Posted on 08/14/2006 5:43:24 AM PDT by conservativecorner
Rep. Joe Schwarz campaigned personally with Sen. John McCain and had the support of President Bush -- but what the incumbent didn't have was the right positions on issues for a conservative Republican district in Michigan.
His loss in last week's primary to conservative state lawmaker Tim Walberg is being read in Washington as a message to other Republicans about the need to control spending and listen to the conservative base on issues such as immigration and abortion.
Although the defeat of Sen. Joe Lieberman in Connecticut's Democratic primary has garnered the most attention, Mr. Schwarz's loss indicates that Republican voters may be just as restless.
"Republicans the same day learned, 'Don't spend too much money. It's not good for your political health,' " said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. He said Republican politics has entered a new chapter in which a lawmaker's votes on spending will be much more closely scrutinized by voters.
Mr. Schwarz signed the group's pledge not to raise taxes in 2004, and Mr. Norquist said he did vote for tax cuts. But Mr. Norquist said, "There's a higher standard now: What are you doing to cut spending?"
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
real simple... schwarz is considerably more moderate than the distict... he was the accidental winner of the primary two years ago when the conseratives split the vote a half dozen ways. If Michigan had a run off law, you never would have heard of him. Against a single conservative in a party primary, he never stood a chance. Issues, on the macro level -- from 50,000 feet -- they had a lot to do with his defeat but on the micro level, they had little to do with it. You could just as easily say he lost because he would not take the no tax hike pledge.
both the Lieberman and Schwarz losses are positive for conservatism.
the Lieberman primary loss, exhibits the looney lefts stranglehold on the Dim party(one does not see Lieberman loosing the actual election ).
The Schwarz loss shows the direction of the nation to the right.
I see it as win, win.
Schwarz is liberal compared to the district. I voted for Walberg mostly due to his stance on immigration and spending.
Ya that's it. END SARCASM!
This statement is tempered by the fact that House districts are gerrymandered and tend to tilt to the left or right while statewide offices such as Senator are more moderate.
Top 10 Reasons Schwarz Must go. [Posted on election day]:
Today is Election Day in Michigan and we are hoping Tim Walberg wins. Walberg is a pro-life tax cutting Republican who will work to reduce government and encourage the free market. Here is our list of the Top 10 reasons why incumbent Rep. Joe Schwarz must go.
10. Schwarz opposes ANWR drilling
9. Schwarz supports government-subsidized Viagra
8. Schwarz is wrong on marriage; he supports same-sex marriage
7. Schwarz is wrong on private property; he supports the Kelo v. New London decision
6. Schwarz is a tax-and-spend liberal
5. Schwarz is pro-choice; he's being backed by Planned Parenthood and other liberal pro-abortion groups
4. Schwarz is anti-free speech; he voted for BCRA and against protecting blogs from the FEC
3. Schwarz is a hypocrite; having voting for BCRA, he violated it to try to win this campaign
2. Schwarz is a tax hiker; he's on record willing to repeal the President's tax cuts
1. It will send a message to Republican leaders in Congress
For the past two years, Republicans have governed in the Joe Schwarz mould. They have expanded government, expanded spending, and otherwise ignored the GOP's conservative base. In fact, conservatives, who are the largest part of the GOP base, have been dumped on, ignored, and shoved aside in favor of politicians like Joe Schwarz.
Republicans in Congress will not get the message if they lose the majority -- they'll blame conservatives. Republicans in Congress will get the message if we take a stand in Republican primaries and start tossing liberals. Let's send this wake up call today.
I agree if he wins the 2006 full election which I have no idea who the candidate is who is running against him. Does he have a chance? Thanks.
Have the States, where all 10 of these reside, already had their State's GOP Primary?
And President Bush supported this guy? Geesh! C'mon Mr. President; help us out here.
Not sure on the question. The Club For Growth has 7 wins and 2 losses on folks they have endorsed and supported.
The Club for Growth has also endorsed one democrat.
