F-ridoy, gcfober 29, 1976
11 THE MICHIGAN DAILY
Pae Five
I-~riday, October Z9, 1916 THE MICHIGAN DAILY
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With a sad eye to the departure of
Senator Phil Hart, The Daily registers
firm support for Donald Riegle, Demo-
cratic candidate fo rthe U.S. Senate.
When. Hart announced his decision to
retire from Congress after 18 years of
unimpeachable service to Michigan, po-
litical observers and voters across the
state looked glumly about for a success-
or. Who could replace the man who has
been called "the conscience of the Sen-
ate?"
Don Riegle stepped forward-a ten-
year congressman who had been one of
the first to oppose the Vietnam War;
who had shaken Capitol Hill with his
iconoclastic, irreverent book, 0 Con-
gress; who, as a Republican, had op-
posed Richard Nixon's re-election in
1972; who had switched from Republican
to Democrat. He came from far behind
to defeat favored Secretary of State
Richard Austin in the August primary.
Can he replace Hart?
WE THINK he can, far better than his
Republican opponent-Ann Arbor's own
Marvin Esch. Riegle has consistently
proven himself to be a statesman of
will stand
fast
for
interests
if
elected
courage and progressive ideals. His vigor
is unquestionable.
Let us review more specifically our
reasons for endorsing him:
-He was one of the very first Repub-
licans to oppose the Vietnam war; he
sponsored the repeal of the Gulf of
Tonkin Resolution.
'He sponsored and helped to write
the War Powers Act of 1973, one of the
most important delineations of execu-
tive power ever written, a bill which is
meant to prevent presidents from wag-
ing another Vietnam-type war.
-He has had the political courage to
dedicate himself to ousting entranched
Democratic committee chairmen such
as James Eastland and John Stennis.
-Students should riemember that he
has pledged himself to their interests.
Two weeks ago he recomemnded that
the federal government subsidize tuition
for the first two years of college; though
this was probably politically motivated
in part, it is encouraging to hear can-
didates suggest such things, and it would
not be the first time Riegle took on an
underdog role to fight for unpopular
legislation.
-le has weathered one
campaigns ever battled
of the toughest
in Michigan,
holding up resolutely under scathing,
below-the-belt personal attacks from for-
mer Republican Governor George Rom-
ney and The Detroit News. His resiliency
is admirable, his strength under adver-
sity proved beyond a doubt.
-He is young-only 38. Phil Hart is
retiring at 65. Incumbent senetors last
a long time.
Republicans say that Riegle is not
liked much in Congress. We might call
that a point in his favor. Ills book, 0
Congress, described The Hill more forth-
rightly than it ever has been by an in-
sider, and many of Riegle's colleagues
doubtless turned a cold shoulder to his
candor.
Remember also his switch from Re-
publican to Democrat, a move which
no doubt alienated many of his old GOP
associates. Both of these factors indi-
cate Riegle's guts; if they have pro-
voked dislike. we don't mind.
The Daily supported Esch in the Re-
publican primary, but we cannot do so
now.,-Ie has.established a moderate rec-
ord over ten years-one which has had
obivous appeal to both the liberal and
conservative factions of this strange,
hybrid district. Now that he is q Sena-
torial candidate, he has cited more con-
servative stances--his support of the B-1
bomber program, his strong opposition
to busing, his opposition to national
'health insurance, and his opposition to
Hlimphrey - Hawkins - type employment
lcgislation.
THOUGH ESCH has been a hard-work-
ing Representative, though he has spon-
sored such valuable programs as the
Comprehensive Employment Training
Act, he is not a man of Riegle's stature.
He possesses neither Riegle's progres-
sive vision nor his courage. He has mis-
led the voters, saying Riegle has spon-
sored no laws when, in fact, Riegle has.
Ie has flirted with charges about Rie-
gle's personal life, an issue we feel has
no place in the campaign.
We cannot support him! He has leafed
toward the Gerald Ford-wing of his
party, an intolerable position.
Can Riegle replace Hart? He deserves
the chance to try.
Donald Riegle
Justices Ferency
and Kavanaugh...
THE DAILY STAFF strongly endorses
Zolton Ferency and incumbent Chief Justice
Thomas G. Kavanagh for the State S.-
preme Court.
