Politics

Anti-Romney Protesters in Michigan Say They Were Paid to Heckle

Anti Romney Protesters in Michigan Say They Were Paid to Heckle

On Tuesday, Mitt Romney finished a five-day bus tour through small cities and towns back in his homestate of Michigan. Throughout the Midwest tour Romney commended the work of local business owners and employees along the way that contribute to what will turn the private sector around. Romney was not met with jubilation at every stop though, as the Associated Press reports the Republican presidential candidates encountered “dozens” of protesters during an event in front of a bakery in DeWitt, Michigan:

Romney is making three stops Tuesday in Michigan. Several hundred supporters listened to him and his wife Ann speak in front of the striped awning of the Sweetie-licious Bakery in downtown DeWitt.

Across the street, protesters chanted, “We are the 99 percent!“ One woman held a sign proclaiming ”Romney has always been a bully.”

BuzzFeed reports though that the “dozens” out against Romney Tuesday were not the “run-of-the-mill grassroots liberals.” McKay Coppins writes that two individuals from a coalition that described themselves as concerned citizens, as well as an Obama campaign official, told BuzzFeed that the protesters were getting paid.

Asked why he was protesting, a man dressed in a grim reaper costume pointed a reporter to a pair of “designated representatives” standing in the shade.

“I can’t talk, you gotta get one of those people over there to talk to y’all,” he said. “They’re the ones who can talk to reporters.”

Neither of the representatives agreed to give their names, but two protesters said they were getting paid to stand outside of the rally, though their wage is unclear: one said she was getting $7.25 per hour, while another man said they were being paid $17 per hour.

Meanwhile, about 50 feet away, another protest had been organized by local Democrats in conjunction with the Obama campaign. A campaign official told BuzzFeed they had nothing to do with the other group — which he said he believed they had been sent by the labor-backed “Good Jobs Now” — and confirmed that they were being paid.

Good Jobs Now is a Detroit-based coalition of community groups, faith leaders, the labor sector, and other concerned citizens “committed to solving the  issues facing our neighborhoods and holding decision makers and elected officials accountable for creating jobs and finding solutions to these problems…NOW!”

Brittany Smith, a spokeswoman for the group; which the Obama campaign has distanced themselves from, confirmed to BuzzFeed that they had protesters at the events. Smith, however, claimed that their “activists are NOT paid to protest.”

Last February, demonstrators at Occupy CPAC said on video tape that they were paid “sixty bucks a head” by local unions to protest outside the conservative conference in Washington D.C.

When interviewed by The Daily Caller in March, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka denied the allegation that protesters were paid.

Comments (73)

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  • Deepdiver58
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 5:18am

    Grassroot opposition? My A*S!!!!! Another paid-for angry mob.

    Report Post » Deepdiver58  
    • longun45
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 8:57am

      They are astromelons. Protestors paid to wear the green on the outside and red on the inside. Just like real communists but they weren’t available so they had to buy some fake ones.

      Report Post »  
    • mtcountrygrl
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 10:52am

      Look at it this way, at least Obama has started creating jobs!

      Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 11:23am

      ENCINOM/MONICNE/SLEAZY HIPPO, JZS, DESERTROSE, JROOK….are these guys accurate about the pay rates? You guys should know right?

      Report Post »  
  • TRUTHSENSE
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:46pm

    These protesters were being paid by an organization which included faith leaders? Probably some of the same “faith leaders” who would cry “separation of church and state” if conservative faith leaders even hinted at an involvement in politics. Also what kind of faith leader would be involved with such an outrageous idea of paying people to protest a candidate? Communities could do without those kind of “faith” leaders.

    Report Post » TRUTHSENSE  
  • Living In NYC
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:46pm

    Geez..they got their “Obama” money!

    Pretty sad when a canidate has to pay people to support him on the campaign trail…Guess that kind of like a loser trying to buy friends!

    Report Post » Living In NYC  
    • 10-32inIdaho
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:13pm

      Obama didn’t pay them his PAC or unions did. Obama doesn’t pay bills servicemen, taxpayers and the evil racist critics (everyone not on his side).

      Report Post »  
  • pissantno.10
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:31pm

    i wonder when the paul bots will move to a south american jungle , when ya get there don’t drink the kool aid.

