Thursday, August 23, 2007

Mark Schauer Is Running



From the AP:

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer said Thursday he will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg in the 2008 election after declining earlier overtures to enter the race.

"Tim Walberg is not doing the job," Schauer told The Associated Press on Thursday. "He is serving a very narrow interest. He's really been a servant of the Bush-Cheney administration and the extreme special interests in Washington."

and

Schauer filed paperwork to run in the 7th District, which includes parts of seven counties in south-central Michigan. It has been targeted by Democrats because Walberg, of Tipton, failed to capture 50 percent of the vote in last year's election.

Schauer, who had pledged to Senate Democrats to serve out his full four-year term as minority leader through 2010, said he will keep being the Democratic leader while running for Congress. He said he changed his mind about running after being approached by both rank-and-file constituents and party leaders.

The push by others for him to join the race "almost became deafening," Schauer said.

Now that Senator Schauer is in, the "should he run" debate is clearly over. Let's move forward through this primary in a civil, open, and honest way. This is our chance to learn more about all of the candidates, hear what they have to say, and decide which among them would be the best suited for defeating Tim Walberg and serving in the United States House of Representatives.

We're Democrats, which means sometimes we suffer from "circular-firing-squad" syndrome. Let's try to avoid that and remember than any one of the four declared candidates would be an improvement on what we have now.

Four viable candidates, all of them better than Walberg. This is exciting!

UPDATE: Here's the press release:

MARK SCHAUER TAKES IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS BID FOR CONGRESS

Creates candidate committee for possible 7th Congressional District race


BATTLE CREEK - State Senate Democratic Leader Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek), today created a candidate committee for a 7th Congressional district bid. The filing is an important first step in becoming an official candidate in the race.


"The people of Michigan's 7th district deserve a Congressman who will put their best interests ahead of his own, or that of special interests," said Schauer. "Unfortunately, the incumbent has been more concerned with the extreme agenda of George W. Bush and Washington Republicans, but that type of party politics doesn't reflect the values of our district, and it needs to change."


Schauer has a long history of serving south central Michigan. He was elected to represent Battle Creek in the State House of Representatives in 1996. After serving three terms, he was elected to the 19th State Senate district covering Calhoun and Jackson counties in 2002. Schauer has worked to help companies such as Kellogg's, Duncan Aviation, Sparton Corporation and Eaton Aerospace retain and add local jobs. Schauer also partnered with former Congressman Joe Schwarz to help save the Battle Creek Air National Guard base.


Prior to his service in the Michigan Legislature, Schauer was a Battle Creek City Commissioner and worked as the executive director of the Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Albion College, a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University and a Masters Degree in Political Science from Michigan State University where he is also all-but-dissertation in Political Science & Urban Studies. He is married to Christine and has three stepchildren.


"The needs of the communities I serve have always been my top priority," said Schauer. "I will continue to work towards securing jobs, improving health care, and creating better educational opportunities in my current role or as a candidate for Congress."


A number of critics have pointed out that the current Congressman has failed working families by voting against an increase in the minimum wage, even though he supported a 38 percent salary increase for himself while a state representative. He has also opposed expanding health care to more than 4.1 million uninsured children and advocated for the privatization of social security. He recently went so far as to vote against a budget bill, yet tried to take credit for local projects included in the legislation.


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Comments:
Senator Schauer has now been added to the sidebar.

And before anyone accuses me of bias, the candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. Don't blame me, blame the alphabet.

I just wanted to get that out of the way right now.
 
This comment has been removed by the author.
 
Thanks for getting this out so quickly Fitzy!
I probably have spent too much time thinking about this race, but the more I think about it, the more I worry that we can't have a party-man on our side. Considering that both the Governor and Tim Walberg won, its a pretty good display of the independent spirit of the 7th District.
I think Schauer's long time "I'm not going to do it" claim will be used against him, and that will tipify him as the run of the mill politician, not how we win.
We really need a candidate thats more like the district, someone who can hold the independent strenght we need.
 
