Just Another Dick

Incumbent Dick Ball won re-election over his Democratic challenger Judy Ford, by 56%-43%. This was very good news for local Republicans, who eye the 85th House seat as the ultimate in Shiawassee Republican achievement. Local GOPers see it as the golden egg that eventually goes to the bestest Republican in the whole county. “When I grow up, I’ll have that seat,” they say. “I’ve got that seat in the bag.” That’s why the Shiawassee Drain Office is so coveted by local Republicans. It’s a high profile, county wide office. A stepping stone to the 85th.

But enough about that. This is about Dick Ball, who won re-election over his Democratic challenger Judy Ford. Judy spent $5500 of her own money and a little bit of other people’s money. She only needed another 3,731 votes.

Sure, it’s a lot of votes. But with no money and no support outside of her family, she came closer than anyone could’ve expected. She was visually dominant in the outlying areas. (She also dominated the city until her signs were stolen.) She was out every weekend, every week night, and most mornings before work. Republicans and independents said good things about her.

“Elect Granholm” or “Elect DeVos” — either sign could be standing next to “Elect Judy Ford.” Congratulations are in order. Congratulations to Russ Kregger, a respected Democrat who publicly endorsed Dick Ball in the newspapers. Maybe Russ will be the next bestest Republican in the whole county. Congratulations to the MEA. (You know, the ‘liberal’ MEA?) They gave a significant contribution to Dick Ball, the Republican. Nothing to Judy Ford, the Democrat. Congratulations to the folks who stole Judy’s signs. You can give them back now.

Congratulations to the editors of The Independent, who surrounded all of the information about Judy Ford with ads for Dick Ball.**

Congratulations to the MDP. With an investment of only $5,000 you could have nearly doubled Judy’s budget. You came within a few thousand dollars of winning an election. No worries though; you side stepped that one.

Congratulations to the MDP again, for saving the 20 minutes it would’ve taken you to return the Fords’ calls, regarding research on Dick Ball’s legislative record. And thank God for that … with the time you’ve saved by blowing them off, you can watch this 40 times:

Congratulations to whoever paid for the fancy victory party at the Ren Cen last night. Good thing your money went to that, and not to some backwater unworthy non-targeted candidate who needed advertising.

So Russ, MEA, criminals, editors, MDP, and moneybags — cheers. You’ve re-elected Dick Ball.

Dick Ball. The guy who meddles in the local affairs of the City of Owosso and Caledonia Twp, instead of doing his job in Lansing.

Dick Ball. The man who said “We will never have the prosperity that we had in the 90’s. Michigan will just have to learn to live with less.”

Dick Ball. The man who confuses “undecided” with “moderate” (but always votes party line).

Dick Ball. The man who plays the role of Mr. Nice Guy while his party organization trashes his opponents with outright lies, and destroys or steals their property.

Dick Ball. The man who said “I will not stand here and let the Republicans take the blame for the problems in Michigan.”

Dick Ball. The man who did so little during his first term that he couldn’t be bothered to return my call to comment on how little he did.

Dick Ball.

Just another Dick.

**The editors deserve extra kudos for “forgetting” to place Joe DeCaire’s ad on the Wednesday before the election. It didn’t cost Joe the election, but still, they get an “A” for effort