Posted on 08/09/2006 9:07:42 AM PDT by Kieri
Schwarz loses in heated primary Wednesday, August 09, 2006 By Susan J. Demas sdemas@citpat.com -- 768-4927
Standing in the birthplace of the Republican Party, Tim Walberg vowed Tuesday his resounding victory would deliver the GOP back to its "traditional roots."
The former state lawmaker vanquished U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz, 53 percent to 47 percent, in the 7th District congressional primary. They faced off in the 2004 primary, which Schwarz won and Walberg finished third.
"For two years, the electorate was frustrated at the results of the last election," Walberg, 55, told a crowd of 300 supporters at Daryl's Downtown restaurant in Jackson.
"This was about a clear contrast between a conservative and a liberal."
With an ad blitz topping $3 million between the candidates, this was the most hotly contested congressional race in Michigan.
Schwarz, 68, outspent the Tipton preacher by more than 2-to-1.
But even President Bush's stamp of approval couldn't boost the incumbent, a surgeon, Vietnam veteran and former CIA spy.
It was a night of high-profile primary defeats, with Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut also going down in flames.
Analysts hailed Walberg's underdog triumph a national bellwether.
"Moderates are a dying breed," said Bill Ballenger, editor of Inside Michigan Politics. "They're not going to be elected."
Walberg's victory in November is considered a near-lock in the solidly Republican district.
The 'L' word
The "liberal" label dogged the freshman congressman throughout the race, fueled by a more than $500,000 ad campaign by the pro-business lobby Club for Growth.
The Washington-based group proclaimed Schwarz its top target, launching the Web site JoeSchwarzIsALiberal.com.
Schwarz committed social-conservative heresy by backing abortion rights and voting against a federal amendment banning gay marriage.
That cost him the votes of many, including Susie Soloc, 60.
"Tim Walberg is a conservative Christian," the Rives Township homemaker said. "His pro-life stance is important to us."
Schwarz said "distortions and fabrications" of his voting record -- especially on abortion, taxes and immigration -- helped cost him the election.
"You have a one-issue group with unlimited funding," the Battle Creek Republican said. "I did what I thought was right. I will not compromise on principle. I will not pander."
The breakdown
The Democrats didn't deliver.
Schwarz had hoped crossover votes would be his salvation, as they were in the six-way race two years ago. Former state Sen. Jim Berryman, D-Adrian, was charged with getting out the vote.
Walberg handily carried Jackson County -- the largest voting bloc in the district -- with 54 percent to 46 percent. He also took Branch, Hillsdale and Lenawee counties by strong margins, leaving Schwarz to make up the difference in Calhoun, Eaton and Washtenaw counties.
He couldn't.
By 10:30 p.m., Schwarz could see the writing on the wall, one hour before conceding the race.
"We didn't get enough 'oomph' in places we really needed it," he told 200 boosters at Schuler's restaurant in Marshall.
Ballenger said the congressman's "anger and arrogance" caught up with him.
"This is a real personal rebuke to Joe Schwarz," he said.
Still, the pundit doubted that Walberg's boilerplate of slashed spending would deliver much for the 7th District.
"I see him as a weak congressman -- a back burner," Ballenger said. "I'd be surprised if he's much of a force in Washington."
The morning after
Amid the jubilant celebration -- where Walberg joked to supporters, "Don't get me preachin'" -- the pastor struck a tone of reconciliation for the severed GOP.
"Traditional values aren't meant to divide people. They're to unite people," he said. "We need to open our arms to make room for people who support the Republican platform."
But Walberg's victory could be bad news in the long run for the GOP.
James Agee, co-director of the Michigan Policy Leadership Program at Michigan State University, doesn't buy that Walberg can bridge the party divide as Schwarz did -- which could make some moderates flee to the Democrats.
"Every time you require people to be in lock-step, it's bad for the party," said Agee, a former Democratic state legislator from Muskegon.
Lifelong Republican Sherry Swan, 59, isn't revoking her party membership.
But the Schwarz backer doesn't plan to punch her ballot for Walberg.
