Walberg vs. the RINOs
by Hans Zeiger

Michigan's 7th District race for Congress is one of this year's most hotly contested primary races. Congressman Nick Smith is retiring from his longtime seat, and it is a secure Republican post. So whoever wins the August 3 primary will win the election. The six-way Republican race features three moderates with extensive legislative experience, a man without any sort of political experience, a man with a radically liberal record named Joe Schwarz, and a proven conservative statesman named Tim Walberg.

The "moderates" are State Representatives Gene DeRossett, Clark Bisbee, and Paul DeWeese. DeRossett has voted to raise taxes and preserve anti-small business "living wage" ordinances; and liberal unions have given him their support. Bisbee also voted to raise taxes, to increase the state budget, and he voted against the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. DeWeese voted to raise taxes and spending as well, to allow illegal immigrants to obtain a Michigan driver's license, and to maintain affirmative action and racial preference programs.

During his sixteen years in the Michigan legislature, Tim Walberg kept a promise never to vote in favor of a tax increase. When other Republicans voted to increase the tax on cigarettes, Walberg kept his pledge. With the state constitution as his constant guide, Walberg earned the respect of legislators on both sides of the aisle, not through unnecessary compromise but through integrity, humility, and prudence.

Like the late Ronald Reagan, Tim Walberg is an eternal optimist, a man with a tremendous stock of hope invested in the American dream. Walberg is a longtime pastor whose Christian ministry has taken him around Michigan to mobilize Christians to make a difference in their community.

Unfortunately, the moderate candidates are competing with Walberg for the conservative vote, risking a default victory for the liberal, Joe Schwarz. Commentator Robert Novak estimates that Schwartz is the current frontrunner in the 7th District Congressional race. Schwarz, a former Michigan legislator and chairman of John McCain's victorious Michigan primary race in 2000, is a fiscal liberal and a social liberal. He has the endorsement of the Republican Main Street Partnership, a coalition of wealthy RINOs - Republicans in Name Only - who identify themselves in their mission statement as the "pragmatic center." Even the League of Conservation Voters, left-wing endorser of Clinton, Gore, and Kerry, has thrown itself behind Schwarz's candidacy.

All in all, Joe Schwarz does not belong in the Republican Party. He is a Democrat at heart, and a socialist at mind. At a recent candidate debate, Schwarz demonstrated that he is thoroughly pro-abortion, warmly in favor of universal federal health care, and enthusiastic about increased federal spending for higher education.

"He is the proven liberal Republican, Walberg says about Schwartz, and continues: "I am the proven conservative Republican. Everyone else is either untested or a mere status quo moderate."

Supporting a candidate like Tim Walberg is important for the future of the Republican Party and the future of America. Last year, the California Republican establishment ditched Senator Tom McClintock in his candidacy for governor of California in favor of the more liberal Arnold Schwarzenegger in an effort to win at the cost of conviction. McClintock was not only qualified for the job, he believed in the principles of the Republican Party and is the kind of leader who is required for the long-term success of the party.

The same could be said of conservative Congressman Pat Toomey, recently defeated in the Pennsylvania Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Toomey lost to liberal incumbent Senator Arlen Specter by a margin of less than two votes per precinct after George W. Bush and Senator Rick Santorum foolishly rallied Republicans to support Specter. But Specter represents the past and Toomey the future.

In character and principle, Tim Walberg is much like Tom McClintock or Pat Toomey. Walberg represents a Republican Party with a vision and a future. The other candidates represent Democrats-lite and the long-term decline of the GOP. As Ronald Reagan proved, the candidate of ideas makes a difference rather than just holding a seat. Tim Walberg (www.timwalberg.com) will make a difference.

Hans Zeiger is president of the Scout Honor Coalition and a student at Hillsdale College. www.hanszeiger.com