In his (likely) final TV ad of the campaign, the Republican incumbent includes a shot of a young man who appears to be Ben Lazarus, a decidedly pro-tea party, anti-Snyder GOP activist.
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| Lazarus |
Of all the loyal Republicans in Michigan, it's puzzling, to say the least, that a controversial figure like Lazarus would be chosen for a cameo in a Snyder commercial.
Lazarus, 24, is best known as a Snyder critic on social media and as the campaign manager for tea party congressional candidate Alan Arcand during this summer's primary election season. In his bid for the U.P./northern Michigan 1st District seat, Arcand ran to the far right of incumbent GOP Congressman Dan Benishek, in part with the support of Republican National Committee member Dave Agema.
Agema, infamous for embracing homophobic and racist remarks on Facebook, took a lot of heat last week for an online rant in which he referred to Arabs as "camel jockeys."
In July, Lazarus predicted a neck-and-neck finish to the contentious GOP primary but Arcand was crushed by a 70-30 percent margin on Election Day.
In Macomb County, Lazarus is best known as the Warren Consolidated Schools board member who successfully ran for office in 2012 by campaigning to block "outsiders" from the district's schools -- at the same time that he was 1,100 miles away in Florida.
At the time, Lazarus was attending Stetson University near Orlando. Yet, he was urging Warren suburbanites to reject "schools of choice" by electing a board member (himself) who would end enrollment by those without ties to the district.
He barely skirted the racial implications of his message -- with kids coming to Warren Consolidated from Detroit -- with this campaign robo-call: “When I found out that outsiders attend our schools for free, I was afraid for my kids ... When it comes to my children, Ben Lazarus is the only candidate I trust.”
In another automated call, a woman said: “Detroit is a mess but some candidates want our schools to be more like Detroit. Our homes are being vandalized, broken into and destroyed by outside students. And they want our schools to be more like Detroit?”
Lazarus' most recent project involves working for a slate of four Warren Consolidated candidates who are also taking the anti-outsiders tact as the Nov. 4 election approaches.
So, the question is: Is Lazarus the kind of "forward" thinking guy that the governor wants to display in his TV ads?
This is not what WCS needs or stands for. Especially from somebody who missed school board meetings and events when he was attending college in Florida. This type of Neolithic thinking is damaging to the kids.
ReplyDeleteHow does he even think he is qualified to run a school district? He doesn't even attend board meetings - hard to do while you are out of the state. Does he even understand the laws related to public education? How does he plan on getting rid of the "outsiders"? What other radical ideas does he have that pertains to educating children??
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing that he and his 4 unqualified cronies are running on meaningless fear-mongering and essentially racist views about "outside" students. It is insulting to everyone in the Warren Consolidated Schools area that they would spread this message of hate hidden behind political rhetoric. They came from WCS schools, and they made it to college because of WCS and it's entire diverse population, not in spite of it. Who are they to decide who gets an education and who doesn't. I fear for the future of the city of Warren any of these 4 make it on the school board.
ReplyDeleteWith no disrespect intended towards the historic "Gang of Four," (all of whom were executed for treason), this "gang of four" might as well be wearing white hoods and burning crosses on the lawns of our schools. They are not parents, they are not homeowners: they are seeking to create political names and reputations for themselves on the backs of students. Do I think that Warren Consolidated Schools has lots of problems, starting with the superintendent and the fact that the current board often just rubber-stamps his policies? You bet I do! I JUST DO NOT BELIEVE THAT PUTTING THESE CHILDREN IN CHARGE IS THE ANSWER!
ReplyDeleteThis clown talks out of both sides of his mouth. He supports and votes for school of choice during the January meeting. Then he pays for and endoreses his buddies campaign flier that want to end school of choice. Ben knows that school of choice brings in money, it does not cost tax payers money (he signed the budget). If you want to see what kind of leader he is watch the October 15th 2014 Warren Consolidated School Board meeting on utube.
ReplyDeleteHe is another Ben story. He arranges a videotaped Q and A at a Cousino High School government class. The only stipulation was the students had to ask him questions that he wrote. Then he puts the video on his facebook page and utube. This guys needs to get a job, move out of his parents basement and get a life.
ReplyDeleteThis joker needs to be removed from office, he does not have the best interest of WCS students. He is more concerned with gaining control of the WCS school board through divisive politics. He should be removed from his position. How many people could miss that many days (Ben missed 50% of WCS board meetings) of work and not be fired?
ReplyDeleteIf he is an anti-Snyder tea party guy, why is he featured at the 8 second mark on Snyder's 30 second ad spot titled, "Forward" (it's on YouTube)? And why was his ineffectively worded recall petition accepted by the petition commission folks? And why did he even write the petition when he knew darned well that he doesn't have any group support or finances to get that done? Why did he pull the rug out from under the people of Flint? So many questions....
ReplyDeleteProbably for the same reason he failed to mention that he was arrested in Florida and has failed to file the required campaign finance documents with the Macomb County Clerk. Its all public record. Look it up
DeleteFor which campaign? Do I have to drive to Macomb County to see what you are talking about? Florida? Really? Oh my goodness!:-)
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