"He's an extremist, and he is not a truthful person," the Battle Creek nursing assistant said.
As for Schwarz, he's planning to explore his party's infancy after losing what will likely be his last political fight right here in Jackson -- the cradle of the GOP.
The congressman is headed to his pastoral Montana cabin on Flathead Lake, built near the childhood home of his late wife, Anne.
There he'll crack open a copy of the Doris Kearns Goodwin's bestseller "Team of Rivals," dissecting the Lincoln presidency.
Schwarz sighed, "This has been the most difficult race I've been in."
Walberg said he's in the mood for post-election adventure -- as if planning a move to Washington isn't bold enough.
He's embarking on a motorcycle ride to Prince Edward Island, Canada, with his wife, Sue -- "a huge 'Anne of Green Gables' fan," he said.
Since leaping into the race in November, Walberg has logged about 35,000 miles on his Buick Park Avenue. Jumping on his 2002 Harley-Davidson Road King will be a welcome change.
Said the GOP nominee, grinning: "It's just a total sense of freedom."
Walberg's victory in November is considered a near-lock in the solidly Republican district.
Uh, that would be in Ripon, WI.
Is this district a safe Republican district? Are the Dems. fielding anyone who'd be a threat?
Got it. Thanks. I missed that line.
The 7th district can be considered a "safe" GOP seat. Take a look at the primary voter turnout numbers:
7th Congressional District
(2-year term)
(336 of 336 precincts reporting)
29,349 - Joe Schwarz (R-inc.)
33,144 - Tim Walberg (R)
3,004 - Daryl Campbell (D)
2,900 - Chuck Ream (D)
10,366 - Sharon Marie Renier (D)
3,446 - Fred Strack (D)
Even all the Democrat votes combined don't come close to Schwarz's numbers. We had a 19-20% voter turnout.
Check out the numbers link posted in post number 12. No real threat from the democrats. We turned out big time in Jackson county.
The reason I was confused is because the article contradicted itself with this:
But Walberg's victory could be bad news in the long run for the GOP.
James Agee, co-director of the Michigan Policy Leadership Program at Michigan State University, doesn't buy that Walberg can bridge the party divide as Schwarz did -- which could make some moderates flee to the Democrats.
Thanks, good information.
We claim the birthplace of the GOP as well.
http://www.jacksonmich.com/markers/mark1.htm
"Every time you require people to be in lock-step, it's bad for the party," said Agee, a former Democratic state legislator from Muskegon.
What kind of Republican counts on Democrat support?
RINO is as RINO does, my mama always said.
I hope this is a trend.
I have a feeling that the war will be defunded within 2-3 years regardless. Unless the Democrats get a supermajority I think only the retoric will change, the output will be similar; more pork barrel spending, deadlock on vital issues such as tax reform/SSN/Borders, and useless special interest bills to distract from the impotence on the former, i.e. gay marraige, flag burning.
I'm actually looking farther than just what's coming up. I think that if the Conservatives lose control again, we'll see a resolve not to fall for liberal deals in the future and the American people, who are more conservative than liberal when the rubber hits the road, finally putting liberalism and "moderates - really liberal but dishonestly so" behind us.
I've seen the political discourse move to the left totally but the desire is still to the right, we just have hang ups about being labeled by the left.
I was a bit surprised by the numbers in Lenawee county. Walberg won pretty handily in a county with a very large hispanic population and he won it with a pretty clear "no amnesty" message.
"A pathetic waste of money that could have gone to underfunded challegers....Ken Blackwell and Lyn Swann in particular...." - staytrue
At least the Walberg contributors achieved a victory.
Sad though it is, why would $3 million to Blackwell or Swann put them over the top?
Actually it would be most accurate to say legal American hispanic community.
'Hope we haven't created an opening for Democrats to take this seat. We can't afford it folks. Hope this is a safe Republican seat. I'll take a "RINO" in this seat over a Democrat who will contribute to Pelosi becoming speaker of the House. I'm PRAYING this is a safe GOP seat.'
Maybe you should stay inside for the next few months, you seem to get froghtened easily. Grow a pair.
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