This is part of a series
of stories related to
the Nov. 6 election.

A year later, Craig Fuller,
At age 21, she was travel-
Mr. Bush's chief of staff, con-
ing throughout the world as
tacted Ms. Fischer, offering
an advance planner for
a job as Mr. Bush's
George Bush, then vice pres-
scheduler. She later return-
ident. In that role, she ar- , ed to the law firm, then
ranged motorcades, served
became counsel to the
as a liaison to the com-
undersecretary of defense at
munities where he would
the Pentagon.
visit and made sure Secret
Afterward, Ms. Fischer ac-
Service agents were in place.
On a trip to Korea, she pack-
cepted a job with a Washing-
ton office of a New York law
ed a take-home exam.
"All I did was work and go
firm that also specialized in
government contract work.
to law school," she says.
In 1988, she moved back
"And I really had a good
home to Birmingham and
time."
In 1983, fresh out of law
commuted for two years.
school, Ms. Fischer landed a
A few months ago, she
job with a prestigious polit-
joined Miller Canfield as a
ical law firm in Washington,
senior attorney, hoping to
Patten Boggs and Blow.
bring some government
There she developed a spe-
business to the firm.
cialty in the area of govern-
Those who know both Ms.
ment contracts.

just happened upon her one
people play tennis. Politics is
day on an airplane.
my hobby.
She had graduated from
"I really like being I
the University of Michigan
lawyer," she says. "
and was returning home
wouldn't want to do politics
from an interview at George
full time."
Washington University Law
Her office in Detroit is the
School in 1979 when she
political antithesis of Mr.
started talking to a man
Deitch's. Hanging on Ms.
seated next to her on the
Fischer's wall is an
plane. A field director for the
autographed photograph of
Republican National Com-
Isiah Thomas and
mittee, he offered her a job
photographs of her with
in the housing office for the
former president Richard
1980 Republican National
Nixon, former president
Convention in Detroit.
Ronald Reagan and her
"I was never active polit-
father, Phil Fischer, and Vice
ically before that," Ms.
President Dan Quayle. She
Fischer says.
hasn't yet decided where she
During law school at
will hang her photo of Presi-
George Washington, Ms.
dent George Bush.
Fischer divided her time
She also makes room for
between studies and work
photos of her three-year-old
for the White House.
daughter, Lauren.
Mr. Deitch's Southfield
1•
law office, too, is filled with
photographs. In one, Mr.
Deitch is seated next to
former first lady Roslyn
Carter. In another, he is
shaking hands with former
vice president Walter Mon-
dale.
The others are pictures of
his family — one from the
1920s of Barnett Deitch.
Larry Deitch has always
had a passion for politics. At
age 13, his father took him
to a political rally where
John F. Kennedy spoke. In
his home today is a poster
from that rally — a photo of
JFK autographed by the late
Michigan governor "Soapy"
11111111111111111111111111111
Williams and the late
11111111111
United Auto Workers union
KIMBERLY LITTON
leader Walter Reuther.
Staff Writer
As a college student in
n Michigan's race for
Ann Arbor, Mr. Deitch
governor, abortion rights
registered voters. He was a
have been higOighted as
representative to the stu-
one
of the key issues in the
dentgovernment as well and
campaign.
at the same time joined the
Governor James 131an-
Arm Arbor Democratic Par-
chard and his running mate,
ty. When underdog Jimmy
state Senator Libby Maynard,
Carter opted to seek the
are staunchly pro-choice.
1976 presidency, Mr. Deitch,
And state Senator John
by then in private law prac-
Engler and his running
tice, volunteered to work on
mate, state Senator Connie
Mr. Carter's campaign.
Binsfield, have spoken out
"I read an article in the
against abortion. Mr. Engler
New York Times by Gov.
said he would sign any bill
Jimmy Carter of Georgia,"
restricting abortions.
Mr. Deitch says. "He in-
"Abortion is a fundamen-
trigued me. I thought he
tal question," Mr. Engler
should win; he could win. I
said. "My position is not one
called Atlanta and said I
that I've changed and swit-
wanted to volunteer."
ched."
Unlike Mr. Deitch, Ms.
Mr. Blanchard believes a
Fischer never thought about
woman has the right to
politics as a child. Politics

Fischer and Mr. Deitch say
each is bright and excep-
tionally good with the work
required for fund-raising.
"Andi is tenacious and
great at follow up," says
Oakland County Republican
Chairman Jim Alexander.
"Larry is aggressive and
has a pleasing personality
that makes it easy to work
with him," says his mentor,
Stuart E. Hertzberg, who
was the state's Democratic
treasurer for 14 years. "I
worked with him when he
started out in politics. You
could always rely on him."
While on opposite sides of
the political spectrum, Ms.
Fischer and Mr. Deitch will
have a profound effect on
state politics this year. ❑

4

I

Gubernatorial candidates talk about the issues.

choose abortion. "However
difficult and agonizing, it is
a decision of the -woman and
her physician ---a private
decision and not a decision
for legislatures, judges, gov-
ernors or government enti
ties," he said.

Abortionghts have been

at the for`; nio*

'

4.4

eM'ask.

Now, with
.10‘1 `.- 4
„WOO
passage
sent law, t et**
to center stage.
Still, both candidates
incumbent Mr. 131anchard, a
Democrat and Mr. Engler, a
Republican --- are downplay-
ing the issue, talking about
education, crime, protecting
the environment and the
state's economic condition.
"We need to make sure
that all students, regardless
of where they live, receive a

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THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

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