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TheBlaze Talks to Embattled Tea Party Mayor Facing Nov. 6 Recall Election: ‘Pure Politics’

Nov. 5, 2012 7:30pm Becket Adams

Troy, Mich., Mayor Janice Daniels

Mayor Janice Daniels of Troy, Mich., was swept into office on a wave of Tea Party support in November 2011 and now her opponents, many of them opposed to the Tea Party itself, are trying to sweep her out with a November 6 recall election.

“This recall is about politics,” Mayor Daniels told TheBlaze in a phone interview on Sunday, “pure politics. My opposition never thought I would win but I did.”

Criticism of Mayor Daniels began shortly after she posted a controversial statement on gay marriage to her Facebook page.

“I think I am going to throw away my I Love New York carrying bag now that queers can get married there,” she wrote on her Facebook wall shortly after her election.

Needless to say, Daniels’ gay marriage remarks didn’t go over very well and she quickly became the subject of intense criticism from various gay rights groups.

“I may have said something like that,” Daniels said in December. “I probably shouldn’t have used that kind of language, but I do believe marriage should be between one man and one woman.”

Criticism for Daniels only intensified after she chose to turn down a multimillion-dollar federal grant.

“They have set out to personally destroy me,” Daniels told TheBlaze. “They can’t fight a fair fight. Come at me about issues. I will debate issues all day long.”

“They engage in character assassination,” she continued. “They’re well-connected and they hate the thought of a limited government, low-tax mayor.”

You may recall earlier when TheBlaze reported that Mayor Daniels had rejected an $8.5 million federal grant for a transportation center that would be part of the Detroit to Chicago Amtrak network. Daniels rejected the handout because, she said, it would put a long-term financial burden on the city.

“There’s nothing free about government money,” Mayor Janice Daniels said in an interview. “It’s never free, and it’s crippling our way of life.”

“The federal government’s largess is no reason to build the transit center when the national debt stands at $15 trillion,” she added. “I want to leave a legacy for our children of managing our responsibilities — not crushing them with debt money.”

Not long after turning away the “free” government money, recall efforts against Daniels began in earnest.

“She proved to me and to everybody else that her ideology was more important than the citizens of Troy when she voted against a resolution to protect the citizens of Troy from overrun costs of the transit center,” Troy Councilman Dane Slater said during a recent council meeting.

“In essence, she voted against protecting the citizens of Troy … just to say that she voted against everything about the transit center. To me, that was the final proof that she has more concerns about her ideology than protecting the residents of Troy,” he added.

But Daniels isn’t entirely alone.

Troy Councilman Dave Henderson at a recent meeting spoke in support of Mayor Daniels.

“The people voted her in a year ago, and it’s not my responsibility to carry a banner that’s going to undo what the people want,” he said. “The people wanted someone who was going to come in and watch the budget, watch the transit center, and that’s what she ran on and what she was elected to do.”

Henderson added that being in politics isn’t exactly easy, especially when you’re constantly under attack.

“If you get bombarded with the press the way she’s been bombarded with the press, it’s awful tough to handle that,” Henderson said. “I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and give her the learning curve too.”

He added: “Whatever the people want, the people get. That’s what democracy is about.”

Mayor Daniels stands defiant.

“The silent majority is just sick of these negative political attacks against my personal character,” Daniels said told TheBlaze. “My opposition is deep into the politics of personal destruction.”

“The interesting thing about this,” the mayor said referring to the recall election, “is that I did what I said I would do when I campaigned for mayor.”

“Wouldn’t it be refreshing if people voted the way they campaigned?” she asked.

Indeed, as a candidate for office, Daniels made no bones about being a fiscal Tea Party conservative. So it shouldn’t have come as too much of a surprise that she would turn down the questionable federal grant.

Many of her supporters see the recall election as little more than a shameless attempt to discredit the Tea Party.

“If we lose Janice, there’s going to be national headlines all over the country — Tea Party goes down,” one supporter said, according to the Detroit Free Press.

“Troy needs to keep its government stable, it needs to hold its pro-business majority council,” Mayor Daniels told TheBlaze. “Vote ‘no’ on Troy recall. Maintain and continue the growth of Troy that we are seeing.”

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

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Comments (49)

DagneyT
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 6:59pm
Janice, my dear friend and roomie, stand strong, precious lady! I am so proud to know you, and I know you have a stainless steel backbone!

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dacorvi
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:45am
Liberals will stop at nothing to take away our freedom. They hate everyone that isn’t like them. They would love to see us all die. They are a cancer that must be eliminated. The democrat party, once a party of the middle class, has become the party with no class…or integrity…or honor…or respect. They will destroy our nation if left to their own devices. The blind leading the blind. “Professing to be wise, they became fools!”

