Posted on 07/26/2004 7:24:21 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan
7th District candidate threatens legal action over gay marriage ads
By DEE-ANN DURBIN
The Associated Press
7/26/2004, 5:15 p.m. ET
WASHINGTON (AP) — As Michigan's Aug. 3 primary approaches, a Republican candidate in southern Michigan's 7th District congressional race is threatening to sue two other candidates for implying in their campaign ads that he supports gay marriage.
Former state Sen. John "Joe" Schwarz was deciding Monday whether to go to court to get the ads off the air. A television ad by state Rep. Gene DeRossett, which features two male figurines on a wedding cake, says Schwarz "is against a ban on gay marriage." A radio ad by former Rep. Tim Walberg says Schwarz "believes in same-sex unions."
"These are the most dishonest, meanest things I have ever seen in a campaign," Schwarz spokesman John Truscott said.
Both campaigns say the ads are accurate and they have no plans to take them off the air.
Schwarz is a surgeon from Battle Creek, Mich., and the only moderate in the six-way race for the GOP nomination. He voted in 1996 for Michigan's Defense of Marriage Act, which banned gay marriage, but he doesn't support amending the U.S. Constitution to ban gay marriage.
Schwarz said in 2002 that "same-sex couples deserve basic human rights and equality," but says that doesn't mean he supports civil unions. Instead, he believes companies should be able to extend benefits to gay couples or unmarried heterosexual couples.
Walberg said he was careful about the wording of his ad and doesn't suggest Schwarz supports gay marriage, as DeRossett does.
"I separate myself from Gene DeRossett's ad," he said. "I never said Joe Schwarz supports gay marriage, but he has said he supports civil unions. I don't see much difference except semantics ... but I'll let Gene fight that battle."
DeRossett said his ad is accurate because Schwarz opposes a constitutional amendment, which is the only way to ensure a nationwide ban. He also pointed out that Schwarz is endorsed by Pride PAC, a Michigan gay rights organization.
"Joe Schwarz wants it both ways," DeRossett said.
The three other GOP candidates in the race haven't made gay marriage a central issue in their campaigns, although none support it.
Hillsdale County Prosecutor Neal Brady, who heads the Hillsdale County Republicans, said social issues such as abortion and gay marriage are extremely important to conservative 7th District voters. The 7th District covers parts of Washtenaw, Lenawee, Hillsdale, Jackson, Branch, Eaton and Calhoun counties.
"All of the Republicans are going to say they're against big government and they want more jobs in the state," Brady said. "They diverge on the social issues, so in order to distinguish them, you have to pick those issues where they diverge."
Brady said DeRossett's ad "is further confirmation of what I believed" about Schwarz, and he plans to vote for one of the more conservative candidates.
Jon Williams, a government teacher and head of the Jackson County Republicans, said the gay marriage issue may get some conservative Republicans to the polls, but others are far more concerned about manufacturing job losses and family farms.
"I don't want to sound like it's not an important issue, but there are some other issues going on that are just as important," said Williams, who is backing state Rep. Clark Bisbee.
Truscott said Schwarz doesn't plan to run any new television ads answering the charges, although in one television ad he comments on the "distorted attacks" on his record.
"Heck, I don't even recognize the Joe Schwarz they portray," Schwarz says.
He also called those who support Conceal Carry "Bubbas who strap on a 9mm".
Brad Smith(his son), Tim Walberg, Gene DeRossett, Clark Bisbee, Schwarz, and Paul DeWeese are running.
Pinger time. Comin' atcha!
Fight the good fight, bro.
YEAH, that's an insult to Rednecks coast to coast.
You and I both share the concern this kook will eke out a primary win perhaps in the low 30% range while all the rest split the difference with no runoff. Not good. :-(
Unfortunatly, my money is on Schwarz.
Nepotism aside, they may have to come together behind Brad Smith to stop Schwarz (it's not like Brad's a liberal, is he ?).
I'd vote Libertarian if Schwarz won.
I'd back Brad Smith over Schwarz and Bisbee(voted against CCW), that's for sure.
I'm 15 miles north of the district, so I can't vote there anyway though.
Ideally, I guess DeRossett is the best of the bunch, but I'm worried he won't break out of the pack (or at worst, take votes away from Smith). In that article William linked, Ed Sarpolus seemed to be suggesting right-to-lifers get behind Bisbee and help "save his career", but Bisbee, as you said, doesn't seem like a great choice (and were Schwarz not in the running, Bisbee would be the RINO of the bunch).
You're in Mike Rogers district, right ? It's funny, there's another Mike Rogers in Alabama, and to my knowledge, he's almost indistinguishable in votes from the other Mike...
Congressman Mike in Michigan is from my hometown(or where I used to live). I'm still in the same county.
I'll vote for him again.
Think Mike will make it to the Senate or Governorship ? I know we've got such a big farm team up there in MI, quite literally an embarrassment of riches (contrasted with the plain "embarrassment" of Jenny Grandstand, Debbie Stab-us-all, and Carl V.I. Lenin).
Many top dems are also OLD. Conyers, Kildee, Dingell, and both Levins are all over 68. On the GOP side, there's Mike Rogers and Candice Miller which are the two most mentioned. Mike Cox and Terri Land both won statewide. All four are A-Team and there's geographical balance. Land is from West MI, Cox and Miller from Tri-County, and Rogers from Central/SE.
I would not bet against Rogers - ever. He's got almost everything going for him.
1. Navy vet and FBI background - Very pro-military and always has been, not just election purposes. He's served. His dad served. His brother is there now.
2. Family business background.
3. Outgoing and is a great speaker(Speaking is his advantage over Candice Miller, her advantage is winning statewide with the best margin ever)
3. Popular with his base - No 2a problems, tax problems, or life issue problems.
4. Wins tough races - 2000 against Byrum(An A team candidate)
5. Can win in dem and swing areas. He won the Washtenaw part of the 8th(2000 borders) and won Shiawassee(Swing) both in 00 and 02(as well as a State Senator). In 2002, he won Democrat Stronghold - Ingham County with 58% He won Meridian Twp, Lansing City and Lansing Twp. He only lost the city of East Lansing. People like him.
6. Strong campaigner - He won't take a race off. The 8th district is still a marginal district.
Looks like Schwarz wins. Thanks go to Deweese & company for helping send another RINO to congress.
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