The separation of sane conservatives from far-right extremists continues in Michigan:
More than 150 Michigan Republicans banded together to launch a group supporting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s reelection bid, her campaign announced Monday.
The group includes business leaders, former state lawmakers, an ex-congressman, and top staff from the Republican administrations of Gov. John Engler and Rick Snyder. Jeff Timmer, the former head of the Michigan Republican Party, also signed on.
“We, as Michiganders, know what a great place this state is to live, work, and recreate. We also know we have a bright future,” Bill Parfet, chairman and CEO of Northwood Group, said in a statement. “To reach that future, we all need to work together to revamp education, infrastructure, effective government, job creation, safer communities, vital core cities, and preserving the state’s incredible national resources. We all want the same outcomes.”
The formation of the group comes as the Michigan Republican Party struggles to unify ahead of the November election. With far-right candidates for governor, secretary of state, and attorney general, the party has alienated moderate Republicans as it continues to echo former President Donald Trump’s election lies and push an anti-abortion agenda. [Detroit Metro Times]
Lacking power within the Michigan Republican Party, the sane conservatives are instead endorsing Governor Whitmer (D) in her reelection run because, well, if she wins then the conservatives can claim part of the credit, and by putting their names and actions out there, they alert other moderates who remain Republicans that it’s time to get the hell out of the Party.
No doubt the current owners of the Republican Party will demonize these former members are traitors to Party and Country. Anyone who sympathizes with the so-called traitors will be booted out themselves – or put on probation.
The only question is whether there are far-far-right extremists who have not yet joined the Republicans in sufficient numbers to replace the moderates and semi-moderates who are leaving or being thrown out.
Or if this will be another step in the imminent irrelevance and dissolution of the Republican Party.
