State Sen. John “Joe” Schwarz enlisted the help of fellow military veteran U.S. Sen. John McCain to encourage voters to cast their votes for the Aug. 6 Republican gubernatorial primary.
The Arizona Republican was more than willing to return a favor - Schwarz, R-Battle Creek, was McCain’s state campaign manager for the 2000 presidential primary, helped win Michigan’s vote in an otherwise landslide election.
The two toured south Michigan on Monday making stops in Oakland County, Ann Arbor and Jackson before meeting with press at the Capitol.
McCain said Schwarz’s military and legislative records speak volumes for his qualification.
“I believe Joe Schwarz is a proven and tested leader,” he said. “He has served the nation in both war and peace. He has served the state of Michigan with distinction.”
Schwarz hopes to woo the independent vote in the Republican primary to beat front-runner Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus. Student voting, he said, is important to his campaign.
“Any student who wants to come out and vote for me is more than welcome,” he said. “We’re just trying to get the message to Michiganders that they need to come out in this primary election.”
McCain said he thinks Schwarz will inspire non-Republicans to make the trip to the polls.
“I do know that independent voters, if motivated, will turn out for someone they believe can be the best governor of the state,” he said to the audience.
MSU political science Professor David Rohde said he doesn’t believe the last-minute effort to court voters will do the trick.
“It might help in the sense that it wins him a few votes,” Rohde said. “But, if you’re wondering, ‘Is it going to win him the Republican primary?’ I don’t think so.”
Both McCain and Schwarz expressed interest in “saving the soul” of the Republican party from “moral absolutism.”
“Sen. McCain and I share a lot of values in our political pursuits having to do with service and having to do with moving the Republican Party into the mainstream,” Schwarz said.
MSU Democrats President Nate Engle said his party already has a stronghold on the mainstream.
“Obviously (Schwarz) has a tough fight ahead of him and he needs those independent voters, but they’ll be more willing to vote Democrat,” Engle said.
Rohde said he doesn’t think McCain’s backing will bring Schwarz the same surprise success as McCain found in the 2000 GOP presidential primary.
“He’s a very long shot,” he said. “Unlike the McCain election, there’s a contest in the Democratic primary. So independent voters may come out in big numbers, but it could be to either party election.”
Schwarz said it was his pleasure to play a part in McCain’s campaign and called him “a great, great American.”
“Sen. McCain is a great guy and a great friend,” he said. “Having him come out here and spend the day with me is a great honor.”
But McCain had his own agenda as well.
Before leaving, McCain mentioned a personal vendetta he has regarding the Enron scandal.
McCain said none of his legislative colleagues have publicly agreed with him on the issue.
“That’s not too unusual,” McCain said jokingly.
“Another trait we share,” Schwarz chimed in.
