Joe Fitzsimmons summed up his feelings about his failed 1996 campaign for a seat on the U.S. House of Representatives in two words - "no regrets."
"I went from being a complete unknown to getting 42 percent of the vote," Fitzsimmons told the University chapter of the College Republicans last night.
Fitzsimmons said his best memories of the campaign are when he went door-to-door campaigning for two to three hours per day.
"I enjoyed meeting people," Fitzsimmons said. "Everyone was very receptive."
But he said there was one problem with going to people's houses to campaign.
"The toughest part of going door-to-door were the attack dogs in Westland," Fitzsimmons said.
Fitzsimmons said he will run for office again, but he is undecided as to which office he will pursue. He said he will make a decision within six months to one year.
Nick Kirk, president of the University chapter of the College Republicans, said Fitzsimmons is a great campaigner and has a good chance at winning in 1998 if he runs.
"I think Joe invested a lot of time and effort," Kirk said. "In 1998, when Joe comes back, if I were Lynn Rivers, I'd be very afraid."
Fitzsimmons also has fond memories of campaign fundraising.
"Getting someone to write a check on the first meeting when they don't know you is a hoot," Fitzsimmons said.
Fitzsimmons said President Clinton's 23-percent lead over Bob Dole in the 13th Congressional district was too strong to overcome.
"The magnitude of the Clinton victory was too strong," Fitzsimmons said. "You talk about coattails, wow, that's what they really clobbered us on. We were swimming upstream."
Fitzsimmons also said many conservatives stayed away from the polls because they were not interested in the Dole campaign.
"He's a great guy, but not a great candidate," Fitzsimmons said.
Fitzsimmons said he is also skeptical about Jack Kemp's potential of winning the presidential election in 2000.
"In the vice presidential debate between Gore and Kemp, I would have given the edge to Gore," Fitzsimmons said.
Fitzsimmons, who is pro-choice but against partial-birth abortions, said his stance on abortion was detrimental to his campaign.
"I'm pro-choice, but I can't out-pro-choice (U.S. Rep Lynn) Rivers," Fitzsimmons said about his Democratic opponent.
He also attributed his loss to the power of the unions and female voters.
"The unions did a great job of getting out the vote," Fitzsimmons said. "The women's vote was significant for Rivers.
Another area Fitzsimmons said needs improvement is support from Republicans in Michigan.
"We got no help from (Ronna) Romney," Fitzsimmons said. "The support from the state needed to be improved dramatically."
If he could do one campaign move over again, Fitzsimmons said he would "focus on the last 48 hours." Now Fitzsimmons is focusing on a Republican victory for the 13th Congressional seat in 1998.
"All we needed was another eight percent. That's winnable," Fitzsimmons said. "Not necessarily for myself, but it could be."
Currently, Fitzsimmons is leading a busy schedule. He is a member of three corporate boards also is active in politics and volunteer work.
"The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is a great passion of mine," Fitzsimmons said.
As well as political and charity work, Fitzsimmons got married on November 30, 1996.
AJA DEKLEVA COHEN/Daily
Joe Fitzsimmons, who lost the 1996 Congressional election to U.S. Rep. Lynn Rivers (D-Ann Arbor), talks with LSA sophomore Mark Potts last night at a meeting of the University's College Republicans.