I'm leaving in a little while for Chicago and far more important things than politics, so posting is going to be light for a few days. To tide you over, here are a few significant items.

Fundraising

Senator Mark Schauer's pre-primary fundraising report can be found here. The numbers?

Raised (2Q+16 days): $427,714.16
Raised (Cycle-To-Date): $1,331,557.22
Contributions From Individuals: $262,844.48
Cash-On-Hand: $928,686.45

I will do a more complete post next week.

Housing

From the comments, we get a link to this story:

A sweeping housing bill passed the House yesterday that will aide people across the country trying to keep their homes, it also includes a $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers and allow the Treasury department to extend a line of credit to mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg voted against the bill.

Of course he did. I'll write more about that next week, too.

Iraq

From the Lansing State Journal, we get this passage from an article on Mark Schauer and Sharon Renier:

Both candidates said they oppose the Iraq war. Schauer said he would use the congressional power of the purse to change what he called a failed strategy from the Bush administration.

Renier, meanwhile, said she would demand that generals adopt her plan for Iraq and would vote to withhold funds if they don't. Pressed to reveal more details of that plan, Renier declined, saying, "If it's going to be on the front page, you might as well tell the enemy."

So... Sharon Renier has a secret plan to end the war. It's possible she was misquoted or misrepresented, but that sounds a little Nixonian to me.

Party Unity

Also from that Lansing State Journal article:

And while Schauer said he'd support Renier if he loses, Renier emphatically declined to return the favor.

"Hell no," she said when asked if she'd support Schauer against Walberg. "They're both about the same. They've not done anything for the state."

"I voted for Sharon Renier against Tim Walberg in 2006, so I have nothing against her personally," Schauer replied. "I don't think Sharon Renier knows me very well and I think she has a fundamental misunderstanding about me. I would hope she would have an open mind."

This I find troubling. Of all people, Sharon Renier should understand why almost anyone would be better than Tim Walberg.

Walberg Watch Video of the Week

For your enjoyment:



As of July 09, 2008, I have been working with the Schauer for Congress campaign in Lenawee County. My thoughts and writings are my own opinions, and I do not speak for Senator Schauer or anyone else in his organization.

Labels: Affordable Housing, Democratic Party, Environment, Fundraising, Global Warming, Iraq, Mark Schauer, Sharon Renier, Tim Walberg, Video

The Walberg Watch Video of the Week:


This is one of the most troubling votes cast by Congressman Tim Walberg, in my opinion. It's certainly more serious than last week's video. Thank you to Congressman Dale Kildee for his leadership on this issue.

The video is a little choppy in a few places. I'll work on fixing that later today.

Walberg Watch coverage of his vote

Journalist Jack Lessenberry on the importance of Head Start

Office of Head Start

As of July 09, 2008, I have been working with the Schauer for Congress campaign in Lenawee County. My thoughts and writings are my own opinions, and I do not speak for Senator Schauer or anyone else in his organization.

Labels: 110th Congress, Dale Kildee, Education, Head Start, Issues, Tim Walberg, Video, Walberg Voting Record

The Walberg Watch Video of the Week:



For those that don't remember this episode (or want to relive it), the comments were initially covered here. Stephen Colbert's take on the situation is available here.

If you have subjects you'd like to see in future videos, feel free to mention them in the comments. And if you think you can make a better video than me, by all means, please do so!

Labels: Iraq, Issues, Tim Walberg, Video

Today is the first day of summer, which means it's a great time to introduce a new series on Walberg Watch. Every Friday, I'll be releasing a new video highlighting one of Congressman Tim Walberg's finer moments. Today, I start with how he "doesn't understand" why we don't drill for oil under the Great Lakes.



I actually added this particular video back in February as a YouTube test, but future videos will be released on Fridays this summer and fall. The videos aren't of the best quality, but as I've been making more, I think they've been improving. Remember, I'm very much an amateur at all of this.

If you have subjects you'd like to see in these videos, feel free to mention them in the comments. And if you think you can make a better video than me, by all means, please do so!

Labels: Environment, Great Lakes, Issues, Oil, Tim Walberg, Video