As Republicans head to their state convention
this weekend – a potential political bloodbath – a couple of interesting side
stories center on the State Board of Education, fraud, hypocrisy, Attorney
General Bill Schuette and anti-Semitism.
this weekend – a potential political bloodbath – a couple of interesting side
stories center on the State Board of Education, fraud, hypocrisy, Attorney
General Bill Schuette and anti-Semitism.
How’s that?
Well, a convention candidate for GOP nominations on the State Board of Education is Maria Carl of Macomb
County. Carl comes from the old-school Religious Right, the Jerry Falwell/Pat
Robertson crowd, as does her longtime loyal ally, Glenn Clark of Oakland County.
County. Carl comes from the old-school Religious Right, the Jerry Falwell/Pat
Robertson crowd, as does her longtime loyal ally, Glenn Clark of Oakland County.
Carl’s controversial past includes an
outburst at a prior GOP state convention, in 1992, that garnered her the
anti-Semite label. As Andrea Fischer was
announced as a candidate for a seat on the Republican National Committee, Carl
yelled “She’s a Jew, She’s a Jew” to the Macomb County delegation. She then
started loudly encouraging the Macomb delegates to vote for Betsy DeVos because
“she isn’t a Jew.”
Twelve years later, Carl’s attempts to explain her remarks still didn’t pass muster as she lost badly in a Republican primary bid for a state House seat.
outburst at a prior GOP state convention, in 1992, that garnered her the
anti-Semite label. As Andrea Fischer was
announced as a candidate for a seat on the Republican National Committee, Carl
yelled “She’s a Jew, She’s a Jew” to the Macomb County delegation. She then
started loudly encouraging the Macomb delegates to vote for Betsy DeVos because
“she isn’t a Jew.”
Twelve years later, Carl’s attempts to explain her remarks still didn’t pass muster as she lost badly in a Republican primary bid for a state House seat.
A lot has changed in the Republican Party
over the past two decades, including a strong affinity for Israel, so I suspect
Carl’s hateful remarks will be a factor at Saturday’s convention.
over the past two decades, including a strong affinity for Israel, so I suspect
Carl’s hateful remarks will be a factor at Saturday’s convention.
As for Clark, a longtime political operative
and a delegate to this weekend’s convention, in 2010 he was a campaign manager
in a particularly nasty state Senate race in north Macomb. Campaign literature
he wrote for his candidate, Rep. Kim Meltzer, claimed that one opponent in the
GOP primary, Leon Drolet, advocated a radical homosexual agenda.
and a delegate to this weekend’s convention, in 2010 he was a campaign manager
in a particularly nasty state Senate race in north Macomb. Campaign literature
he wrote for his candidate, Rep. Kim Meltzer, claimed that one opponent in the
GOP primary, Leon Drolet, advocated a radical homosexual agenda.
The attack literature said that Drolet
co-sponsored a bill that would have allowed sex acts between gays in public
places.
co-sponsored a bill that would have allowed sex acts between gays in public
places.
Amazingly, Meltzer published a public apology for those claims,
tacitly blaming the whole mess on Clark, and Drolet subsequently
dropped a defamation suit he had filed against her.
tacitly blaming the whole mess on Clark, and Drolet subsequently
dropped a defamation suit he had filed against her.
Now, we have Clark, who allegedly defrauded Macomb
County voters, warning senior citizens about fraudulent activities. He has been
working for Schuette (who seems willing to hand out jobs to well-connected
Republicans) in a consumer protection program that outlines ways that seniors
can avoid becoming a fraud victim. In some cases, he gives speeches warningagainst scammers who perpetrate false information.
County voters, warning senior citizens about fraudulent activities. He has been
working for Schuette (who seems willing to hand out jobs to well-connected
Republicans) in a consumer protection program that outlines ways that seniors
can avoid becoming a fraud victim. In some cases, he gives speeches warningagainst scammers who perpetrate false information.
Beyond Clark’s hypocrisy, why did Schuette
hire this guy? Did he do any kind of background check? Has he ever heard of
Google?
hire this guy? Did he do any kind of background check? Has he ever heard of
Google?
At Saturday’s convention, the vote on Board
of Education seats should be rather routine and it appears that a challenge
mounted against Lt. Gov. BrianCalley will fall short. So, the big drama – just because
the fractured MIGOP needs something to fight about – will center on a three-man
race for two seats on the U-M Board of Regents.
of Education seats should be rather routine and it appears that a challenge
mounted against Lt. Gov. BrianCalley will fall short. So, the big drama – just because
the fractured MIGOP needs something to fight about – will center on a three-man
race for two seats on the U-M Board of Regents.
In a blistering editorial today, The Detroit
News skillfully pointed out the sheer nonsense that the U-M board race has
descended into. In particular, candidate Ron Weiser’s long devotion to U-M has
been overlooked by tea party zealots.
News skillfully pointed out the sheer nonsense that the U-M board race has
descended into. In particular, candidate Ron Weiser’s long devotion to U-M has
been overlooked by tea party zealots.
The
News editorial board wrote:
News editorial board wrote:
“Unless a candidate stands in the street and hurls
insults at gays or kneels in prayer outside
an abortion clinic, he’s not conservative enough for a tea party
movement that’s been co-opted by the religious right.
“Dozens
of emails have been sent out the past week challenging Weiser’s commitment
to traditional marriage, the rights of gun owners and the unborn.
They’ve also flailed him as a closet backer of the Common Core curriculum.
insults at gays or kneels in prayer outside
an abortion clinic, he’s not conservative enough for a tea party
movement that’s been co-opted by the religious right.
“Dozens
of emails have been sent out the past week challenging Weiser’s commitment
to traditional marriage, the rights of gun owners and the unborn.
They’ve also flailed him as a closet backer of the Common Core curriculum.
“Weiser
has been forced to respond with his own email blasts pledging his
fealty to the litany of tea party litmus tests.
“What
about where the candidates stand on tuition hikes? Or on breaking the
influence of labor unions over the current UM board? Or managing the
university’s growth? Or preparing UM for a new era of virtual learning?”
I can’t be certain, but I doubt anything
substantive will be discussed on Saturday. This is all about raw power politiccs.
substantive will be discussed on Saturday. This is all about raw power politiccs.
Glenn Clark should thank John Yob, Bill Schuette's political consultant for the job.
Politiccs?….
…k.
Not sure who this "prominent Fischer family" is that is being referred to. If you are thinking of the late Jewish Republican leader Max Fisher, there is no family connection. If I am not mistaken, the family of Andrea Fischer Newman has no involvement in Republican politics, and Andrea would be the most prominent family member.