Meet Ken Brock

"liberal, Jewish trial lawyer."

Those are the words of Ken Brock, chief of staff to state Sen. Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek), in dismissing the chances of Schauer's fellow congressional candidate David Nacht. Brock didn't specify whether he was against all Jews, all trial lawyers or just Jewish trial lawyers.

Nacht, who dropped out of the race on Friday, says he's not offended. Brock said he meant no offense. (Click here for the article quoting Brock.) But I'm offended, and you should be offended, too. Here's why.

Brock is a Michigan state employee. His salary as chief of staff comes at the expense of the taxpayer, probably to the tune of $90,000 a year. His role is to manage the Senate Democratic staff in an effort to advance the Democratic Caucus' legislative agenda.

We already have a Republican congressman who secured his seat by campaigning in churches. Now we have a Democrat on the taxpayer's dime using religion to marginalize other campaigns.

I don't often agree with RightMichigan, but it's hard to argue with the truth:

David Nacht may very well be liberal and he may very well be a trial lawyer and those are things that may very well be important in a Congressional race. But what, Mr. Brock, does his Jewish heritage have to do with anything?

Nothing.

Brock explains away his bigotry as simple political analysis. But the fact of the matter is, in the months since Nacht announced his candidacy AT NO POINT did his religion become a topic of derision or even mere discussion.

When did Nacht's religion become an issue in the campaign? When Brock injected it into the discussion. And shame on David Nacht for trying to justify this anti-Semetic rhetoric. He may not have offended you Mr. Nacht, but he did offend me and many others.

Ken Brock is not a private citizen. He's a public employee taking our tax dollars as compensation for the job of doing state business. Instead he is speaking with reporters about a political campaign. If that were not bad enough, he cheapens politics by playing the religion card. Brock should not think for a minute he can justify this kind of action with, "that's not what I mean't to say." He meant exactly what he said.

The most prudent action would be for Schauer to terminate Brock or for Brock to resign. It would be a wise move for Schauer to show the voters he is a man of character and worthy of holding a seat in Congress to help make sure this happens.

Call or e-mail Senator Schauer and tell him what you think should be done about Ken Brock. His contact information is here: http://www.senate.mi.gov/schauer/contact.html