Snyder picks Lansing insider, author of 'Dumb and Dumber' MBT as running mate

By Mark Brewer, MDP Chair
Wednesday, August 25, 2010

It's only been a few weeks since the primary and GOP gubernatorial nominee Rick Snyder is already caving in to Lansing special interests.

Snyder selected Lansing insider and banker Brian Calley as his running mate - Calley is the author of the Michigan Business Tax which Snyder just days ago called "Dumb and Dumber."

Calley is the architect of the 2007 Michigan Business Tax and it's 22% surcharge - a tax Snyder has harshly criticized. Snyder told AnnArbor.com on August 18, 2010 that the 2007 tax is "like Lansing went to the video store and rented "Dumb and Dumber."

This decision proves Snyder will say and do anything to get elected. He claims to have created jobs when in fact he got rich after his company Gateway outsourced 20,000 American jobs to China. Now, just a week after sharply criticizing the MBT, Snyder selects its author as his running mate. The voters of Michigan deserve better.

Virg Bernero has led by example. He's cut his own pay, doubled his health insurance premium, and gave up his city-funded car to share in the sacrifice of Michigan's workers. We need a leader who is in touch with the people. Not Rick Snyder and his Lansing insider running mate Brian Calley - a man who has been supported by Lansing special interests again and again.

It's time to elect someone like Virg Bernero who is fighting for Main Street. Not Snyder and Calley who are fighting for Wall Street.

Sincerely,

Mark Brewer
Chair, Michigan Democratic Party