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Al J Zira
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 10:50pm
What a farce. The LGBT has a rally on June 4, 2012 in Queens, NY. The purpose? A rally to support “Support Palestinian Queers” and “Israel: Stop Pinkwashing Apartheid”. So it’s OK if they call each other queer but no one else? That’s bull and everyone knows it.

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- The-Monk
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 11:11pm
  Hi Al J Zira,
  
  At first I thought you spelled “Queens” NY wrong…….
  
  Then I read the rest of your post and see you were correct. LOL
  
  Report this comment
- bobsmallcraft
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 6:34am
  The left has such a hard time accepting the will of the people when it goes against their agenda. Read fresh political commentary at: http://smallcraftadvisorychronicles.blogspot.com/
  
  Report this comment
- decendentof56
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 7:23am
  He added: “Whatever the people want, the people get. That’s what democracy is about.”
  
  No…….actually, Democracy is majority rule, or if necessary, mob rule. 51% beats 49%. We saw Democracy at work with OWS and Flash Mobs.
  
  A Constitutional Republic is when you elect representatives to follow the Constitution. They only may enact laws which are Constitutional. A nation of laws, not men, where the rule of law is followed.
  
  Report this comment
soybomb315_II
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:51pm
Gary Johnson versus Jill Stein debate will begin in 10 minutes

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- The-Monk
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 9:19pm
  Thank you Soybom315.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 9:31pm
  http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012/11/final-third-party-candidate-debate-tonight-at-9pm-et/
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 9:54pm
  That link is not working too well. What’s up with RT America, Al Jazeera English?
  
  Final third-party candidate debate tonight at 9pm et
  By Nate, on November 5th, 2012
  
  Following the third-party debate two weeks ago, the two chosen independent candidates will square off tonight at 9pm et in a final showing before Election Day. Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson will debate Green Party candidate Jill Stein live from the studios of Russia Today in Washington, DC. Note that this debate will not include President Barack Obama or Governor Mitt Romney. We’ll carry the live stream here beginning around 8pm et.
  
  Gary Johnson and Jill Stein were chosen following the first third-party debate when viewers were asked to vote for two out of the original four independent candidates to square off one more time.
  
  Live Stream: Available around 8pm et, click the Play button below:
  
  Air Time: Monday, November 5, 2012 at 9pm et / 8pm ct / 7pm mt / 6pm pt
  
  TV Channels: RT America, Al Jazeera English (Don’t email me asking how to find these channels)
  
  Participants: Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson, Green Party candidate Jill Stein
  
  Doesn’t look like C-SPAN will be covering this debate, please leave a comment if I’m wrong. Note that this debate was reschedule to November 5 due to Hurricane Sandy so that may be the reason C-SPAN pulled out. We’ll also have the full video after the debate airs.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 10:09pm
  dont know what to tell ya – i am watching it directly on that link.
  
  I cant speak to why the othe networks arent covering it – probably something to do with protecting the status quo and two-party monopoly
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 10:46pm
  Hi Soybom315,
  
  Thanks for the link. It keep freezing for me. I kept refreshing but I missed too much to make any sense of it.
  
  Thank you very much posting the link. : )
  
  Report this comment
DagneyT
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:43pm
Janice is a dear friend of mine, and a sister in Christ. I am so proud of her!

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BasketFullOfPuppies
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:30pm
She was an idiot to voice her opinion in the manner that she did. There is disagreement. And, there is civility. I disagree with gay marriage and the whole homosexual lifestyle. I believe it is a sin and my gay friends (yes, I do have them) know where I stand. They also know that I am their friend and that I believe their decisions and life are for them to lead. I expect them to give me the same respect. A lack of respect for each others beliefs and opinions would be the end of the friendship… nothing more, nothing less.

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- Oneirishman
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 9:12pm
  No, nothing wrong with what she wrote. The Gay Mafia need to, as the say, “deal with it.” We are entitled to the belief that queers should not be married legally. That is not Hate speech, don’t accept the premise that it is.
  
  Report this comment
MrKnowItAll
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:21pm
This Mayor Stopped Speed Traps and put Desk Officer’s on Patrol. I’m right next to Troy, Michigan. It’s sad the Police who are paid with OUR Tax Dollars Run so Criminals over anything Pension or Union Issues. Out Right CRIMINAL. No One is doing a Thing about it.

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sparkyrules
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:20pm
Why did the Blaze completely remove my first post????I’m commented on marriage and Federal grants.Everything was on the up and up.

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- Dumpster Baby
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:37pm
  Because OBAMA!
  
  Report this comment
MBA
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:17pm
Since the libs like government control–start turning all their names into the IRS for a free audit.

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Ben__Franklin
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:11pm
Was this dumb @rse drunk when she typed this? I mean its one thing to be against gay marriage but what this woman typed to a facebook page, if true, is an embarrassment for conservatives.

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- jman-6
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:23pm
  Why because she wasn’t PC enough for you? Using the word queer is not a slight as not long ago before you had the LGBT group, there own signs use to say “queers for this or that”.
  
