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Schauer endorsed by Lansing State Journal

zack — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 20:48:22 +0000

In case you missed it, today U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer (D-MI) was endorsed by the Lansing State Journal over former Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI). Key passage: "Walberg is an extreme conservative whose polarizing views won't serve mid-Michigan well. Schauer is a moderate fighting for jobs and an improved quality of life. He's the right choice."

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20101023/OPINION01/10230303/1...

Congressional landscape presents contrasts

October 23, 2010

Mid-Michigan's two congressional races are a study in contrasts.

In the 7th District, voters get a replay of the intense contest two years ago as incumbent Democrat Mark Schauer faces a challenge from Republican Tim Walberg, whom Schauer unseated in 2008. It will be one of the hardest-fought races in the state.

In the 8th District, Republican Mike Rogers, who is seeking his sixth term in the House, is challenged by little-known, underfunded Democrat Lance Enderle, who stepped up after the party's original candidate bailed out of the race.

In the 7th District, voters should return Mark Schauer for a second term. The Battle Creek Democrat, whose district includes Eaton County, is a strong voice for his district and the state.

Schauer calls himself a "pro-business, practical Democrat" who has a full-time staffer devoted to economic development. Schauer advocates for manufacturers. He was rated a centrist by the National Journal and has not been afraid to buck the party line. For example, he supports continuing George W. Bush's income tax cuts until the economy is stronger.

He also pushes for a multi-lateral look at all provisions of trade agreements, pushing to repeal provisions that have cost Michigan jobs.

Walberg is an extreme conservative whose polarizing views won't serve mid-Michigan well. Schauer is a moderate fighting for jobs and an improved quality of life. He's the right choice.

In the 8th District, Democrats have barely managed to field a candidate, leaving the region's voters with the likelihood that Mike Rogers will claim an easy victory.

Democrat Lance Enderle deserves kudos for stepping in after Kande Ngalamulume dropped out. Enderle says he volunteered because he did not believe Rogers should get a free pass. That's admirable. But his party isn't providing the support needed to challenge a decade-long incumbent. Rogers would better represent the region if he applied some moderation.

To his credit, he voted for the auto bailout and favors efforts to hinder Chinese currency manipulation. And he can point to a list of bills he's written or co-sponsored with Democrats, although many of them do not involve the difficult issues where the nation most needs leaders who collaborate effectively.

Since the Democrats have all but surrendered the 8th District, Rogers could afford to leave rancorous partisanship behind. He could, if he desired, become a statesman-like lawmaker who is able to work across the aisle on the most difficult issues. Mid-Michigan would be better served if he did so.

An LSJ editorial

SCHAUER SWEEPS LOCAL CHAMBER ENDORSEMENTS

zack — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 20:30:26 +0000

Congressman receives support from three local business groups over Walberg

SCHAUER SWEEPS LOCAL CHAMBER ENDORSEMENTS
Congressman receives support from three local business groups over Walberg

JACKSON - Yesterday the Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce announced it was endorsing U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer (D-MI) over former Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI). This is the third local Chamber of Commerce - including the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce and the Detroit Regional Chamber - that previously endorsed Walberg in 2008, and is now supporting Schauer in the race for Michigan’s 7th Congressional district.

“My wife and I own a small business in Battle Creek, and we understand the challenges businesses are facing in this tough economy to make payroll each week and balance the books,” said Schauer. “I’m committed to fighting for fair trade policies to help level the playing field for our businesses, so they can create jobs for workers here in Michigan, not China.”

Congressman Schauer has been endorsed by a wide range of individuals, groups and newspapers across the ideological spectrum, including:

Former Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz
National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
Alliance for Retired Americans
VFW-PAC
AFL-CIO
UAW
AFSCME
LCV
Sierra Club
Detroit Free Press
Toledo Blade

Volunteer to help Mark Get Out The Vote!

zack — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:38:14 +0000

Mark needs your help to Get Out The Vote. We talked to some volunteers around the office to see why they were helping with GOTV this year.

http://markschauer.com/action/volunteer

ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS ENDORSES SCHAUER FOR CONGRESS

zack — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 20:04:11 +0000

Today U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer (D-MI) was endorsed by the Alliance for Retired Americans, a senior advocacy group with over 239,000 members in Michigan. According to its endorsement letter, the group is supporting Schauer because he has shown, “leadership on issues such as preserving and protecting Social Security from privatization.”

ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS ENDORSES SCHAUER FOR CONGRESS
Congressman supported for protecting Social Security from privatization

JACKSON - Today U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer (D-MI) was endorsed by the Alliance for Retired Americans, a senior advocacy group with over 239,000 members in Michigan. According to its endorsement letter, the group is supporting Schauer because he has shown, “leadership on issues such as preserving and protecting Social Security from privatization.”

“Social Security is a sacred trust, and it’s a promise I’m committed to keeping for today’s seniors and tomorrow’s retirees,” said Schauer. “While Congressman Walberg has called Social Security ‘socialism’ and said he would ‘definitely support the privatization’ of Social Security, I’ll fight any effort to privatize it or cut retirement benefits for Michigan seniors.”

For the second year in a row, the Social Security Administration is expected to announce this week that there will be no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security beneficiaries. Congressman Schauer has co-sponsored legislation (HR 3526) to offset the rising costs seniors face by providing them with a one-time $150 payment in lieu of the Social Security COLA, and would support similar legislation during the 112th Congress.

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MORE LIES FROM NRCC IN LATEST ATTACK AD: Walberg allies desperate to hide former Congressman’s support for outsourcing

zack — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:33:10 +0000

In a new attack ad, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) morphs an image of Mark Schauer (D-MI) into a cartoon to twist his words and manufacture false claims about the Congressman’s record of fighting for fair trade with China. The new NRCC ad points to comments from David Farr, CEO of Emerson Electric Co., complaining that new clean energy legislation will force his company to create jobs in China. However, the ad neglects to point out that Emerson already shipped thousands of American jobs to China to maximize profits.

MORE LIES FROM NRCC IN LATEST ATTACK AD
Walberg allies desperate to hide former Congressman’s support for outsourcing

JACKSON - In a new attack ad, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) morphs an image of Mark Schauer (D-MI) into a cartoon to twist his words and manufacture false claims about the Congressman’s record of fighting for fair trade with China. The new NRCC ad points to comments from David Farr, CEO of Emerson Electric Co., complaining that new clean energy legislation will force his company to create jobs in China. However, the ad neglects to point out that Emerson already shipped thousands of American jobs to China to maximize profits.

“Webster’s defines a cartoon as, ‘a ludicrously simplistic, unrealistic, or one-dimensional portrayal,’ which just about sums up the NRCC’s latest attack ad,” said Zack Pohl, spokesman for Schauer’s campaign. “While Mark has been fighting to get tough on China and keep jobs here, Tim Walberg says he wants ‘America to freely trade with China,’ and thinks, ‘we’re getting jobs back from China.’ Congressman Walberg just doesn’t get it, and his radical policies would make things worse for Michigan.”

In response to the NRCC ad, Schauer for Congress released a new Truth Squad video today, which can be viewed here:

BACKGROUND:

The NRCC's attack ads against Schauer have been called, “flagrant foul for lying.” [www.michigantruthsquad.com, 10/1/10]

Earlier this summer, Congressman Walberg said, “It’s not China and Mexico that we should really be worrying that much about. We’re getting jobs back from China.” You can watch the clip here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yRjWROx-8I

When he was still in office, Congressman Walberg said, “I want someday for America to freely trade with China.” You can watch the clip here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoU1z_9Ijfs

This spring, Mark Schauer introduced a bipartisan bill to stop wasting U.S. taxpayer dollars on Chinese made goods:

* "Schauer's bill would block Chinese goods" [Battle Creek Enquirer, 4/13/10]
* "Schauer slams Chinese-made Census Bureau swag" [Detroit News, 5/20/10]
* "Schauer has been going to bat against unfair China trade practices" [Coldwater Daily Reporter, 7/7/10]

According to BusinessWeek, the company cited in the new NRCC ad, “closed or sold 140 factories and cut head count by 16,100, or 13%, since 2000. At the same time, the company has been outsourcing more and more work to China, Mexico, and other low-wage countries.” [BusinessWeek, 4/11/05]

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FORMER REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN JOE SCHWARZ ENDORSES MARK SCHAUER OVER TIM WALBERG

zack — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 22:21:56 +0000

Today former U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-MI) formally endorsed Mark Schauer (D-MI) in his campaign for re-election over former Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI). Dr. Schwarz represented Michigan’s 7th district from 2005-2006, and chaired the successful “Cure Michigan” campaign in 2008 to amend the state’s constitution, lifting restrictions on the search for cures and legalizing embryonic stem cell research.