    Report Post »  
  • singray
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:08pm

    When same sex marriage was passed in NY a local blooger claimed he could now laugh at all those that opposed it. These people that shout people down are no different. They only care about themselves. Your opinion is of no value. Only theirs count. And isn’t this trait a sure sign of small mindedness. The inability to understand so they just block it out. The 6 year old syndrum. The ability to push your fingers in your ears and shout, I CAN”T HEAR YOU. The ability to laugh at the one eating the red sucker, because you like blue ones and that just makes them right. The ability to say Do Over when it doesn’t go as you like. And the greatest ability of all, to poop your pants and blame it on Johnny.
    You people think you piss us off. No way. You might think we believe Johnny did it, but we’re adults. We just laugh at you behind your back. Best way to avoid the Temper Tantrum.

    Report Post »  
  • perry1980
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:19pm

    Talk about Grass roots.
    Dems = Party of H@TE! paid h@te

    Report Post »  
  • gyro
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:01pm

    Blaze staff please post the phone # to get one of these cool jobs
    Nothing better than standing around yelling for 17 bucks a hour
    Wonder if its tax free ????
    Do you have to join a union?
    OMG is there a pention!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 10:44am

      Another comment, this admin. is “creating”…. “brown-jobs“ and ”saving” their JOBS!!! Oh wait….did we see “an- unusual-spikeup-in- the-numbers” of new job figures for the month of June 2K12?
      This gives “true-meaning” to the term, useful- idots….

      Report Post »  
  • AUsername
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:36pm

    not a bad summer job for kids put on a troll mask and bash Mormonism and laugh when you get home on how many people you pissed off.

    Report Post » AUsername  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:45pm

      Sounds like something right up your angry , ready- to -fight alley !

      Report Post »  
    • joe conservative
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:59pm

      I love how the “brave” protestors always cover their faces. You also have to love how the unions continue to spend millions on the guy that has done absolutely nothing for them. Just ask Tom Barrett how Obama is behind the unions. This has been so much fun to see the unions get totally thrown under the bus by the community organizer.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-WWrGHn5QQ

      Report Post » joe conservative  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:09pm

      Or perhaps, when you get home the people you pissed off are waiting for You!

      Report Post » DEFCON4  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:13pm

      I’d be ashamed to show my face accepting money for a fraud job to heckle anyone. To think a decent person would accept money to corrupt their values, if they have any.
      But, no surprise here. The only way Obama can win is by cheating and having his union thugs help him cheat. Those corrupt unions have no shame doing Satan,s work then probably call themselves Christians on Sunday. What a laugh!

      Report Post »  
    • DIR
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:35pm

      “Anti-Romney Protesters in Michigan Say They Were Paid to Heckle”

      Heck, I’ll do it for free and for good reason, if someone tells me where Obama’s next engagement is going to be, I’m even thinking about taking my grievances to big media and heckle them as well.

      Report Post »  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:29pm

    Didnt i remember reading a story around here that Romney had to pay people to hold signs for him? There was only one candidate who had true supporters across the country

    Report Post » soybomb315  
    • OklahomaBound
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:54pm

      Supporters? Is that what you’re calling Pault@rd anarchists criminals now?

      Report Post » OklahomaBound  
    • justangry
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:19pm

      Oh we’re criminals for wanting our politicians to follow the Constitution now, eh? Piss off!

      Report Post » justangry  
    • ktmrider1
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:31pm

      yeah and dead people and illegal aliens vote for democrats

      Report Post » ktmrider1  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:35pm

      @ ANGRY, Explain the death threats to Rand Paul when he endorsed Mitt Romney? Isn’t he Benedict Arnold ?

      Report Post » DEFCON4  
    • justangry
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:09pm

      @Defcon, I do not need to explain the actions of anyone other than myself.

      Report Post » justangry  
    • justangry
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:19pm

      Oh, and I wouldn’t consider Rand a traitor. I wish he didn’t go that route, but still believe he’s a part of the Liberty Movement and that he and perhaps Demint are the only R Senators worth anything.

      Report Post » justangry  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:54pm

      Angry, (wrong to group you in) ; agree Rand will make a fine Vice-President!

