Schauer Central

Here's your Tuesday morning update from the campaign trail:

• Jackson Citizen Patriot: Walberg to pump gas; Schauer vs. robocalls. You can read our press response to Walberg's empty rhetoric on gas here. Also, notice how Walberg completely ignored our challenge on robocalls.
• Politico - Shenanigans: What’s going on in Michigan? Politico picks up on fib #1 from Tim Walberg on last Friday's interview on the Greg O'Connor show. Walberg said, "there was clear connections in Iraq to Saddam Hussein to what went on on 9/11." This was de-bunked by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission more than four years ago.
• Politico - The Crypt: Assessing the damage. Politico picks up on fib #2 from Walberg, this time on "not one drop" of oil being spilled after hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
• Rothenberg Political Report: New Print Edition: Louisiana Senate & Michigan 7. "Democrats are excited about their candidate, state Senate minority leader Mark Schauer, in part because of his demonstrated ability to win in GOP-leaning areas."

Jacky Tennis has lived in Eaton County since 1983, and the Lansing area since 1967. She's been a tremendous asset to our campaign, and is one of our favorite volunteers. We wanted to learn a bit more about what made her decide to support Mark this year, so here's our Q&A with Jacky:

Q: What made you want to volunteer for Mark's campaign?
I've watched Mark's career and his sincere interest in doing what he can to help people in his district. He's a true advocate and a pleasure to support. We in Eaton County are excited to have a candidate we truly believe will make a positive difference and help get the country back on track.

Q: What sort of things have you helped out with so far? What has your experience been like?
I've mostly recruited other people! But I've walked in parades, worked the phone bank (a little) and plan to do more now that the campaign is fully under way. Mark is an unbelievable campaigner and it is enjoyable to see people's positive response to him.

Q: What are the top two issues you hope Mark will address as a member of Congress?
I understand that Mark will be only one of 435. But he has a tendency to rise to leadership, so I hope he will be able to help the Democrats mold a universal health care plan and help the new President ease out of Iraq and turn the billions being spent there into funding infrastructure repair, Social Security and Medicare stability, and mechanisms to get our economy going again.

Here's your Monday morning update from the campaign trail:

• WILX: NASCAR Races Boost Economy. A nice story on the positive economic impact MIS has on our local economy.
• Schauer for Congress Photo Galleries: Mark at MIS. Speaking of which, Mark was an Honorary Official at yesterday's race. Follow the link to see pictures from his day at the track.
• Saginaw News Editorial: Raising lease fees seems fair. Here's what the Saginaw News had to say about Mark's new energy proposal: "Sure, oil and gas concerns are more than likely to oppose the plan, even though it would affect only new leases. But on the surface, at least, it seems fair -- and, with their billions and billions in profits, something they could afford as well."
• Battle Creek Enquirer Letters: Not Enough Money For The Government. "If the congressman wants to send out campaign materials, he should not do so by having taxpayers foot the bill. He gets plenty of money from special interests so use that money."
• Battle Creek Enquirer Letters: Inappropriate Use Of Taxpayer Money. "Imagine my surprise when I opened my paper this morning and found that on the same day Congressman Tim Walberg kicks off his reelection campaign he has a nice, big, expensive insert in the newspaper. Here's the part I like best - it says right on it 'This paper was published at taxpayer expense.' You've got to be kidding me! The guy who can't open his mouth without claiming he's the enemy of wasteful spending is using OUR TAX DOLLARS to save his own job? I guess between that and the $170,000 we pay him every year to do nothing for our economy, we're really getting our money's worth."

Here's your Saturday morning update from the campaign trail:

• Battle Creek Enquirer Campaign notebook: Schauer: Halt robocalls. "Schauer's invitation to incumbent U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, went out Thursday — the same day a series of negative attack calls were starting in the district by independent political group Freedom's Watch against Schauer's position on drilling for oil."
• Battle Creek Enquirer Letters: Mr. Walberg Wants It Both Ways. "Today I just received a summer newsletter to the residents of Michigan's 7th district published by Tim Walberg and his staff. In his paper Mr. Walberg stated he is supporting efforts to preserve and protect the Great Lakes of Michigan. I find this rather odd given the fact that he has supported drilling for oil in it!"
• Jackson Citizen Patriot: Officials want Jackson on high-speed rail. "State Sen. Mark Schauer, who participated in Friday's discussion, said, if extended to Jackson, the rail would help Jackson foster business growth and establish stronger connections with the major cities to the east. 'This is the start of a discussion that will get broader in the community,' said Schauer, D-Battle Creek, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg for his 7th District seat in Congress. 'With high gas prices we need transportation alternatives.'"
• WLNS: Big Money For Brooklyn. "Race action is underway in the Irish hills for the second big summer weekend of NASCAR events at Michigan International Speedway. For stock car fans, it's almost a ritual, as the small town of Brooklyn is cashing in." Keep an eye out for Mark at the race tomorrow – he'll be there as an honorary official.
• Walberg Watch: Walberg: Iraq, 9/11 Connected. This is a talking point that has been de-bunked over and over again. Congressman, the seventh district deserves better.
• Adrian Daily Telegram: Mailing costs taxpayers. "Shame on you, Tim Walberg! In your latest mailing to “The Findlay Family” you state: “I repeatedly hear concerns from constituents about high gas prices. Family budgets are strained” etc. How much were we, the taxpayers, forced to pay for this request for a “pat on the back”? Yes, on the lower left corner it states: “This mailing was prepared, published and mailed at taxpayer expense.” If Tim and his cohorts wish to help the family budget they could stop this type of waste of the taxpayers’ budget. I’m miffed.

Here's your Friday morning update from the campaign trail:

• Schauer Press Room: Schauer Celebrates 73rd Anniversary of Social Security, Vows to Fight Bush-Walberg Privatization Efforts. “For 73 years, seniors and people with disabilities have enjoyed economic security and a dignified retirement because of Social Security,” said Schauer. “More than 126,000 beneficiaries in our district deserve to know that Tim Walberg supports President Bush’s reckless plan to privatize Social Security, which would turn the program’s guaranteed benefits into a gamble for America’s seniors. I have a clear record of fighting to protect Social Security benefits, and will continue to fight any efforts to privatize this program as a member of Congress.”
• Lansing State Journal Letters to the Editor: Walberg Exploits Taxpayers. "Imagine my surprise this morning (Aug. 6 ) when I opened my LSJ and found an eight-page newsletter from Congressman Tim Walberg, telling me, among other things, how he is working for the taxpayer. I appreciate this since I am not even in his district. In the left-hand lower corner of the cover page, in small print, was the notice: 'This paper was printed at taxpayer expense.' Enough said."
• Walberg Watch: Freedom's Watch Robocalls; Schauer Challenges Walberg. "These things are annoying, and frankly, I hope that bring out the robocalls this early in the election backfires on them. Nobody I've talked to has said that they like or appreciate these kinds of calls... Thank you, Senator Schauer, for rejecting these sorts of attacks and this waste of time."

I’m a strong believer in the power of grassroots organizing, and every door we knock and call we make will move us closer to victory in November. That's why I need your help on the ground to reach out to voters in the 7th district this Saturday, when we will kick off our general election canvassing effort after the Democratic County conventions.

You can help us by attending the convention closest to you and meeting up with our team afterwards:

Calhoun County
10AM-11AM
Iron Workers Hall
510 Columbia Ave E., Battle Creek
Battle Creek, MI

Eaton County
11AM-12PM
Eaton County Democratic HQ
2206 Lansing Rd., Charlotte

Jackson County
10AM-10:30AM
Jackson County Democratic HQ
218 S. Mechanic St, Jackson

Lenawee County
10AM-12 Noon
Lenawee County Democratic HQ
227 N. Winter St, Adrian

Washtenaw County
1PM-4PM
Washtenaw County Democratic HQ
3853 Research Park Dr., Ann Arbor

Call us if you have questions: 269-964-9209. You can also sign up to volunteer online.

Congressional candidate says it’s time to hang up on divisive political tactics

BATTLE CREEK—Today Congressional candidate Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) sent a letter inviting Congressman Tim Walberg to join him in a pledge not to make political robocalls to voters in the 7th district for the remainder of the 2008 campaign. He also asked the Congressman to agree to publicly ask third party groups not to use robocalls for the rest of the race.

