Bills Tight-End Jay Riemersma Forms an Exploratory Committee

[Lunar]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23648.html

Former professional football player Jay Riemersma announced Thursday via YouTube that he had filed papers to form an exploratory committee that will allow him to fundraise for a possible bid in Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District.

Riemersma, a Republican, is seeking to replace nine-term Republican Rep. Pete Hoekstra, who is running for governor in 2010.

Riemersma said he will make a final decision regarding 2010 “later in the summer,” after speaking with voters in the district.

“They want leaders with the strength to stand up to higher taxes, Wall Street bailouts and out-of-control spending,” Riemersma said in the video. “People have encouraged me to consider running because I have the strength of my conservative convictions and will show leadership in these difficult economic times.”

A former tight end for the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills and a star player at the University of Michigan, Riemersma has worked for the conservative Family Research Council and coached high school football in Zeeland, Mich., since his retirement.

In November 2008, he signaled his politics when he penned a letter to the editor in the Holland Sentinel titled, “How could Christiansvote for Obama?”

In that letter, Riemersma argued that faith should “permeate every aspect of our lives.”

“Too many Christians shroud their God-given light with misguided intentions and uninformed choices,” Riemersma wrote. “Moving forward to the next election, I implore all Christians to base their vote not on a political party or a polished politician but, rather, on biblical principle.”

If he runs, Riemersma would face a crowded Republican primary in the western Michigan-based 2nd. State Rep. Bill Huizenga announced a run in December, and state Sen. Wayne Kuipers is reportedly considering entering the race.

The district is one of the most Republican in Michigan, but in 2008, Sen. John McCain carried it by only 51 percent to 47 percent, down considerably from former President George W. Bush’s 60 percent in 2004.

[Smash255]

Ahh yes, the whole your not a true Christian unless your far right.......

[Joe Republic]

“Too many Christians shroud their God-given light with misguided intentions and uninformed choices,” Riemersma wrote. “Moving forward to the next election, I implore all Christians to base their vote not on a political party or a polished politician but, rather, on biblical principle.”

Douche.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Somehow I get the feeling that there are more differences in position between him and fellow Buffalo Bill Jack Kemp than just QB / TE.

[Sam Spade]

Riemersma is in the right CD for this type of campaign.

[Coburn In 2012]

In November 2008, he signaled his politics when he penned a letter to the editor in the Holland Sentinel titled, “How could Christiansvote for Obama?”

In that letter, Riemersma argued that faith should “permeate every aspect of our lives.”

“Too many Christians shroud their God-given light with misguided intentions and uninformed choices,” Riemersma wrote. “Moving forward to the next election, I implore all Christians to base their vote not on a political party or a polished politician but, rather, on biblical principle.”

Sounds like a great American with lots of potential to become a true leader.  No wonder the sissy left hates him so.  He is an athelete, a Christian AND a conservative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lunar]

yeah


(!)




that's not getting old,

[socaldem]

If he were to win the nomination, dems might actually have a chance in this district.  Remember, Obama almost won it....now dems need to find a semi-credible candidate who might be able to win if he slips through.

[Holmes]

Oh no, he's running as a Dem? We don't need more quacks in Congress.

[Keystone Phil]

Oh no, he's running as a Dem?

The article cites several times that he's a Republican.

[Holmes]

Ah. I care so little that I only read the posts. I know how MI-02 is, so when socaldem said that Dems would have a chance if he ran, I thought that meant he'd run as one so we'd have a chance. He sounds perfect for the district.

[Magic 8-Ball]

So, is every athlete who runs for Congress (or forms an exploratory committee) now a Republican?  It's difficult to think of any in recent years who even considered running as a Democrat.

[Smash255]

So, is every athlete who runs for Congress (or forms an exploratory committee) now a Republican?  It's difficult to think of any in recent years who even considered running as a Democrat.

Schuler.  Mike Richter flirted with running against Shays a couple years ago, don't think he ever formed any committee though.

[Coburn In 2012]

So, is every athlete who runs for Congress (or forms an exploratory committee) now a Republican?  It's difficult to think of any in recent years who even considered running as a Democrat.

pretty much.  see, athletes tend not to be fats or lazy or wimps and all those sorts are attracted to the party of government handouts and entitlements.  even schuler is one of the most conservative democrat members of the House.

