LANSING - The Michigan Republican Convention, which began as a pep rally for the party, developed into a frantic contest between pro-choice and pro-life supporters Saturday.
The debate began when Gov. John Engler endorsed pro-choice candidate Judy Frey of Grand Rapids for a spot on the University Board of Regents over pro-life advocate Mike Bishop of Rochester Hills.
Both candidates are Univ-ersity alums.
Frey lost to Bishop by a narrow margin, 959 to 929, but not without last-minute arm-twisting among delegates. In the end, Frey's district cast the deciding vote against her.
Engler seconded Frey's nomination.
He also endorsed an uncontested Deane Baker (R-Ann Arbor) for the other open University regent seat. Differences between incumbant Baker and Engler arose over the resignation of former University President James Duderstadt a year ago.
"I support Deane Baker and Judy Frey for election in November," Engler said in his speech. "I apologize to no one for my pro-life credentials.
"I understand this campaign, but Judy has earned this opportunity by her involvement ... in extensive activities with University of Michigan alumni," Engler said. "I have a high regard for Mike Bishop. I'm not opposed to Mike. (Frey) did not ask me to do this."
Bishop, an attorney and former president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, said he understood Engler's stance.
"He wasn't opposing me. He's sticking to his position," Bishop said.
Members of pro-life groups, including Right to Life and the Christian Coalition, worked the floor to get a majority vote for Bishop. Some members expressed their unhappiness with Engler's nomination of Frey and Engler's tactics.
"Gov. Engler is in favor of watering down the pro-life movement," said Glenn Clark, executive director of the Michigan Christian Coalition. "(Frey) made abortion the No. 1 issue in this convention."
Bryan Dugan, president of the Saginaw County Right to Life chapter, said his group would support Engler but questioned his methods.
"To come out and do what he just did alienates single-issue voters," Dugan said. "I'm supporting him because he's consistently pro-life in legislation. I support what he believes in but not the tactics he used to get Frey nominated."
John Patterson, a member of the Moderate Republicans of Monroe County, differed with the pro-life Republicans and said the issue of abortion would be the Republican Party's undoing come election day.
"While Democrats are winning elections, Republicans are fighting about abortion," Patterson said. "We're gonna lose the House (of Representatives) and the presidency because Republicans are in with the Christian Coalition.
"It's not the issue," Patterson said. "We should focus on winning elections."
Members of the University chapter of the College Republicans at the convention voiced support for Bishop and Baker for the University Board of Regents.
"We're revolting against the party leadership and party money and following our traditional beliefs in following Mike Bishop," said College Republicans President Nicholas Kirk.
In a press conference after Bishop's win, Engler said his decision to support Frey was "spur of the moment" and that he was concerned about Democratic candidate Olivia Maynard. Maynard was nominated in Detroit yesterday for the same position on the board.
Engler said he believed the gender issue would work against Bishop in the race.
Frey, founder and president of a business consulting firm, agreed Engler supported her because of the strong likelihood she would be elected.
"He did it for the Republican Party because I'm electable," Frey said.
Engler said the people's choice would now be his choice. He said he would work hard for both Bishop and Baker, even though he had encouraged other people to run for regent.
"Because (Baker) is the nominee of the party, I'll work hard to get him re-elected," Engler said.
Baker, an Ann Arbor businessman who has been on the board for 24 years, said he has campaigned hard and demonstrated his abilities to Engler.
"I've not talked to the governor. My sense is that he's not fighting the candidacy," Baker said. "I've proved to him that I can run an effective campaign."
Michigan State University cheerleaders kicked off the convention Friday night, and speakers fueled the momentum by criticizing President Clinton, including a masked "Clinton" traveling the convention floor in a makeshift raft titled "Whitewater."
The slate of Republican candidates running for U.S. Congress includes Joe Fitzsimmons of Ann Arbor. He is vying for the 13th district congressional seat, which has been occupied by Lynn Rivers (D-Ann Arbor) for the past two years.
Friday night's activities concluded with a standing ovation for Ronna Romney, who is running against Democrat Carl Levin for the U.S. Senate.
She summed up the sentiments of the delegates by asserting that Washington politicians, especially incumbent Levin, have been taxing and spending too much of America's hard-earned money.
"Every single day Washington dines on the fruits of our labor," Romney said. "Isn't it time for a change? Carl (Levin), your date with destiny is here, and her name is Ronna Romney."