and qualifications - and political agenda. Of course, the same holds true for all candidates.
...Interestingly, conservative Republican incumbent Ken Bradstreet of Gaylord, who, unfortunately, can't seek re-election because of term limits, said he would publicly support a conservative Democrat in the general election if Ramsey won the primary. He said he's thoroughly researched the JonBenet case and is not comfortable with Ramsey's candidacy.
...Ramsey may have gotten off on the wrong political foot in Otsego County when he became a no-show for the North Central Michigan Homebuilders Association candidate forum in Gaylord Tuesday evening. He was the only candidate not represented.
Already off on the wrong foot!
...I understand he has an impressive array of politicos and public relations people working for him, but somewhere along the line he will have to come out from behind the TV cameras and talk to us common folks.