BATTLE CREEK - Today former U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-MI) formally endorsed Mark Schauer (D-MI) in his campaign for re-election over former Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI). Dr. Schwarz represented Michigan’s 7th district from 2005-2006, and chaired the successful “Cure Michigan” campaign in 2008 to amend the state’s constitution, lifting restrictions on the search for cures and legalizing embryonic stem cell research.

“I know Mark and Tim well, and while I may not agree with Mark on all the issues, he’s clearly the best candidate to get things done, and clearly the candidate who will be the most helpful to our communities”, said Dr. Schwarz. “Integrity matters. Mark has represented us well and fought hard for our district. Mark takes the correct positions on Social Security and on economic deveopment. For me, results and reasonable positions on difficult issues trump partisanship, and that’s why I’m proud to support Mark Schauer.”

Two years ago, Dr. Schwarz endorsed Schauer in his first race against Tim Walberg. Schwarz and Schauer previously worked together on a community effort to prevent the closure of the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base. [Battle Creek Enquirer, 8/27/05]

“Joe is a true statesman who has served our state with distinction, and I’m honored to have his support,” said Rep. Schauer. “I didn’t go to Washington to work for Wall Street or my party, I went to work for Michigan. That’s why I’m committed to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to level the playing field for our businesses so they can create jobs here, not China.”

BACKGROUND:

Earlier this summer, Tim Walberg made the following two statements about Social Security within a matter of weeks:

* “I have always opposed privatization of the Social Security system.” [Walberg press release]
* “I would definitely support the privatization of the so-called Social Security system.” [iCaucus interview]

This prompted the conservative Hillsdale Daily News editorial page to write, “we think Republican candidate for Congress Tim Walberg needs to come clean about his views on privatizing Social Security.” [Hillsdale Daily News, 8/20/10]

Schauer continues to build momentum, leads Walberg by 4-points

zack — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:30:00 +0000

Walberg losing support among independents, Schauer holding ground despite ‘false’ NRCC attacks

JACKSON - Today U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer’s (D-MI) campaign released a new internal poll from Myers Research and Strategic Services, which shows Schauer leading former Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) by 4-points, 44-40 percent, with third party candidates getting 7 percent of the vote. This survey builds on the trends in Schauer’s previous September 22 tracking poll, which showed him leading Walberg by a narrower 2-point margin. Schauer has expanded his lead among independents to 9-points, 45-36.

“Despite an onslaught of ‘false’ and ‘misleading’ attack ads by the NRCC, Mark is continuing to build momentum,” said Zack Pohl, spokesman for Schauer’s campaign. “No matter how much they spend, Walberg’s outsourcing allies can’t cover his own words that he ‘would definitely support the privatization’ of Social Security, that he thinks a plan to abolish Medicare is, ‘a great bill,’ and that, ‘we’re getting jobs back from China.’ It’s clear voters want a Congressman who will fight for Michigan jobs, not China’s.”

Since this is a 5-way race and no candidate has won Michigan’s 7th district with more than 50 percent of the vote since 2004, Schauer is within striking distance of the vote share needed to win on Election Day.

Earlier this week, the Schauer campaign announced it raised over $550,000 during the third quarter fundraising period. With four weeks left before the November 2 election, Schauer still has more than $1.3 million cash on hand.

A memo on the results of the latest Myers survey is attached below.

MORE LIES FROM WALBERG’S OUTSOURCING ALLIES: Michigan Truth Squad calls “flagrant foul for lying” as NRCC launches new false attack ad against Schauer

zack — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 17:48:54 +0000

“Congressman Walberg and his outsourcing allies must really be desperate if they’re attacking Mark Schauer on China,” said Zack Pohl, spokesman for Schauer’s campaign. “The fact is, Mark Schauer has been leading the charge to get tough on China and block U.S. taxpayer dollars from purchasing Chinese made goods. It’s clear the NRCC will say anything to cover up Congressman Walberg’s support for outsourcing American jobs to China.”

