Republican races flare up, Democrat races flame out

A GOP operative suggested on Facebook the other day that Republicans needed to “unify” behind Congressman John James for governor.

I laughed out loud.

Republicans unify? Maybe after the last ballot is counted, and the results are read. Certainly not before.

Republicans historically like to have their primaries or convention fights. It’s Democrats who try to avoid them at all costs.

Perry Johnson is my Exhibit A. The eccentric Oakland County business executive — who made a fortune telling the Big Three automakers how to compete against Japanese automakers in the 1980s — is back in the gubernatorial race with his millions as of Jan. 26.

That makes eight Republican candidates with a mildly realistic shot at turning in the 15,000 valid signatures needed before the April 21 filing deadline.

Even if half fail or drop out, we still have a competitive primary on our hands.

The Secretary of State race is heating up, too. Macomb County Clerk Tony Forlini is courting pragmatic Republicans. Monica Yatooma is attracting Patrick Colbeck, election-integrity disciples, and Amanda Love is picking off whatever is left.

Neither Attorney General candidate — Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd nor attorney Kevin Kijewski — look like they’re folding before the March 28 convention.

Meanwhile, Democrats are like those homeowners who clean their house before the maid comes. They pull their maneuvers before a convention or an election, so their heir apparent can be recognized publicly with unanimous support.

I’m not sure which approach is better. The Republicans are fine with their nominees being “battle tested.” Democrats don’t want to drain resources.

There are a few reasons behind this. The modern-day Democrat was raised in solidarity, the union movement, strength in numbers, etc.

Republican candidates have paid advisors telling them what needs to be done to keep the ball rolling. Whether their clients are losing badly or isn’t in the hunt, that’s not always the point. Making sure the check cashes, that often is.

Democratic candidates typically don’t have for-profit firms doing their legwork. They have staff, but many Dem-friendly workers drink from the soft money or hard money trough of interest groups looking to advance the Democratic ticket. America Votes or Priorities USA typically don’t care which Democrat wins. Nearly every modern-day Democrat is left of center, anyway.

Organized labor and traditional Democratic groups want someone electable. Period.

Here’s my Exhibit B: Tuesday’s special election in the 35th state Senate District.

State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh is running, but the Democratic establishment think she’s too abrasive and too liberal to beat a Republican.

So, they’re getting behind the mild-mannered Chedrick Greene, a Saginaw fire department captain. 

More than 10 organized unions and D.C.-connected groups poured $115,950 behind the guy while Senate Democratic caucus members put in a combined $79,950.

This is the primary. What happens if Pugh pulls off a surprise and wins the primary and the general? Would she caucus with Republicans? Anyway, let’s not get beside the point. Pugh is an anomaly.

In many cases for Democrats, the candidate not with the “in” crowd drops out. Eventually.

Exhibit C: Gubernatorial frontrunner Jocelyn Benson cleans up on the endorsements. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist drops out. He runs for Secretary of State instead. One of the candidates in the SOS field, Aghogho Edevbie, drops out. More are expected.

The UAW and the Michigan Education Association support Oakland County Prosector Karen McDonald for Attorney General. Former U.S. Attorney Mark Totten drops his bid. He says he doesn’t have a path to win the nomination.

He probably didn’t.

Maybe Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum fights the current and forces the first convention floor fight for the Secretary of State nomination since Scott Bowen fell against anointed candidate Amos Williams in 2006.

Maybe Eli Savit gives progressives something to fight for and forces a vote in the Attorney General’s race.

Their odds of success aren’t great, though. 

I’ve made my case. In party nomination contests, Republicans step to the line. Democrats fall in line.

 (Kyle Melinn is the editor of the Capitol news service MIRS. You can email him at melinnky@gmail.com.)