Michigan Democratic Party

Republicans Invite Democrats to Vote in GOP Presidential Primary

jtramontana — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:47:27 +0000

GOP Welcomes Crossover Democrats

LANSING – Republicans have invited Democrats to vote in the GOP presidential primary on Tuesday, February 28th. GOP Senators Rick Jones and Arlan Meekhof extended the invitation yesterday. You can watch a video clip of the invite by clicking the link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdZDSxfYvuE).

“Democrats who accept this invitation will still be able to vote in our May 5th caucuses,” MDP Chair Mark Brewer said. “If Democratic crossover votes affect the results on February 28th, Republicans will have no one but themselves to blame.”

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Reports: Hoekstra Covering Up All Traces of Infamous Super Bowl Ad as He Plummets in Polls

jtramontana — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:15:42 +0000

Hoekstra Has Said He Stands by Ad but His Actions Say Otherwise–What’s the Truth?
New Poll Shows Stabenow ahead by 21 Points

LANSING – In the days following the launch of his now infamous Super Bowl Sunday ad, U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra said he stood by the spot. But now news reports reveal that Hoekstra is systematically eliminating all traces of it from the internet, deleting the ad–and even all comments and interviews related to it–from the campaign’s YouTube, Facebook and Homepages in recent days. All of Hoekstra’s own campaign Facebook posts about the ad are gone, as are even the positive Hoekstra-fan comments about the ad. Even Hoekstra’s interviews on the ad are being scrubbed from Hoekstra’s YouTube page and Hoekstra’s other sites. As of 9 a.m. this morning (Wednesday, February 22) Hoekstra’s campaign still had notices of removed videos on their campaign’s YouTube page–click here to still if they’ve continued to leave these up even as news outlets continue to write on their cover-up.

Hoekstra’s attempted cover-up comes as he is free-falling in recent polls. A new poll out today from NBC News/Marist shows Hoekstra down 21 points to U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.

“Pete Hoekstra is scrubbing all traces of his Super Bowl ad from the internet, just like he is trying to scrub his own record of voting for the Wall Street bailout and his work at a DC lobbying firm,” said Mark Brewer, Chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party.

Hoekstra’s ad earned national scorn and was roundly criticized, including by top Republicans. Hoekstra tanked in polls released last week as well, as the actress in his ad apologized for participating in it and Hoekstra pulled the ad from the airwaves. For all of this, the Washington Post awarded Hoekstra with its “Worst Week in Washington” award last week. Today’s poll shows he has continued to fall even further since then. While he has said virtually nothing about the ad publicly in almost two weeks, Hoekstra has still never apologized or said anything other than that he stands by the ad.

Brewer asked, “After all the heat he’s taken, after all the criticism from even fellow Republicans–does Hoekstra really still stand by this deplorable ad?”

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MDP Blasts Michigan GOP Congressmen Amash, Walberg, and McCotter for Voting to Raise Taxes on the Middle Class

jtramontana — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:10:13 +0000

Refusing to Support Payroll Tax Cut is Another Example of GOP Assaulting the Middle Class and Working Families

LANSING – Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer issued the following statement after Michigan Republican Congressmen Justin Amash (MI-3), Tim Walberg (MI-7), and Thad McCotter (MI-11) voted “no” on extending the payroll tax cut which will save the average family around $1,500 per year.

“This ‘no’ vote by these three Republican Congressmen is irresponsible and puts our economic recovery at risk. This tax cut extension was a bipartisan agreement that will benefit millions of working families throughout the country. Instead of voting to cut taxes for middle class families, Congressmen Amash, Walberg, and McCotter voted to raise them.

“They’re not representing their constituents nor the people of Michigan. Congressmen Amash, Walberg, and McCotter should be ashamed of themselves for this vote and the voters will hold them accountable at the polls in November.”

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Snyder Fails to Invest in Public Education

jtramontana — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:04:47 +0000

Snyder’s Latest Budget Doesn’t Help To Restore Funds He Took from Public Education Last Year

LANSING – Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer issued the following statement on Governor Snyder’s budget proposal:

“This budget fails to address the gaping hole in our K-12 public education system left by the Republican budget from one year ago. Governor Snyder and Republicans robbed $1 billion from public education in order to pay for a $1.8 billion tax cut for big corporations and wealthy CEOS, which has failed to produce a single job. This budget does not restore those funds.

