Last week I wrote about how the campaign of notorious homophobe and anti-worker Republican Gary Glenn had exploited an elderly Korean War vet in an effort to smear Glenn’s Democratic opponent Geoff Malicoat. An “open letter” was sent to multiple media outlets suggesting that horrific anti-veteran comments made on an online forum in 2006 were penned by Malicoat. The letter was supposedly sent by William Miller, a veteran of the Korean War but it was clear that it was actually sent by Glenn’s campaign.
The letter, which was sent by email to media outlets, had no indication it came from the Glenn campaign, but a link in the mail was traced back to the computer of Jeremiah Ward, the campaign manager for Glenn.
Ward admits that “The Glenn campaign did inform Mr. Miller of the online comments. He has read them personally. The letter was put together by the campaign, with, of course, Mr. Miller’s full knowledge, agreement and consent.”
Mr. Miller says he agrees with what’s in the letter but, “he was surprised the letter was emailed to so many media outlets,” according to reporting by ABC.
In other words, Mr. Miller wanted his thoughts to be heard by the Midland and Bay County Democratic Parties but had no intention of smearing Geoff Malicoat in the press.
That particular piece of sleazy campaigning is ENTIRELY the responsibility of Gary Glenn and his sleazy campaign staff including his 19-year-old campaign manager Jeremiah Ward.
Mitchell Robinson is associate professor of music education at Michigan State University. His research is focused on music education and education policy. Follow him on Facebook HERE and Twitter at @MRobmused. His own blog is at MitchellRobinson.net.
Barb Byrum is currently in her third term as Ingham County Clerk, serving as the county’s chief elections official. As Clerk, Barb has successfully conducted 25 elections, 4 union elections, and served on Michigan’s Election Security Commission, the Secretary of State’s team of advisors tasked with strengthening and better securing elections in the state. Follow her on Twitter at @BarbByrum.