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QUESTIONABLE STATEMENTS:
"Republican Senator Cameron Brown is doing everything he can to separate himself from a crowded, second-tier field of GOP Secretary of State candidates - even flip-flopping."
The five-person Republican SOS field is crowded, composed of Sen. Cameron Brown (R-Fawn River Township), Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson, Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds Anne Norlander, Sen. Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau) and Rep. Paul Scott (R-Grand Blanc). Referring to them as "second-tier" is a personal attack.
"Brown came out in favor of repealing 'bad driver fees' which fine drivers who cannot produce proof of insurance or a driver's license. 'This is just more Republican flip-flopping in an attempt to build momentum for a weak campaign,' Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. 'Cameron Brown voted for these fees and now only favors repeal because he's running for statewide office.'"
Brown introduced in January 2009 a bill (SB 127) that would repeal the Driver Responsibility Fees (the so-called "bad driver's fees"). The legislation would eliminate the $150 fee for those driving without a license and the $200 fee for those who don't provide proof of insurance, which are both currently assessed for two years. There would be a 60-day amnesty period for violators to pay 75 percent of $500 fees, which include penalties for those convicted of operating while intoxicated. This has been in news lately with the Senate Judiciary Committee holding on June 8 a hearing on the bipartisan bill.
Brown is accused of flip-flopping. He did vote for the fees in 2004. Brown addressed that by saying he has changed his mind on the policy because it is not serving as a deterrent and is resulting in people driving illegally. Brown in his committee testimony called the fees "one of the worst decisions of our class of lawmakers." Brewer assigns Brown a motive that his Secretary of State run prompted him to change his mind. That's a hard accusation to back up. Brown also isn't going out on a limb in pushing for repeal. There is significant Democratic support, especially from the Detroit delegation, and much of the judicial community is behind the move.
"'We can't afford a Secretary of State who is hypocritical and flip-flops on key issues,' Brewer continued. 'We need a Secretary of State who can be trusted and who has integrity like Jocelyn Benson. Not a flip-flopper like Cameron Brown.'"
This is the third time a derivation of "flip-flopping" is used in a four-paragraph release. While Brewer is lauding Democratic SOS candidate Jocelyn Benson "who can be trusted" and "has integrity," he is implying Brown lacks those qualities. Brewer makes a blatant personal attack on Brown for changing his position on a policy question.
"GOP Secretary of State candidate Ruth Johnson wants to make it more difficult for voters to cast their ballots. Johnson is calling on county clerks and state leaders to withdraw an early voting proposal."
Johnson opposes a draft rule change on using optical scan equipment for absentee voters adopted in March by the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules (SOAHR). A final hearing has not been scheduled. Johnson has launched an online petition against this because she claims it would for the first time allow early voting in Michigan. She also says early voters would not have to present ID, unlike those casting ballots on Election Day. However, Kelly Chesney, spokeswoman for Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, says this is not an early voting proposal, but a technical change, adding that ID is still required for those voting absentee. Allowing absentee voters to run their ballots through the optical scan equipment is a way to verify that their ballots won't be spoiled, Chesney said.
Bottom line: There is a pending proposal that would make it easier for absentee voters to run their ballots, to determine if they were filled out properly. Johnson opposes it. But if it doesn't pass, voters will still have the same opportunities to cast their ballots as they have today. Her position, if upheld would not "make it more difficult" for voters when compared to today
OVERALL IMPRESSION:
These releases from the MDP contain personal attacks and catchy quotes. They criticize Johnson and Brown on important policy questions, but do not provide any information on early voting proposals or Driver Responsibility Fees. The releases feature fleeting references to policy as a means to tear into Republican candidates.
TRUTH SQUAD CALL: Foul.
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Foul for the release on Johnson, who is falsely accused of trying to reduce voting opportunities compared to current law, and for the one on Brown, whose honesty and integrity is questioned.
Download Michigan Truth Squad Analysis .pdf