“We need to be investing in our kids who are the future of this state and this country. Governor Snyder’s alleged ‘increase’ in public education funding doesn’t even match the rate of inflation. This budget will lead to further cuts in our schools, including more layoffs and larger class sizes for our kids.

“If the Governor and the Republicans are serious about investing in public education, they should restore the funding they cut last year. We need to be investing in our kids and giving teachers the tools they need to succeed. This budget does nothing to accomplish those goals.”

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Romney “Limping Into Michigan” Having Been Shut-Out in Midwest

jtramontana — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:04:13 +0000

LANSING – With the Michigan Republican primary just three weeks away, Mitt Romney has now lost more nominating contests than he has won, and what was once supposed to be a coronation has now become a must-win situation for the Romney campaign.

“After losing all three contests on Tuesday, Mitt Romney will be limping into Michigan having won fewer states than Rick Santorum and being completely shut out in the Midwest. Once again, Republican turnout was way down, enthusiasm was nonexistent, and it was clear that the more voters learned about Romney, they more they disliked him,” said MDP Chair Mark Brewer. “Mitt Romney was counting on Michigan to seal his nomination, but with more than two-thirds of Michigan Republican voters preferring someone else, Romney will now be looking to keep his campaign alive.”

To date, Mitt Romney has lost five out of the first eight nominating contests – winning only Florida, New Hampshire, and Nevada – and he has not yet won a state in the Midwest. Rick Santorum has won in four states: Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri.

An Epic-MRA poll in late January showed that Romney’s support in Michigan had dropped sharply, and a new poll from MIRS released on Tuesday shows that 69% of Republican Primary voters in Michigan are not supporting Romney.

Republican enthusiasm has also suffered throughout the primary process. Turnout in the three contests on Tuesday was down significantly from 2008 levels. A national poll released today from Public Policy Polling shows that Democrats are more excited about the upcoming general election than Republicans – with 58% of Democrats reporting that they are ‘very excited’ to vote in the November election compared to 54% of Republicans.

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Ouch: Losing Traction among Voters, Benishek Campaign Desperate to Shore Up Support

jtramontana — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:38:24 +0000

Brewer: Benishek is looking outside his district for help explaining why he voted to end Medicare

LANSING, MI – As voters and even local Republicans continue to sour on Congressman Dan Benishek’s (R-Crystal Falls) voting to end Medicare and neglecting his district in favor of an out of touch Washington agenda, Congressman Benishek’s campaign was forced to look farther afield for support and desperately trotted out endorsements from Gov. Rick Snyder and Dave Camp this week.

But recent polling reveals that only 40% of voters want to see Congressman Benishek reelected. Congressman Benishek is losing a head-to-head match with Democratic challenger Gary McDowell, 46-41 percent. And the Republican Grand Traverse County Commission Chairman Larry Inman recently told the Record Eagle that “[voters] are sick of Benishek” and that “he’s arrogant, doesn’t spend any time in the district, isn’t accessible.”

Ouch.

“Northern Michigan middle class families and seniors want someone in Congress who will look out for them, but Congressman Dan Benishek is part of the problem in Washington,” said Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. “When Michigan voters and even members of his own party are rejecting Congressman Benishek’s out of touch record that ends Medicare but doesn’t create jobs, it’s no wonder that Congressman Benishek is digging deep for any support he can get. Come this election, Michigan families will have the final say when they demand real leadership and vote Congressman Benishek out of office.”

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Brewer: Ad is Offensive–for its Hypocrisy

jtramontana — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:21:51 +0000

Pete Spend-a-LOT voted for Wall Street bailout, trillions in deficit spending
Hoekstra Talks About Jobs going to China–but Voted against Ending Tax Breaks for Companies that send Jobs Overseas

**Click here to view the MDP’s video response to Hoekstra’s Super Bowl ad: “Hoekstra’s Big Game”**

LANSING – Pete Hoekstra is being attacked from all sides, including from top Republicans, for an ad he ran before the Super Bowl in Michigan Sunday. Today Michigan Democratic Mark Party Chair Mark Brewer said the ad is offensive, not just for its insensitivity, but to anyone who cares about the facts.

