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Pentagon officials ask Congress to shift $9.6B The Pentagon wants Congress to shift $9.6 billion of this year’s Defense Department budget toward expenses for the Afghanistan war, transportation and other items. Read the Full Story
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Pentagon Said to Seek $80 Billion for War Amid Withdrawal The Pentagon will ask Congress to approve about $79.5 billion for combat operations, the least since 2005, as U.S. troops withdraw from Afghanistan, according to administration officials. Read the Full Story
Jerry Brown: California’s Mystery Man One of California’s great mysteries is the state’s governor, Jerry Brown. In a time when America’s politicians strive to be everywoman and everyman, Brown goes his own way. While a nation frantically chases youth, the 75-year-old governor who glories in his age and experience, is at the top of his game. Read the Full Story
No Koch News: A Movement to Unsubscribe After years of mismanagement, the Tribune Company newspapers -- including the Chicago Tribune and L.A. Times -- are up for sale.  And one of the potential buyers? The Koch brothers.  And wow are people outraged! Read the Full Story
image IMF Sounds Warning on U.K. Austerity
image Congresswoman Lee Introduces “No More Ghost Money Act”
image Reject pipeline's jobs pipe dreams
image An Answer to Unemployment: A Jobs-for-All Bill | Commentary
image How America Became a Third World Country
image Child poverty is the real scandal
image Inoculating Our Children Against Fear and Hatred
image Pentagon officials ask Congress to shift $9.6B
image Syria: the threats, costs, claims and lives
image Pentagon Said to Seek $80 Billion for War Amid Withdrawal
image Jerry Brown: California’s Mystery Man
image No Koch News: A Movement to Unsubscribe
Wednesday, 15 August 2012 00:00

Syed Taj Says He's "on the radar"

Written by  Alex Brown | National Journal
Syed Taj Says He's "on the radar" AP Photo/Mike Householder

The sudden resignation of Rep. Thad McCotter led to a tumultuous Republican primary in Michigan's 11th District, but the fallout may also mean a competitive general election for a seat thought until recently to be safely in the GOP column. At least, that's what Syed Taj is counting on.

The Democratic nominee, a physician and member of the Canton Township Board of Trustees, is optimistic about his chances as he gears up for November. "I think I should be able to win this seat," Taj said. He pointed to Republican division and his own crossover appeal as evidence.

Turnout in the Republican primary exceeded the Democratic contest by nearly 30,000 votes, but Taj doesn't see that as a reason for discouragement. "The voter turnout was not because of the congressional race," Taj said, "it was because of the (GOP) Senate race. " Sen. Debbie Stabenow ran uncontested on the Democratic side of the ticket, while former Rep. Pete Hoekstra faced challengers for the GOP nomination.

Republican nominee Kerry Bentivolio drew considerably more primary votes than Taj, but Taj said the GOP's dissatisfaction with its candidate -- local party leaders recruited former state Sen. Nancy Cassis to wage a write-in campaign for the primary -- show he can pull moderate voters from the Tea Party libertarian in the general election. "The ideas he is floating are not accepted by anyone," Taj said, "Republicans or Democrats. ... I don't think there's a place of extreme views in this district."

He said he's built bipartisan appeal in his time on the township board, serving as an outnumbered Democrat in a Republican-leaning township. The state's Democratic leaders have started providing support, Taj said, now that they see the race as winnable, and help from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee may be on the way. "I am on the radar, that's for sure," Taj said.

Link to original article from National Journal

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