[Nutmeg]

So, is every athlete who runs for Congress (or forms an exploratory committee) now a Republican?  It's difficult to think of any in recent years who even considered running as a Democrat.

pretty much.  see, athletes tend not to be fats or lazy or wimps and all those sorts are attracted to the party of government handouts and entitlements.

Because they are wealthy as a result of their skills at playing a children's game.  The rich tend to be conservative; they have what others want.

[Magic 8-Ball]

So, is every athlete who runs for Congress (or forms an exploratory committee) now a Republican?  It's difficult to think of any in recent years who even considered running as a Democrat.

Schuler.  Mike Richter flirted with running against Shays a couple years ago, don't think he ever formed any committee though.

Aha.  It just seems odd that a disproportionate number of them run as or vocally support Republicans.  I mean, they have Swann, this guy, Minter (who later decided against running), Schilling (who openly campaigned for Bush in 2004), and pretty much everyone on the Sports Stars category on NewsMeat.

So, is every athlete who runs for Congress (or forms an exploratory committee) now a Republican?  It's difficult to think of any in recent years who even considered running as a Democrat.

pretty much.  see, athletes tend not to be fats or lazy or wimps and all those sorts are attracted to the party of government handouts and entitlements.

Because they are wealthy as a result of their skills at playing a children's game.  The rich tend to be conservative; they have what others want.

Yeah.  My guess, for most of them, is that the tax issue is what draws them in, especially since it cuts across race.

[Rob]

“Too many Christians shroud their God-given light with misguided intentions and uninformed choices,” Riemersma wrote. “Moving forward to the next election, I implore all Christians to base their vote not on a political party or a polished politician but, rather, on biblical principle.”

Douche.

[Badger]

What kind of bench, if any, do the Democrats have here? Any state rep/senators? Yes 2010 is likely to be at least a somewhat favorable year for the GOP in house races and this is one of the most conservative CD's in MI, but you get a divisive social arch-conservative winning a multi-candidate GOP primary in a district that gave Obama 47%, add a (hopefully) strong Dem. candidate and.....

Hey, live to dream is all I'm saying. So how about that bench?

[JohnnyLongtorso]

What kind of bench, if any, do the Democrats have here? Any state rep/senators? Yes 2010 is likely to be at least a somewhat favorable year for the GOP in house races and this is one of the most conservative CD's in MI, but you get a divisive social arch-conservative winning a multi-candidate GOP primary in a district that gave Obama 47%, add a (hopefully) strong Dem. candidate and.....

Hey, live to dream is all I'm saying. So how about that bench?

Democrats have three state representatives in the district: Doug Bennett, Mary Valentine, and Dan Scripps. Scripps seems the most likely candidate; although he was just elected in 2008, he's much younger than the other two, who are both in their 60s, and he represents a fairly swingy area.

Of course, they probably need someone with a Dutch name to win.

[Coburn In 2012]

So, is every athlete who runs for Congress (or forms an exploratory committee) now a Republican?  It's difficult to think of any in recent years who even considered running as a Democrat.

pretty much.  see, athletes tend not to be fats or lazy or wimps and all those sorts are attracted to the party of government handouts and entitlements.

Because they are wealthy as a result of their skills at playing a children's game.  The rich tend to be conservative; they have what others want.

You got beat up on the school bus alot didn't you

[Nutmeg]

So, is every athlete who runs for Congress (or forms an exploratory committee) now a Republican?  It's difficult to think of any in recent years who even considered running as a Democrat.

pretty much.  see, athletes tend not to be fats or lazy or wimps and all those sorts are attracted to the party of government handouts and entitlements.

Because they are wealthy as a result of their skills at playing a children's game.  The rich tend to be conservative; they have what others want.

You got beat up on the school bus alot didn't you

Never.  Not that that is relevant.

In fact, I even played a sport.  But I knew when it was time to get serious and hit the books rather than continuing to play outside.  My dislike for this individual will prove well-founded, I am sure, should he continue to make claims such as that God is a Republican and such.

[Chesco ABB]

What are Riemersma's chances? It would be great if Doug Flutie ever runs for office.  (He's a Dem or at least he was in 2000.)