Thad McCotter

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thad McCotter
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 11th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 3, 2003–
Preceded by	Joe Knollenberg
Born	August 22, 1965 (1965-08-22) (age 42) Livonia, Michigan
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Rita McCotter
Religion	Roman Catholic

Thaddeus George McCotter, commonly known as Thad McCotter, (born August 22, 1965) is a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.

He currently represents the Michigan's 11th congressional district (see[1]) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

McCotter was born in Livonia, Michigan and graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School, Redford in 1983 and received a B.A. from the University of Detroit in 1987 and a J.D. from the same school in 1990. He 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. McCotter was elected to the Michigan State Senate in 1998 as a Republican. As a State Senator, McCotter helped design the U.S. Congressional district from which he was elected in 2002 for the 108th Congress. He was re-elected in the 2004 Congressional elections and the 2006 midterm elections.

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 of 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" (see[2]).

McCotter is regular guest on the Dennis Miller Radio Show, where the host refers to him as "young Thad" and frequently comments that he "likes the cut of his jib."

[edit] Committee Assignments

• Financial Services Committee
  • Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises
  • Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity
• Chairman of the Republican House Policy Committee

[edit] 2006 election

McCotter did not have a primary opponent for the 2006 Republican primary. His opponent in the general election was Democrat Tony Trupiano, a progressive radio talk show host from Dearborn Heights. McCotter defeated Trupiano and won re-election with 55% of the vote. Trupiano held McCotter to the closest margin of victory than any of his previous campaigns for office.

Some of the most heated moments on the campaign trail came when McCotter, Trupiano, Libertarian Party nominee John Tatar and U.S. Taxpayers Party nominee Charles Tackett, met for the only time for the taped League of Women Voters forum in mid-October.[3] 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. The advertisements included references to and images of aliens from outer space.

[edit] House Republican Policy Committee

After Republicans were relegated to minority party status following the 2006 midterm elections, McCotter sought the Chairmanship of the House Republican Policy Committee. This came on the heels of his $250,000 contribution shortly before the midterm elections to the National Republican Congressional Committee.

The other Republican seeking the post was Congressman Darrell Issa of southern California. It was reported at the time that Issa was displeased by haughty remarks made by McCotter while they were campaigning for the position.

McCotter was selected by the House Republican Caucus in late 2006 to head the Republican Policy Committee.

In late May 2007, House Minority Leader John Boehner labeled an effort by House Democrats to stop energy price gouging "as pointless political pandering," according to the Washington Post."Boehner leads effort to polish GOP brand." However, 56 Republicans voted for that Democratic measure, including Republican Policy Committee Chairman McCotter.

[edit] Iraq War Policies

Congressman McCotter has been an avid supporter of the United States' involvement in the Iraq War. His continued support for the war, however, has led to some community protest. Several groups have joined together under the banner of "Americans Against Escalation in Iraq" to pressure the representative into voting to end the war. On July 5, 2007, 40 members of the community staged a press conference and a demonstration in front of the congressman's office.[4]. Organizers also promised to hold a three-day vigil called "Take a Stand Day" on August 28th in order to convince Congressman McCotter that his constituents want him to end the war and bring the troops home safely.

In late fall 2007, constituents of Congressman 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.

[edit] Opposition to GI Bill

In May 2008, he voted against the New GI Bill (H.R. 5704 .) This bill rewards veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan with money for college. His opposition has angered veterans who view this as hypocritical and illogical, when contrasted with his hawkish policies.

[edit] Quotations

• "We hear the hypocrites in this country say that Saddam was a bad man, but the United States should not have taken him from power. I ask them to say that to the Iraqi victims' faces. For those people who believe America is the greatest threat to peace in the world, I ask them never to show their faces in public again." (Congressional Record for July 22, 2004)

• McCotter drew laughs when he said that the "Republican Congress has been responsible" on deficit reduction. He responded angrily to the laughter. (Observer Newspapers. October 13, 2006.)

• "There's a lot of bald guys on that committee. It seems to be the official bald guys' spot. That's the only reason I got it." (Detroit Free Press. November 27, 2006.)

• "Obviously we need to try to restore the image of the Republican Party; this quote-unquote 'branding' is more a message thing. In the end, you can call yourself whatever you want, but your deeds have to match your words. We need ideas." (Washington Post. June 1, 2007.)

• "No Good Government Denies God's Presence." (Spoken in the House on November 7, 2007)

[edit] Family and religion

McCotter is a Roman Catholic (see [5], [6]). He is married to the former Rita Michel, a nurse; they have 3 children.

His mother, Joan McCotter, is the former Livonia City Clerk.

[edit] External links

• U.S. Congressman Thaddeus McCotter official House site
• Thad McCotter at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Federal Election Commission - Thaddeus G McCotter campaign finance reports and data
• On the Issues - Thad McCotter issue positions and quotes
• OpenSecrets.org - Thad McCotter campaign contributions
• Project Vote Smart - Representative Thaddeus G. 'Thad' McCotter (MI) profile
• SourceWatch Congresspedia - Thad McCotter profile
• Washington Post - Congress Votes Database: Thad McCotter voting record
• Thaddeus McCotter for Congress official campaign site