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New Political Ad Watchdog Group: Michigan Truth Squad

by: MonFineis

Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 13:18:25 PM EDT


(An interesting project. - promoted by Eric B.)

To increase transparency and accountability for Michigan politicians, The Center for Michigan today launched the Michigan Truth Squad, a non-partisan Web-based project that will seek to keep candidates and campaigns more honest and issue-focused in the ads they use to persuade voters during the 2010 election season.

Submit political campaign ad tips to www.MichiganTruthSquad.com
MonFineis :: New Political Ad Watchdog Group: Michigan Truth Squad
To increase transparency and accountability for Michigan politicians, The Center for Michigan today launched the Michigan Truth Squad, a non-partisan Web-based project that will seek to keep candidates and campaigns more honest and issue-focused in the ads they use to persuade voters during the 2010 election season.

The Michigan Truth Squad is staffed by two veteran journalists: Rick Haglund, a journalist for 30 years who has reported for Booth Newspapers as well as the Traverse City Record Eagle and currently blogs at www.micheconomy.com, and Susan Demas, a political analyst for MIRS in Lansing and weekly syndicated political columnist.

The website is offering prizes to citizens who send in tips on ads or from Michigan political candidates and ballot campaigns that appear to contain false or misleading content. The two journalists will act as ad "referees," calling "fouls" on candidates and campaigns for using offending ads. The referees will also note when ads play by the rules.

Analyses will be completed by Truth Squad referees Susan Demas and Rick Haglund, with oversight and contributions from Martin Waymire Advocacy Communications and The Center for Michigan.

Submit political campaign ad tips to www.MichiganTruthSquad.com

The Michigan Truth Squad has already weighed in on ads by Rick Synder, Virg Bernero, Mike Cox and more.
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New Political Ad Watchdog Group: Michigan Truth Squad | 6 comments
This is interesting... (4.00 / 1)
... BUT I think we need to watch these watchers very closely. Rick Haglund is alright, hope his compatriots are too.

Demas is a character, of course, with some history, guess this posting will never make the front page here.

Still recommend it, it's an important development none the less.

The watchers... (0.00 / 0)
Yes, Teh Demas has made her leanings abundantly clear. That's not entirely bad, by the way. I'm a firm believer that objectivity isn't about hiding your biases, but about not allowing your biases from unduly influencing your work.

Among the Trees
[ Parent ]
Michigan Truth Squad (1.00 / 1)
It appears to be a balanced site with no preference being shown to either party.  This site could become a game changer in a number of campaigns this year.

I note the Bernero earned the site's first "technical foul" with his health care ad.  Of the ad, Michigan Truth Squad said:

"Huh? How is it leadership for a municipal mayor who is running for state governor to support a federal bill that has already passed Congress? Throughout the ad, Bernero plays fast and loose with the branches of American government. Consider, at one point, how he flashes images of FDR, JFK, LBJ, as well as Presidents Clinton and Obama and declares them "leaders who fought for us." That's nifty partisan cheerleading, but what the heck does it have to do with Michigan's current economic crisis and the first job of the new governor in 2011 - solving the state's long-term structural budget deficit?"

The Michigan Liberal Truth Squad gives you an F- for continued threadjacking (4.00 / 2)
Once you go a day without trying to turn some other innocuous post into another of your anti-Bernero tirades, you'll be allowed to get away with making tangential points without getting yelled at for trying to threadjack.

Among the Trees
[ Parent ]
Michigan Truth Squad (4.00 / 2)
Rick Haglund is a well-respected journalist. The "review" of the Virgil Bernero ad outlined below does not challenge the truthfulness of his ad, but apparently disagrees with the premise. National health care reform will have a huge impact on the states. In my opinion it's a fair issue for a candidate for statewide office to address. And as far as playing "fast and loose" with the branches of American government, last I knew FDR, JFK, LBJ, Clinton and Obama were all presidents (of the executive branch).

Certainly this site has potential value, but it is always dangerous when one pretends to be all-knowing about the truth.

Yeah, I'd call it dodgy Truth Squading (0.00 / 0)
The bit about "special interests" struck me as entirely a judgment call with little to do with "the truth."

Among the Trees
[ Parent ]
New Political Ad Watchdog Group: Michigan Truth Squad | 6 comments

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