Analysis
This story is based upon a media release sent out by the Michigan Democratic Party claiming they have new evidence on Amway’s importing of goods from China. Democratic spokesperson Jason Moon is cited as is the communication director for Amway. Neither of the claims made by either side are verified. Would voters gain new information or insight into the Governor’s race based upon this story?
Article Text
GRAND RAPIDS — The Michigan Democratic Party has scheduled a news conference today claiming it has evidence Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos’ former company is importing Chinese goods.
Jason Moon, Democratic Party communications director, would not say what the evidence shows and refused to comment other than saying they had “Chinese-made, Amway-labeled products.”
Rob Zeiger, communications director for Amway-parent company Alticor, said: “I smell a public relations stunt and a waste of time.”
He reiterated the company’s statement that the plant in China does not make goods for the U.S. market.
“Nothing we make at our plant in China is imported back into the United States. Period. End of story,” he said.
China has been a hot issue in the campaign for governor. DeVos’ family co-founded Amway and he is a former company president, and Democrats have tried to link Amway job cuts in Michigan to the company building a plant in China.
DeVos has countered that the company was compelled to build a plant in China as a requirement of doing business there and that all of the products made there are for the Asian market.
Still, Zeiger said it would be ridiculous to say Alticor does not have products from China.
“If (Michigan Democratic Party chairman Mark) Brewer intends to hold a press conference about any Michigan company with Chinese products inside its walls, he’ll be announcing a series of 10,000 press conferences,” Zeiger said.
He said the company has been very clear “for more than a year” about China operations.
“Any attempt to spin those words around … about our plant in China is distortion, nonsense and hogwash,” Zeiger said.
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