GOP operative Ron Weiser of Ann Arbor in hot water over remarks about Detroit voters
Ann Arbor resident and high-ranking GOP fund-raiser Ron Weiser is facing criticism after a video surfaced of him making allegations of voter fraud and crime in Detroit at a tea party gathering in Milford, the Detroit Free Press reported Sunday.
Ron Weiser's LinkedIn photo
"There's no machine to go to the pool halls and the barbershops and put those people on buses and then bus them from precinct to precinct where they vote multiple times," Weiser says in the video. "And there's no machine to get 'em to stop playing pool and drinking beer in the pool hall. And it does make a difference."
He added: "Obama has hired a lot of people to help him get that vote out. But if you're not from Detroit, the places where those pool halls and barbershops are, you're not going to be going at 6:30 in November. Not without a side arm."
Democrats and others said Weiser used racist stereotypes to bash Detroit.
Weiser told the Free Press he believed there had been voter fraud in Detroit in the past but said his remarks "were never intended to be racist comments." He doubled down on his remarks about needing a side arm, saying "I challenge you to find anyone who says you can walk around the neighborhoods of Detroit at 6:30 in the morning and not find it dangerous."
Weiser, the founder of Ann Arbor-based McKinley Real Estate Management, was chairman of the Michigan Republican Party until being named national finance chairman for the Republican National Committee in 2011. He suspended his campaign for a seat on the University of Michigan Board of Regents in August to work against a ballot initiative that sought to enshrine collective bargaining rights in the state constitution.
In June, Weiser acquired the shuttered Detroit Science Center for $6.2 million. The museum is set to reopen Dec. 26 as the Michigan Science Center under new management.
For more, read the Free Press story.
Comments
Sue
Tue, Dec 18, 2012 : 6:01 p.m.
So speaking the truth is now considered racism? How are pool halls and drinking beer racist anyway, are those activities exclusive to minorities? And it's no secret that walking alone in most residential of areas of Detroit, or any inner city, or any area where the vast majority are minorities, is dangerous, so saying so is just stating facts. It's also been proven that there has been much election fraud in areas where the democrat numbers are highest. Illegal aliens voting, multiple votes by the same people at different precincts, people being bribed to vote for a particular candidate, dead or non-existent people casting votes, certain ballots being destroyed, electronic machines rigged to give one candidate the votes that were cast for the other, and thug like voter intimidation at the polls. There was also election fraud going on in the primaries on the part of Republicans eliminating votes that were cast for Ron Paul and giving them instead to Romney, so I'm not just picking on the democrats. Ron Paul was the only hope for the Republican party. He would have brought the party back to what it is supposed to stand for; small, limited government; defensive, declared wars only; fiscal responsibility and accountability; and personal liberty and responsibility of American citizens and of individual states, by following the guidance of the Constitution. Now they are doomed because they have been too busy catering to the extremist religious right and the likes of fear mongers like O'Reiley, Hannity, Limbaugh, and the others who are as dishonest as the liberal left major media.
clownfish
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.
Sue, do you have some statistics to back up your claims about voter fraud and election fraud?
Sue
Tue, Dec 18, 2012 : 6:03 p.m.
ps. All I know is this country has never been so divided in my lifetime as it has with Obama in office...and it has nothing to do with him being half African. It has to do with his being a socialist dictator and with his extreme liberal agenda and policies, his fiscal unaccountability, and his irresponsible, out of control spending, his divisiveness and unwillingness to bend one iota toward the middle in order to represent all Americans rather than just the left. It's either his way or he throws out his "executive privilege" temper tantrum and refuses to play until he gets his own way. Unfortunately, he's a spoiled only child who has never had to share, take turns or compromise, and he has given himself the authority to act as a bully tyrant. And he will continue to ignore our Constitution and to steal our liberties as long as we allow him to. And as long as he keeps half the people in this country dependent on federal government program hand outs, paid for by we the taxpayers, he'll get away with it because they'll defend him to protect their own selfish interests.
Indymama
Tue, Dec 18, 2012 : 7:10 a.m.
Weiser told the truth! That is why all the Democrats are so "up in arms" about his remarks. They (democrats) don't like people knowing the truth in what they are doing to our Country and have been doing for many, many years now. Gradually, they are trying to make us all alike...little robots who all march to the same drummer.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.
The hypocrisy about Weiser's statements is so thick you can cut it with a knife. Where was the outrage when Dave Bing, Mayor of the city of Detroit (and a black male), called his own city a "hell hole"? Can you imagine if Weiser had said that? The criticism and fake outrage from liberals would be ten times worse! Detroit doesn't have pool halls anymore. He got that wrong. Big deal. It just has hundreds of "after hours" clubs (which make it into the news frequently when crime is reported there). The crime situation there is so bad that every recent police chief in memory has been burglarized (one tried to live in GP Park but couldn't get away with it). Jesse Jackson had his vehicle robbed while just visiting. Joe Biden's secret service detail same. Mayor Cockerel has shotgun toting youth trying to hold up people on his street (and was visibly scared). People robbed and killed outside of church (a favorite target of criminals there). Reverends carjacked. Rosa Parks beaten up. Police will not come to crimes that don't involve violence (so burglars have HOURS to rob you despite calls from neighbors... I know, I've heard the calls going unanswered on the DPD scanner band). The list is really endless. STOP DEFENDING IT AS BEING SAFE.
arborarmy
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.
