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Annarbor.com: Michigan Democratic Party chairman questions NAFTA statement by Republican Tim Walberg
Submitted by Mark Schauer on 3 September 2010 - 10:49am
"At the meeting in Jackson Wednesday night, Walberg was asked if he thought NAFTA and CAFTA were still good for the national economy. He responded by saying, “It’s been proven that it’s supplied more jobs of equal or better pay to our country over the course of time." He later stated that jobs are “coming back” under NAFTA."
AnnArbor.com
By: Ryan J. Stanton
With video: Michigan Democratic Party chairman questions NAFTA statement by Republican Tim Walberg
The Michigan Democratic Party went on the attack today, criticizing former Republican Congressman Tim Walberg for statements made about NAFTA at a campaign meeting.
At the meeting in Jackson Wednesday night, Walberg was asked if he thought NAFTA and CAFTA were still good for the national economy. He responded by saying, “It’s been proven that it’s supplied more jobs of equal or better pay to our country over the course of time."
He later stated that jobs are “coming back” under NAFTA.
"What planet is Tim Walberg living on?" Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer responded in a statement today. "Michigan has lost countless jobs due to unfair trade, and if Tim Walberg thinks we've actually gained jobs under NAFTA, it's clear he doesn't have a clue about how to get our economy back on track."
Walberg's campaign didn't immediately respond to a request by AnnArbor.com for comment on Brewer's statement today.
Brewer cited a report from the Economic Policy Institute that shows 1 million American jobs were lost in all 50 states in the first 13 years after NAFTA was signed into law. Michigan lost 63,148 jobs directly due to NAFTA between 1993-2006, the most in the nation, according to the report.
Walberg will compete in a rematch in November against Democratic Congressman Mark Schauer for Michigan's 7th Congressional District seat. Walberg, considered both a social and economic conservative, lost his seat to Schauer in 2008. The 7th District includes parts of Washtenaw County (see map).
A recent poll conducted by the conservative think tank American Action Forum showed Walberg leading Schauer by 10 points: 50 percent to 40 percent. A Schauer campaign spokesman said the poll was inaccurate because it didn't include third-party candidates.
Below is the complete video with Walberg's remarks about NAFTA.
Walberg: Bush-era policies will help get the economy back on its feet
Submitted by zack on 25 August 2010 - 4:35pm
JACKSON - In a WILX news story posted online this afternoon, Tim Walberg underscored, "his belief that Bush-era policies will help get the economy back on its feet." Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI) issued the following statement in response to Walberg's comments.
"For once, Tim Walberg and I can agree on something," said Schauer. "We both agree that Walberg wants to take us back to the failed Bush policies that shipped our jobs overseas and wrecked Michigan's economy. The difference is, I think that's the last thing our families and businesses can afford right now. We need a level playing field to help businesses create jobs here - not China - and that's exactly what I'm focused on."
At a Republican primary debate last month, Tim Walberg said he's planning to, "do the same thing I've done before," if he wins this November. [WILX, 7/21/10]
During Tim Walberg's two years in office, Michigan's unemployment rate nearly doubled from 6.9% to 10.6%, and we are still digging out of the economic crisis that began on Walberg's watch. [DELEG Press Release, 3/7/07; 1/21/08]
In related campaign news, Congressman Schauer was endorsed by the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce earlier today. According to the Chamber's announcement, it chose to endorse candidates that, "clearly represented the type of leadership and vision needed to get our state back on track."
NOTE: The complete text from today's WILX story is available below.
Schauer, Walberg Ramp Up Campaigns
Both hold campaign events Wednesday in downtown Jackson
Posted: 3:25 PM Aug 25, 2010
Reporter: Liam Martin
Email Address: liam.martin@wilx.com
JACKSON -- It is deja vu all over again.
Democratic incumbent Mark Schauer taking on Republican Tim Walberg for the 7th Congressional District of the U.S. House.
The two have met before in 2008, when Schauer wrested the seat from then-incumbent Walberg.
Now the roles have reversed -- and the venom seems to only have increased.
"They will get very negative," Walberg, 59, said Wednesday of the Schauer campaign. "They understand that the American people have awakened; and they understand that the only way to win this election is to go negative."
Schauer, 48, countered that it's Walberg's people going on the offensive.
"They started attacking me from Day 1," said Schauer, who also served in the Michigan Senate from 2003 to 2009. "And what I'm going to do is talk about my vision of what's good for Michigan."
Wednesday the campaigns found themselves just blocks away from each other in Jackson.
Schauer stopped in at the downtown fire station to check out new masks -- made possible by a federal grant that he sponsored.
He made the rounds thanking the city's firefighters and took som time to call Walberg out on his plans to privatize social security.