I'm still not really happy that the Democratic Party Machine in the district, including Schauer, sat on their hands last election so they could run against an 'easy' Walberg in 2008. Reminds me of George Meany and the AFL-CIO in the 1972 Nixon-McGovern election. That putting politics first and letting the republican pick up seat that MIGHT have been won still pisses me off. But anyway...let the games begin.
 
I'll bet Mike Nofs just pulled out his check book and sent Schauer a check. If Schauer wins, his senate seat is as good as Nofs.
 
We've got a real chance of beating Walberg now! Thanks Mark for putting your life on hold so that we can be represented well in Congress. I'm sorry these other comments are to cynical about public service to recognize what a sacrifice it is for you.

You'll be great.
 
Not so fast.

Mark has to now account for his meddling in the Kellogg Community College board and his recent meddling in getting people on the ballot for the Battle Creek City Commission. Both non-partisan boards, that until now, have been apolictical.

He made a commitment to his constitutents to finish out his term. Words still mean things to many of us. I still believe Berryman has the experience and background to be an effective voice for the 7th. Mark is just too capricious for my taste and just as much of a party hack as Walberg is with the GOP.

Mark's not as pure as the wind driven snow as many believe. I'll withhold my judgement until election day.
 
Can you spell:

S O U R G R A P E S
 
For those who may not be old enough to remember him Schauer, in many respects is reminiscent of Congressman Howard Wolpe, the progressive icon who held the Calhoun and Eaton County portions of this district this from 1979 to 1993. Both Wolpe and Schauer are smart, policy oriented, principled progressives, who are able to portray a moderate and reasonable image to the electorate. Wolpe and Schauer both pride themselves on providing outstanding constituent service and working in collaboration with local communities. As a Member of Congress, Schauer will be a fitting legacy to Howard Wolpe.
 
From Michigan Liberal:

Schauer to challenge Walberg in 7th
by: joan
Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 13:37:36 PM EDT
Update 3: You can sign up for Mark Schauer's campaign email list here.
Update 2: Mark Schauer blogs about his candidacy, over at Walberg Watch.

Update: See below the fold for full text of press release.

Here we go, he finally announced! (See previous post about his testing the waters, including DCCC polling data.)

From the AP:

State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer said Thursday he will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg in the 2008 election after declining earlier overtures to enter the race.

"Tim Walberg is not doing the job," Schauer told The Associated Press on Thursday. "He is serving a very narrow interest. He's really been a servant of the Bush-Cheney administration and the extreme special interests in Washington."
A hearty good luck to Sen. Schauer. Goodness knows you have our support here at Michlib!

Wow, if Mich Liberal is behind Schauer, he's a lock for sure. They thought Chuck Ream would win last time.

Glad to know they don't care that three other Democrats are running.

Howard Wolpe's intelligent, but he was an atrocious candidate. Let's not forget that, either
 
Wow, this Schauer candidacy is causing quite the stir. It’s big news on the national blogs as well. I guess were not the only ones who think that Schauer takes this race to a new level! Check it out.

http://www.dailykos.com/

http://www.mydd.com/

http://www.swingstateproject.com/frontPage.do
 
We should keep in mind that historically this is a Republican seat and we are challenging an incumbent Member of Congress. Even with an exemplary candidate like Schauer, this is going to be an up hill fight. So let’s drop this notion that any one of the potential candidates can win. Anything less than the best possible candidate lessens our chances. Clearly Schauer is the best possible candidate. If the goal is to beat Walberg the choice is clear.
 