So we are to believe that DPD dispatchers send police to burglaries--and you heard them do so--even though police don't come to crimes that don't involve violence? Yeah, that makes sense.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.
Another GOP failure who tries to blame anything and everyone, while ignoring dead-end ideas and policies to shift the tax burden to the middle class and poor. How's that war on women working out for ya? Let us know if you come up with any "legimate" ideas.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.
Guess you haven't heard about the many recent lame duck GOP efforts in Michigan to restrict abortion.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 6:49 p.m.
There is no "war on women" unless it is by the democrats. After bringing up that phony issue for the 2012 campaign it was revealed that both Obama's white house and Nancy Pelosi's House staff were paying women less than men (She should be called Nancy Paylousy). There are also 3 females in college for every two males. An inequality going the other way.
Heidi Koester
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 6:16 p.m.
Getting tired of McKinley's political activity... Remember the 2009 school millage that they worked so hard (and spent so much) to defeat?
cindy1
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.
Weiser has purchased a LOT of land for the Harbor Shores development in Benton Harbor. He, Rep. Fred Upton (LA Times choice for US worst congress member), Whirlpool CEO's, and others have plotted and planned over many years for the development which was based on stealing a huge section of one of the last pristine natural places on Lake Mich. They stole it from the poorest town in Michigan, Benton Harbor. Benton Harbor is also arguably the most oppressed place in Mich. with the highest innocent and juvinile incarceration rates. (Rid the town of its residents "by any means necessary." Paul Maloney, now West Mich. Fed. judge, and Berrien county judge Al Butzbaugh designed the methodology by which the court does it's social engineering.) Weiser grew up in Berrien County, likely Benton Harbor.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 6:55 p.m.
All nonsense. If it is "oppressed" it is because the residents have turned the place into a Zoo and are oppressing themselves. Many people wondered why Whirlpool stayed there (building a new HQ) when the residents and their elected officials have done nothing but heap scorn on the company for years. They should have gone to Grand Rapids (which actually wanted them) and left that crime ridden "little Detroit".
Bear
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 5:54 p.m.
you know, that is the typical BS from republicans. I''ve walked aorund sy 4:30 am without a sidearm and felt safe.
Westfringe
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 5:46 p.m.
I voted for Obama, but lets not kid ourselves on this one. a. Detroit IS a dangerous pit. b. There is rampant corruption and voter fraud.
johnnya2
Tue, Dec 18, 2012 : 11:16 p.m.
a) no more so than any other place in America. It is perception not reality b) no, there really iisn't. Facts matter. There have been far mre cases of people wongfully NOT being allowed to vote than people illegally voting or committing fraud
Ciccero
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.
Democrats and others said Weiser used racist stereotypes to bash Detroit. Well damn that about confirms it doesnt it. Democrats said it so it must be true. Lets review posters here think all Republicans and most especially tea party members are racist, white, old, MEN and belong to country clubs. And for all of you who so believe in Detroit as being a great place tell me how much money you have invested in Detroit's future. At least Mr. Weiser stepped up to the plate and purchased the science center. There isnt a statistical answer for that one. Did you hear that on MSNBC.
harry b
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 5:31 p.m.
How is it racist. He was talking about a city not a race. Detroit is 80% black and 20% other races.
Rick Stevens
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 4:15 p.m.
What an old photo of Ron....it must be 15 years old. I saw him just a week ago and this wasn't him.
rusty shackelford
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 3:54 p.m.
So let me get this straight. Residents of the inner cities commit vote fraud to vote more than once, but they still have lower turn out than the suburbs?
Jay Thomas
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 7 p.m.
Many Urban districts have more people recorded as voting than there are registered voters (in some cases even residents). The FBI discovered that Jackie Currie, Detroit City clerk, maintained a voting list that she KNEW included 300,000 people who had died or moved away.
Ciccero
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 5:40 p.m.
Might that be becuase the voting roles and the population as a whole might be just a bit more stable
Jay Bee
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
Weiser is the same person he was when he started his career, pushing and taking from his partner?
Kat
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.
I am a social worker that agrees with republican economic policy because, for me, it makes sense in the big picture. Does this make me a racist? Most of my friends are democrats but we don't call each other names, we just have differing ideas about how we believe the country can become successful again.
rusty shackelford
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 3:56 p.m.
No, but that isn't what Weiser is being criticized for. Implying that the only way Democrats succeed is because shiftless minorities commit fraud would make you a racist.
Mark
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.
Yes, that "trickle down" GOP theory insures that you have a job because of all the misery out there.