We proudly support Ferency, whose lib-
eral progressivism and leadership are dire-sF
ly needed on the bench. The highly-respe t-
ed Michigan State University profesor
possesses the integrity and maturity neces-
sary to the position along with a record
that shows a 'career devoted to the pro->
motion of human rights.
A man of principle, he clearly demon-
strated it by virtually committing political
suicide over the Vietnam War. Disenchant
ed with the Democratic party platform onr
the war, he left the party-under which he X *a
had run for Governor in 1966 and had been ; r
State chairman - and helped found thev
now-floundering Human Rights Party.
His Democratic opponent, Judge Blairy
Moody Jr., is a liberal who also possesses
a sound record of experience as a jurist
However, Ferency simply overshadows him
as the outstanding candidate.F
The gubernatorial appointment to the h
bench of the other contender, Justice Law->
rence Lindemer - a former University
Regent - smacks of political cronyism.
Lindemer, who had absolutely no prior
judicial experience, had been Republican
State Chairman from 1957-61. Zohton l'Feieiw' y
The partisanship question in the so-called
non-partisan judicial election, however, is
far more significant in -the race for- the
full eight-year term. In a reprehensible po-
litical move, the Democratic party rejected
Kavanagh's bid for renomination in favor
of Roman Gribbs. Kavanagh's only fault
was that he had acted independently of
partisan ties during his tenure on the"
bench, particularly in his opinion on the
explosive issue of reapportionment.
WE FEEL THAT Kavanagh deserved
the nomination, that he is better qualified
for the, position than Gribbs, and that a
vote for Kavanagh will also be a vote to
challenge the sham that has been made
of non-partisanship in the judicial selection
process.
The Republican nominee in this area,
Joseph Swallow, is a conservative alarm-.
ist, and the two minor party candidates,.
James Wells and Wilson Hurd, are so
completely off-the-wall that we find all of
them undesirable.
In the two-year term .contest, both can-
didates are unaccentable to us. Both thes
incumbent Justice James Ryan (appointed
in 1975 to fill a vacancy left by John
Swainson) and Wayne County Circuit Judge
Charles Kaufman have valuable judicial Thomas Ka anauigh
exerience, but we find neither more at-
tractive than the other and both too con-
servative for us to endorse in good faith.
C0onan: A good lauyer
to make a good Judge
.:; :::- :. ...... ..:::: .^ . ::.:.....-.... ............t: t::. .. ' .{ O.
ST ATE REPRESENT.ATIVE:
Bullard for progress
THE DAILY supports incumbent Perry Bullard
(D-Ann Arbor) in his bid for re-election to the
State House of Representatives from the 53rd
District.
In his two terms in the legislature, Bullard has
shown a concern for human rights and the en-
vironment, and has been sensitive to - student
concerns. He has sponsored legislation 'to ban
aerosol spray cans using freon gas, protect ten-
ants against often illegal practices of their land-
lords and repeal the repressive State Police Sub-
versive Activities Division. He is also sponsoring
a state Freedom of Information Act which would
permit citizens access to secret files held on
them by police or other state agencies.
Bullard has additionally been a consistent sup-
porter of conservation measures-from Proposal
A to solar and wind energy tax reform. He has
sponsored legislation to protect auto buyers who
are ripped-off by unscrupulous used car dealers.
Bullard has, before it was the politically-chic
thing to espouse, supported the legalization of
marijuana for some years and the decriminali-
zation of victimless crimes.
IN SHORT, Mr. Bullard has sponsored and/or
supported a great deal of progressive legislation
that has come before the House in the last few
years. His bills have not always passed, to be
sure, but he has taken the initiative to offer
them.
Bullard's primary opponent, Republican John
Dietrich, seems chiefly interested in making the
state safe for big business. He favors substantial
tax breaks for businesses, professes to be more
interested in economy than environment, and
hedges on the issues of individual rights. He has
been quoted as saying, "Sometimes common
sense has to prevail over- civil liberties."
American Independent Ronald Graham and
Libertarian Gerald Wolke are running primarily
to give exposure to the ideas of their parties,
while Human Rights Party candidate Carol Burke-
Fonte has moved out of the state.
