Thaddeus McCotter: Difference between revisions
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===Media appearances=== |
===Media appearances=== |
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McCotter is a frequent guest on the late-night [[Fox News Channel]] television show ''[[Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld]]''. McCotter's appearances on the show come in the capacity of a panelist on the [[round-robin]] style [[talk show]], which brings together a few guests (usually some combination of a [[comedian]], a political commentator or analyst, a Fox News on-air personality, and/or a political figure like McCotter), along with host [[Greg Gutfeld]] and regulars [[Bill Schulz]] (a comedian) and [[Andy Levy]] (a commentator), to discuss and joke about topics in news, entertainment, politics, sports and gossip. Host Gutfeld was the former [[editor-in-chief]] of [[men's magazine]]s ''[[Stuff (magazine)|Stuff]]'' and ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' in the [[U.K.]]<ref name="redeye">[http://www.foxnews.com/redeye/ Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld]</ref> |
One of the funniest people in politics, McCotter is a frequent guest on the late-night [[Fox News Channel]] television show ''[[Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld]]''. McCotter's appearances on the show come in the capacity of a panelist on the [[round-robin]] style [[talk show]], which brings together a few guests (usually some combination of a [[comedian]], a political commentator or analyst, a Fox News on-air personality, and/or a political figure like McCotter), along with host [[Greg Gutfeld]] and regulars [[Bill Schulz]] (a comedian) and [[Andy Levy]] (a commentator), to discuss and joke about topics in news, entertainment, politics, sports and gossip. Host Gutfeld was the former [[editor-in-chief]] of [[men's magazine]]s ''[[Stuff (magazine)|Stuff]]'' and ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' in the [[U.K.]]<ref name="redeye">[http://www.foxnews.com/redeye/ Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld]</ref> |
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McCotter is also a regular guest on [[Dennis Miller]]'s radio show, where the comedian-host refers to him as "young Thad" and "T-Mac" and frequently comments that he "likes the cut of [his] jib." |
McCotter is also a regular guest on [[Dennis Miller]]'s radio show, where the comedian-host refers to him as "young Thad" and "T-Mac" and frequently comments that he "likes the cut of [his] jib." |
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Revision as of 07:34, 10 July 2011
Thaddeus McCotter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 11th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Joe Knollenberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thaddeus George McCotter August 22, 1965 Livonia, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Rita McCotter (1992–present) |
| Children | George (1993), Timothy (1995), Emilia (1997) |
| Residence | Livonia, Michigan |
| Alma mater | University of Detroit |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Thaddeus George McCotter (born August 22, 1965), sometimes referred to as "Thad" McCotter, is the U.S. Representative to Michigan's 11th congressional district, serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. On July 2, 2011, he announced he would run for the Republican nomination for president in the 2012 election.
Early life, education, and career
McCotter was born in Livonia, Michigan and graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School, Redford in 1983. His mother, Georgia Joan McCotter, was the City Clerk of Livonia.[1] He received a B.A. from the University of Detroit in 1987 and a J.D. from the same school in 1990.
McCotter had a private law practice before being elected to the Wayne County Commission in 1992. While on the Commission, he helped change the county charter to require that new taxes win the approval of two-thirds of the Commission and 60% of voters in order to be passed.
Michigan State Senate
McCotter was elected to the Michigan State Senate in 1998. As a State Senator, he helped apportion the U.S. Congressional district from which he was elected in 2002.
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee assignments
Party leadership and caucus memberships
- House Sovereignty Caucus (Co-Founder)
- International Conservation Caucus
- Republican House Policy Committee (Chairman)
- Sportsmen's Caucus
Shortly before the midterm elections in November 2006, McCotter made a $250,000 contribution to the National Republican Congressional Committee. After the elections, when the Republicans had become the minority party in the House of Representatives, McCotter sought the Chairmanship of the House Republican Policy Committee. The other Republican seeking the post was Congressman Darrell Issa of southern California. In late 2006, McCotter was selected by the House Republican Caucus to head the Republican Policy Committee.
Political positions
McCotter is a member of both the moderate Republican Main Street Partnership and the conservative Republican Study Committee.
In May 2007, House Minority Leader John Boehner labeled a bill by House Democrats aimed at stopping energy price gouging "as pointless political pandering."[2] McCotter and 55 other Republicans voted for the bill.
McCotter has been an avid supporter of the United States' involvement in the Iraq War. His continued support for the war has led to some community protest. Several groups have joined together under the banner of "Americans Against Escalation in Iraq" to pressure him into voting to end the war. On July 5, 2007, forty of the 662,563 members of his district staged a press conference and a demonstration in front of the congressman's office.[citation needed] Organizers also promised to hold a three-day vigil called "Take a Stand Day" on August 28 in order to convince McCotter that his constituents wanted him to end the war and bring the troops home safely. In late fall 2007, opponents of McCotter hold weekly vigils outside of his Milford office in Oakland County to protest his consistent support of President George W. Bush's policies in Iraq.
On September 22, 2008, McCotter became the first Republican in the House of Representatives to oppose the Paulson bailout plan, calling it "American socialism." A week later, he and 132 other Republicans voted against the $700 billion bailout bill.