      Report Post » DEFCON4  
    • huntinwabbits
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 8:54am

      lol @ ronpaul supporters

      Report Post »  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:23pm

    Of course – just more thuggery from Dear Enemy.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • barber2
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:15pm

    Someone news to drag out some of the tapes of the Lefty Theater of The Absurd Players who disrupted so many Republican candidates during the primaries ! And then the union mobs in Wisconsin . And then the Occupiers. People need to be reminded of the obstructionism and intimidation these Lefty bullies have subjected Americans to for so many months. Probably where Holder got his “playful, ” union bully, obstructionist attitude. Hurry November. Send these guys back to Chicago. ( sorry, Chicago, but you bred them )

    Report Post »  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:07pm

    Paid to protest and heckle? What outstanding personal convictions the “99%” have! These people are 99% – one big joke!

    Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:24pm

      I would have heckled him for free if I could stand the site of him and the RNC..They are all just a bunch of criminals as far as I am concerned..These guys are the boss of the Sharia Compliant Banks(who received 700 billion in TARP and fund organizations funding terrorism) They use the terrorist to terrorise us or whomever needs terrorizing to get their missions accomplished..which is complete financial and material acquisition..to bring us intot the NWO..THey are the Zionists/Communists and this is there game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USGSOViaulc
      And I believe that they did this to cause these wars and to take us into the NWO..
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28tE0fKpISM

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:26pm

      This is normal for Michigan (Democrats!) …. from 2009

      http://michellemalkin.com/2009/08/19/all-aboard-the-astroturf-bus/

      “Chris Gautz of the Jackson (MI) Citizen Patriot reports that the SEIU and Organizing For America chartered buses from nearly 200 miles away to plant Obamacare supporters at a town hall meeting held by Democrat Rep. Mark Schauer.”

      My old hometown … and hometown newspaper .. failed to report it until “pushed”.

      Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:27pm

      Sorry about the type o’s

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:27pm

      http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2009/08/chris_gautz_column_yes_some_we.html

      Article where they admit it!

      Report Post »  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:31pm

      Sounds more like the Obama administration, Ashes. Have you looked at all they have done.

      Report Post » NHwinter  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:24pm

      Thank you for making that comment, because I saw it the same way. The Libs do the dirty work so much better, so I‘m confused that he’s blaming the Republicans for anything.

      I blame Obama for all the UN-Godly things he’s done. Approved of late term abortions (how sick can a person be to allow this?) Approved of Gay Marriage, when it’s definitely sanctioned by God that marriage is between a man and a woman, period, not exceptions.
      Stands on the side of all that’s really bad for this country, and against values & morals.
      Plus, I think he’s a marxist from all the things he stands for.

      Report Post »  
    • ktmrider1
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:29pm

      oh no diane you touched a nerve of the 99% waco’s keep up the good work

      Report Post » ktmrider1  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:09pm

      @NHWINTER NH..I thought it was just the Obama administration too..But then I saw where George H Bush was a NWO man..first one to speak of it lovingly as did Henry Kissinger who said that we would not like it..but it was what was good for us..Kissinger also said that military men were dumb stupid animals used for foreign policy.Then George W was in bed with the Muslims..calling them the greatest religion in the world..selling our ports to the Arabs, building the super highway to Mexico and Canada..and denying Israel her right to strike Iran after 9/11..But NH.There is no difference in the GOP and the Liberal Pary..They are all going for the NWO. They are buddies.. We are the suckers. Please watch the history of the Federal Reserve here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USGSOViaulc THey started the war of 1812 to break us and get the bank here and they fund the terrorrists through Sharia Compliant Banks..I believe that they did 9/11 to bankrupt us with these wars to gear us for the NWO.. They are all disgusting to me..Romney received his funding from these Sharia Compliant Banks..the biggest one being Goldman Sachs..He is a liberal..of course Mormons are Islamic sympathisers and have always gotten along with them..But I have lost all repect for the RNC and the GOP….I despise Romney and the RNC. I have learned that The Zionists are Communists bent on monetary and material acquistion..Hitler was a Zionist and most likely the grandson of Hitler. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw

      Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:24pm

      @NHWINTER Sorry NH..I have been up since 4:30 AM and am tired..Hitler was the supected grandson of Mayer Amsel Rothchild..and even if he was not..they funded him as did secret societies such as Thule and Vrile and companies like Shell Oil I believe..The reason they say for WW2 was that there was big money to be made in ME..A very interesting perspective..

      Report Post »  
  • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:06pm

    Some people have so little morals that if you pay them they will protest anything. We need to pray for these peoples soles.