"I believe that's a promise that was made to senior citizens and to future generations to make sure that seniors won't have to live in poverty," Schauer said. "So it's a very different philosophy."
Over at the Commonwealth Center, House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, stopped in to speak at a fundraiser for Walberg. His security detail whisked him off before we could talk to him, but we did speak with Walberg -- he said his campaign will hinge on just a couple of key issues.
"Jobs and economy," he said matter-of-factly.
And he added his belief that Bush-era policies will help get the economy back on its feet.
"[Voters] see that this approach, having been given a chance, isn't working and is going further down the wrong trail," said Walberg, who served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1983 to 1998.
Schauer, again, countered.
"I voted to eliminate a tax loophole that rewarded big companies for outsourcing our jobs," he said. "Tim Walberg supports that, so there's a very real difference."
Some early shots in what promises to be a very long, very nasty campaign.
Does Walberg agree with Boehner's plan to raise Social Security retirement age to 70?
Submitted by zack on 19 August 2010 - 1:29pm
Republican Leader to headline fundraiser next week, following recent Walberg comments supporting “privatization” of Social Security.
JACKSON - Next Wednesday, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) will headline a fundraiser for Tim Walberg at the Commonwealth Commerce Center in Jackson from 8:00-9:30am. Earlier this summer, Boehner told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "he'd favor increasing the Social Security retirement age to 70." Today Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI) called on Walberg to tell voters whether or not he agrees with Boehner's plan to increase the retirement age and cut Social Security benefits for Michigan seniors.
"If Tim Walberg agrees with John Boehner's plan to cut retirement benefits by raising the retirement age to 70, he should be honest for a change and say so," said Schauer. "If not, he should have the courage to stand up for Michigan values by refusing to raise money with someone who wants to cut Social Security benefits."
During a June interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Boehner said, "I think that raising the retirement age - going out 20 years, so you're not affecting anyone close to retirement - and eventually getting the retirement age to 70 is a step that needs to be taken." [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 6/29/10]
Last week, Tim Walberg issued a statement that said, "I have always opposed privatization of the Social Security system." However, several newspapers printed quotes from a recent interview Tim Walberg gave to the far-right group Independence Caucus, where he said, "Yeah, when you throw the word privatization out, a seasoned campaigner like me understands that that is a buzzword that is just about as negative as a noose hanging around your neck. But in talking with you, we all understand what that means, and I would definitely support the privatization of the so-called Social Security system." [Citizen Patriot, 8/16/10]
Congressman Schauer recently signed a pledge to protect Social Security, and fight any attempt to privatize the program or cut retirement benefits for Michigan seniors. [Daily Telegram, 8/15/10]
Double-speak
Submitted by andrew on 19 August 2010 - 9:25am
Can you guess who made the following statements?
- "I have always opposed privatization of the Social Security system."
- "I would definitely support the privatization of the so-called Social Security system."
Believe it or not, Tim Walberg said both of those things. The first statement was issued in a press release last week, and the second quote comes from a recent interview Walberg gave to the Tea Party group Independence Caucus. If that's not political double-speak, I don't know what is.
So why has Tim Walberg been misleading Michigan seniors for years about his extreme plan to privatize Social Security and cut retirement benefits? Because as Walberg himself explained:
"A seasoned campaigner like me understands that this [privatization] is a buzzword that is just about as negative as a noose hanging around your neck." [Detroit News, 8/17/10]
The differences between Mark Schauer and Tim Walberg couldn't be more clear. While Walberg wants to eliminate Social Security and let Wall Street CEOs gamble our retirement savings on risky financial schemes, Mark Schauer signed a pledge last weekend to protect Social Security and fight against any efforts to privatize it. [Daily Telegram, 8/15/10]
Please sign the petition and tell Tim Walberg to keep his hands off Social Security.
Mark is committed to strengthening Social Security for future generations, but he can't do it without your continued support.
Voters deserve to know if Walberg would vote to save 4,700 MI teacher jobs, close tax loopholes that reward outsourcing
Submitted by zack on 9 August 2010 - 4:22pm
JACKSON - Tomorrow the U.S. House of Representatives will be called into a special session to vote on legislation that would save 4,700 Michigan teaching jobs and close special tax loopholes that reward companies for outsourcing American jobs. Today Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI) announced his support for the bill, and called on his opponent Tim Walberg to tell voters whether or not he would vote for the measure.
"It's time to stop rewarding companies for shipping our jobs to China," said Schauer. "Michigan voters deserve to know if Tim Walberg would support this important legislation to save thousands of teaching jobs across the state, or if he will continue to defend outsourcing as ‘both necessary and good for the nation's economy.'"
