If only US Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-MI) had become a Democrat...
Back in 2004, I spoke with a DCCC staffer who told me Schwarz was literally
inches away from running as a Democrat. Alas, after years as a Republican State Senator, he
just
couldn't bring himself to make the switch. Had he done so, Joe would
have had a tough race. But I think he still would have won - and wouldn't now be
getting ready to pack up his belongings.
Instead, Joe snuck through the 2004 Republican primary - winning only
because the right-wing vote was divied up among several candidates -
and spent his short-lived career in Washington pandering to the
right-wing zealots that he so despised out of a (clearly) well-founded
fear of a conservative reprisal. It was all for naught.
I don't think there's anything Schwarz could have done to keep his seat
and stay a Republican. Clearly, there are things Schwarz could have
done differently that might have helped his performance. For instance,
I personally think having George Bush (Mr. 32%) come out for him - even
in a Republican primary - was a pretty bad move. Just like John McCain,
whose Michigan campaign Joe ran in 2000, getting mixed up with Bush
undercut his image as a straight-talking, maverick independent. Not
that it mattered. Joe still would have lost tonight. The die for
tonight's result was cast in 2004 when he decided to stay with the
party of Bush - and by sticking with the once-GOP after arriving in
Washington.
If there's one lesson to be learned from Schwarz's defeat, it's that
moderate Republicans no longer have a future in the Michigan Republican
Party. To be sure, de-throning an incumbent member of Congress in a
primary is a
bold and unmistakable action, usually done when
the incumbent has disgraced him or herself or because they have strayed
too far afield politically (paging Joe Lieberman). Not the case with
Joe. Joe was just Joe. He pretended to be a wingnut, but no one
believed it. No, Joe got thrown out for being what he's
always
been at heart - a moderate. His political demise is an unmistakable
sign for any other remaining moderates and "Milliken Republicans" (a reference to liberal Republican and former Governor William Milliken) in
Michigan's Republican Party. That sign reads clearly in bold, 10-feet
tall red letters:
"GET OUT!"
I genuinely feel bad for Joe Schwarz. In the world of politics, it's a
rarity that someone with Joe's intellect, personal fortitude and
experience actually gets elected. Even with his foibles and his vain
final attempts to cozy himself with the right-wing, I still believe Joe
is at the core a talented and decent man. His departure from public
service is a loss for Michigan.
A couple of months ago in
my review
of Dave Dempsey's book on former Governor Milliken, I lamented the
fact that Gov. Milliken still does not see a place for himself in our
Democratic Party. This, despite his opposition to the war in Iraq, his
belief in fiscal responsibility, a woman's right to choose, protection
of our environment, and his recognition of public service as a noble
profession (just to name a few common interests). I said in my review
that the Democratic Party should be irresistable to someone like Bill
Milliken. It should be irresistable to someone like Joe Schwarz too.
Sadly, this was not the case - and today we're dealing with the
consequences.
I certainly am not blaming Joe Schwarz's loss on the Democratic Party.
Ultimately, he was the one who decided what course he would follow. But
it is an occasion for reflection about how we deal with refugees from
that sinking ship - founded so long ago
in the heart of Michigan's 7th
Congressional district - that used to be known as the "Grand Old Party".
My condolences, Joe. Here's hoping you use your remaining time in Congress to finally let loose and tell it like it is.