  Report this comment
- Dumpster Baby
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:30pm
  Hate speech from an elected official is not acceptable.
  
  Report this comment
soybomb315_II
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:09pm
Pop quiz – Which 2 years out of the last 20 years has the government spend less than the previous year?

I’ll give you a clue….
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/10/federal-spending-by-the-numbers-2012

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drenfroe
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:09pm
That’s all it’s been for a long time now.

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forthepeople
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:06pm
Hell in a Hand Basket ?

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Ilikepeople
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:03pm
A “Nation of Christians” don’t make me laugh. I could tell you the truth that the Father in Heaven died from Heaven and came down for letting Jesus get crucified, but what difference would it make you wouldn’t get it anyways.

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- BasketFullOfPuppies
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 9:16pm
  People that claim to have a monopoly on the truth, scare me more than any progressive president. Oops. He thinks he has a monopoly on the truth, as well.
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 9:17pm
  It would behoove the troll to work on its’ sentence grammar. Your message got garbled in the middle. Or was that your message?
  
  Report this comment
Ilikepeople
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 7:53pm
What difference does any of your wants make? The Electoral College is going to pick Obama because there is a Russian Nuclear Attack Submarine off the coast of the U.S.

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- Walkabout
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 9:14pm
  Besides you logic making absolutely no sense, the Russians have had nuclear missiles aimed at us since Eisenhower’s time. Playboy & male slut John Kennedy got elected on the purported “Missile Gap” in 1960.
  
  You are just now waking up to the fact that our enemies have nuclear weapons.
  
  You are part of the problem troll.
  
  Report this comment
Oneirishman
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 7:51pm
Were the hell is the Becket Bus to Michigan?

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Dumpster Baby
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 7:51pm
I gotta say good for her for standing up for what she believes. I also gotta say she just plain dumb. Turning down a large federal grant, that has already been appropriated is stupid. It’s already been budgeted. It will just go somewhere else. Way to shoot yourself in the foot.

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- sparkyrules
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:08pm
  Yeah,right.
  Oh Goody Gumdrops!The Feds have given us a grant to build a railroad track!Cool beans!
  Now that’s its built,who is going to pay for the upkeep and employee costs?????
  The local,county,and state taxpayers,that’s who!
  
  Federal grants are the gift that keeps on giving…..giving the local taxpayer a higher tax bill!
  
  Report this comment
- jman-6
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:18pm
  For some of us its a matter of principals and we don’t just pay it lip service!! Remember a person who is anchored in truth has principals and values and don’t compromise! Sounds like you equate moral relativism to truth like most and thats why were in the shape we are!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Dumpster Baby
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:19pm
  User fees. Keep turning down projects. That’ll do wonders for your infrastructure.
  
  Report this comment
- Dumpster Baby
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:26pm
  @Jman: Politics IS compromising. Something your precious party can’t seem to understand. This obstructionism will/is going to set this country back years. You may wanna live in the 1950′s but I certainly don’t.
  
  Report this comment
- sparkyrules
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:30pm
  Well,some cities are willing to ‘take the handout’ and be the Feds bi@ tch for the rest of their lives.Enjoy your life suckers.
  
  Report this comment
- Dumpster Baby
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:36pm
  @Sparky: Citation needed.
  
  Report this comment
- sparkyrules
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 9:07pm
  @Dumpster Baby
  I ain’t doing your homework for you.google federal grants for transportation leaves taxpayers on the hook.There are many examples.
  
  Report this comment
- Dumpster Baby
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 11:51pm
  Derp.
  
  Report this comment
Ixion
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 7:50pm
Good for her. I’ll bet she wishes she had worded her criticism of her opposition to New York’s gay marriage law differently, but that is water under the bridge. Oops. Learn and move on. She seems to be fiscally prudent. Good on her for that.

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Dumpster Baby
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 7:46pm
Of course it’s politics. She’s a politician isn’t she?

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Cray-Z-Conservative
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 7:45pm
Good for her actually doing the very things that she campaigned on! Wish we could se more of this across the country.

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Gregb
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 7:43pm
wow… she has my vote… she is a person who stands by her word. That is hard to find in politics these days. that is why Romney has my vote.

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wisehiney
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 7:37pm
Great job Mayor. You have saved this country some debt, and have tied up liberal political resources. Keep up the good work.

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OhioRifleman
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 7:37pm
A repeat of Walker. May she be upheld as Mayor to spite the maggots trying to trash her.

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- encinom
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:39pm
  She is another tea ****** dim wit. Her, West and Bachman are being sent home.
  
  Report this comment
- HairRazor
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 9:52pm
  Long live Janice Daniels , West and Bachmann. May they stand strong in the face and be a thorn in the side of evil !
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 11:13pm
  Test….
  
  tea ******
  
  Report this comment

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