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Michigan Republican Fights Back

By Bluey Posted in Congress — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan personifies the type of Republican lawmaker currently facing attacks from liberals for voting against an expansion of government-run health care. With an eye on 2008, Democrats have ratcheted up their criticism of SCHIP opponents like Walberg in hopes of scoring political points with voters and taking out a few Republicans in the process. Conservatives opposed the bill because it's viewed as a slippery slope to socialized medicine, covering families making up to $83,000.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is using robocalls in Walberg's district featuring a sympathetic mother to put pressure on the freshman lawmaker. The Service Employees International Union and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees are helping the Democrats' with their dirty work. The two unions have launched ads against 17 Republicans who voted against the $35-billion expansion of SCHIP, according to National Journal ($).

AFSCME is targeting Reps. Tim Walberg and Joseph Knollenberg of Michigan, Steve Chabot of Ohio, Thomas Reynolds and John (Randy) Kuhl of New York, Sam Graves of Missouri, Marilyn Musgrave of Colorado, and Tom Feeney of Florida. SEIU also will run television ads against Reynolds and Kuhl, as well as in the districts of Reps. Tim Johnson of Illinois, Rodney Alexander of Louisiana, John Boozman of Arkansas, Kay Granger of Texas, Barbara Cubin of Wyoming, Thelma Drake of Virginia and Robin Hayes of North Carolina. SEIU also is directing radio ads at GOP Reps. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and Robert Aderholt of Alabama.

Walberg, in an op-ed on National Review Online today, says the tactics amount to lies about his stance on SCHIP.

Democrats are using this smear campaign against Republicans to gain support for their tax-and-spend economic policies. Sadly, they are taking the focus away from where this debate should be: meeting the needs of children of low-income families.

I support renewing S-CHIP to provide health care to children in low-income families, but I also believe we need to ensure that the children’s health program is available for children who need it, and not for adults, people who enter the country illegally, or families who already have private insurance.

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It's great to see Walberg fighting back -- and he's not alone. Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Fla.), who is also under attack for his vote against the SCHIP expansion, has also stood by his "principled vote."

I would like to thank AFSCME and the DCCC and for spending money in Central Florida highlighting my vote against the budget-busting, Cuban-style health care plan that contains billions in hidden earmarks, offers taxpayer funded benefits for millions of illegal immigrants, and doubles spending. In addition to helping educate Floridians on my principled vote, these liberal organizations are also investing in the Central Florida economy by spending that money.

While not everyone will respond with the enthusiasm of Walberg and Feeney, it's refreshing to see them stand up to the lies that Democrats continue to spread on SCHIP. This program was created for poor children and should remain that way.