Joe Schwarz, MLive: The new party avoided being tied to one issue, Jeff Timmer said, focusing instead on supporting candidates who exhibit a “pro-democracy, pro rule of law, anti-extremist position.” He said there is more political extremism on the right than the left and it’s “dominating” much of the GOP today. Other names behind Common Sense include former congressmen Joe Schwarz and Dave Trott, plus former Michigan Chamber of Commerce executive Bob LaBrant. Other members, Timmer said, were high-level appointees of Republican Govs. Rick Snyder and John Engler.