Posted on 03/23/2010 9:45:27 AM PDT by ConjunctionJunction
Dr. Dan Benishek was flipping the channels between the Michigan State basketball game and Fox News last night when the phone calls started coming through.
The Republican doctor running for a seat in Congress representing Michigan’s Upper Peninsula area had just become a Tea Party hero — and he wasn’t prepared. More than $20,000 in campaign donations poured in Sunday night alone. Benishek’s secret? He’s running against Bart Stupak, the eight-term Democrat whose last-minute deal allowed President Obama’s health-care legislation to pass.
“It’s hard to sort it all out, to tell you the truth, because I’m not a pro at this,” Benishek told The Daily Caller. “I’m just a regular person.”
Benishek, who has never run for office, doesn’t have a campaign Web site (for now, a Facebook page that has increased from 700 to 14,000 followers will do) or staff for that matter (his wife is taking press calls while he searches for a campaign manager). But by late last night, the RNC had stepped in and set up a PayPal account for him so he could raise money online.
“I didn’t have an online way to get any money, so they were all upset with me. But I got something up finally late last night and I don’t know, it’s just been unbelievable, the support,” Benishek said. “I’m not sure if it’s support for me or just hatred for Bart Stupak. But a lot of people saw what I stood for on Facebook, at least, and seemed to connect with that, with my bio and position statement, so I was overwhelmed by the support.”
NRCC spokesman Tom Erickson said in an email that GOP strategists in Washington began talks with the Benishek campaign on Monday. “Bart Stupak needs to be held accountable for selling out to Nancy Pelosi and President Obama,” Erickson said. “We’re happy to work with any Republican who’s willing to help us put Stupak out of a job this November.”
Benishek said the NRCC is encouraged because Stupak, who has been in office since 1993, “betrayed and “flip-flopped” on abortion. “One of the few issues that tied Bart to his constituency was his pro-life stance. His votes on a lot of the others issues are very liberal.”
Benishek concedes he has got his work cut out for him, as he’s just getting started introducing himself to the voters. “The people have to vote for me,” he explained. “Not the people who write me and say stuff about me on the blogs in Arizona … I certainly appreciate that and I certainly appreciate the financial help, but I have to still communicate with the constituents here.”
Benishek said it’s been “daunting” because he’s “been getting a lot of advice from people, contradictory advice.” “So that’s been a little bit of a problem. I don’t know exactly how to proceed. I just have to give it my best judgment and move forward,” he said.
It’s a big job for a political neophyte. “I just want to do a good job,” the new candidate explained. “I just can’t believe what’s going on. I’m trying my best to be good.”
He has to win the primary first, but glad to see he’s getting support. Great to have another Republican doctor in the House, especially given what’s coming.
A giant thank you goes to the people who brought his campaign to light.
He should start his staff from the people that stood up.
This is great news...go after the high profile targets first. He sold his soul to zero we need to make an example of him. There is no such thing as a conservative Rat!!!
Stupak didn’t even get his EO for cover. Obama signed the bill, but not the order today.
“I’m just a regular person.”
Good. We need more of them in DC.
People are learning a valuable lesson about trusting Democrats, and Republicans better pay attention.
Stupak is walking road kill. He’ll try to cross the highway in November, unless he decides to wuss out by ‘retiring’ and taking some schlub job working for the 0 administration. What a putz. Hey Bart, aren’t those 30 pieces of silver weighing you down?
Stupak has three challengers so far:
MI-1 Bart Stupak’s opponents, Daniel Benishek, http://www.benishekforcongress.net, Tom Stillings, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Stillings-for-Congress/359528951597?v=info, Linda Goldthorpe, http://www.lindaforcongress.com/
It has been verified that Goldthorpe is a Ron Paulite.
My suggestion is to hold your fire until after the primary is over. The best candidate to run against Stupak may not have declared yet, although the deadline is probably approaching.
Those who heard Benishek on Levin last night were not impressed.
If I remember correctly, it didn’t out very well either. hmmmmmmmm, what happened to Judas after he betrayed Jesus? I can’t quite remeber.... hmmmmmmm
A paulite would be 300% better than Stupak. But everyone should appreciate your advice to hold fire.
I would hope that National Right to Life et. al. would be specially targeting Stupak now. No such thing as a pro-life Democrat.
“Those who heard Benishek on Levin last night were not impressed.”
I bet he sounded better than Stupak.
Stillings facebook indicates he is very strong defense, but doesn’t mention energy at all.
Benishek’s facebook indicates he understands the importance of cheap energy to the economy.
So on what little I know, I’d go with Benishek. Just so long as Stupak goes down.
I did not hear the broadcast, but polish and package matters little to me. I would rather see a hayseed in Washington than another political hack. Honesty, character and commitment to the people and the country would be refreshing.
Stupak is a shameful weasel. End of story.
I hope the pubs aren't stupid again and run down each other before the primaries...we need people to drop out quicker and buck up the main pub...ie:...the last presidential debacle...
he was featured on Levin’s show yesterday....
He sounds like he’s going to need some help. God speed to him.
I wish him well....
but I do agree...the real support must come at primary time...
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