Chase Ingersoll
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.
Weiser is an extremely nice and generous man. Unfortunately everything he said is true, not only about about Detroit, but also Chicago, and St Louis..
Kat
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
Chase, I agree with you that he's very nice and incredibly generous.
Free Radical Scavenger
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.
@Jay Thomas: The National Association of Republican Lawyers completed a survey of voter fraud this year. Over a ten year period, they found 349 cases. THIS IS LESS THAN ONE CASE PER YEAR PER STATE. YOU CALL THIS RAMPANT?!?! Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of votes are being squelched every year by Republican voter suppression tactics. Voter fraud is almost as rare as sasquatches and unicorns. What would be the motive? To go out into the Michigan weather and wait in line, MULTIPLE TIMES!!! For real, what kind of lunatic would do that. Let's face it, if we could just get every Democrat out there to just vote, the Republican Party would dry up and blow away.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 7:05 p.m.
Sorry, not buying. I've heard of that many cases in a SINGLE STATE (in one year). This is the democrat's favorite talking point but has no basis in fact. As I said before, 30% more black votes were recorded for Obama in Ohio in 2012 than 2008 (while nationwide he lost ten million net voters). If you believe it then I have a bridge to sell you.
clownfish
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:08 p.m.
I wonder how many of "those people" live in Mckinley properties and help support Mr Weisers lifestyle? I have heard of more than a few incidents of crime in Roundtree, Schooner Cove and Glencoe Hills.
wardsa
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 12:26 p.m.
I love it when people get criticized for saying out load the same thing most people are really thinking. Maybe he shouldn't have said those things, but let's face it he's probably correct. The liberals that think they don't have one drop of "racist" blood in there body, has either never been in some of those areas of Detroit or are lying! Like someone said the other day, Ann Arbor is 6 sq. miles, surrounded by reality.
rusty shackelford
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 3:57 p.m.
Just because you're thinking it doesn't mean most people are.
dsponini
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 3:35 p.m.
out "loud" "their" body
Basic Bob
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.
The same people won't venture east of Stadium & Washtenaw. They are West Michigan Republicans in denial.
Roadman
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 6:25 a.m.
Ron Weiser is disliked by the Tea Party movement in Michigan. While chairman of the Michigan GOP, the Washtenaw County Republican Party denied him a seat as state convention delegate 2010 and at the last state GOP convention in Grand Rapids he could not win one of the two nominated positions for University of Michigan Regent by a vote of state convention delegates - despite his vast political connections. Weiser has done a great job of fundraising at the state and federal level for the GOP - however he has alienated many - especially those in the Tea Party movement.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 7:09 p.m.
Yes, but it is easier to lump him in with them. I mean, he did SPEAK TO THEM so he and they are the same....
johnnya2
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 3:07 a.m.
Interesting theory. How doe she explain the EIGHT point win in L Brooks Patterson Oakland county? How about the 4 point win in Macomb. In fact, let's get rid of EVERY vote for both candidates in ALL of Wayne county and guess who wins the state of Michigan? The result does not change. Maybe Weiser needs to buy a clue instead of a Science Center
Halter
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 3:02 a.m.
But he's right...but saying so makes it wrong?? Detroit is a slime hole.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 7:13 p.m.
The average Ann Arborite would NEVER consider living there (for all their talk of diversity and social justice). Instead they vote you down, Halter, from the safety of their keyboards.
kilroy
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:29 a.m.
Ronnie Weiser raised over $100,000 in a dinner for George W. Bush, expecting to be named Ambassador to Paris or London. Instead, to his everlasting embarrassment and shame, he was named Ambassador to Slovakia. Yet, in an effort to distinguish himself from the common herd he likes to be referred to as His Excellency the United States Ambassador to Slovakia. He is universally disliked by people who really know him.
shepard145
Tue, Dec 18, 2012 : 2:36 a.m.
Sounds a lot like obama....except he's kept every dime he's ever raised for anything.
48104
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 12:43 a.m.
And people wonder why the rest of the country is laughing at MICH-issippi.
Johnm
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.
You really think the rest of the country is only now beginning to laugh at Michigan? Have you ever traveled anywhere? I travel all over the country and the world on a regular basis. Have been to 49 of the 50 states. Before the GFC happened, Michigan had been in a recession of 1 state. Every other place with the exception of Louisiana (post Katrina) was thriving. Michigan was failing. I am kinda happy I owned a home in MI after the mortgage crisis (GFC) because we typically lost less money that everywhere else because our economy sucked so bad before we did not fall so far.
alan
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 3:08 a.m.
Oh no, we know why and find it very sad.
Wolf's Bane
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 11:57 p.m.
Ron may know real estate, but he certainly does not know politics.
Redleg
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 11:49 p.m.
Ah yes, one of the current bogey's of the republican party: Voter fraud. There is a report out there debunking even the need for much concern over this topic, according to a recent study done. It seems there have only been TEN cases of voter fraud involving questions of identification, which is what the various nationwide voter ID laws cover, brought to various courts, again nationwide, in the last ten years, which in that time period more than 147 million votes were cast. Much ado about nothing....
