Fieger announcement a circus; Engler's to be same

But while Jack Kevorkian's lawyer may have studied drama and have a flair for publicity, his one-day play in the political headlines is hardly a match for the media blitz Gov. John Engler has in mind - a 10-day campaign swing marking the official start of his drive for a third term.

The Republican incumbent has been unofficially in the race since last June, when his wife, Michelle, made a surprise announcement that they had decided he should run again.

Engler has spent the months since the announcement hiring his campaign staff, raising prodigious amounts of money and refining his campaign themes.

AP PHOTO Southfield attorney Geoffrey Fieger announces this past Thursday, on the steps of the capital building in Lansing, that he will be a Democratic candidate for the post of Michigan governor .

Now he plans stops in nearly 50 communities over 10 days starting late this month to kick off his campaign. The multi-city blitz is aimed at putting him in every region - and media market - in the state.

"You need a starting point (for the campaign), and this is it," said Engler campaign spokesperson Maureen McNulty. "It's exciting for him to get out and meet people he's not met before. It's exciting for people outside Lansing to have the governor come to town."

It's also a sure way to get his picture on the evening newscasts and his face on the front page throughout the state. Simply by being the governor, Engler gets the kind of media attention that Democratic gubernatorial candidates Doug Ross of West Bloomfield and Larry Owen of East Lansing can only dream about.

The coverage imbalance may shake out somewhat now that Fieger is in the Democratic race, said Lansing pollster Ed Sarpolus of EPIC/MRA. As Kevorkian's attorney, he has gained the name recognition - and some would say notoriety - that so far only Engler has been able to claim.

"It brings attention to the fact that John Engler is not the only one running for office," Sarpolus said.

Engler isn't as telegenic as Fieger, and his tongue isn't as publicly acidic. But he's clearly ready to begin the campaign and make some verbal attacks of his own.

04-20-98