Leaked e-mails suggest Michigan GOP plagued by infighting

Justin Zatkoff (in white shirt), a former employee of the Michigan GOP Victory Centers/McCain campaign operations in Michigan, leads a protest against Sen. Barack Obama in Grand Rapids in May 2008. (photo: Todd A. Heywood)

E-mails from Michigan GOP operatives have begun to surface that show a campaign dissolving into disarray with infighting in the wake of John McCain’s recent exit from the state of Michigan. In one e-mail, a former party official tells of being warned by the party leadership that he faced possible arrest and prosecution if he removed and distributed party brochures without permission. In another e-mail, a current party official complains of a “disgruntled” faction trying to steal cell phones and other items. He complains that these “troublemakers” are more interested in squabbling than in helping Republicans win the election.

Whether the infighting will weaken the Michigan GOP in its campaign effort in support of McCain and all down ticket races remains to be seen, but it’s not something the party wants to talk about. GOP officials have refused all comment.

So how is this information emerging? Michigan Liberal started the ball rolling last Wednesday with a piece outlining the e-mails that were available then. Michigan Liberal found the e-mails posted at the Michigan Conservative Dossier, a blog run by Republican operative and conservative activist Joe Sylvester. Michigan Messenger has confirmed the authenticity of a number of the e-mails.

Among the details:

Justin Zatkoff, author of one of the e-mails, is the head of the Michigan College Republicans, a John McCain supporter and was an employee of the Michigan GOP Victory Centers/McCain operations in Michigan. Scott Greenlee, author of another of the e-mails, is the recently laid-off deputy director of the MI-GOP Victory Centers/McCain operations in Michigan. Greenlee’s position is confirmed on GOP chair Saul Anuzis’ blog, which can be seen here.

Earlier this month, Zatkoff and others say, they were let go from their positions with the McCain camp/MI-GOP Victory Centers on the heels of McCain’s withdrawal from the state. Even though they were not being paid, they agreed to continue as volunteers for the campaigns.

From an Oct. 7 e-mail sent out by ex-deputy director Greenlee:

Now, when I was laid off, along with others, I rededicated myself to the idea that we would win Michigan. As such, I started thinking about the fact that I have heard from so many grassroots leaders around the state needing lit, stickers, and signs. I checked with some folks on the east side of the state and found out that there was about 300,000 pieces of McCain lit (see attached photo) in the Farmington Hills office. Apparently this has been there for the last week, and we wanted to get them out. I shared this with the State Grassroots Co-Chair who contacted by e-mail the McCain Regional Campaign Director, Jen Hallowell who said get them out at once. The exact quote when asked if grassroots volunteers should take them and get them out was “Absolutely, thank you!”

Greenlee then talks about gathering other volunteers from the west side of the state to drive to Farmington Hills Oct. 5 to pick up and distribute McCain literature stored there. As he and the volunteers were loading the trucks, the e-mail says, they received a call relayed to them from Chuck Wright, the Victory Center director in Farmington Hills (the Trott Financial Building that Michigan Messenger visited that same day). I pick up from Greenlee’s e-mail again for what happened:

We arrived (myself and three volunteers) at the Farmington Hills Office and started loading the truck. We got it about half full when I got a call relayed to me from a Victory Center Director, Chuck Wright, which was from Larry Ward, the State Party Political Director and 8^thDistrict Chair. Larry asked what I was doing and I explained it all. I told him I had the apportionment percentages from when the yard signs and bumper stickers were distributed, so each county would get the proper amount and a network of volunteers were set to hand it out. He pointed out that the State Party was going to do it, but I noted that the McCain Campaign asked us to get it out since it does no good sitting in that office. He said ok, thanked me, and hung up.

We kept loading but quickly got another call relayed from Chuck Wright, this one from Jeff Timmer, the State Party Executive Director. Jeff was very direct and clear with me; first he noted that he was recording the call for possible legal action, and then he said I was to unload the truck and not take one brochure as they were the property of MI GOP and I was not authorized. He then noted that it did not matter what the McCain Campaign said as these were property of MI GOP and they would distribute them when they were ready. He said if I took even one brochure he would call the police, have me arrested, and that I would be prosecuted. Of course, I was not going to fight that, so we unloaded the truck for the next half hour, called Jeff Timmer back to let him know it was completed, and left the property. I then bought dinner for the volunteers as I felt bad that their time was wasted.

In an e-mail sent out by Zatkoff, he had this to say about the incident:

I am really frustrated by all of this. Actually, three of us volunteers yesterday were those who got fired from the Michigan GOP Victory Program on Friday. And we still wanted to help turn Michigan red! Two of them even drove over from Grand Rapids and paid for gas and a van to do this. Anyway, I guess I can’t help on this one, and I would not go over there if I were you as you may get arrested as well. I have never heard of anything like this in politics. What good does the stuff do over there in an office? When will they ever get it out? Oh well, as I mentioned I am frustrated and venting now.

Zatkoff confirmed to Michigan Messenger that the e-mail was his, but in an e-mail referred all questions for comment to Greenlee. In a phone conversation last Wednesday, Greenlee said he would answer Michigan Messenger questions in writing via e-mail. That e-mail was sent to Greenlee at about 2:30 p.m. that day and he did not respond to the e-mail questions, nor to phone calls.

Also on the Michigan Conservative Dossier is an e-mail described as being from Larry Ward, MI-GOP party political director, and 8th Congressional District chair. In that e-mail to Republicans, Ward writes:

Today, you may have received an e-mail from a disgruntled former employee, Justin Zatkoff that is an example of game-playing that is distracting from our efforts this fall. It has been leaked to the press and being circulated by the same old group of troublemakers that are more interested in intra-party political silliness than helping Republicans win general elections.

To make our situation clear, I just wanted to fill you in on some information regarding equipment, collateral materials and supplies as we allocate resources in the coming days.

[snip]

In the meantime, there have been several individuals, including some disgruntled former employees, who have tried to take advantage of the situation by stealing cell phones, and other electronic equipment, as well as substantial amounts of collateral materials. In at least one instance there was an employee who vandalized their victory center on the way out the door.

Michigan Messenger has not been able to confirm the authenticity of Ward’s e-mail that was posted on the Dossier.

Back in May, Michigan Messenger reported that Zatkoff led a protest against Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in Grand Rapids. At the time, sources close to the Republican Party informed us Zatkoff was working for former National Committeeman Chuck Yob and for the McCain campaign. Michigan Messenger was unable at the time to verify this information.

In May, Michigan Messenger talked to then McCain Great Lakes Regional Office spokesperson Leah Yoon, who told Michigan Messenger that Zatkoff did not work for the McCain campaign.