Bieda Says Recallers Are 'Clowns'
Rep. Steve BIEDA (D-Warren), one of six lawmakers who is facing an active recall threat said today that he doesn't think much of the folks involved in that effort.

Without any prompting, Bieda launched into an attack that began with calling those trying to recall him "clowns" and ending with a question about their humanity.

Bieda accused them of "scare tactics," adding, "I'm insulted by it." He then tacked on this:

"We have these clowns on the side, and I call them clowns and no insult to clowns intended, because they are people (who) are on the fringes of American politics. They are on the fringe of American society, and frankly, I think, they are the fringes of humanity. I don't like them, though."

The term-limited lawmaker noted that even if he were recalled, and he does not believe that will happen, if it happens in August, he would only be recalled for four months and if the vote is in November, the recall would be one month.

"These are not a group of Einsteins that we are dealing with," he goes on. "It doesn't make sense from a taxpayer standpoint."

As for the leader of the recall effort, Bieda did not name Michigan Taxpayers Alliance director Leon DROLET by name but said, "Their leader is somebody who likes to run his mouth a lot, and he's been a lot of bluster on this, but I don't take threats lightly."

Bieda said he's seen no evidence that names are being collected and reports he's gotten support from his community.

"I'm disgusted and repulsed against the people that are doing it. I'm not going to be recalled," he told MIRS.

Bieda is facing a possible recall because he supported tax increases last year to balance the budget and he said, "I have no qualms about decisions I've made" even though "I may disagree with myself" on some of those issues.

The Warren lawmaker said he wasn't sent to Lansing to "sit on my hands or hide under the desk."

MIRS read the quotes to Drolet, who laughed and then added, "It should be Quote of the Day. It's deserved."

Then he took after Bieda for being out of step with average citizens who do not believe it "is extreme that government should live within its means. He is so far off the mainstream that he is from planet Bieda."

Drolet reported that the targeted lawmaker has not seen any petitions in his district because the recallers just got the green light from the courts to move forward.

The former Republican Macomb County lawmaker said Bieda is trying to "marginalize" citizens who want government spending controlled and "If those who oppose unchecked growth in government spending are clowns, send in the clowns," Drolet argued.

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Friends, we have them on the run! Let's make history. Stay tuned for more updates from "the fringes of humanity"...