“Hoekstra’s ad is offensive to anyone who cares about the facts,” Brewer said. “Hoekstra wants to blame others for the country’s debt when he’s the one who voted for the Wall Street bailout and for trillion dollar giveaways to billionaires and special interests. Hoekstra wants to talk outsourcing to China, but he actually voted against ending tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas. This negative attack is outrageously hypocritical, even for lobby firm employee like Pete Hoekstra.”

The MDP released a web ad in response to Hoekstra’s Super Bowl ad. Click here to view the ad.

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MDP Calls on Ruth Johnson to Condemn GOP Indiana Secretary of State After He Was Convicted of Voter Fraud

jtramontana — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:54:11 +0000

Indiana is the Latest Example of Republicans Not Being Able to Handle Elections

LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party is calling on Michigan’s Republican Secretary of State Ruth Johnson to condemn Indiana GOP Secretary of State Charlie White. On Friday, White was convicted of six felony charges, including voter fraud.

“Ruth Johnson needs to immediately condemn these actions and Charlie White,” MDP Chair Mark Brewer said. “Voter fraud is reprehensible and is just the latest example of how Republicans can’t be trusted to run elections.”

“The Iowa Republican Party made a mess of its caucuses last month and now so has Nevada,” added Brewer. “Add in White’s conviction of voter fraud and you have a recipe for Republicans consistently botching elections throughout the country.”

“Is Ruth Johnson condoning these mishaps and illegal activity?,” asked Brewer. “Why is she staying silent? As Michigan’s chief elections officer, Johnson needs to tell the public these actions will not be tolerated. We anxiously await her remarks.”

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Michigan Democratic Party Releases Web Ad: “Hoekstra’s Big Game”

jtramontana — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:55:20 +0000

Hoekstra’s Big Hollywood-style Makeover Can’t Hide Even Bigger Record on Spending, Bailouts

Hoekstra’s Big Game: Trying to Cover up the Fact he Quarterbacks for Washington Special Interests at a D.C. Lobbying Firm

**Click here to view the MDP’s new web ad, “Hoekstra’s Big Game”**

LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party today released a new web ad to expose the hypocrisy of Hoekstra’s attempt to give himself a complete makeover to cover up his real record on increasing the national debt and his current employment at a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm. The ad, entitled “Hoekstra’s Big Game,” points out Hoekstra’s hypocrisy on spending issues and discusses Hoekstra’s current work at a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm.

“Hoekstra’s attempt at a Hollywood-style makeover is incredibly hypocritical because the fact is, Pete spends a lot,” said Mark Brewer, Chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party. Hoekstra voted for the $700 billion Wall Street bailout and voted for trillions more in deficit spending before quitting Congress to get rich at a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm. Hoekstra is using the big game to play games with Michigan voters, covering up his real record on deficit spending and rigging the rules for the big money insiders he serves.”

The new MDP web ad points out Hoekstra voted to raise the national debt limit five times and voted for the massive Wall Street Bailout. The ad also shows a clip of an ad run by former Michigan Attorney fellow Republican Mike Cox lambasting Hoekstra for his record of supporting runaway wasteful spending.

The ad also notes that after leaving Congress, Hoekstra went to work for D.C.-based lobbying firm (Dickstein-Shapiro) that represents a wide variety of Washington insiders and special interests.

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Pete Hoekstra’s Hollywood Makeover

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:46:38 +0000

The Big Hollywood makeover of Pete Hoekstra’s even bigger spending record. Fact: Pete Hoekstra voted to raise the National Debt limit 5 times Fact: Hoekstra voted for the 850 billion dollar Wall Street bailout Take it from fellow Republican Mike Cox: “Congressman Hoekstra follows the Big Government blueprint. He voted for the Wall Street bailout and grew the budget by a trillion dollars. Hoekstra gave Congress more money to spend, expanding our debt limit an additional 5 trillion. Then he pushed a multi-billion dollar tax hike. Congressman Hoekstra is making big government bigger.” So it’s no surprise: After leaving congress, Pete Hoekstra joined a Washington, DC lobbying firm. Quarterbacking for Washington Special Interests. Bowling us over with runaway spending. That’s Pete Hoekstra’s big game. Super.