"Not so fast.
Mark has to now account for his meddling in the Kellogg Community College board and his recent meddling in getting people on the ballot for the Battle Creek City Commission. Both non-partisan boards, that until now, have been apolictical.
He made a commitment to his constitutents to finish out his term. Words still mean things to many of us. I still believe Berryman has the experience and background to be an effective voice for the 7th. Mark is just too capricious for my taste and just as much of a party hack as Walberg is with the GOP.
Mark's not as pure as the wind driven snow as many believe. I'll withhold my judgement until election day. "

Is this a joke?!
Fitzy...looks like another republican mole trying to find faults with a Schauer candidacy. The fact is, that the good people of Calhoun and Jackson counties trust Senator Schauer. He has been a fighter for our community and frankly, when he endorses a candidate, it means that that candidate shares the same drive and values that Senator Schauer has. The fact that Senator Schauer and local dems have had success in important municiple races is an advantage in the long term as it builds our party and drives important local policy.

Clearly previous post has some grudge against recent local party success.
 
I still can't get over how every time Schauer's name comes up, most people who comment here forget how horrible Walberg is and try to knock down our Dems. You can't get a more polar opposite to Walberg than Schauer - Walberg opposes head start/Schauer helped administer it. Walberg opposed a minimum wage increase/Schauer was a leader to get the state version passed. And, oh yeah, Walberg does whatever Bush tells him to/Schauer voted against a resolution to "support Bush's strategy (?) in Iraq" as one of his first votes as a state senator.

Isn't that what this site is about? Getting rid of Walberg???
 
As mipolitics so rightly asked, "Isn't that what this site is about? Getting rid of Walberg???"

My problem is I am a moderate. I disliked Renier because she was too radically left, as radically left as Walberg is right.

When I look at Schauer, who has been my state senator for +4 years, I see many things I don't like. And, mipolitcs actually makes my point with this sentence, "You can't get a more polar opposite to Walberg than Schauer..."

So, yes, the goal of this site is to oust Tim Walberg. I am not ready yet to decide who I will support in the campaign, but I'd personally like to see Schwarz try it again and if he decides not to then I'd be very happy with Jim Berryman. I know both of those men and I know them both to be honest and not beholden to their parties nor any specifc interest group. They have records of voting on the merits of an issue rather than voting to score small-ball political points. I know Mark Schauer is a deft politcal mind and has clearly mastered the small-ball game, but he has yet to hit one out of the park or really affect any major issue in a meaningful way. He reminds me of Walberg and as mipolitics points out, as a polar opposite, we'd be choosing another extreme voice rather than one of moderation and reason. If Schauer is what the Democrats want, they deserve him as much as the GOP deserves Tim Walberg. It does nothing to appeal to me and still leaves me without a voice in Congress.
 
Again, "anonymous" spent about three paragraphs explaining why he personally doesn't like Mark Schauer instead of why Walberg is the wrong guy. Sounds like you want "a little less Walberg" instead of a lot less Walberg.

You're entitled to your opinion, but if you want Walberg-lite and your best hope is a lifetime Republican that may or may not decide to switch parties, one who has also already lost to Walberg, then maybe you'd be happier spending time trying to convince Tim to vote less with George Bush.
 
"And, oh yeah, Walberg does whatever Bush tells him to/Schauer voted against a resolution to "support Bush's strategy (?) in Iraq" as one of his first votes as a state senator."

A true anti-American traitor. Shauers toilet is flushed.
 
Anonymous on August 23, 2007 7:03 PM said, "So let’s drop this notion that any one of the potential candidates can win. Anything less than the best possible candidate lessens our chances. Clearly Schauer is the best possible candidate".

I agree that Mark is a good candidate, but it is too early to say that he is clearly the best.

I am supporting Jim Berryman because;
1. I made a commitment to Jim.
2. he has shown that he is an outstanding Legislator.
3. Jim has served as a State Senator and as the Mayor of Adrian.
4. he has won elections in Republican districts, demonstrating the ability to win the support of independents and moderate republicans.
5. he has a very strong team behind him.

I have given money to his campaign and I ask that you do the same.
http://www.actblue.com/page/murch
 
Good Luck working with the Eaton County Democrats....

They are quite a group.

Don't expect a lot of help in the general.....

The last state rep in the county was a Mr. Brown in 1960!!!

They are just happy being the MINORITY party....
 
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