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."
"Wahlberg's win will not be bad news for the GOP, locally or nationally. The right guy won the primary, and he'll win again in November. The 7th is blood red."
Right; nobody is going to pick some organic farmer chick (fruit and nut) in this district.
Story: My wife and I were in Marshall, my hometown, for our honeymoon. We had a great time, but for when we went to a local "Bistro." Supposedly wonderful to drop dead for, but even sitting in the alley behind the restaurant they would not let us have a smoke. So we left, and went over to Schuler's. They treated us like royalty (I still have two Yards in my dining room).
I go to Schuler's whenever I am in town, and highly recommend it to to any who ask. They are good folks there. I am drinking Scotch from a glass that has "Schuler's" on one side, and "Eat thy bread with joy and drink thy wine with a merry heart" on the other.
Oh! Your Hubby is very wise.
LOL--probably not how she wants to be remembered, but that's the risk she took!
YES! That's MY district.
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