Michigan Recall Efforts Selfish

Like the Little Engine That Could, they're still trying. You have to give them a certain respect for that: against the odds they keep fighting, even pushing their goals farther into the future in the hopes of ultimate victory. They are even heartened by the sort-of victory by recall advocates in Wisconsin. They are those here in Michigan who advocate the recall of Governor Rick Snyder and some members of the Michigan Legislature.

Recall proponents feel they have enough signatures to put a recall vote against Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc, on the November ballot. Steeled by that presumed victory (the signatures have not been validated yet), they are refocusing on recalling more Michigan lawmakers through the February 2012 primary. Yet that isn't a particularly good option for them: only the Republican side of the primary will offer a real contest (President Barack Obama will surely win the Democratic primary) which means February voters will most likely be solid Republicans who will vote against recalls of their own.

In short, the news is vaguely positive for recall. But only vaguely. For all the gyrations in Wisconsin, the Republicans there still hold the Governor's mansion, as well as the state Senate and House both, albeit by a slim 17-16 margin in Madison's upper chamber. All that really means is that the GOP there will have to keep its ducks in line, and little more.

Meanwhile here at home, even should the recall of Mr. Scott succeed, it will hardly change the balance of power in Lansing. The majority the GOP holds in the Michigan Senate is still overwhelming, and one seat won't alter the balance of power in the House as the GOP is up 63-47 there. So all that is really happening in Michigan politics is that an active, vocal, yet decided minority is operating the recall drive. Most Michigan citizens aren't giving it the time of day.

The recall effort in Michigan then is ultimately much ado about nothing. With the state House up for reelection next November anyway, most voters are willing to hold out changes, if any are to be, until then. That it how, outside of a true calamity, things should be. Because the Michigan recall isn't really about right and wrong, but over who's ox is being gored. The left doesn't like the results of 2010 and are too impatient with the voters to wait for a regular turn to turn Lansing back towards its wants. It is nothing more than petty politics of the worst, most selfish kind.