Bullard's legislative record and his concern
for the student community make him our choice
on November 2.
Perry lBullard
==.=== ===:....
Ste:For
WHEN YOU ENTER the vot-
ing booth next Tuesday
you'll probably be psyched up
to vote for the "important"
races. You'll vote for President,
and for the Senate and House,
and maybe even on some of
the key ballotvproposals. But
one of the posts that you will
probably brush off with a "Who
cares?" is the race for County
Prosecutor. And that would be
a big mistake, because there
is at least one man who cares
- Democrat George Steeh.
As head assistant prosecutor
in Genesee County - called
simply "the best I've ever had"
by his boss - Steeh had earn-
ed the respect of his co-work-
ers and constituents as a hard
worker and tough-nosed consu-
mer advocate. Nationally recog-
nized for his consumer protec-
tion activities in Genesee Coun-
ty, he has promised, if elected,
that at least one full-time prose-
cutor will be assigned to pro-
tect consumer rights, while his
opponent William Delhey does-
n't believe a full-time staffer
is needed.
County Prosecutor is a full
time job, and Steeh has prom-
ised to make it one. He has
now does and would continue
to do if elected.
The prosecuting attorney
should be an active leader in
the county. He must cooperate
with all law enforcement agen-
cies to keep them informed on
changes in the criminal law and
to improve cooperation and ef-
ficiency in prosecutions and in-
vestigations.
It is essential that the re-
sources of the prosecuting at-
torney's office be more effec-
tively used to prosecute violent
crime and other costly offenses
that have been. ignored by the
present administration. Consum-
er fraud, white-collar crimes-
price fixing and bid rigging and
public corruption' which cost
this county millions each year
- have all been overlooked by
Delhey, but they will be fought
by Steeh.
STEEH PROMISES to bring
tough effective management to
the prosecutor's office. Delhey
claims to be an effective man-
ager and a successful convic-
ter of felons. The facts, how-
ever, do not support that claim.
Data made public by the
Washtenaw County Bar Associ-
ation show that nearly two out
of every three felony charges
that reach the courts in this
a good
county are dismissed, end in
guilty pleas to lesser offenses
or result in verdicts of nbt guil-
ty. It seems obvious that the in-
cumbent prosecutor has charg-
ed improperly in a large num-
Prosecutor,
ber of cases and has wasted
the limited resources of the po-
lice and courts, and the prose-
cutor's office.
We need a tough, dynamic full-
time leader who will be hard-
nosed on violent crime, fight
for consumers' rights, and bring
effective management to the
prosecutor's office. We need
George Steeh for Prosecuting
Attorney of Washtenaw County.
Postill o Sheriff
SHERIFF FRED POSTILL deserves another four years as
the chief law officer of Washtenaw County.
During his last four years in office, Postill has brought
reforms to the Sheriff's Department, making it known as one
of the most progressive in the country. Needless drug busts
have been almost completely eliminated, and the department
has withdrawn its services from the controversial Washte,
naw Area Narcotics Team (WANT).
Postill's Republican opponent Tom Minick advocates re-
joining the WANT squad as part of a senseless plan to crack
down on local drug traffic. The WANT team has rarely
been able to bust major drug dealers - its stated goal. But
it does manage to throw persons in jail, and thus put fear
in the minds of those who desire to use drugs without any
criminal intent.
.Mr. Postill has improved conditions of the county jail
and obtained federal funds to increase patrol cars in out-
lying areas. He has expanded the role of the Sheriff in this
county to correspond with growing population trends and in-
creased urbanization.
We feel that the time of the hard-line "law and order"
cop is past. Washtenaw County needs to retain a Sheriff who
has broken away from the traditions and expanded the de-
partment to serve the true interests of the people.
Vote for Fred Postill.
vowed not to
vate practice
maintain a pri-
as his opponent
Fred Postill
TVHE DAILY ENDORSES Henry Conlin
in the nonpartisan contest for the
newfifth judgeship of Washtenaw Coun-
ty's 22nd Circuit Court.
lieve Conlin's superior experience and
community involvement place him in the
forefront of Ann Arbor's legal estab-
lishment.
4I
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