16 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, August 14, 1996 NW Michigan delegates turn out for Republican National Convention I By Katie Wang Daily News Editor SAN DIEGO, Calif. - With the Republican convention well under way, the members of the Michigan delegation, staying at a Holiday Inn hotel in downtown San Diego, have been enjoying the sunny San Diego weather and the excitement of the convention itself. For the past sever- al days, the Michigan delegation, which is composed of 57 delegates and 57 alternates, has been escorted, wined and dined at numerous social functions in the San Diego area. At a luncheon hosted by Gov. John Engler and Senator Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.) yesterday in Point Loma, many of the delegates and alternates said they were very pleased with the Dole campaign, and praised his choice of Jack Kemp as a running mate. "I'm ecstatic about Bob Dole, he'll be the greatest president in the United States,' said John [laggard, a delegate from Charlevoix, representing the 1st district. Haggard said he was so confident that Dole would win that he has already begun placing bets on a Dole victory. John Chouinard, a delegate from Grosse Pointe Park, representing the 15th district, said he is a Pat Buchanan supporter, he is "very satisfied with the ticket" He called the platform "excel- lent." Chouinard added that he was disap- o pointed that Buchanan was not given an opportunity to speak at the convention. "I think he should've been given the chance to speak, especially after he endorsed Dole," Chouinard said. Several of the delegates, such as Izzy DiMaggio, a delegate from the 6th District, said they were disappointed Engler was not selected to run with Dole. "I was disappointed Engler wasn't picked, but Jack Kemp is an incredible pick," DiMaggio said. For several weeks prior to the con- vention, there was much speculation surrounding Dole's choice for his running mate. Many Grand Old Party governors, including Engler, had been considered for the position and had maintained close contact with the Dole campaign during recent weeks. Engler told The Michigan Daily that he was not disappointed that lie was not selected as Dole's running mate. "I think Jack Kemp is an outstanding choice, I think he brings a lot to the ticket," Engler said. Engler praised Kemp's economic philosophy of tax cuts and the growth of the economy and said he thinks Dole will sin in November. "I think Bob Dole's message fits with the national optimism of the American people," Engler said. "I think the plat- form will be fine and the issues will be quite specific." Sources close to the governor told the Daily Engler was actually relieved that he was not selected, so that he would be out ofthe national spotlight for a while. John Truscott, a spokesperson for the governor, said Engler didn't think he would be picked as Dole's running mate. "It was an honor (for Engler) to be considered because it brought a lot of positive potential to Michigan, because of the focus on the governor's accom- plishments and all of the things he's done," Truscott said. While the Republican convention was the focus of discussion for many of the Michigan GOP members, many shared their thoughts with the Daily on other local campaigns that will be tak- ing place this fall. Joe Fitzsimmons, who is seeking to replace Lynn Rivers (D-Ann Arbor) in the 13th District this fall, said he is run- ning for office to fight for the future of students. Fitzsimmons said lie will stress improving the educational process, growth of the economy and creating more jobs. "I absolutely believe we should reduce taxes' Fitzsimmons said. "I believe the 15 percent cut is a very good step:' Fitzsimmons also stressed containing government spending and lie said Rivers did not truly represent the will of the people in the 13th district. Fitzsimmons described himself as a fiscally conservative, but pro- choice Republican, and placed his ideology between Kemp and Colin Powell's on the Republican spectrum. Just one week after her narrow victo- ry over Jim Nicholson in Michigan's U.S. Senate primary, Ronna Romney was.already talking about preparations for the fall campaign. Romney said she anticipates a tough Governor John Engler rolls up his sleeves during his address at the Republican con vention in San Diego on Monday. campaign, but she said she has been preparin" for this challenge her entire life. "I m iphilosophically driven," tshe said. Romney said the 18 years Sen. Carl Levin (I)-Detroit) has spent in office have been years of svoting on policies that did not work. "Levin believes in redistribLuirg people's tax money and the end result is that the tax money is not being spent well," she said. "People lose freedom and the burden falls on families vho have more and more taxes to pay. "I really think the things that makes the cruntry great are things Levin has strayed away fro i Romney said. i iMrr s rr w CONVENTION Continued from Page 1 Batson, 54, of San Diego. The Dole and Kemp entourage cruised into San Diego Sunday afternoon on board a ferry and were met by hundreds of loyal party mem- bers., "It is time to restore the American dream, give America a new birth and freedom," Dole said. "Everything before has been a warm- up lap, but here in San Diego, the race begins. Dole stressed his economic plan at the rally, which proposes to balance the budget whiie cutting taxes by 15 percent, and he vowed to "end the IRS as we know it." "We're going to do what Bill Clinton says can't be done and that's balance the budget while cutting taxes. Kemp praised Dole calling him his "American hero," despite personal differ-_ ences that have surfaced in the past. Kemp endorsed Steve Forbes during this year's presidential primary season, even after pri- mary results showed Dole would win the party's nomination. The first night of the convention was char- acterized by a strong slate of speakers and a salute to former GOP presidents, including University alum Gerald Ford, George Bush, and a video appearance by Ronald Reagan. Former first lady Nancy Reagan, and Michigan Gov. John Engler also addressed the convention. igler thrillednany of tre delegates ott tie ties wvithAIDS. convention floor when he asked them if they Nancy Reagan s delivered an emotional thought "America could do better." motional salute to her husband who, stricken Engler then removed his jacket, rolled tg swith Alzheimer's disease, wras unable to attett& his sleeses, and said, "My friends, if we roll the convention. "If he were able to be herr up our sleeves and get to work, we can do tonight, he would remind us to never, nevre better." give up on Ameriea, she said. Engler also addressed the convention floor Colin Powell, general and former ch again last night, speaking on the importance of mart of the joint chiefs of staff, closedc6 education. Monday night's se. "In Michigan we sion. Powell spoke ol. make the best cars in the Everything the Armerican drea " world,"" Engler said. and touched urpor "My fellow Americans, before has been a issues over which th,, we must not tolerate a party is divided, suel system of public educa- Warm-up Iap... as abortion rights and tion that gives most affirmative action. Americans the choice of - Bob Dole but he said the party only one model." Presidential candidate had erected a tent Engler said the cur- large enough for zihl, rent education system is views. "failing our children" and that Dole has the Not all in attendance offered praise for the tools to build a new model for public educa- Dole platform. Raphael Renrer, a former Bush tion, campaigner and pro-choice Republican, said On Monday, the delegates also gave a warm ;he is not pleased with the platform and has greeting to Ford. "A few years ago, when I sud- mixed feelings about Dole. "He has lost some denly found myself President, I said I was a of his charisma, he last lost some of his Ford, not a Lincoln" Ford said. "Today, what dynamism," Rettner said. "I hope he trans] we have in the White House is neither a Ford, forms and develops sufficient appeal tq nor a Lincoln, become elected." "What we have is a convertible Dodge. Isn't Rettner added that he hoped Kemp w it time for a trade-in?" add rejuvenation to the campaign. "I think he's Mary Fisher, another University alum, very talented, maybe too ideological, but he struck an emotional chord when she and 12- seems to bridge differences in the party an year old Hydeia Broadbent spoke of their bat- brings everything together." JONATHAN LURIE/Daily A pro-choice protester holds a sign during a protest held by the Religious Coalition for Freedom of Choice during the first day of activities at the Republican National Convention in " San Diego on Monday.