The legislation will save 140,000 teacher jobs nationally, and will create or save an additional 150,000 jobs for police officers, firefighters and nurses. The bill is completely paid for, and will cut the national deficit by $1.4 billion over 10 years.
BACKGROUND:
- Tim Walberg has signed a pledge to defend tax loopholes that encourage companies to ship jobs overseas:
- In May 2010, Americans for Tax Reform stated that their pledge required opposition to The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010. The legislation would have closed a variety of different loopholes that actually create tax incentives for companies to move American jobs overseas. [Americans for Tax Reform, 5/20/10, Washington Post, 6/9/10]
- Tim Walberg has signed the ATR pledge. [www.atr.org]
- During a 2004 debate, Walberg agreed that outsourcing was "both necessary and good" for the nation's economy. [Lansing State Journal, 4/27/04]
Lucky 7s General Election Canvass Kickoff Tour
Submitted by ryan on 4 August 2010 - 5:58pm
Join Mark Schauer for a "Lucky 7s" Canvass Kickoff Tour as we knock on 7,000 doors in the 7th district on August 7th!
Friends,
We now know who our opponent is, and he's the same guy who once said outsourcing was good for Michigan's economy, has called for more free trade deals with China and left us with the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Now he wants to take us back to those same failed Bush policies, and we cant let that happen. Mark beat him once, and he's ready to beat him again.
Mark is ready to hit the ground running this weekend to let voters know he's fighting every single day to level the playing field so our businesses can create jobs here - not China. But we're counting on you to help us spread this message across the state and set the record straight.
Do you have an hour or two to join Mark Schauer for a "Lucky 7s" Canvass Kickoff Tour as we knock on 7,000 doors in the 7th district on August 7th? Here are the locations:
10AM: "Lucky 7s" Canvass Kickoff Tour with Mark Schauer
Lenawee Co Headquarters - 227 N Winter St, Adrian
10AM: "Lucky 7s" Canvass Kickoff Tour
Eaton Co Headquarters - 635 E Saginaw Hwy, Grand Ledge
11:15AM: "Lucky 7s" Canvass Kickoff Tour with Mark Schauer
IBEW Hall - 7920 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor
12:30PM: "Lucky 7s" Canvass Kickoff Tour with Mark Schauer
Jackson Co Headquarters - 218 S Mechanic St, Jackson
2:30PM: "Lucky 7s" Canvass Kickoff Tour with Mark Schauer
Java N' Jazz - 300 South Clinton St, Albion, MI 49224
To RSVP, please visit http://www.markschauer.com/action/volunteer and let us know you're coming. And don't hesitate to bring a friend!
We're already under attack from Walberg's special interest allies. A Virginia-based group called "Americans for Prosperity" is spending $260,000 on misleading TV ads this week to distort Mark's record of fighting for fair trade policies to level the playing field with China. We know we can win this in November - but we can't do it without people like you spreading the word and setting the record straight about Mark Schauer's effort to put Michigan back to work.
If you have any questions, please visit http://www.markschauer.com/action/volunteer and contact your local Volunteer HQ! Let's show our opponent we don't want to go back to his extreme outsourcing policies!
Back to the Future
Submitted by Mark Schauer on 4 August 2010 - 4:07pm
It's official. My opponent this November will be the man you helped me defeat two years ago - former Congressman Tim Walberg. The man who once said outsourcing was good for Michigan's economy, and has called for more free trade deals with China.
At a recent debate, Walberg said he's planning to "do the same thing I've done before." Our workers and businesses simply can't afford to go back to the failed Bush-Walberg policies that wrecked our economy.
We're already under attack from Walberg's special interest allies. A Virginia-based group called "Americans for Prosperity" is planning a wave of misleading TV ads this week to distort my record of fighting for fair trade policies to level the playing field with China. What they don't want you to know is that this group was founded by a billionaire CEO whose company won awards for outsourcing American jobs to China.
It's clear who Tim Walberg is working for. While my opponent has a very clear record of defending tax loopholes that encourage companies to ship American jobs overseas, I'm committed to fighting for fair trade policies to ensure our taxpayer dollars create jobs for American workers.
We've come a long way since Tim Walberg left office and handed over the worst economy since the Great Depression, but we still have a long way to go.
I want you to know that I'll keep fighting every single day for what's fair and to level the playing field for Michigan businesses - but we simply can't afford to go back to the reckless policies that drove our economy off a cliff. Please help now by making a contribution of $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can afford.
Thanks for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Mark Schauer
Member of Congress
Outsourcing group already attacking Schauer with misleading ads
Submitted by zack on 4 August 2010 - 3:16pm
Walberg signed pledge to defend tax loopholes that encourage companies to ship job overseas
JACKSON - Today the pro-outsourcing group "Americans for Prosperity" launched a $260,000 smear campaign against Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI) with misleading TV ads that aim to distort Schauer's record of fighting for Michigan families and businesses.
