The Dick is crying foul to MDP ad

Press Release MDP to DeVos: “Phone Home” DeVos campaign ignores candidate DeVos’ own words in failed attempt to suppress MDP ad LANSING- Today the Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer in a press conference refuted the DeVos campaign’s frivolous attempt to pull the new MDP ad “Plans” of off the air. Brewer presented the following documents and arguments demonstrating the DeVos campaign’s assertions are patently absurd. The DeVos campaign is challenging two statements, the first being, “After Dick DeVos laid off nearly 1400 workers at Amway, his company in Michigan, he went to Asia.” The DeVos campaign contends the statement is false because Dick DeVos went to Asia before not after helaid off 1400 Michigan workers. The statement in the MDP ad does not say that DeVos went to Asia only after he laid off 1400 workers in Michigan. Records indicate that Amway has been investing in China since at least 1995, both before and after it laid off workers in Michigan. And DeVos has made numerous trips to Asia both before and after he laid off the Michigan workers. The DeVos campaign is also challenging the statement, “He invested over $200 million in China.” The DeVos campaign asserts this is false because he only invested $100 million in China. Published newspaper stories support the statement in our ad. For example, the Detroit News on July 27, 2006 ran a story stating, “During his tenure (as president of Alticor) . . he also invested more than $200 million in China.” Even more importantly, in a May 17, 2006 Detroit News opinion piece DeVos himself wrote, “When I was the head of Alticor, we were presented with the opportunity to expand . . . At the same time we invested $200 million in China . . .” “This might be the first time that we can actually believe Dick DeVos. He says he invested $200 million dollars in China and we believe him. DeVos needs to do a better job communicating with his campaign because they keep on contradicting themselves,” said Brewer. “This frivolous complaint is a complete waste of time. This ad will stay on the air because it is all based on facts, many of which have come straight from DeVos’ mouth.” Based on DeVos’ frivolous complaint many television stations from around the state were forced to waste time and ask the MDP for documentation for the ad. WDIV, WOOD, WZZM, WSYM, and WLUC have all stated that the ad will remain on the air. Only one out of Michigan’s dozens of TV stations has pulled the ad. WWTV/WWUP-TV 9&10 News in Northern Michigan pulled the ad before receiving the MDP’s documentation, a decision they are now reconsidering. As President of Amway, Dick DeVos cut nearly 1,400 jobs in Michigan between 1998 and 2000. The 1,400 jobs never came back to Michigan and Amway suffered a net loss in Michigan jobs while DeVos was President. At the same time, Dick DeVos invested over $200 million in manufacturing plants which created jobs in China. According to the Detroit Free Press, “Amway—part of Ada-based Alticor Inc—considers itself an Asian company, with nearly 70% of sales coming from that region.” [Detroit Free Press, 10/22/2004] “Plans” is available at www.michigandems.com/plans.html. To view documention, click here. ### Hey Dick you wouldn't if Guv Jen have the courts to pull your ads? Due to the fact the information you used in them came from your ass.