    Report Post »  
  • 762x51
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:01pm

    I’m getting a whiff of union here.

    Yep, definitely the stench of leftist union thuggery.

    Report Post »  
  • Banter
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:52pm

    “though their wage is unclear: one said she was getting $7.25 per hour, while another man said they were being paid $17 per hour.

    Yikes, with that wage disparity, looks like the progressive women aren’t making much progress.

    Report Post » Banter  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:06pm

      Phonetic misunderstanding.

      Seven twenty was misunderstood to be seventeen. I’d say that protester will have one helluva let down, but me thinks they won’t be able to add up what 3 hours worth of work would be at seven teen dollars an hour. They’ve likely never worked an hour in their lives, so they’ve never really had to think about it.

      Report Post »  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:11pm

      ‘member the poor souls who protested during 2010 elections for a boxed lunch? Think we really are in need of a real Leader???

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
  • MiCurmudgeon
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:51pm

    Finally Obama helps produce some jobs for Michigan.

    Report Post »  
  • marine249
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:49pm

    they done got some of that there FREE BO money.

    Report Post »  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:48pm

    Uh oh…The woman was paid less than half what the man was. Bad judge of screechiness factors.
    Unless of course everyone of them is lying just to look important enough to get paid.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
  • PROSECUTE_PUBLIC_SERVANTS__FOR_CONSTITUTIONAL_TREASON
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:48pm

    May the only wise and true God have mercy upon the Christians who think this occultist, vile, evil, and wicked man is the answer to their prayers. Do they even pray? Do they not deserve judgement? Do they not deserve vile, evil, wicked leaders they vote for? Is this not their judgement they vote for? Is this not their end more swiftly accounted for in judgement than their entire works on earth ? When is the last time My people have earnestly prayed and studied My Word? Is not My Word the very mind of Christ? Do you not know the doctrines of demons. Can you not recognize an anti christ? Have you indulged in My Word?
    Do you not realize you are have corrupted your own country with your votes? Do you not realize you are the cause of evil? Do you not realize My judgement is at your doorstep?

    Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:47pm

    The community group good jobs now and Detroit simply don’t go well together,Detroit Flint Saginaw and the whole state for that matter is dead thanks to Granholm and unions.Paid protesters eh well the big eared boy‘s going to need all the help he can get but the good news is it won’t be enough,no matter how much voter fraud the dems are infamous for engage in.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • GardenoftheGods
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:46pm

    Where are these people’s morals? Back in the day if you walked a picket line or protested it was because you believed in the cause… Now, you’ll make a fool out of yourself for the almighty dollar? This is a big part of the problem in today’s America…no guts, no morals, no ethics. God help us…

    Report Post » GardenoftheGods  
  • PROSECUTE_PUBLIC_SERVANTS__FOR_CONSTITUTIONAL_TREASON
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:45pm

    May the only wise and true God have mercy upon the Christians who think this occultist, vile, evil, and wicked man is the answer to their prayers. Do they even pray? Do they not deserve judgement? Do they not deserve vile, evil, wicked leaders they vote for? Is this not their judgement they vote for? Is this not their end more swiftly accounted for in judgement than their entire works on earth ? When is the last time My people have earnestly prayed and studied My Word? Is not My Word the very mind of Christ?
    Do you not realize you are have corrupted your own country with your votes? Do you not realize you are the cause of evil? Do you not realize My judgement is at your doorstep?

    Report Post »  
    • Lesterp
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:49pm

      Please put your tinfoil hat in the closet, I think it’s broken!

      Report Post » Lesterp  
  • dmerwin
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:45pm

    Well now, isn’t that a surprise. The liberals can’t even heckle for themselves.

    Report Post » dmerwin  
  • Lesterp
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:38pm

    Liberal grass roots!

    Report Post » Lesterp  
    • spirited
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:52pm

      That’s the other pay; grass.

      Report Post » spirited  
    • starman70
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:54pm

      Grass means money or maryjane? No real “Grassroots” here.Just another example of the fact that the liberals are on the defensive. Most of them don’t believe in thero own cause and they can see and are reaping the “Benefits” of the liberal agenda which is destroying jobs and productivity in America.

      Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:33pm

      With the new Obama photo “ grass roots” has a new meaning !

      Report Post »  
  • Raven42
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:37pm

    Romney is creating jobs already!

    Report Post »  
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