I know one of the more visible proponents of dialing back Michigans marijuana prohibitions. A philosophical libertarian and businessman, he greeted the 2010 GOP takeover of state government as a mixed blessing: Good economically - probably a deep freeze for his pet issue.

But a funny thing happened: Republicans didnt stick to socially conservative stereotypes. You wouldnt know it - yet - from some of the rhetoric on the gay marriage front, but the war for the soul of the GOP is being won by fiscally tough, socially-tolerant libertarians.

Last week, State Rep. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, signed on with an Ann Arbor Democrats plot to lighten Michigans pot possession punishment. Hes not alone: State Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, was asked to sign on with the same idea and declined, but said he wasnt necessarily a no vote either.

Some disclosures are in order.

I dont really know Rep. Shirkey, but my ex-wife works in his office. He signed the petition in support of GOP committeeman Dave Agema, following the initial controversy over the loopy things Agema posted about the gay lifestyle on his Facebook page. Shirkey is also one of the sponsors of the states new Right to Work law, a principled position given his precarious address in union-heavy Jackson County.

This is no RINO. Is he what now passes for a hard-line social conservative?

Then theres McMillin: An established culture warrior with few peers before his 2009 arrival in the Michigan House, I expected him to be a cartoonish warrior against the supposed gay agenda.

While he didnt abandon that script, it has hardly defined him. In addition to being the strongest of fiscal watchdogs over your tax dollars, he has sponsored bills demanding transparency in SWAT raids; has proposed improving the legal assistance to indigent criminal defendants; has led the opposition against the use of military drones; and led many other civil libertarian causes.

Libertarian-Republican Congressman Justin Amash, R-Cascade Township, has no greater champion in the Michigan Legislature, despite the likely difference of opinion the two have regarding the Defense of Marriage Act.

I never expected to be Tom McMillins friend, but he left no options.

Link:

Ken Braun: Evolution of Libertarian Republicans is a one-way street