I would also like to note that Walberg’s fellow GOP Congressman, Joe Knollenberg (MI-09), also voted against H.R. 5351. Republicans. Argh!
At some point this week, Vice President Dick Cheney is scheduled to make an appearance in a suburb of Battle Creek to raise funds for Rep. Tim Walberg. It's no surprise that these two Republicans will share the stage; just a few short days ago, Walberg voted “nay” to the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act (H.R. 5351), a bill that would lower gas prices and reduce American dependence on oil from the Middle East. Why on earth would a congressman from Michigan, a state whose economy has been especially wounded by the wrongheaded policies of the Bush administration, vote against the economic interests of his constituents? For the same reason that GOP congresspersons cheat their constituents every time; money. And apparently, ExxonMobil is one of the prominent contributors to Walberg's campaign.
Walberg is a textbook example of what the Republican party has become; he hoodwinked his constituents into voting for him by getting them all worked up over the social/religious issues. Once he entered Congress, he became a shill for Big Oil and other moneyed interests, at the expense of the people he is supposed to represent. So, I certainly hope that Cheney's visit to Michigan serves as a giant motivator . . . for progressives to donate to Mark Schauer's campaign, so that the residents of the 7th District can actually be, you know, represented.
Republicans. Sheesh!
I am a Canadian citizen with a vested interest in this race. Reason being… my same-sex partner used to live in MI-07 in Battle Creek. We legally married in Canada and I sponsored him to move here but, my partner will still be able to vote in this race by absentee ballot, based on his last known address.
Actually, I am the one who is more into U.S. politics and, I have really done my homework on this race.
In the 2006 election, the Democratic nominee- Sharon Renier, came the closest in several cycles, to taking this seat. She lost to Walberg by just 10, 017 votes or 51% to 46% Why did she lose? Because she lost the pivotal county of Jackson in the MI-07 district. There are seven counties in the district. Three of them usually go Democratic: Calhoun, Eaton and Washtenaw. Three more, the more southern and rural counties, go Republican: Branch, Hillsdale and Lenewee. Jackson county always determines the outcome of this race.
Why do I think Mark Schauer will win the MI-07 seat in 2008?
Easy. Mark Schauer is currently a well liked state Senator, who’s district consists of just to counties: Calhoun and…. you guessed it…. JACKSON county… both of which he won overwhelmingly in 2006. Overall in 2006, Schauer beat his Republican opponent by over 18, 500 votes or 61% to 38%. He won all of Calhoun county and the majority of townships and votes in Jackson county.
Simply put, the Democrats couldn’t have found a better candidate to take this seat in 2008. Plus, if Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee, strong African American turnout in Calhoun and Jackson counties will almost assure that Mark Schauer is the next Representative and will turn MI-07 a bright BLUE!!!
EPIC-MRA, for WXYZ-Detroit and the Detroit News, just released a poll on a Schauer versus Walberg race.
When nothing but names and party affiliation is given:
Walberg (R) – 51%
Schauer (D) – 40%
When biographical information is also read:
Walberg (R) – 48%
Schauer (D) – 49%
Walberg job approval:
Positive – 39%
Negative – 38%
I just posted all of the information they’ve released so far on Walberg Watch, and there’s supposedly more to come tomorrow afternoon.
Does anyone have an update on how “His momma named him Richard, but that’s not why we call him Dick” Cheney’s foray into Michigan politics went? Was he helpful in raising nasty tainted money for his slimy toad protege?