LANSING – Cliff Taylor is an incompetent justice who has even fallen asleep during a hearing, according to a television ad released today by the Michigan Democratic Party. The ad will air statewide as part of the MDP’s continuing campaign to educate voters about Cliff Taylor.

“When it comes to protecting ordinary citizens, Cliff Taylor has been asleep on the bench,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. “But when it comes to protecting big insurance companies, drug companies and corporate polluters, he has been wide awake, ruling for them time and again.”

The ad discloses how Taylor actually fell asleep during a hearing on a case involving an electrical fire that killed six children, where – despite Michigan law and a signed lease clearly making the landlord responsible for wiring – he ruled in favor of the negligent landlord who ignored repeated warnings of faulty wiring.

Additionally, the ad highlights how lawyers in a Michigan Lawyers Weekly poll voted Taylor the worst justice on the Supreme Court and how fellow justices have called for an investigation of his misconduct and abuse of power.

“Calling Taylor the ‘Sleeping Judge’ is a perfect description of his attitude and conduct,” said Brewer. “Taylor’s incompetence, abuse of power and refusal to be fair and impartial make him unfit to serve on Michigan’s Supreme Court, and we intend to tell voters about his record.”

To view the ad, visit http://www.michigandems.com/media.php?id=37.

The text of the ad follows this release.

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Paid for by the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee

606 Townsend, Lansing, MI  48933

Not authorized by an candidate or candidate committee

"FAIRYTALE"

(voiceover)

One story's a fairytale, the other's a nightmare.

The fairytale – Sleeping Beauty

The nightmare – the Sleeping Judge, Cliff Taylor

(woman)

Judge Taylor fell asleep several times in the middle of our argument.

How could he judge based on the facts when he was asleep?

(voiceover)

Taylor was voted the worst judge on the State Supreme Court.

And fellow judges called for an investigation of Taylor for misconduct and abuse of power.

The Sleeping Judge, Cliff Taylor – he needs a wake-up call.

(end of ad)