For Clark Durant: Michigan’s Senate GOP race

By Michelle Malkin  •  February 27, 2012 12:36 PM

You’ll recall that I published my first round of Senate GOP endorsements last month. As I wrote on 2/15: “While fiscal conservatives remain split over the GOP presidential candidates, grassroots activists are coalescing around a stellar slate of limited-government candidates looking to reinforce and reenergize the right in Washington.”

Here’s another.

Clark Durant is running for Senate in Michigan to challenge decrepit, entrenched incumbent Democrat Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

Durant is relentless, tireless, and entrepreneurial. He’s passionate about charter schools and education reform — and he has a track record of success with the inner-city Cornerstone charter schools he co-founded in Detroit. He’s got experience in both the private sector and academia. He’s the father of four, served in the military, and worked in the Reagan administration. Read more about him here.

The establishment GOP favorite in the race, Pete Hoekstra, may have bigger PAC donors and name recognition. But Durant has the backing of a growing number of state and national movement conservatives, along with top-notch campaign organization and fund-raising muscle.

Tea Party favorite Sen. Mike Lee, who ousted big-spending GOP Sen. Bob Bennett from Utah, backs Durant:

“Clark Durant and I will be partners in Washington D.C. to work for constitutionally limited government. We need deep cuts in wasteful government spending, a real balanced budget amendment, and a sustained effort to return to states those functions they can do best,” said Senator Lee.

Senator Lee is a rising leader in the U.S. Senate and has established himself as a real force for constitutionally limited government. According to Politico, “(Senator Lee has) emerged as the second-most-important conservative go-to guy in the Senate….A spokesman for Senator Jim DeMint’s Senate Conservatives Fund had
only high praise for Lee, as a senator who is willing to ‘stick his neck out’ for conservative candidates and ‘buck the establishment’ “

“Senator Lee is a new voice on the national scene, but one of the real champions for constitutionally limited government. He challenges the irresponsible debt and
spending culture in Washington. I am eager fight the good fight alongside Senator Lee if the people of Michigan honor me with that opportunity.” said Clark Durant.

Hillsdale College president Larry Arnn also weighed in for Durant:

Hillsdale College President, Dr. Larry Arnn, endorsed Clark Durant for Michigan’s United States Senate seat. Arnn issued a video message http://youtu.be/Qt21q7tXrSY “speaking as a citizen, not on behalf of the College,” stating, “This is an unusual time. It calls for very unusual people…”

After taping the video, Arnn added: “In these unusual times, we need a principled leader, an outsider, to challenge a broken Washington D.C. and return to the principles upon which our country was founded.”

“I have known Clark Durant for more than ten years. He helped start our flagship publication called Imprimis. He did things that live with the college today, that are important to it….we’re very proud of the work he did.”

Arnn concluded the video by saying: “I think Durant would be a superb Senator. I’m going to support him and you should too.”

Dr. Arnn, an historian and renowned Winston Churchill scholar, discussed the U.S. Senate race in the context of the great constitutional debates facing our country. Arnn praised Durant’s commitment to limited, representative, constitutional government.

Arnn recalled Durant’s campaign announcement pamphlet titled “Freedom Works,” http://www.clarkdurant.com/2012/01/11/freedom-works/ saying: “The thing is beautiful. He’s on to the point: It’s more than the vast expanse of modern government. It’s about the very ability of the people to control the government. He cares about that a lot and knows something about it.”

Entrenched incumbency is the disease. Fresh blood is the cure. Clark Durant would bring a whirlwind of new energy to Capitol Hill and provide much-needed reinforcement to the conservative contingent in the Senate.

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Posted in: 2012 Campaign,GOP,Politics,Tea Party
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Comments


  1. #1
    On February 27th, 2012 at 12:42 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Hey, you’re going to tick off Rice Paddy Girl!

  2. #2
    On February 27th, 2012 at 12:44 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    Entrenched incumbency is the disease. Fresh blood is the cure. Clark Durant would bring a whirlwind of new energy to Capitol Hill and provide much-needed reinforcement to the conservative contingent in the Senate.

    Amen to that. And much reinforcement is needed. Too little fresh blood only means being overwhelmed by the politically entreched vampires on Capitol Hill who take delight out of sucking the blood and energy from the conservative contingent.