"This shadowy group was founded by a billionaire CEO whose company actually won an award for outsourcing American jobs to China," said Zack Pohl, spokesman for Schauer's campaign. "Since Tim Walberg has pledged to defend tax loopholes that encourage companies to ship jobs overseas, it's no surprise that his special interest allies are willing to spend whatever it takes to buy this election. Mark Schauer doesn't work for the special interests - he's fighting to help our businesses create jobs here, not in China."
The Americans for Prosperity ad falsely claims Schauer voted to increase the national debt, when in fact he voted against increasing the national debt ceiling and publicly called on Speaker Pelosi to pass a budget that cut government spending. [WTVB, 2/5/10; Citizen Patriot, 3/25/10]
Additionally, the ad falsely claims Schauer voted to cut Medicare for seniors. In fact, the health care reform bill Schauer voted to pass was endorsed by AARP. At a town hall meeting earlier this year, Michigan AARP government affairs director Felicia Wasson said, "We would never support a plan that cuts Medicare." [Detroit News, 3/30/10]
Background:
- Americans for Prosperity Founded by billionaire CEO:
- "Mr. Koch, a major contributor to the Republican Party and supporter of conservative causes... helped establish the nonprofit Americans for Prosperity Foundation, which supports free-market policies." [New York Times, 7/10/08]
- "Americans for Prosperity got over $5 million from Koch Foundations between 2005 and 2008." [MSNBC, 3/31/10]
- Koch Industries subsidiary won award for outsourcing American jobs to China:
- "Freeborders and INVISTA Named Winners of Outsourcing Excellence Award; Prestigious Award Recognizes New Sales and Sourcing Platform for the Global Textile Industry." [Freeborders Press Release, 6/1/06]
- Invista is a key subsidiary of Koch Industries. [http://www.invista.com/page_whois_shareholder_en.shtml]
- Walberg has signed a pledge to defend tax loopholes that encourage companies to ship jobs overseas:
- In May 2010, Americans for Tax Reform stated that their pledge required opposition to The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010. The legislation would have closed a variety of different loopholes that actually create tax incentives for companies to move American jobs overseas. [Americans for Tax Reform, 5/20/10, Washington Post, 6/9/10]
- Tim Walberg has signed the ATR pledge. [www.atr.org]
Schauer comments on general election opponent Tim Walberg
Submitted by zack on 3 August 2010 - 11:48pm
BATTLE CREEK - Tonight Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI) issued the following statement commenting on Tim Walberg's victory in the Republican primary:
"I'm looking forward to a spirited campaign of ideas about what direction we should take to get our economy back on track. Voters will have a clear choice this November, between going back to the tried-and-failed Bush policies that drove our economy off a cliff, or laying the groundwork for an economic recovery. While Mr. Walberg has a very clear record of defending tax loopholes that encourage companies to ship our jobs overseas, I will remain focused on leveling the playing field so our businesses can create jobs here - not in China."
Schauer campaign launches online petition to fight unfair trade with China
Submitted by zack on 21 July 2010 - 2:56pm
Today Congressman Mark Schauer's (D-MI) campaign announced an online petition where voters can pledge to support candidates who will fight against unfair trade with China.
Earlier this year, Schauer introduced bipartisan legislation (HR 5312) that would ban taxpayer dollars from being spent on goods that are made in China, since the Chinese government unfairly blocks American goods from its own government contracts. The petition can be found online at www.markschauer.com/unfairtrade.
"We've lost thousands of local jobs due to unfair trade with China, and people are rightfully fed up," said Schauer. "It's time for Washington to get tough on China by closing tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas, and stop spending our taxpayer dollars on goods that create jobs in China instead of here at home. I'm committed to leveling the playing field so our workers and businesses can compete, but I can't do it alone. Voters can help send a message to Washington that it's time to stop these unfair trade deals by visiting my website and signing the petition."
The text of the online petition is available below:
We the undersigned believe American taxpayer dollars should create jobs for American workers instead of workers in China.
Under current law, the U.S. government is purchasing goods such as wind energy turbines and Census hats that were manufactured in China - directly subsidizing China's economic boom at the expense of American workers and businesses. At the same time, the Chinese government has refused to purchase products that were made in America.
Since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, the United States has lost 2.4 million jobs and the State of Michigan has lost 67,800 jobs due to unfair trade with China.
By signing this petition, we pledge to vote for candidates that will support legislation that blocks American taxpayer dollars from being used to purchase Chinese-made goods.
This isn't about partisan politics - it's about doing what's fair, and leveling the playing field for Michigan's workers and businesses.