GoNavy
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 11:13 p.m.
Only black people drink beer in pool halls? News to me.
sayzme
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 8:01 p.m.
We still have "pool halls"?
AfterDark
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 10:40 p.m.
I've run all over Detroit, Ann Arbor, Chicago and elsewhere without carrying a sidearm. The only place I've ended up on the wrong end of a gun was in downtown Ann Arbor - on an August evening before the sun had fully set.
AfterDark
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 12:09 p.m.
held up at work at one of the gas stations on Main St.
GoNavy
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 11:13 p.m.
Do tell us about this.
shepard145
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 10:39 p.m.
Amazing the press refuses to publish outrageous cover ups, racism and corruption of the democrat party but a Republican says something as oblique a this and it gets a headline!? Does this rise to the last ten offensive comments Joe Biden and other democrat hacks have said in public??? You people are beyond pathetic.
clownfish
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 12:15 a.m.
At this point in President George W. Bush's first term, 72 judges had been confirmed by a Senate that Democrats controlled for much of Bush's first two years. By contrast, the Senate has had 59 or 60 seats under Democratic control during Obama's tenure but has only confirmed 40 of his judges. fewer than half of Obama's nominees have been confirmed and 102 out of 854 judgeships are vacant. What does that make the GOP?
arborarmy
Tue, Dec 18, 2012 : 3:34 a.m.
It's difficult for sane and rational people to "remember" something that is a figment of someone else's imagination. Republicans have been childishly calling it the Democrat Party since the election of 1940.
shepard145
Tue, Dec 18, 2012 : 1:23 a.m.
Paul Taylor - How short our memory. The Democratic Party became the democrat party in 2001 when they abandoned the constitution and democracy, took it upon themselves to decide that conservative judges were not suitable to serve their country on the federal bench and blocked President George W. Bush's legal nominations. Our own Levin was among this band of nit wits. Because this generation of democrats are a disgrace to this country, they will be known as the democrat party (no caps) until every democrat serving in 2001 has left office and the democrat party has earned the nation's respect. I'll leave it to others to speculate how likely that is! LOL
Superior Twp voter
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 5:11 p.m.
You got all that right, Shepard145! So much anger in our "Moscow on the Huron" town Libs. Oh, and be certain you state everything politically correctly or you will hurt their diversity feelings.
arborarmy
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 12:05 p.m.
I think October 10 qualifies as "early October" http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-10-10/opinions/35501217_1_benghazi-darrell-issa-security-lapses
average joe
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 11:06 a.m.
Arborarmy- early October?(try late Nov.), full story? The people investigating haven't even today got the "full story".
Paul Taylor
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 4:06 a.m.
They are the Democratic Party, Shep, not the Democrat Party. Get it correct.
arborarmy
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 3:08 a.m.
Except House Republicans held hearings on this in early October and got the full story. Oh, and in their buffoonery, they revealed the existent of what had been secret CIA operations in Behgahzi. But revealing CIA operations ad operatives is standard operating procedure for the bafoonish Republicans.
JBK
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 2:55 a.m.
Perhaps Shep was talking about a particular Un Ambassador who was sodomoized witht a broom stick, and 3 of his staff were killed, yet the White House is still giving double speak on it with NO true honesty. The event happened before the election and of course everyone thought/knew that it was suppressed because of the election. It is only NOW being discussed in the Senate after the election.
arborarmy
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:18 a.m.
Let's see if we can find the logic error. Shep claims the press does not report VP Biden's comments yet Shep seems to know what VP Biden said. Tell us, Shep. How do ya know what he said?
nickcarraweigh
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.
You heard right, folks. This is how the 1% think. It must terrify them to leave those gated communities.
Nicholas Urfe
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 10:16 p.m.
Sweet irony - this GOP guy is saying they lost because "his people" couldn't get to the polls to vote? The same GOP that enacted law after law across the nation that made it more difficult for people to vote? We should just do like more enlightened states and make the vote entirely by mail. Your ballot comes a month before the election and you just send it in or drop it off. No waiting in lines. Plenty of time to study the candidates and make your decisions. The GOP doesn't like that approach because it allows working class folks, especially those working multiple jobs, more access to vote.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 7:18 p.m.
We don't like it because it allows felons, dead people, illegal aliens, people in two states to vote. Those are the real people we are "disenfranchising" by checking the registered voter rolls and disqualifying those not entitled to vote.
Hesh Breakstone
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.
For the life of me I just can't imagine what everyone is so very upset about.... Many folks who have been in the A2 area for a while have known for years that McKinley and their leadership... have absolutely no problem with racial equality.... come rent collection day.... As for republicans, same crap, different day.... Seems ole Weiser kind of sort of got "Romneyed..." when someone recorded his bigoted, ignorant, and very low class remarks. But hey, give the guy a break will ya.... it's not easy being a republican these days.... Remember too that these guys, meaning republican men and woman, just had to stay up until 4:30 AM last week passing legislation that would ensure that many, many more guns are in the hands of untrained folks with all manner of levels of judgment in our schools. How very timely these guys are..... and what judgment they seem to not have too.... So maybe give Weiser and the republicans some respect, even if they never seem to earn it, because it's not easy being wrong as often as they seem to be...
