Justin Amash wins Michigan Republican primary

[EC]

A  leading congressional critic of the National Security Agency, Justin Amash, successfully fended off political attacks on his patriotism on Thursday in a lively night of primary elections that also saw incumbents defeat a reindeer farmer from Michigan and radiologist who posted morbid X-rays on Facebook.

Amash – who led the first attempt in the House of Representatives to rein in the NSA after revelations of mass domestic surveillance by Edward Snowden – comfortably defeated Brian Ellis for the Republican party nomination in Michigan’s third district.

Ellis had campaigned heavily against Amash’s record on privacy issues and his separate calls for the closure of Guantánamo Bay, enlisting military veterans to record attack adverts that referred to him as “al-Qaida’s best friend in Congress”.

Amash’s well-funded challenger was also supported by powerful elements in Washington’s security establishment, including House intelligence committee chair Mike Rogers, making this primary election perhaps the first real test of public support for NSA critics at the ballot box.

In an emotional acceptance speech Amash demanded an apology from Ellis for running a “disgusting and despicable smear campaign” and claimed his win represented “a remarkable margin of victory” given the number of establishment interest groups against him.

“I think we sent a message loud and clear,” added the libertarian-leaning Amash after securing some 57% of votes cast against 43% for Ellis. “The people of this district want liberty.”

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/06/justin-amash-wins-michigan-republican-primary

[Formerly Once-Ler]

Congratulations Congressman Amash.

[sinkspur]

Congratulations Congressman Amash.

Who's his momma?  Refusing a congratulatory phone call from your opponent is the height of rudeness and snobbery.

He should get his face slapped.

[alicewonders]

Who's his momma?  Refusing a congratulatory phone call from your opponent is the height of rudeness and snobbery.

He should get his face slapped.

Amash's opponent ran a sleazy campaign.  He was right to call him on it.  I appreciate a man standing up for himself and not being a phony.

[sinkspur]

Amash's opponent ran a sleazy campaign.  He was right to call him on it.  I appreciate a man standing up for himself and not being a phony.

So what?  Amash looks like a child throwing a tantrum.  If he can't stand the heat, he has no business in the kitchen.

It's trashing like this that the die hards of the Tea Party like, which is why the Tea Party is losing support.

[rangerrebew]

Amash has not missed a vote in over 1,000 opportunities.  He also has a website where he explains why he voted a certain way or not.  He's far more transparent than the administration.

[raml]

Justin Amash is one of the few good guys in DC. The person or louse who ran against him deserves the back of Justin's hand nothing more nothing less. Thank goodness we have some who are honest staying in DC.

[Oceander]

Who's his momma?  Refusing a congratulatory phone call from your opponent is the height of rudeness and snobbery.

He should get his face slapped.

He's the nominee, so it's time to get behind him, like it or not.

[speekinout]

He's the nominee, so it's time to get behind him, like it or not.

Sure, because we need the GOP votes. But no one can possibly believe that this guy will accomplish much if he can't deal with his opponents any better than this. He's not going to be a star - politics ain't beanbag, and he's going to have to learn to deal with it graciously.