MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Meet the Parents” Who: Hoekstra for Senate What: Internet video Truth Squad call: Foul Questionable statement: “How about that Debbie Stabenow? Never met a tax increase she didn’t like … worst senator Michigan has ever had. “ These are broad generalizations, including a personal attack on Stabenow, that the video and […]
Michigan Fact Squad
Bridge Michigan’s Fact Squad scrutinizes truthfulness of ads, statements and social media of political candidates for the Nov. 3 election.
Posted inPhil's Column
Center for Michigan seeks your ideas to bolster coverage of state
When I broke into the newspaper business back in 1965, there were maybe a couple busloads of reporters working in Lansing. Today, you can count them on your fingers. Of course, this is the result of the decades-long deterioration of “mainstream media,” mostly newspapers. Information and advertising, especially, have migrated to the Web. Although newspapers are trying […]
Posted inMichigan Government
New ads on Canada bridge carry same old problem, Truth Squad rules
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: Multiple ads on bridge question Who: The People Should Decide What: Television ads Truth Squad call: Flagrant foul Questionable statement: “The bridge to Canada. $500 million just in interest payments. And with hidden costs — up to $8 billion.” The source of these claims is an Aug. 12 study commissioned by […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Democrats slip up on couple of points about Bolger, Truth Squad rules
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “End Jase Bolger’s Reign” Who: Michigan Democratic Party What: Web video Truth Squad call: Foul. Michigan Democrats have ramped up attacks on the House Republican speaker since revelation of a secretive scheme between Bolger and Grand Rapids House Democrat Roy Schmidt to have Schmidt file as a Republican minutes before the […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Democrats get fouls for some 'hits' on Hoekstra, Truth Squad rules
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Hoekstra’s Greatest Hits” Who: Michigan Democratic Party What: Internet ad Truth Squad call: Fouls Questionable statement: “Restricting Women’s Access to Health Care … (Pete) Hoekstra wants to ban birth control & allow insurance companies to deny coverage for mammograms & pre-natal tests.” The Michigan Democratic Party ad criticizing Republican U.S. Senate […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad calls foul on nonprofit's ad criticizing Stabenow's record
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “What if Congress got medals?” Who: The American Future Fund What: TV ad Truth Squad call: Foul and technical foul The American Future Fund is a 501(c)4 focusing on issue advocacy “designed to effectively communicate conservative and free market ideals.” A lenghty report from ProPublica earlier this month (http://www.propublica.org/article/how-nonprofits-spend-millions-on-elections-and-call-it-public-welfare) detailed how these 501(c)4s […]
Posted inMichigan Government
'People Should Decide' earns another foul over its claims about Detroit bridge
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Get The Facts” Who: The People Should Decide What: Website fact sheet Truth Squad call: Foul This document continues a vigorous — and expensive — campaign to block construction of a bridge between Detroit and Windsor. As of now, the primary commercial crossing is the 83-year-old Ambassador Bridge. The campaign document is […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pro-bridge video stretches points on Ambassador's life, U.S.-Canada links, Truth Squad finds
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANAYSIS: “Why the new bridge is so important to Michigan” Who: Lt. Gov. Brian Calley What: Web video Truth Squad call: Warnings In this video, Michigan.gov, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley promotes the proposed bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, a partnership project with Canada pushed by Gov. Rick Snyder, who sees it as […]
Posted inMichigan Government
'Out-of-state' attack draws warning from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Out-of-state special interests” Who: Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution What: Radio ad Truth Squad call: Warnings Questionable statement: “We’d like to continue the private auction of the Michigan Constitution. Next up for bid is writing state energy policy into the constitution. I open the bidding at $2 million.” This statement refers to […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pro-union 'teacher' ad gets warning from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Teacher” Who: Protect Our Jobs What: TV ad Truth Squad call: Warning Though under a “Protect Working Families” logo, the ad is funded by Protect Our Jobs, the labor-backed initiative that seeks passage of a constitutional amendment to guarantee collective bargaining in Michigan. Project Our Jobs has already raised more than […]