Jay Thomas
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 7:19 p.m.
We have 30 Republican governors to your 20 democrats. Some things are easy to do being a Republican these days.
Somargie
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:58 p.m.
No one should be surprised by these remarks. The only surprised is that it's actually being printed & made public in AA.com. Wiser is just another repub that have destroyed our state and is linking us to the sad states of Mississippi, Indiana, Louisiana and many more whose main goal is to make money off destroying public schools, low wages, bad healthcare, crazy anti-woman/choice polices, anti-workers, & business breaks for the job creators, repubs manipulating the democratic process to keep themselves in power so they can intentionally bankrupt not only our schools but cities so "they" the "job creators" can buy up the property, pay people nothing, take away our voting rights and say with a straight face they are making MI better. Absolute power corrupts absolutely...but those who can leave Michigan...will
Huron74
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:54 p.m.
The only people who seem mad about this are dems. The reps can't make them any madder or crazier. Bottom line: So what?
arborarmy
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 9 p.m.
Angry? Not hardly. Comments such as these merely cement the image of the party's animus toward blacks, Hispanics, women, and the working class. Hence, comments like these bring the death of this racist and bigoted party one day closer. So keep on "telling it like it is," Ron. We'll be cheering you on!!
Huron74
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
What Weiser said isn't true. Detroit voted heavily for the Dmecrats, just as it always has. And no I don't think anything he said will hurt Reps now or in the future. The GOP would be smart to start emulating the Democraks in their use of such "machine tactics" as keeping track of where your voters live and making every possible effort to get them to vote.
rusty shackelford
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:45 p.m.
No surprise that he's the founder of McKinley. Talk about a shoddy, scamming organization. Starts at the top, I guess.
rusty shackelford
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.
I know the GOP is post-irony in the sense that it spends all its time accusing the other side of doing what itself is guilty of. That said, it's ironic that the only documented case of vote fraud in 2012 was a white woman in rural Nevada, a self-described ardent Romney supporter.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 7:22 p.m.
Only one case of vote fraud in 2012? That's your story? You discredit yourself. Of course at the Federal level Eric Holder is bothering to look but lots are being found at the state level.
rusty shackelford
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:43 a.m.
Worth noting that the woman was apprehended immediately--i.e., even in the rare cases voting fraud is attempted, it's even more unlikely it will actually work.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.
"those people" I wonder what's that code for
dsponini
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 3:48 p.m.
Ann Romney "We've given you people all you need to see" I guess arrogance won't get you elected!
Bill
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 12:20 a.m.
"those people" is how Ann Romney referred to the nation requesting transparency in their finances.
a2cents
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:35 p.m.
typical pol telling the faithful what they already know/believe & want to hear, i.e. a hack
Cold
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:03 p.m.
I was told by Black prison inmates that there were places in Detroit that even they would no go.
a2citizen
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 4:38 a.m.
Wouldn't? Or couldn't?
rusty shackelford
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:42 a.m.
Seeing as many inmates are gang members and gangs are inherently sensitive about turf, this only makes sense.
alan
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 11:33 p.m.
So what? There are places in every city that I won't go. 2/3 of violent crime in Detroit is drug related and occurs in an area roughly bounded by 1-75 on the west and I-94 on the south and east.
tom swift jr.
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:27 p.m.
There are places in Ann Arbor I won't go.
UlyssesWrong1
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.
His comments insinuating that these people he has stereotyped would be in pool halls is so outdated that it shows how out of touch he is with today's world and a part of his own local community. But given his status and background I guess his words aren't shocking.
Basic Bob
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
Would it be more accurate to describe them as crack houses and shooting galleries? And I can only imagine how difficult it is to get a junkie out of an abandoned building into any voting place, even the wrong one.
st.julian
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
Nice smile, nice public persona provides a thin shield that when punctured reveals his inner bigotry.
dsponini
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 4:53 p.m.
Yep...pretty much!
max1
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
... and what exactly is the issue here ? Don't slam Weiser for his accurate assessment ... I guess Acorn/voter fraud never really existed ~ just a mere figment of the right's imagination ... same as the general feel of serenity/peace in the city of Detroit ... get real.
clownfish
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:01 p.m.
How about some proof of ACORN related VOTER FRAUD? DO you know the difference between voter fraud and registration fraud? This is voter fraud: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57372176-503544/indiana-sec-of-state-convicted-of-voter-fraud/ This is registration fraud: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/in-gop-voter-registration-fraud-case-echoes-of-acorn-but-differences-too/1254881
Paul Taylor
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 4:11 a.m.
