F-ridoy, gcfober 29, 1976 11 THE MICHIGAN DAILY Pae Five I-~riday, October Z9, 1916 THE MICHIGAN DAILY 11 M1 ' ; ;w 0l Adak w . EPW elCt[Olt endorsemen s -0 Rie l your 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 UN I