Ypsilanti resident Siri Thar said she attended an Ann Arbor rally for gubernatorial candidate State Sen. John "Joe" Schwarz because she feels it's important to know about all the candidates on the ballot before voting in an election.

"I came to learn more about Sen. Schwarz and learn more about his views," Thar said.

Thar is an example of the ideal voter who Schwarz, a resident of Battle Creek and 1959 University graduate, is trying to reach.

With less than a month before the Aug 6. primaries, Schwarz, a Republican, is running an underdog campaign against Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus and attempting to appeal to the "closet voters." Posthumus already has backing and funding from most state Republican leaders, including his mentor Gov. John Engler.

On the last day for voter registration before the primary, Schwarz and his biggest supporters hopped on a bus and traveled to rallies in Pleasant Ridge, Ann Arbor, Jackson and Lansing. He received some help yesterday with the presence of two respected figures, U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) and former Michigan governor William Milliken.

At the Ann Arbor rally, held at the Michigan Union, Schwarz pointed out the differences between the two Republicans running, as well as between himself and the three Democrats vying for the position, who he will face if he wins the primaries.

"There's nobody who's running who could not do the job," Schwarz said. "(But) I have not seen a lot of substance (from them)."

He said the issues he is most concerned about in Michigan are education, and health care. He condemned the actions of the Republican party in recent years, which he said is moving more to the right on social issues, alienating more centrist voters.

"I don't believe that anybody in this room is hung up on moral absolutism," Schwarz said to the 40-person crowd.

Schwarz models his personality after the moderately liberal Republican Milliken, who Schwarz described as respected by "Democrats, Republicans and independents alike." In turn, Milliken exhibited his respect for Schwarz to the crowd, pointing out his blunt honesty with voters.

"He's one of those rare politicians who's open, candid and honest," said Milliken, who served as governor from 1968-1982. He pointed out Schwarz's ability to say the right thing, which, he said, is not always the popular thing. "That is such a rare quality in public life today."

When McCain took the platform, he also pointed out Schwarz's integrity and trustworthiness. He said that these qualities were not just important in the state of Michigan.

"I admire him, but most importantly I think he's what the country needs," McCain said. "(People) want leaders who talk to them straight."

McCain compared Schwarz's campaign to his own 2000 primary election in Michigan when he ran for the United States Presidency. In four weeks, he managed to come from behind, startling then-Texas Gov. George Bush with an upset victory.

McCain has no doubt that Schwarz has a better chance of an upset because Schwarz is, McCain said, more known than he was in January 2000.