MORE LIES FROM WALBERG’S OUTSOURCING ALLIES
Michigan Truth Squad calls “flagrant foul for lying” as NRCC launches new false attack ad against Schauer

JACKSON - On the same day its first attack ad was called a “flagrant foul for lying” by the nonpartisan Michigan Truth Squad, the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) began airing a new TV ad yesterday attacking U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer (D-MI).

In response to the NRCC’s latest false attack ad, today Schauer for Congress released a new Truth Squad video, which can be viewed here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfbuZvdnCA

BACKGROUND:

On the same day the NRCC began airing its current ad, the nonpartisan Michigan Truth Squad called the NRCC's first attack ad against Schauer a, “flagrant foul for lying.” [www.michigantruthsquad.com, 10/1/10]

When he was still in office, Congressman Walberg said, “I want someday for America to freely trade with China.” You can watch the clip here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoU1z_9Ijfs

Since 2001, the state of Michigan has lost 68,300 jobs due to unfair currency manipulation and trade with China. [EPI, 3/23/10]

This spring, Mark Schauer introduced a bipartisan bill to stop wasting U.S. taxpayer dollars on Chinese made goods:

When Schauer learned that a local business was losing work due to cheap foreign goods from China, he pushed the White House to take action and strengthen Buy American provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:

* "Schauer urges VP enforce trade law" [Hillsdale Daily News, 6/26/10]
* "Vice President Biden responds to Schauer's concerns about Buy American clause in stimulus bill" [Jackson Citizen Patriot, 7/20/10]
* "Biden responds to Schauer's effort" [Battle Creek Enquirer, 7/21/10]

ICYMI: Michigan Truth Squad calls technical, flagrant fouls on GOP attack ads

zack — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:33:54 +0000

In case you missed it, today the Michigan Truth Squad analyzed three TV ads attacking Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI) from the Walberg for Congress, the NRCC, and American Future Fund.

Tim Walberg attack ad rated as: TECHNICAL FOUL
http://michigantruthsquad.com/tim-walberg-change-for-the-better-tv-ad/

KEY PASSAGE - "Walberg's claim that he 'strongly supports Social Security, always has' is undercut by his statements about privatization. In a conversation with the Independent Caucus, affiliated with Tea Party activists, he calls it "So-called Social Security" and agrees with a comment that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme."

NRCC attack ad rated as: FLAGRANT FOUL
http://michigantruthsquad.com/national-republican-congressional-committe...

KEY PASSAGE - "Once again, the ad falsely states Schauer supported big Medicare cuts. And this spot uses an audio clip from a radio show hosted by Walt Sorg, who has asked the NRCC to take the ad down for misrepresenting what Schauer said."

American Future Fund attack ad rated as: FLAGRANT FOUL
http://michigantruthsquad.com/american-future-fund-trick-tv-ad/

KEY PASSAGE - "The National Journal ranks Schauer as one of the 'centrist' members of the House, not liberal or conservative. In that category is also U.S. Reps. Candice Miller (R-Harrison Twp.), Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) and Bart Stupak (D-Menominee), all of whom do have more conservative records than Schauer. Schauer has a 58.7 percent liberal record and is the 248th most conservative member of Congress in a body of 435."

VFW PAC ENDORSES SCHAUER FOR CONGRESS: Schauer praised for supporting veterans and military personnel

zack — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:45:16 +0000

Today Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI) was endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee (VFW PAC) over former Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI). According to its endorsement letter, VFW PAC’s endorsement is based on Schauer’s, “strong support for veterans, national security & defense, and military personnel issues.”

VFW PAC ENDORSES SCHAUER FOR CONGRESS
Schauer praised for supporting veterans and military personnel

JACKSON - Today Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI) was endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee (VFW PAC) over former Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI). According to its endorsement letter, VFW PAC’s endorsement is based on Schauer’s, “strong support for veterans, national security & defense, and military personnel issues.”

“As a strong supporter of our veterans and military families, I am incredibly humbled to have earned the support of VFW PAC,” said Schauer. “While we can never fully repay our men and women in uniform for the sacrifices they’ve made to keep our nation safe, I am fully committed to making sure our veterans have access to quality health care, affordable housing, and good-paying jobs after they complete their service.”

The VFW PAC was incorporated in 1979, and provides the 2.1 million members of the VFW, its auxiliaries and their families with an opportunity to collectively support candidates for federal office who support our nations’ veterans and America’s security. The VFW PAC is the nation’s only major Veterans Service Organization PAC.

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