  3. #3
    On February 27th, 2012 at 12:45 pm, Flyoverman said:

    Getting an endorsement from the President of Hillsdale College should be an attention getter for any conservative.

  4. #4
    On February 27th, 2012 at 12:49 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    The establishment GOP favorite in the race, Pete Hoekstra, may have bigger PAC donors and name recognition.

    Well, there you go. Nuff said.

  5. #5
    On February 27th, 2012 at 12:58 pm, love2rumba said:

    As long as the freshmen GOP candidates keep breaking their promises (like the ‘Tea Party Republicans’ did) once they get into office, these endorsements mean nothing.

  6. #6
    On February 27th, 2012 at 1:09 pm, letget said:

    For those in Nebraka, ‘Former senator Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) has changed his mind and plans to run for the open Senate seat in Nebraska, according to a senior Democratic aide.’ Guess you can’t take the word of d now can you that they won’t run again? Will he be voted in?
    L

  7. #7
    On February 27th, 2012 at 1:16 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    I like the idea of focusing away from the GOP presidential race to the more important Congressional races where we could make a big, big difference.

    The best we’ll be able to do this year in the presidential race is to force a brokered convention where we can then force the GOP establishment to reveal even more convincingly that conservatives simply cannot work within the party. The Rovian progressives change the rules as they go along.

    We need to send reinforcements to “The Twenty” who stood the government on its head last year in the face of a GOP House leadership that wouldn’t even pretend to fight due to being only “1/2 of 1/3 of the government”. We can change THAT in November.

  8. #8
    On February 27th, 2012 at 1:18 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    Guess you can’t take the word of d now can you that they won’t run again?

    You can never take the word of any professional politician when there is much to be gained by attempting to return to office.

    Will he be voted in?

    Sure, its possible.

  9. #9
    On February 27th, 2012 at 1:20 pm, yaymm said:

    Give the Tea Party Republicans some time and some credit love2rumba. They are bridled for now and have been relegated to backroom nobodies. If they push too hard because there are too few of them to overcome the entrenched Old Guard Republicans, they will be marginalized even further.

    They (the Old Guard)are the people holding the TP agenda hostage in the name of going along to get along. Like Michelle says, “fresh blood is the cure.”

    The TPR’s have not changed their beliefs, only their tactics and that may be as temporary as the next elections, if the old guys are defeated for a change and more Tea Party Republicans get elected in their place.

  10. #10
    On February 27th, 2012 at 1:21 pm, southparkconservative said:

    I’m voting for Durant. Hoekstra is a stooge. I’ve never liked him, and unlike I would say most voters in the state, I actually knew who he was prior to this (or prior to his try at governorship).

  11. #11
    On February 27th, 2012 at 2:03 pm, drbulb said:

    On February 27th, 2012 at 12:58 pm, love2rumba said:
    As long as the freshmen GOP candidates keep breaking their promises (like the ‘Tea Party Republicans’ did) once they get into office, these endorsements mean nothing.

    Still hopelessly outnumbered by “establishment” repukians ‘rumba. A TEA Party endorsement means EVERYTHING. Until we have a TEA Party majority we will continue to fight BOTH parties efforts to keep us from returning to our conservative roots…

    Got your rally sign ready? April 15 is coming right up. See you there!

  12. #12
    On February 27th, 2012 at 2:05 pm, Republicanvet said:

    On February 27, 2012 at 10:45 am, Flyoverman said:

    Getting an endorsement from the President of Hillsdale College should be an attention getter for any conservative.

    It is for me.

  13. #13
    On February 27th, 2012 at 2:11 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On February 27th, 2012 at 2:05 pm, Republicanvet said:
    On February 27, 2012 at 10:45 am, Flyoverman said:

    Getting an endorsement from the President of Hillsdale College should be an attention getter for any conservative.
    It is for me.

    Please explain. Thanks

  14. #14
    On February 27th, 2012 at 2:13 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Nevermind just found some info on it, thanks anyways.

    ” National Review has described Hillsdale as a “citadel of American conservatism.”

  15. #15
    On February 27th, 2012 at 2:33 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    I read Imprimis…hope this candidate wins! Hillsdale College is renowned for its conservative faculty who are staunch supporters of limited government.