This is what we are fighting within our own Party. These people are demoncrats in Republican clothing:
Club for Growth Continues to Undermine GOP Majority; Schwarz Loss in Mich.'s 7th Is Loss for Reagan Republicans Everywhere
8/8/2006 11:57:00 PM
To: National Desk
Contact: Sarah Chamberlain Resnick of Republican Main Street Partnership PAC, 202-682-3143
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 /U.S. Newswire/ -- "Nancy Pelosi should make sure that Pat Toomey is on her Christmas card list. Once again Toomey and the folks at the Club for Growth are doing Pelosi's work for her by undermining the GOP majority," said Sarah Chamberlain Resnick, head of the RMSP PAC. "The Club for Growth's vicious and deceptive campaign against Congressman Joe Schwarz shows just how far the club will go to destroy our party. Congressman Schwarz's loss tonight is a loss for Reagan Republicans everywhere."
"During the campaign, Tim Walberg and his backers at the Club for Growth worked hard to hide his own legislative record and radical agenda, while misleading voters about Congressman Joe Schwarz's record of accomplishment," continued Resnick. "Walberg's campaign tactics of deception and division weren't surprising; sadly they are the hallmarks of a Club for Growth- backed campaign."
"The Club for Growth claims it supports pro-growth, limited government candidates, but once again their rhetoric doesn't match up with the reality on the ground," said Resnick. "The Walberg campaign wasn't about fiscal ideology; it was a campaign based on deceiving voters about Congressman Schwarz's record while trying to divide the electorate over hot button social issues."
The Club for Growth poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into Walberg's challenge to Congressman Schwarz, forcing Republicans to divert limited financial resources away from protecting the Republican majority. "I don't know how the club could make it any clearer - they don't care about protecting our Republican majorities; instead they are obsessed with collecting political scalps."
"While we are disappointed with tonight's loss, Main Street PAC will not stop fighting for our party. The battle to protect our majority has just begun. Main Street will continue to stand on the front lines defending our legislative majorities against the attacks from Democrats and the Club for Growth," concluded Resnick.
Indeed BUMP!
We're a firm GOP stronghold. Walberg will win, I'd lay money on it and I don't gamble.
Conservative Defeats Incumbent 'Big Spender' in Mich. GOP Primary
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
August 09, 2006
(CNSNews.com) - First-term U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz of Michigan lost his chance for re-election in Tuesday's Republican primary, swept aside by former State Rep. Tim Walberg, the favorite of conservative groups.
Advocates of limited government and lower taxes were among those hailing Walberg's win. Congressional Republicans should sit up and take note, they said.
"While much of the GOP establishment and business lobbying community (along with liberal groups and labor unions) aided Joe Schwarz, supporters of limited government recognized that Joe Schwarz was no friend," said John Berthoud, president of the National Taxpayers Union.
"Schwarz is a poster child for what has gone wrong with the Republican majorities in Congress. By nominating Tim Walberg, the voters in Michigan's Seventh District sent a loud message to the GOP Congressional leadership about the importance of turning away from their big government ways of recent years.
"Only time will tell if they hear it," Berthoud added.
Likewise, the Club for Growth -- which targeted Schwarz for defeat -- was quick to claim its "first-ever primary victory against an incumbent."
In a message on its website, the Club for Growth's political action committee said Michigan voters have sent a clear message to Congress and its "big-spending, big-government" policies.
"Michigan voters made it clear that they still want Congress to limit government, reduce wasteful spending and cut taxes," said Pat Toomey, the Club for Growth president.
The Club for Growth PAC said it raised over $600,000 from its members for the Walberg campaign. In addition, the Club for Growth PAC spent over $500,000 on "hard-hitting TV and radio ads that underscored Joe Schwarz' liberal record on economic issues," the group said.
Toomey described Rep. Schwarz as an example of Republican politicians who have abandoned their commitment to limited government and pro-growth policy.
"But Michigan voters have responded by electing to replace him with a true economic conservative who will work to enact the pro-growth agenda."
Groups opposed to illegal immigration also hailed Walberg's victory.
Chris Simcox, honorary chairman of Minuteman PAC, said Michigan has sent Washington a "piercing message that voters are fed up with coddling illegal aliens."
Simcox said Schwarz can blame his "overwhelming defeat" on his support for Spanish-language ballots, government benefits for illegal aliens, President Bush's "amnesty proposal," and allowing towns to become sanctuaries for illegal aliens.
"Tim Walberg is a solid individual who will stand up for South Central Michigan voters concerned about the threat illegal immigration presents," Simcox said.
Walberg will run against Democrat Sharon Renier in November, and he's the favorite in Michigan's heavily Republican 7th District.
Cool news. Thanks.
Guys like Schawz are even more dangerous than democrats because pure partisans vote for them blindly. In this case the primary was more important than the general election.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.