Max, how is replying directly to your charges of voter fraud clouding the issue? When a person replies to an assertion you have made, with facts which challenge it, they are not clouding the issue.
max1
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.
The acorn reference was merely to make a point in support for Weiser's statements ... or at least to provide some credibility to his statements. Enjoy the left boyz n girlz.
snark12
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 10:02 p.m.
Not to mention that ACORN hasn't existed for two-and-a-half years.
Don B
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 9:57 p.m.
The five year old might give more intelligent responses. And there isn't much evidence, if any, that ACORN (properly spelled with all capitals) were bad guys. The video that was the supposed proof that got Congress all twitted out faked. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACORN_2009_undercover_videos_controversy
max1
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.
there ya go, ivor and radical liberal ~ so typical for some to cloud an issue at hand ... Now, go debate with the five year old down the street ... lol
Radlib2
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.
You're right, it never existed! Let's not forget Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004.
Ivor Ivorsen
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.
"I guess Acorn/voter fraud never really existed ~ just a mere figment of the right's imagination" Why stop there max1? Why not add "secret Muslim" and "born in Kenya" to your right-wing figments?
Rob Pollard
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.
Beyond these comments being racist and inaccurate, more importantly for his purposes, it misdiagnoses the election he was trying (and failed) to win. The comments were made in the context that Michigan was up for grabs (which was a fantasy). I mean, let's quickly examine them: - Detroit neighborhoods are dangerous at 6:30 am? Let's say, for his sake, that is true. Are polling stations open at 6:30am? If he has evidence it is so dangerous at 10am or 2pm that they won't vote, OK...but of course, he doesn't. - Vote "multiple" times. This buys into the R's belief a big reason they have lost past elections is voter fraud. Thus, they spend a lot of time on this issue, which alienates a huge swath of people, leading to R's thus being MORE likely to lose an election. It's counterproductive. - MI doesn't have a "machine" but Obama (as reported in many other stories) had a sophisticated turn out the vote campaign, where they built a massive database potential voters & used social media to make sure Dem voters, legally, got to the polls. R's, perhaps b/c this smelled too much like science/tech geekiness, didn't do this and they suffered for it. Here's an article, for those interested, http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/11/when-the-nerds-go-marching-in/265325/ - He correctly noted Detroit populations has dropped 300,000+ in about a decade. Virtually all those people went to Southfield, Warren, Farmington, Westland, etc. This means THEY STILL VOTE in MI elections. If you were an R, you'd still worry about them, but instead, he sounds like he thought they were vaporized. This all helps explain why Republican's did so poorly in 2012, so from that standpoint, I'm glad his comment became public. They help to continue to fill in the picture.
EyeHeartA2
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
...so, nobody actually said he lied though, right?
northside
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 12:24 p.m.
EyeHeart we understood you the first time. You believe these racist stereotypes to be true.
Enso
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.
Sorry, Eye, you just got spanked.
EyeHeartA2
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.
OK, nobody of *who mattered* said he lied though, right? - You got me on a technicality.
Rob Pollard
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.
Um, yes they did. But I'll spell it out for you. "Pool halls"? What is this, the Music Man and there's trouble in River City? Talk about ancient thinking. "Drinking beer" -- interesting. What % of Detroit voters are heavy-drinkers/alcoholics according to Weiser? Any stats to back that up? Voting "multiple times" - any evidence of this? Of course not, but it plays to the country club crowd. Hundred of thousands of less voters: just b/c they moved from Detroit doesn't mean they moved from Michigan. Etc.
arborarmy
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
Same old GOP racial politics. Looking forward to the day this party commits suicide on the issue of race.
Basic Bob
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:23 p.m.
It's a slow death. Ironically, the Southern Strategy - appealing to white evangelical voters in Jim Crow states - has made them relevant in national politics for the last 45 years. Before that, those voters were Democrats because the hated Republicans abolished slavery 100 years earlier.
C'est la vie
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
The article didn't mention that Weiser is a former US Ambassador to the Slovak Republic, and founder (funder) of UM's Weiser Center for Europe & Eurasia at the International Institute.
abc
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 12:01 p.m.
Nick C - Balkans?
nickcarraweigh
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 10:22 p.m.
And your point is that he has no grudge against the Balkans, or what?
Jay Thomas
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:18 p.m.
1. Detroit is NOT SAFE. If pointing that out is offensive... well, too bad. 2. Voter fraud is rampant. These urban centers frequently have everyone voting and even record more votes than there are registered voters! They discovered that many Detroit voters have multiple voting cards (they blame it on Detroit's population's "transient nature"). This is why they get court orders to keep voting going past midnight WHEN DEMOCRATS HAVE ALWAYS CONTROLLED THESE DISTRICTS and can only blame themselves if there really were inadequate voting facilities (yet, it's always an "emergency" every year...). Anyone remember Jackie Currie, the Detroit city Clerk, who was forced from office by the FBI over this kind of fraud? Can anyone explain how Obama got 30% more black votes this time than he did the last from Ohio's urban centers? Simply not believable except with vote fraud.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.