A July 24, 2009, press release from McCotter's House website states that McCotter will introduce a House Resolution on July 27, 2009, calling on President Obama to apologize to police Sergeant James Crowley for his remarks about the latter's arresting Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. for disorderly conduct on July 16, 2009, if President Obama doesn't first issue an apology on his own.[3]
On November 7, 2009, McCotter voted against the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, along with all but one of the other Republican Congressmen. The bill passed 220–215.[4]
Political campaigns
McCotter was elected in November 2002 to the 108th Congress. He was re-elected in the 2004 Congressional elections.
2006
McCotter did not have a primary opponent for the 2006 Republican primary. His opponent in the November 2006 general election was Democrat Tony Trupiano, a progressive radio talk show host from Dearborn Heights.
McCotter, Trupiano, Libertarian Party nominee John Tatar, and U.S. Taxpayers Party nominee Charles Tackett, met for the only time for a taped League of Women Voters forum in mid-October. At one point, the vocal crowd became so animated that the Forum moderator had to pause for some time before concluding the forum.
In radio and direct mail advertisements, McCotter attacked opponent Trupiano on the issue of illegal immigration.
McCotter won re-election with 55 per cent of the vote.
2008
In November 2008, McCotter defeated Democrat Joseph Larkin, Green Party candidate Erik Shelley, and Libertarian John Tatar. McCotter won 51 percent of the vote to Larkin's 45 percent.
2012
In April 2011, McCotter was the only member of Michigan's 15-member congressional delegation who did not confirm he was running for re-election.[5] He indicated interest in running against incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan up for election in 2012, but in May 2011, he announced that he would not campaign for the position.[6]
2012 presidential campaign
In May 2011, McCotter confirmed that he was considering a run for the Republican Party nomination for President of the United States in 2012.[7][8] By late June, sources indicated that McCotter would enter the race.[9]
On June 23, 2011, a McCotter representative bid $18,000 for a plot of land at the Ames Straw Poll Auction in Iowa. [10]
On July 1, 2011, McCotter announced that he had filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) as a Republican candidate for President.[11]
On July 2, 2011, McCotter formally announced his candidacy at a rock music festival in Whitmore Lake, Michigan, outside of Detroit.[12][13][14]
Personal life
McCotter is a Catholic.[15] He is married to the former Rita Michel, a nurse. They have three children.
McCotter was once in a band called the New Flying Squirrels.[16]
"Second Amendments" band
In December 2005, McCotter joined with several other Congressmen to form the "Second Amendments," a bipartisan rock and country band set to play for United States troops stationed overseas over the holiday season. He plays lead guitar. In June 2006, the band played for President Bush's Picnic on the White House lawn, where Bush was quoted calling McCotter "that rock and roll dude." [17]
Media appearances
One of the funniest people in politics, McCotter is a frequent guest on the late-night Fox News Channel television show Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld. McCotter's appearances on the show come in the capacity of a panelist on the round-robin style talk show, which brings together a few guests (usually some combination of a comedian, a political commentator or analyst, a Fox News on-air personality, and/or a political figure like McCotter), along with host Greg Gutfeld and regulars Bill Schulz (a comedian) and Andy Levy (a commentator), to discuss and joke about topics in news, entertainment, politics, sports and gossip. Host Gutfeld was the former editor-in-chief of men's magazines Stuff and Maxim in the U.K.[18]
McCotter is also a regular guest on Dennis Miller's radio show, where the comedian-host refers to him as "young Thad" and "T-Mac" and frequently comments that he "likes the cut of [his] jib."
In June 2011, McCotter appeared on the Fox News Channel show Huckabee, where he performed in a musical number with his guitar.
References
- ^ http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/clip.php?appid=596067412
- ^ Weisman, Jonathan (2007-05-31). "Boehner leads effort to polish GOP brand". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ "Congressman Thaddeus McCotter – McCotter Readies House Resolution Calling for Presidential Apology to Cambridge Police Sergeant". 24 July 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2009. [dead link]
- ^ "Michigan Democrats help health care bill squeak through House". 8 November 2009. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
- ^ "Most of state's congressional delegation to seek re-election". Morning Sun. April 17, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
- ^ "McCotter won't run for Senate" The Detroit News. May 15, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
- ^ "Rep. Thaddeus McCotter gets serious about possible bid for president", Detroit Free Press. May 25, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
- ^ "Rep. McCotter Ponders 2012 Presidential Run", The Wall Street Journal. May 25, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
- ^ http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/58168.html
- ^ "Thaddeus McCotter Creates Chaos At Straw Poll Auction", The Iowa Republican. June 23, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- ^ "Michigan GOP Rep. McCotter Unveils Presidential Bid", The Wall Street Journal. July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ Barr, Andy (July 2, 2011). "Thaddeus McCotter 2012 announcement is unusually understated". Politico. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Whitesides, John (July 2, 2011). "Little-known Republican McCotter opens White House bid". Reuters. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
- ^ Guarino, Mark (July 2, 2011). "Thaddeus McCotter jumps into presidential race. Thaddeus who?". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Representative Thaddeus G. 'Thad' McCotter (MI)". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ Puchala, Jessica. Stones keyboardist jams with Michigan's McCotter, other House members. WZZM 13. 17 July 2008.
- ^ "President and Mrs. Bush Attend Congressional Picnic". 2006-06-15. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld
External links
- McCotter 2012, official presidential campaign site]
- Congressman Thaddeus McCotter official U.S. House site
- Thaddeus McCotter for Congress official campaign site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Profile at SourceWatch
- Thaddeus McCotter on Twitter