News from
THE MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      
Contact: Liz Kerr
517-371-5410
March 3, 2008

Oil-Man Cheney Plans Fundraising Visit for Walberg to Secure Bush Legacy

Walberg votes against jobs and lower gas prices 

LANSING—Later this week, Vice President Cheney will visit Marshall, Michigan to raise money for fellow Big Oil supporter, desperate Republican incumbent Representative Tim Walberg (R-Tipton). Among the values shared by Cheney and Walberg is a commitment giving tax breaks to Big Oil companies at the expense of Michigan families' pocketbooks and jobs. In fact, this past week, Walberg voted against a bill to lower gas prices and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil 

“I don’t know how you could be more out of touch with Michigan families than to vote against a bill that would both lower gas prices and bring jobs to Michigan,” said Mark Brewer, Chair of the MDP. “Even all the money the Oil Man in Chief will bring to town for him can hide that kind of blind loyalty and indifference to his district.” 

Last week, the price of gas in Michigan reached $3.17 per gallon, more than 60 cents above what it was at this time last year. Despite that, Walberg opposed the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act (H.R. 5351), which will end excessive taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil companies and use that money to make investments in clean, renewable energy and promote energy conservation. 

Throughout the state are working to position Michigan as a leader in renewable energy, both in its production and the manufacture of the tools to develop it, like windmills and cars powered by renewable fuels. And supporting policies that hurt Michigan is nothing new to Walberg. As a member of the Michigan House, Walberg cosponsored an initiative that would have allowed oil drilling in the Great Lakes.  

“Cars, jobs, and water---you don’t get more Michigan than that,” said Brewer. “Walberg seems to be against all three.” 

Also of note in the Bush-Cheney-Walberg comparison is their shared reliance on Big Oil to fund their campaign. Since the 2004 election cycle, Walberg has received over $5,500 in contributions from the oil and gas industry, including $4,500 from Exxonmobil. 

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Paid for by the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee, 606 Townsend St., Lansing, MI  48933. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.