1. Jackie Currie isn't a figment of my imagination, liberals. 2. The "they" I was referring to to in this case is the NAACP, which goes to court every election year to keep the polling places open PAST MIDNIGHT (on the basis of it being difficult for people to vote because of long lines, etc). All in a city that is 96% black (and probably 96, 97, or 98% democrat) and controlled by officials they know personally. That's a bad joke any way you look at it. If it was EVER TRUE that residents had problems voting.... why don't they open more polling places so it isn't an issue? This all goes back to the reports of people being bussed from polling place to polling place to vote multiple times (which is why it is a problem not in search of a solution).
dsponini
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 7:30 p.m.
Someone OVERDOSED on the kool aid
Paul Taylor
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 4:13 a.m.
Jay is being a troll. Do not feed the troll. He will not respond.
perfectly lubricated weather vane
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 2:13 a.m.
Jay, can your theories explain how Obama comfortably won the states of Maine, Wisconsin and Iowa?
Billy Bob Schwartz
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:05 a.m.
Oops. Guess someone beat me to it. I would like to see your answer, however.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:04 a.m.
Who is this "they" you keep talking about? Sources of your "information" please.
Enso
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.
Who is this "They" you speak of? It couldn't by chance be some organization funded by white Republicans is it?
rusty shackelford
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:44 p.m.
Who is this magical "they" and why has no one besides yourself heard of them? What evidence do you have for any of your claims?
tom swift jr.
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:25 p.m.
Someone drank the Koolaide.
Ivor Ivorsen
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:25 p.m.
Yes, Jay and Michigan Man, it must have been "fraud ." Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida--all fraud. What other explanation could there be, right? Don't stop believing! See you guys in 2016.
Michigan Man
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.
Keep on preaching Jay - I am with you!
Arboriginal
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
What a SHOCKER!
Ralph
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:01 p.m.
Goofy statements.
Bogie
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 6:32 p.m.
On election day, I watched down in Toledo, Obama supporters going door to door, with transportation available. If anything, Republicans should emulate the Democrats....Oh, that's right. Republicans don't offer free everything, to people, who won't work. Also, when is the expiration date of everyone's race card? LOL! Isn't anybody tired of "tip toeing" issues, relative to Detroit, just because the city is predominantly African American?
Enso
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 10:05 p.m.
Careful Max, you are going to cause Bogie to claim reverse racism and then contradict everything he just said...
Max
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.
There is a study -- and these comments certainly support its conclusions -- that many white people are stupid! Which study you might ask? Do I care to answer ....
15crown00
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 6:05 p.m.
i guess the truth hurts.other towns do exactly the same thing i.e. Chicago
Johnm
Fri, Dec 28, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
Then did you see the unedited version? It is one thing to edit for viewability, and quite another to edit for changing the appearance of what really happened. After the liberal whining of how it was edited they released the unedited view in which the only difference is that you can see better footage of the guy that punched the reporter attempting to pull down the tent, and then falling on his arse. He gets up and attacks the reporter.
sayzme
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 5:27 p.m.
Yep...more FAUX news trickery for the ignorant to eat up! Oh wait.... http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012 /12/12/selective-editing-by-fox- news-contributor-revealed-by-fox-news/
Superior Twp voter
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 4:54 p.m.
Yep, and Johnm you are exactly right.
Kent Jocque
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 4:22 p.m.
http://www.salon.com/2012/12/13/ fox_news_revealed_selective_editing_of_punched_fox_news_contributor/ "A video of Fox News contributor Steven Crowder getting punched by a Michigan union protester was selectively edited, and that editing was revealed during Crowder's appearance on Sean Hannity's show on Fox News." http://www.salon.com/2012/12/13/ fox_news_revealed_selective_editing_of_punched_fox_news_contributor/
Johnm
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 3:57 p.m.
Why do you always trot out "Oh you saw it on Fox News" when presented with something you do not like to hear? My new saying for 2013 - Oh you must have heard that on MSNBC/CNN/ABC/NBC/CBS/Bill Maher/The View....... Why is it that Fox News was the only national news outlet showing footage of the union thugs attacking the reporter in Lansing last week? Or the fact that the mob destroyed a hot dog vendors equipment?
clownfish
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.
Proof? Something other than FOX News saying it is so. Maybe some stats on convictions or a reliable study? Anything?
ArthGuinness
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.
Fringe right candidates love to allege voter fraud. Coming up with any evidence whatsoever has been far more difficult. Essentially, they are saying, "I don't like the results so they must be wrong."
63Townie
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.
Can you name one reliably reported incident that supports Weiser's claims? How many people were bussed from polling place to polling place so they could vote multiple times?
Basic Bob
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 6 p.m.
The old political machines in Detroit were run by white people.
rusty shackelford
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 12:40 p.m.