  16. #16
    On February 27th, 2012 at 2:49 pm, thejim said:

    We desperately need a Conservative candidate in the primaries opposing our junior RINO Senator Dorker Corker. Come on Tea Party, help out, please

  17. #17
    On February 27th, 2012 at 2:56 pm, Hiraghm said:

    Ms Malkin,

    It’s just great that you’re using your blog to endorse a candidate for the Michigan Senate race. Seriously, because I think taking the Senate is imperative.

    Now, could you devote just a few words, even 140 twitted words, to the murdered American servicemen in Afghanistan?

    Why are you so quiet on this issue?

  18. #18
    On February 27th, 2012 at 3:18 pm, Collateral Damage said:

    Durant sounds good. It’s just too bad the RepublicRAT establishment has infected the rank and file in Michigan with MHIT-For-Brains, that dreaded LEMMING disease that ROBS folks of any level of common sense and causes them to vote for LIBERALS!?! RINO Romney should never be the choice of the TEA folks. The folks better wise up, and take the antidote for MHIT-For-brains or the new TEA-backed folks in Washington are going to have a real tough time getting anything done with a LIBERAL president!?!

  19. #19
    On February 27th, 2012 at 3:18 pm, swede said:

    Rogue Cheddar said:

    ” National Review has described Hillsdale as a “citadel of American conservatism.”

    Citadel – like a fortress? “Fixed fortifications are monuments to the stupidity of man.” – Patton

    Different I guess. But how many straight line conservatives “go all wobbly” when they get to Washingtoon?

  20. #20
    On February 27th, 2012 at 3:39 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    But how many straight line conservatives “go all wobbly” when they get to Washingtoon?

    Too many. They succumb to the political virus that permeates the environment there, quite often by the time they serve a second term. There are those who are immune to the virus, but they are usually isolated and quarantined, or driven from DC, by the infected, lest their immunity to the virus spreads.

  21. #21
    On February 27th, 2012 at 4:02 pm, letget said:

    On February 27th, 2012 at 3:39 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    Well it seems bho is the grand daddy of all viruses! bho holds the cure in his slimy fingers/eo pen but only gives waviers/cure to those who help him in re-election? All others get a ‘pill’ to help them?
    L

  22. #22
    On February 27th, 2012 at 4:10 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    Well it seems bho is the grand daddy of all viruses! bho holds the cure in his slimy fingers/eo pen but only gives waviers/cure to those who help him in re-election? All others get a ‘pill’ to help them?

    Either a ‘pill’ or an appointment with their local death panel.

  23. #23
    On February 27th, 2012 at 4:20 pm, Republicanvet said:

    On February 27, 2012 at 12:11 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On February 27th, 2012 at 2:05 pm, Republicanvet said:
    On February 27, 2012 at 10:45 am, Flyoverman said:

    Getting an endorsement from the President of Hillsdale College should be an attention getter for any conservative.
    It is for me.

    Please explain. Thanks

    I’m sure Flyoverman has already, but, Hillsdale is a premiere conservative college where the constitution is thoroughly taught and Imprimis is a very good, conservative newsletter put out by them.

  24. #24
    On February 27th, 2012 at 4:22 pm, Republicanvet said:

    On February 27, 2012 at 12:11 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On February 27th, 2012 at 2:05 pm, Republicanvet said:
    On February 27, 2012 at 10:45 am, Flyoverman said:

    Getting an endorsement from the President of Hillsdale College should be an attention getter for any conservative.
    It is for me.

    Please explain. Thanks

    Oh, and I’m sure the professors there actually know the constitution as opposed to some community agitating chump who lectures on how he thinks it should be.

  25. #25
    On February 27th, 2012 at 4:53 pm, Truesoldier said:

    I’m sure Flyoverman has already, but, Hillsdale is a premiere conservative college where the constitution is thoroughly taught

    Not only taught, but is a requirement in the students freshman year.

  26. #26
    On February 27th, 2012 at 4:57 pm, zorro said:

    we will donate to him as well.

