GOP divided in CD-7 over "centrist" Joe Schwarz

[Daylin Byak]

Very intresting stoty from politics1.com over Joe Schwarz and how the GOP is divided in the district over him cause of his centrist views.

Republicans are gleefully wagging their fingers at progressive Democrats, scolding them for trying to dump US Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) in favor of an unapologetic liberal on Tuesday because of the incumbent's support for the Iraq War. Yet, in Michigan's CD-7, the opposite is happening. GOP social conservatives are trying to dump centrist Congressman Joe Schwarz because they complain he's too moderate. Outside groups have already spent over $1 million in primary advertising. The freshman Schwarz -- a surgeon, Vietnam War veteran and former CIA agent -- is a close ally of US Senator John McCain (R-AZ). Schwarz is being challenged by social conservative minister and former legislator Tim Walberg, whom Schwarz defeated in the six-way primary in 2004. Two years ago, Schwarz won with just 28% of the vote when a large pack of social conservatives split the Religious Right base. Walberg finished third in 2004 with 18%. This year Walberg is running one-on-one against Schwarz and he's argues Schwarz is not a true conservative. The Club for Growth is unapologetic in backing primary challengers against Schwarz and other GOP moderates. "The more races in which we're able to help good, pro-growth, limited government candidates win, the better the chances Republicans have of holding the House ... We're the voice out there saying 'Hey guys, the Republican Party's got to stand for something,'" said CFG President Pat Toomey. In fact, McCain, President Bush and the NRA have all endorsed Schwarz in the primary. Despite the heavyweight backing for the incumbent, Walberg's pitch seems to gaining support on among hard-core Republican primary voters. "I would not be surprised to see Walberg win by 55-45 or so vote turnout is below the 73,500 votes cast in 2004," said a reliable source associated with Schwarz's campaign.

I don't know why the GOP is fighining over this guy, he isn't the only centrist repuke Michigan's got, I mean you have Fred Upton for god sakes.

[Strawman]

1. He's the most vulnerable. First term, very conservative district

He's probably way too sensible to carry an off-year Republican primary dominated by kooky religious wingnuts. And Republicans are just that stupid. I remember watching Schwartz wipe the floor with Posthumus in a televsed primary debate for governor and thinking "how can this guy possibly be losing so badly to this moron." He would have been a much tougher opponent for Granholm in the Detroit suburbs, especially Oakland County. But he's toast in that district.