The actress identified as Lisa Chan is now apologizing for taking part in a racially charged political campaign ad. She issued the following statement on Facebook:
I am deeply sorry for any pain that the character I portrayed brought to my communities. As a recent college grad who has spent time working to improve communities and empower those without a voice, this role is not in any way representative of who I am. It was absolutely a mistake on my part and one that, over time, I hope can be forgiven. I feel horrible about my participation and I am determined to resolve my actions.
Just to refresh your memory, Republican Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra hired the Asian actress to essentially mock her own culture, resulting in one of the worst campaign ads ever.
Chan starred in the controversial super bowl ad targeting Michigan incumbent Debbie Stabenow. Our very own Lawrence O’Donnell covered the story in last week’s Rewrite segment.
In the ad, Chan says in very broken English, “Debbie spend so much American money you borrow more and more from us. Your economy get very weak. Ours get very good. We take your jobs. Thank you, Debbie spend-it-now.” And she’s standing in a rice paddy.
The ad seems to have backfired on Hoekstra. A new PPP poll shows Stabenow in the lead with 51 percent of the vote, and Hoekstra coming in a distant second with 37 percent. Another survey by PPP found 45 percent of voters in Michigan are now less likely to vote for Hoekstra.
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