McCOTTER ANNOUNCES – AT 10:45 A.M. ET:  Virtually every news story reporting the presidential candidacy announcement of Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-Michigan), told us he was unknown.  Say that enough times and the guy becomes known.

McCotter informally announced his candidacy yesterday.  He may be the longest of shots, but he should not be underestimated.  He's one of the brightest members of Congress, unique in his ways, and an original.  From Fox:

U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, a five-term congressman with little name recognition but plenty of pizazz, has become the latest Republican to enter the GOP presidential sweepstakes, officially announcing his candidacy on Saturday.

McCotter, a guitar-playing lawmaker from Detroit's suburbs who is known for his eccentric sense of humor and independent streak, made his announcement at an Independence Day festival at Whitmore Lake, about 30 miles outside the Motor City, He played guitar with his band at the event.

The 45-year-old attorney joins a crowded early field of GOP candidates, including former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, pizza magnate Herman Cain, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.

"There's a lot of people out there that worry the American dream is in danger," he said Friday on WJR-AM in Detroit. "So I was listening to the other candidates. They're fine people. But I don't think I'm hearing anything coming from them that's going to help us seize this opportunity."

McCotter said he would push for a fundamental restructuring of government and for Wall Street banks that received federal bailout money to free up credit.

"We're not seeing credit flow down to entrepreneurs, innovators and workers that will grow the economy and shape it for the 21st century," he said. "To me that has to be a linchpin of any economic policy that goes forward."

COMMENT:  Note his age.  He's only 45.  In 12 years, he'll only be 57.  Watch this guy.  He's already a favorite of talk-show hosts.  As the story notes, he has the pizazz factor, and no one ever accused him of being anything less than fully prepared.  Man with a future.

July 3, 2011