Hey, all...remember last spring when Michigan GOP Governor Rick Snyder and the GOP-controlled state legislature decided to slash $1.8 billion in corporate taxes while simultaneously raising taxes on retirees and the poor?
Well, inspired by the Wisconsin State Capital Occupation movement, a group of proud progressives, organized by progressive Democrat Lance Enderle, decided to set up their own in-the-rotunda protest.
Here's a clip of Enderle confronting GOP House Majority Leader Jase Bolger's press secretary:
If the name Lance Enderle sounds familiar, it's because in 2010 he ran a desperate, last-ditch, last-minute congressional campaign in MI-08 against GOP rubber stamp Mike Rogers when the original Democratic nominee essentially flipped out, bailed on his own campaign and left the state after his name had been put on the ballot.
Enderle, realizing that this amounted to giving Rogers a free ride, decided to jump in and try to salvage the situation. After a long, messy process which I won't rehash again here, his name was finally placed on the general election ballot...only 62 days before the election.
With virtually no time, support or money, in a blood-red year where Dems were slaughtered across the board, Lance lost, of course--but he fought like hell.
(You may recall that I posted a diary or two on the race last year.)
Well, guess what? He's back--and this time he intends to run a full campaign from start to finish...and he needs your help.
To kick things off, the Enderle campaign is running a Bacon Bomb on Wednesday, November 9th. Anyone who donates $10 or more on Wednesday will be entered into a drawing to win a gift certificate to BaconFreak.com.
Why bacon? Beats me, to be honest; it's an inside joke (and I'm Jewish anyway, so God only knows what I'd do if I won the drawing), but Lance wants to fry up some Grand Old Pork in 2012!
So, who the hell is Lance beyond the above?
Well, he's the guy that The Political Carnival described as, essentially Alan Grayson with Darth Vader's voice.
Here's a bit more on Lance from last year to give you a feel for him and his style:
Here's Lance with his dog, Dude (who, as always, Abides):
So, where does he stand?
--He's a strong supporter of #OWS and has been very active with #OccupyLansing
--He wants to repeal NAFTA, CAFTA and other so-called "free trade" agreements flat-out.
--He's a laid-off public schoolteacher, used to work as a Democratic party staffer in the Upper Peninsula years ago, and has a pretty wide array of experience in different fields.
--He's absolutely opposed to Michigan becoming a "Right to Work" state, and believes a fair, living wage is essential to Michigan (and the country) getting the middle class back in shape.
--He strongly supports a Public Option.
--He's strongly opposed to any further gas or oil drilling/exploration in Michigan, noting that the Great Lakes provide the largest supply of fresh water in the world, and that oil spills like the recent Kalamazoo River pipeline explosion would be devastating if they got into one of the Great Lakes. For that matter, the practice of hydrofracking is a disaster waiting to happen to our groundwater as well.
--He's very much pro-choice.
--He favors marriage equality
--He has a dog named Dude.
What more could you ask for?
Lance Enderle for Congress
Lance's Bacon Bomb ActBlue Page
Lance's Facebook Page
Lance on Twitter
So, come on, everyone: Cough up some bacon for Lance and MI-08! The Dude thinks it's his, but we have a backup plan worked out for him: