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Suffice to say that was objectively a stunning exchange with @WPHMradio Morning Show host Paul Miller this morning.
Morning story updated with background of St. Clair County's own elex saga this year. https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/12/14/gary-eisen-michigan-electoral-college-vote-radio-interview-state-house-committee/6539924002/
Morning story updated with background of St. Clair County's own elex saga this year. https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/12/14/gary-eisen-michigan-electoral-college-vote-radio-interview-state-house-committee/6539924002/
Once again updated with a statement from Eisen.
After I typed up a rough transcript of his comments. I gotta say: Even if he objectively furthers election conspiracy and admits their efforts are probably to no avail, and even if that's negligible, I've talked to Gary long enough to know what he means. https://twitter.com/get24maizenblue/status/1338555439965986818
A quick thread on the history of Gary Eisen, the man and the politician:
Even before he tried to get into state and local politics, he was a well-known firearms and karate and self-defense instructor.
He teaches self defense to women and children.
Even before he tried to get into state and local politics, he was a well-known firearms and karate and self-defense instructor.
He teaches self defense to women and children.
He'd previously tried for state representative. Then later county commissioner. Both unsuccessfully.
But to understand him, you have to understand the majority conservatism that exists in St. Clair County.
But to understand him, you have to understand the majority conservatism that exists in St. Clair County.
Part of that conservatism is anti-establishment/'good ol' boys.' Even if Eisen never calls it that. His constituents do. Eisen challenged SCC's board chairman, believing the county irresponsibly invested in its convention center, the old Art Van building. https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/local/2016/07/15/eisen-takes-bohm-county-board/87024192/
Eisen popped up at the township level when residents grew upset about a proposed (now operation) truck stop.
In a way, you take this mentality, wanting to know more information — whether it's there or not — was prematurely thematic.
https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2016/06/12/twp-residents-upset-over-potential-travel-stop/85675974/
In a way, you take this mentality, wanting to know more information — whether it's there or not — was prematurely thematic.
https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2016/06/12/twp-residents-upset-over-potential-travel-stop/85675974/
Eisen emerged from a really crowded field of Republicans before he was elected in 2018. In his first term, he backed a small variety of legislation, such as gun-related laws, particularly things he believed were common-sense and relatively bipartisan efforts.
And it should be noted how people feel about guns here. Because to most of them, it is common sense.
Gary Eisen is an instructor and even has that mailbox in the shape of a firearm. Then, early 2020, he advocated 2nd Amendment sanctuary efforts. https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/01/17/2nd-amendment-sanctuary-resolution-pulled-st-clair-county-agenda/4499811002/
Gary Eisen is an instructor and even has that mailbox in the shape of a firearm. Then, early 2020, he advocated 2nd Amendment sanctuary efforts. https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/01/17/2nd-amendment-sanctuary-resolution-pulled-st-clair-county-agenda/4499811002/
The county board flip-flopped on the measure, believing a constitutional issue wasn't in their wheelhouse before ultimately conceding. Still, for the hundreds of gun-toting protesters, some of whom were in tactical gear, it wasn't enough. https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/02/20/crowd-upset-st-clair-county-2nd-amendment-resolution-didnt-go-far-enough/4822957002/
Let's say that again: The St. Clair County Board OK'd the 2A resolution. But for some, commissioners, most of whom are Republican, weren't conservative enough. To a room of gun rights supporters. A room where there wasn't a huge police presence. Just guns. https://www.thetimesherald.com/videos/news/2020/02/21/raw-video-second-amendment-march-organizer-addresses-board-commissioners/4826400002/
To counterpoint: The organizer of that protest promoted getting new Second Amendment-friendly opponents to oust commissioners. That didn't happen. One guy who also happened to be among protesters ran. A Democrat, the board's only one, beat him. https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/11/04/democrat-lisa-beedon-wins-st-clair-county-commissioner-seat-district-3/5989732002/
Back to Eisen. It all suggests that the lowkey Republican voters, who perhaps aren't as vocal as Eisen's supporters, are the ones who haven't voted in more farther-right Republicans. Or they're the ones who kept Eisen from winning office for so long.
But it's that they're vocal, that they're outspoken, that they're so second-nature about guns ...
That perhaps explain how things like Eisen's radio comments come to pass. https://www.wphm.net/2020/12/14/local-lawmaker-comments-on-electoral-college-election-results/
That perhaps explain how things like Eisen's radio comments come to pass. https://www.wphm.net/2020/12/14/local-lawmaker-comments-on-electoral-college-election-results/
When Gary posted a joke about gun magazines and being ready for BLM protestors after the killing of George Floyd, it was understandably taken as racist and tone-deaf to the greater agony that spurred those protests.
But he genuinely sounded surprised. https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/06/02/eisen-faces-some-backlash-over-facebook-post-referencing-george-floyd-protesters-rioters-and-use-gun/3127095001/
But he genuinely sounded surprised. https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/06/02/eisen-faces-some-backlash-over-facebook-post-referencing-george-floyd-protesters-rioters-and-use-gun/3127095001/
It wasn't the first time he'd made such a joke.
Understandably, plenty of people see guns and ammo and see violence. They see threats. It's become a cultural touchstone for the tragedy and subsequent uprising we see across the country. https://twitter.com/get24maizenblue/status/1338559416250101769
Understandably, plenty of people see guns and ammo and see violence. They see threats. It's become a cultural touchstone for the tragedy and subsequent uprising we see across the country. https://twitter.com/get24maizenblue/status/1338559416250101769
But that's a lens more progressive than some people see through here.
When Gary talks about guns, or say, protesting the Electoral College vote, it's as if it's him and a customer in his welding shop.
And he's still coming to grips with how that holds up to wider scrutiny.
When Gary talks about guns, or say, protesting the Electoral College vote, it's as if it's him and a customer in his welding shop.
And he's still coming to grips with how that holds up to wider scrutiny.
But that BLM post this year: It's no longer visible publically on his FB. He hasn't posted anything himself that's visible to the public since June. You could assume he's trying to be careful.
On today's comments: He's not the first rep. whose comments spurred controversy.
On today's comments: He's not the first rep. whose comments spurred controversy.
. @ShaneforMI talked pretty as-a-matter-of-fact about following election results.
Like Eisen, he's been among GOP lawmakers supporting efforts investigating election issues, even if those efforts prove consistently come up empty. But a FB post went viral. https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/11/05/st-clair-county-clerk-dumped-trump-ballot-rumors-100-percent-inaccurate/6175334002/
Like Eisen, he's been among GOP lawmakers supporting efforts investigating election issues, even if those efforts prove consistently come up empty. But a FB post went viral. https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/11/05/st-clair-county-clerk-dumped-trump-ballot-rumors-100-percent-inaccurate/6175334002/
Anyway: No, the guy who advocates self-defense (and also teaches it) was not threatening the capitol or the Electoral College process. You could hear it in the radio interview
But remember how we got here. Remember to listen.
But remember how we got here. Remember to listen.
Last thing. Eisen compared disputing election results to credit card charges.
Paul Miller: “That’s apples and oranges. It’s just not even the same.”
Paul's very right.
Paul Miller: “That’s apples and oranges. It’s just not even the same.”
Paul's very right.
