Upton kicks off re-election campaign (RINO's got a primary fight!!!)

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) -- At the first of six scheduled stops Tuesday to officially kick off his re-election campaign, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton told supporters that he is the same man he was when first elected.

During the rally at Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport, the Republican from St. Joseph also told about 100 backers that he still wants less government and a strong defense.

"We recognize the challenges that face our nation today, both at home and abroad," Upton said. "And we agree that the only way to address these challenges is with honesty, integrity and a shared faith in what is right."

He is expected to get a stiff challenge in the Aug. 6 primary election from fellow Republican Dale Shugars, a state senator from Portage, the Kalamazoo Gazette reported Tuesday.

Shugars and his supporters have criticized Upton on several issues, including abortion and campaign-finance reform.

Upton, 48, who has held the 6th Congressional District seat for 15 years, told the crowd he hasn't changed since he was elected in 1986 to the first of his eight consecutive two-year terms.

"As you know, I am today exactly the same guy as I was when you first elected me: a Ronald Reagan Republican, a conservative dedicated to lowering taxes (and) a smaller but better government, and a strong America dedicated to the defense of freedoms."

He called America's war against terrorism "the greatest test of our generation, the greatest threat to our nation since World War II."

Upton also planned to make campaign stops Tuesday in Three Rivers, Dowagiac, Allegan, South Haven and St. Joseph.

This guy is a RINO. He's ASD(anti self-Defense), pro-abort, voted for CFR, and the leader of the 'Main Street" wing.

Then there is Dale Shugars. Pro-2a, pro-life, conservative, and he CAN WIN.

People always complain about the RINO's, now we have a chance to DO SOMETHING about it.

Good to hear. It's unfortunate that incumbants are so hard to oust, especially in the primary. We didn't manage to knock off any RINOs in the Illinois general assembly (although even national conservative groups had "targeted" that IDIOT Renee Kosel (RINO-Mokena)) Nor did our U.S. Congressman Mark Kirk (RINO, replaced Porter) or Judy Biggert (borderline RINO soccer mommy) get any serious challenges. O'Malley was considering challenging the latter back in '98, and he may do so again in 2004.

On the hand, Republicans only have only four seats on the Cook County Board, and TWO of them are RINOs. I'm pleased to report BOTH RINOs were defeated in this year's primary. Allan Carr (R-15th) is SO liberal that Daley and Stronger had openly supported him over their party's candidate, and Herbert Schumann (R-17th) is a squishy RINO who caves on issues and thinks being endorsed by the Sierra club was a GOOD thing. Replacing them will be Tony Peraica and Elizabeth A.D. Gorman, two stauchly pro-life, pro-gun, and anti-tax Republicans. Despite being Cook County, they are in conservative suburban territory and should win the general election fairly easily.

So now we'll have four conservatives on a board with 20 or so liberals. Oh well, every bit helps-- and even the Dem primary results showed that Stronger's power grip is getting VERY weak. Only two of his "recommended" candidates one.

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