“People are tired of divisive political tactics, and out of respect for the democratic process, I think we should agree to offer voters something different by not bothering them with robocalls this year,” said Schauer. “With all of the challenges facing our state, businesses and workers deserve an honest and open exchange of ideas between the two of us about our respective plans for turning Michigan’s economy around. I hope the Congressman will accept my challenge and agree to hang up on robocalls.”

Today the independent political group Freedom’s Watch began making negative robocalls in the 7th district attacking Sen. Schauer’s position on domestic drilling. The calls falsely claim that Schauer opposes drilling, even though he has offered public support for responsible drilling on numerous occasions.

“To set the record straight, I support responsible domestic drilling, both onshore and off,” said Schauer. “Just this week I announced legislation that is specifically intended to spur oil production in Michigan. As I have said all along, what we need is a comprehensive energy strategy that includes protecting the Great Lakes, curbing speculation, temporarily releasing a portion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for short-term relief at the pump, exploring safe nuclear alternatives, ending tax breaks for Big Oil, and investing in renewable energy technology to create green collar jobs in Michigan.”

# # #

NOTE: You can see a copy of Mark's letter to Rep. Walberg here and a copy of the Freedom’s Watch press release announcing the robocalls here.

Here's your Thursday morning update from the campaign trail:

• Jackson Citizen Patriot Voice of the People: We lack representation from our congressman. "I am being Walberged. Telephone calls, ads on television and, then to frost my cake, a newspaper in my newspaper that I pay for. I also find in tiny print that 'This paper was published at taxpayer expense.' Did I choose this? I don't think so!"
• Jackson Citizen Patriot Voice of the People: Walberg's newsletter printed at our expense. "Living in Indiana, Ohio and now Michigan, I've never had an elected official spend more money and paper on such "newsletters" than Rep. Walberg. I resent my tax dollars paying for his publicity pieces — especially when they so blatantly work against his stated goals of cutting government expenses, improving our economy and making America energy-independent. Rep. Walberg, stop using our tax dollars to send out publications like this."
• Jackson Citizen Patriot Voice of the People: Congressman votes down religious diversity. "Part of the history of our United States is of professing religious tolerance and freedom for all. I found this contradictory to Rep. Tim Walberg's vote against Head Start as it would allow the hiring of a Muslim or a Wiccan from a coven in Ann Arbor."
• Jackson Citizen Patriot: Schauer to appear at MIS race. "Politicians such as state Sen. Mark Schauer are set to head to the track Sunday to watch the 3M Performance 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race, which is expected to draw more than 100,000 fans... Last year, Schauer co-founded the Michigan Auto Racing Caucus, which aims to promote the positive impact of auto racing on the state's economy."

From the Battle Creek Enquirer:

Sen. Mark Schauer, D-Bedford, made a pit stop on the campaign trail this morning to replace a flag that had been stolen from Kingman Museum.

Museum Executive Director Sara Ann Briggs said museum staff noticed the museum's American flag missing about 10 days before Memorial Day.

The flag was donated about six months earlier by U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, who happens to hold the seat Schauer is seeking to claim in the November general election.

Briggs said she asked Schauer for one of the flags flown over the state capitol in Lansing. Schauer presented one of the five-by-eight-feet American flags to the museum at a ceremony attended by the state senator, Briggs and several Kingman board members and staff.

"We provide lots of Michigan and U.S. flags for charity auctions and community organizations," Schauer said. "It's a great way to support important institutions in the community."

Here's your Tuesday morning update from the campaign trail:

• Battle Creek Enquirer: Schauer: Drill for oil on state land. "We need to stand up to the oil companies and tell them to drill or get off the pot, and do it in a way that allows us to move toward a renewable energy future," [Schauer] said. "As I've consistently said, drilling alone is not the answer, but while it is a part of the current system we should make sure it's done responsibly and that consumers and taxpayers benefit, not just the oil companies."
• WKHM: Higher Fees for Big Oil. "The extra revenue would be used to help the state transition to renewable energy."
• Walberg Watch: Schauer Introduces Energy Plan in Michigan Senate. "This is a good contrast to the Walberg energy plan, which is a 'give everything to the oil companies' plan."