Dems Pin Bull's-eye On Back Of Walberg - [7th District House of Rep]

[Purveyor]

Friday, February 02, 2007
By Susan J. Demas

[e-mail] -- 768-4927

Democrats are officially gunning for freshman U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said this week that Walberg, R-Tipton, is one of its top prospects to pick off in the 2008 election.

"He won by an extremely narrow margin," DCCC spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield said. "He represents the most extreme elements of the Republican Party.

--snip--

Speculation has focused on state Sen. Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek; state Rep. Doug Spade, D-Adrian; and even Schwarz, if he switched parties.

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http://www.mlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-20/1170437818248950.xml?jacitpat?NEJ&coll=3

[midem]

1. Interesting...

I would love to see Schwartz take on Walberg in the primary to soften him up snd drive him to the right, but I can't imagine he would do it. He knows the only reason he won in 2004 is because he was in a crowded field of conservatives and he had a lot of cross-over from Dems in the primary. In fact, the MEA stayed out of all local and state primary races in that area to encourage their members to vote on the Republican side of the ballot. I don't see that happening in 2008.

Also, 2006 was the perfect storm to take this seat. The DCCC should be ready to go big if 08 is a repeat of 06, but only time will tell if this is possible.

However, I think all this early talk will give Walberg a big bump in his fundraising, making it all that much more difficult to take the seat in the primary or the general

[gasperc]

2. The DCCC should invest in a regional takeover

I have to check the location of the 7th, that's more towards Grand Rapids right? But as far as MI8,9 and 11th, they are all in the same broadcast area and they should work that angle during the primary season. Soften GOP support throughout the region and put all 3-4 strongly in play by Nov 2008.