  27. #27
    On February 27th, 2012 at 5:00 pm, letget said:

    I’t a sure bet bho didn’t go to Hillsdale! bho craters the constitution and Hillsdale has that as a major requirement for those who go there. Rush has wonderful things to say about them.
    L

  28. #28
    On February 27th, 2012 at 5:19 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    I’t a sure bet bho didn’t go to Hillsdale! bho craters the constitution and Hillsdale has that as a major requirement for those who go there.

    it would have done him a world of good to have attended there. I doubt his GPA, let alone his constitutional knowledge, would have qualified him for acceptance at Hillsdale. ’cause we have no real evidence that he really had either.

  29. #29
    On February 27th, 2012 at 5:30 pm, letget said:

    On February 27th, 2012 at 5:19 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    I’m looking forward to sheriff Joe/AZ has to allow with his press news 4/1 on bho’s issues? I hope they came up with something? It could all be for nothing for all I know.
    L

  30. #30
    On February 27th, 2012 at 5:39 pm, swede said:

    zorro said:

    we will donate to him as well.

    Good on ya. With Obubbleears holding positive approval ratings at 48%, and the GOP whimpfest going on, four more years is an ugly probability – making the Senate and House races crucial. I’m supporting close senate races out of my state as well.

    Reality bites.

  31. #31
    On February 27th, 2012 at 6:15 pm, AmericanGirl30 said:

    Hillsdale’s Imprimis is free and anyone can sign up for a subscription on their website, http://www.hillsdale.edu. They also have a site, constitution.hillsdale.edu, where you can access educational materials online, including an online version of their Constitution course, which they just started last week. You might still be able to sign up for it. I’m taking it because the Constitution class was not yet a requirement when I attended. I still got a great education though. :o )

    Michelle, will you endorse anyone in the race against Olympia Snowe? She’s the #1 RINO target as far as I’m concerned.

  32. #32
    On February 27th, 2012 at 6:28 pm, AmericanGirl30 said:

    On February 27, 2012 at 01:11 PM, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Please explain. Thanks

    In addition to what’s been said, another great thing about Hillsdale is that it is the only college in the nation that does not take either federal or state monies at all.

  33. #33
    On February 27th, 2012 at 7:06 pm, OK_Loyalist said:

    On February 27th, 2012 at 5:39 pm, swede said:

    Good on ya. With Obubbleears holding positive approval ratings at 48%, and the GOP whimpfest going on, four more years is an ugly probability – making the Senate and House races crucial. I’m supporting close senate races out of my state as well.

    Reality bites.

    As you know, Reagan wasn’t polling well against Carter either, so it’s not over yet.

  34. #34
    On February 27th, 2012 at 8:04 pm, bjc said:

    *I believe the pollsters will be citing this race as too close to call come November regardless of the GOP nominee, but Durant seems by far the best of the bunch; Stabenow has been a disgrace for Michigan, as was Hurricane Jenny, and because of the enemy in the White House, most Michiganders have seen the light and will come forth and sin no more!

  35. #35
    On February 27th, 2012 at 9:01 pm, Hiraghm said:

    I’ll endorse Hillsdale as a reliable Constitutional education source when I can confirm that they A)openly acknowledge the 2nd Amendment as a universal absolute, and B) openly acknowledge that “natural born citizen” in Article 2 section 1 refers to a citizen born of citizen parents (both).

  36. #36
    On February 27th, 2012 at 11:57 pm, AmericanGirl30 said:

    On February 27th, 2012 at 9:01 pm, Hiraghm said:
    I’ll endorse Hillsdale as a reliable Constitutional education source when I can confirm that they A)openly acknowledge the 2nd Amendment as a universal absolute

    They have a large shooting sports presence on campus–classes, shooting range, etc. I don’t know where I could find a worded statement for you, but trust me, they are pro-second amendment.

    B) openly acknowledge that “natural born citizen” in Article 2 section 1 refers to a citizen born of citizen parents (both).

    I have no idea if they’ll mention this controversy in their class or define it the way you prefer. Why don’t you take the class and find out for yourself? If they don’t mention it in a lecture or a reading, there’s a weekly Q&A session as part of the class, and anyone taking the class can submit questions.

  37. #37
    On February 28th, 2012 at 9:59 am, Soul said:

    Nice read, does sound like a good candidate. Hope he wins.

    Like the newsletter! Thought that a good idea.

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