I guess we're seeing a distinction without a difference. I'm not arguing that Mc ran Detroit, just that he functioned as a kingmaker in Dem circles (and hence, at least for mayor, in the general). Archer and Kilpatrick can both thank Ed McNamara for putting them in office--putting them in the position to run in the first place. Of course he wasn't the only play and of course they had to do some work themselves, too.
a2citizen
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 4:36 a.m.
I don't consider 12% of the population (white) much of a machine. Kilpatrick's opponent was elected to city council because he was in a movie, but being an ex-cop worked against him in the hoods when he went up against a homeboy for mayor. Kilpatrick also had several people from C.A.'s administration in his campaign. That was Detroit's real political machine.
rusty shackelford
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:40 a.m.
I am, born and raised, 4th generation, lived there (the city proper) until recently. Neither Granholm nor Kilpatrick (the mayor) happened without McNamara. His father was Mc's chief of staff, for starters....
a2citizen
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 12:49 a.m.
Rusty, in the words or John McEnroe: "YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!!!!???" You're not from Detroit, are you?
rusty shackelford
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:44 p.m.
A2--no, more recently than that, too. Kilpatrick never would have been mayor without McNamara.
a2citizen
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:04 p.m.
Yeah, 40 years ago.
Ivor Ivorsen
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
I'm with JRW on this one. The Republican Party is slipping away, fast. It's just too bad they can't go quietly. 2016 just might be it for these guys.
Radlib2
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 5:48 p.m.
The veil around the Tea Party's racism is quite transparent. If Obama were white, it never would have existed in the first place.
HRD
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 10 p.m.
It almost amuses me when I hear teapublicans rant about how the Affordable Health Care Act is being "jammed down their throats". Universal health care has been talked about since the 1880ls. As with the European countries that already had it, it was intended to help both the workers and business' by assuring business' that their workforce was stable and dependable without absence caused by illness. And workers income would stabilize by working steadily without absence caused by illness. How is that a bad thing? I think that the only thing being "jammed down their throats" is a bunch of bs coming largely from the insurance companies who are going to take a financial hit when it's implemented.
Johnm
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 3:52 p.m.
That is one of the most ignorant statements I have read here. The tea party ramped up when Obama started to jam his health care down our throats. I guess Alan West in FL wasn't really a black man? The charge of racism is a tired one. The democrats have failed the minorities and yet still hold them captive. How many Democratic run big cities succeed vs how many fail? Michigan as a state is starting to show signs of life because we have a bold governor making the moves that need to be made to make us attractive to the kinds of companies that could come here and hire us.
bobslowson
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
Thank you...that is exactly right. All of the outrage in this country only started when a black man was occupying the white house
JRW
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 5:47 p.m.
The GOP is a dying party and is very angry. This is yet one more example of their last gasps. Good to know he founded McKinley Real Estate. No one in my family will ever do business with that firm knowing who the founder is.
Ed Kimball
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.
Tim Hornton: the Republicans only won the House of Reps because they won many state legislatures in 2010 and gerrymandered the Congressional districts to their advantage, both in MI and nationwide. The Democrats actually got MORE total votes than Republicans did in House races.
perfectly lubricated weather vane
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 2:05 a.m.
RUKiddingMe: I don't understand your comment. You only have to go back as far as his immediate predecessor to find an incumbent with a smaller margin than Obama's. Of the last six presidents to stand for re-election, Obama's margin is third largest, topped only by Clinton and Reagan. Obama's margin easily tops those of George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter.
Radlib2
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:53 a.m.
Tim, how can you say the Dems are hateful and intolerant? We fight to protect the rights of minorities, everyday working people, and the environment. We are about fairness and tolerance if nothing else. We also are against violence and guns.being pro-war means you have hatred towards fellow people.
RUKiddingMe
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 : 1:34 a.m.
Some other statistic: He won by one of the slimmest margins of any incumbent president in nearly a century. I'm not arguing for or against anything in this post/reply, I'm just saying those stat things seem relatively meaningless, like all the interesting stuff they think of to say during football games that doesn't really have anything to do with how either team has done, is doing, or will do.
snark12
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
Obama won the popular vote nationally by nearly 4%. He'll be one of only six presidents to win two terms with at least 51% of the vote.
Tim Hornton
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.
Dying? They still own every unit of gov. In democrat MI and the house of rep. In D.C. Obama didn't win by much this year either. I don't think the party of low taxes, strong armed forces, and logic is going anywhere. It's really the dems who are so hateful and intolerant. Why do you think everyone is trying to move out of the inner citiies like Detriot who lose 200000 people every census and now it's mostly blacks leaving that town which is the butt of jokes across the nation.
Greg
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 5:29 p.m.
Republicans need to figure out that the people in the middle, independents and moderates are being turned off badly by many republican politicians pandering constantly to the far right. No wonder they could not win the presidential election after constantly alienating everyone but the tea party fanatics.
Enso
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 10:03 p.m.
It's interesting you say that Jay, especially given that its something you can't possibly know.
Jay Thomas
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 7:21 p.m.
This statement from Weiser won't cost Republicans a single vote.