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Who: Anti-Mark Meadows flier
Elected office seeking: Michigan House of Representatives, 69th District
Who: Anti-Ben Gillette flier
Elected office seeking: Michigan House of Representatives, 91st District
Who: Anti-Joan Wadsworth flier
Elected office seeking: Michigan House of Representatives, 20th District
QUESTIONABLE STATEMENTS:
From the production line… To the unemployment line…
"Meadows voted repeatedly to support the liberal spending craze in Lansing supporting over $750 million of excessive spending."
The Michigan Republican Party brochure is being mailed out in numerous state House districts criticizing both incumbents and newcomers. The words vary, depending on whether the candidate is currently in office. Democratic state Rep. Mark Meadows is running for re-election against Republican Susan McGillicuddy in the 69th District outside Lansing. Democrat Ben Gillette is running against Republican Holly Hunter in an open seat in the 91st District near Muskegon. Democrat Joan Wadsworth faces Republican Kurt Heise for an open seat in the 20th District in western Wayne County.
The Republican Party ad repeats a theme common in many GOP ads against Democrats running for the Michigan Legislature. The $750 million price tag is frequently listed but the brochure doesn't list a single example of the excessive spending. There is a footnote to numerous bills that were voted on in the House, but it is impossible to know where the $750 million comes from. It's hard to argue there has been a spending craze, when the state's general fund budget has steadily declined. And every budget that has passed this decade also was supported by the GOP-controlled Senate.
"Mark Meadows is a typical politician … Saying one thing and doing another."
The statement is nothing but a gratuitous slap. It accuses him of hypocrisy but offers nothing to support the charge.
"Meadows even voiced his support for the failed stimulus program that failed to turn our economy around – and drove America deeply into debt."
Meadows voted for House Resolution 21 on Feb. 10, 2009 which passed by a 67-41 margin. The advisory resolution voiced support for the federal stimulus package, which was enacted by Congress in an effort to give the economy a boost at a time when there was concern of a depression. The stimulus program did not turn the economy around, but it is debatable whether the economy would have been better or worse without it.
Regardless, the state House vote didn't create the stimulus package – it's up to the U.S. Congress to authorize federal spending. But he did "voice his support" by voting for the resolution.
OVERALL IMPRESSION:
The Republicans' ads mix vague charges of overspending in Lansing with a specific vote on the federal stimulus package, over which the Michigan Legislature had no control. The Republicans are tapping into voter anger about the federal deficit and ignoring the fact that the state budget must be balanced every year and that state general fund spending has declined. If Republicans want to make that charge, they should at least detail the $750 million that they believe this excessive. In addition, the hypocrisy charge is completely unsupported.
TRUTH SQUAD CALL: Foul.
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Foul for cheap shots and vague charges about spending sprees that were also supported by Republicans.
Download Truth Squad Analysis.pdf
Now let's take a look at The Michigan Republican Party's Mooching Mailers
