PDF QUESTIONABLE STATEMENTS:
Snyder says, "Bickering never solved anything."
At the start, this ad seems to be calling for less infighting among Snyder's fellow Republican candidates for governor. But Snyder quickly tosses in some volleys of his own.
He chides Mike Cox for attacking fellow candidate Pete Hoekstra over Hoekstra's vote to approve the Troubled Asset Relief Program, known as the Wall Street bailout. Snyder says Hoekstra is a "good man" while hinting he might be a big spender, as Cox claims.
What does Snyder think of Cox? "Typical politician." These phrases then flash on the screen, repeating some of Hoekstra's criticisms of Cox: "Hoekstra's Campaign Hits Cox on: . . . skeletons and controversy . . . Kwame Kilpatrick . . . Manoogian Mansion Scandal . . . "
The quoted comments in the ad come from remarks Hoekstra spokesman John Truscott made in Tim Skubick's May 12 political blog in the Oakland Press. http://skoopsblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/kwame-kard-in-play.html.
"These attacks aren't going to help Michigan," Snyder says.
OVERALL IMPRESSION:
Chiding your opponents for political bickering while rehashing it and slyly engaging in the altercation is just cynical.
Snyder shifts gears at the end of the ad, saying he supports "lower taxes, honest budgeting and conservative management." So do Cox and Hoekstra, although Snyder passes on acknowledging fundamental agreements among the three candidates.
TRUTH SQUAD CALL: Warning.
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There are no factual misstatements in the ad, so we won't hit Snyder with a foul. But we will give him a warning over an ad that criticizes his opponents for bickering while tossing in some barbs of his own.
Download Michigan Truth Squad Analysis (.pdf)
