A Little Accountability Never Hurt Anyone...

The intent of www.eyeonbishop.com is to hold Senator Bishop accountable for his actions for and against the environment. Michigan LCV hopes that over time, Senator Bishop’s reaction to this site will be an improved record on environmental and conservation issues. In the short term, however, his first reaction to the site is disappointing. We had hoped that he would use the opportunity to address some of the issues reported and his contradictory statements and actions. Instead, he lashed out at both our organization and a news source from his own district. As the Rochester Citizen reported,

"Bishop said he hadn’t seen the blog and, therefore, didn’t address specific issues. But he characterized the effort as “an attack ad.”"

It is unclear to Michigan LCV how Senator Bishop could characterize something he hasn’t seen or read as an attack ad. His next statement is equally puzzling:

"“I have never heard of them. They have never participated in any policy discussions” which he attended, Bishop said" in regards to Michigan LCV.

“Just because the word environment or conservation is in their title does not mean they are,” he said. “There are people out there who are desperate, and I am so sick and tired of it.”

To this, our Executive Director responded:
“I am surprised that Senate Majority Leader Bishop was taken aback by our website. Not only did we call his office on Friday, March 5 to inform him and his staff that the site was going up on March 8, but we emailed him, too. In addition, everything on the website is factual information based on Senate Majority Leader Bishop's statements--written and/or verbal--and his actions over the course of the last many months. (You can read full coverage of Bishop’s reaction to the website, and our response, here.)

Bishop did not stop at just criticizing Michigan LCV. He also attacked the Rochester Citizen for reporting about our website, calling them an illegitimate source.

“I get blasted a lot from legitimate sources; I don’t view this as a legitimate source,” he said.

Not a legitimate source? Senator Mike Bishop, these are your own constituents you are talking about.

Nevertheless, Bishop DID say that “he understands Michigan’s environment is one of the most important issues facing the state. He said he’s supported the most responsible environmental agenda he can. But, he added, “I have the weight on my shoulders of trying to turn this state around.”

It is hard to believe that someone who received an 11% on his environmental scorecard by voting against a series of environmental and conservation measures truly believes that Michigan’s environment is an important issue. His weak voting record speaks for itself. Unfortunately, Senator Bishop fails to understand the connection between Michigan’s economic recovery and the protection and preservation of Michigan’s natural resources.

Click here for updated links to news coverage of this blog.