He may have President George W. Bush's endorsement and worked to improve his standing with conservatives in his district thought to be uniting behind a challenger, but U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz is still sticking to his "big tent'' party philosophy and moderate reputation.

In just the past week, the Battle Creek Republican brought in U.S. Sen. John McCain and former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman for two "very successful'' fundraisers, aides say, as he builds a war chest for the Aug. 8 primary race against familiar foe Tim Walberg.

Schwarz's friendship and political allegiance with McCain made last weekend's stumping jaunt in Jackson and other planned appearances by McCain through the summer no surprise.

More daring was bringing in Whitman who, despite her ability to fundraise around the country, has been a lightning rod for criticism by staunch social conservatives. That's largely due to her "It's My Party Too'' political action committee, which works to elect moderate Republican candidates at all levels of government, people she says aren't afraid to buck the party line.

"That's why he's getting a push back, because he thinks for himself and his constituents. He's not in lock-step on every issue,'' Whitman told The News before her appearance at the Schwarz fundraiser in Ann Arbor.

She and Schwarz, a member of he PAC's state board, don't always agree, she said, but his belief that the Republican Party is big enough to incorporate multiple viewpoints on all, especially social, issues makes him more effective.

The Schwarz camp says expect more of the same.

"He's not changing who he is. He's working with every Republican he can work with, and that's been his strategy all along,'' said campaign manager Paul Egnatuk.

Ironically, Walberg agrees and is trying to use Schwarz's consistency to his advantage.

"Joe is who he is and his record is what it is,'' he said, labeling Schwarz a liberal. "It's hard to describe him as a conservative without having your tongue firmly in your cheek."

Both candidates vigorously campaigned for the open seat in a six-way party primary in 2004, in which Walberg finished third behind Schwarz. With less than 60 days remaining before this year's primary, the campaigns are on the offensive in the sprawling 7th District, which includes western and northern Washtenaw County.

On Thursday, the Schwarz campaign responded to a recent television commercial attacking his vote for a statewide gas tax increase as a member of the state Senate in 1997 by getting two former legislators to comment about Walberg's absence on the vote as a state representative.

"As a member of the state House at that time, Tim Walberg did not even bother to show up to cast his vote on passage of the gas tax issue. If you don't show up for work, you shouldn't throw stones,'' said a joint release from former State Sen. Phil Hoffman, R-Horton, and State Rep. Clark Bisbee, R-Jackson, another former challenger for Schwarz's seat.

Walberg was among a handful of legislators who were either excused or absent for the vote, House records show. He said last week he did not recall why he was excused from the vote, but said he had already opposed the House version of the gas-tax bill in an earlier vote and that his participation on the final package was a mere formality since he stuck to his pledge not to vote in favor of tax increases during his 16 years in the state House. He pledged to do the same if elected to Congress.

Although he agreed with its content, Walberg also shifted responsibility for the ad to Club For Growth, a national organization that supports conservative Republican candidates.

Just a taste of what should be an interesting summer campaign that lacks a clean-campaign agreement between the candidates.

Get on your 'Soapbox'

Public radio station WEMU will revive its popular election feature "Soapbox Summer'' for any candidate appearing on the Aug. 8 primary ballot in Washtenaw County.

Candidates for office ranging from governor to city council can air their campaign message at no cost, as long as their speeches are three minutes in length and consist solely of the candidates themselves. Secondary voices, endorsement announcements or produced campaign commercials will be rejected.

WEMU-FM (89.1) will begin airing speeches in their entirety during "Morning Edition'' from 5-9 a.m. Monday through Friday, and "All Things Considered'' from 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning July 17. Entries may be aired earlier depending on the number of candidate responses.

Notables:

In addition to Schwarz, Whitman also endorsed Republican state House candidate Shannon Brown, of Manchester, who will face incumbent state Rep. Pam Byrnes, D-Lyndon Township, in the November election.

Steve Pierce, candidate for mayor in Ypsilanti, has been endorsed by the Washtenaw County Skilled Building Trades Council, which represents 19 skilled unions in the county. Pierce, Council Member Lois Richardson, D-1st Ward, and Paul Schreiber, all Democrats, are competing in the August primary to replace Mayor Cheryl Farmer, who is not seeking a fourth term.

In an effort to hold ourselves to the same standards of accuracy as the candidates and their supporters who appear in this space, the Notebook clarifies that U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, will seek his 27th term on Capitol Hill this fall. Congressional record keepers count Dingell's special election victory in 1955 to replace his father John D. Dingell, who died in office, as a full term.