LANSING - Gov. John Engler triumphantly thanked the citizens of Michigan last night after he overwhelmingly defeated Democratic opponent Geoffrey Fieger to earn a third term as governor of Michigan.
After his 10 p.m. acceptance speech, Engler danced with his wife and triplet daughters to "Walkin' on Sunshine." As of 2 a.m., with 65 percent of the precincts reporting, Engler had 62 percent of the vote to Fieger's 38 percent.
"I want to thank the people of Michigan tonight," Engler told his cheering supporters in Lansing. "I'm very excited. I'm ready for another four years."
The mood at Fieger's Detroit election party rang of frustration and helplessness. Many of Fieger's supporters were reluctant to predict victory for their candidate and said the press and political establishment did everything in their power to discr
|
|
Fieger, in a 11 p.m. speech, told a room full of press and campaign workers that regardless of the race's results, his message would endure.
"Tonight we concede nothing and express contempt for the lies and hypocrisy of so-called leaders," Fieger said. "Continue the struggle. Stay involved. Stay engaged.
"We started a movement and ... soon we will restore freedom, justice and compassion to our government. It's Fieger time!" he exclaimed.
Engler said the vote shows citizens support for his record and agenda, despite Fieger's unwillingness to acknowledge the governor's accomplishments, much less his victory.
"We're going to go full-speed ahead on the agenda we talked about in the campaign," Engler said. "I'm proud to have support of the Michigan voters."
Engler called the final win of his political career, which maintained his 28-year undefeated streak in Michigan, "the best of all."
The large margin, Posthumus said, should help Republicans take control of the state House, a victory that could help the passage of the administration's platform.
"We've worked hard with our friends in the House," Posthumus said. "But it would be a lot easier working with our friends the Republicans."
David Williams, a social worker with the state of Michigan who attended Fieger's party, said Fieger pulled out a moral victory even with all political cards stacked against him.
"He really discussed the issues and tried to point out the things Engler has done wrong," Williams said. "He did a great job and I hope he runs again in 2002."
Macomb Party Prosecutor Carl Marlinga, a Democrat, said Fieger's flamboyant personality, combined with negative spin from advertisements and the press, never allowed the public to learn about the "real Geoffrey Fieger."
"Geoffrey's history of shooting from the hip hurt him," Marlinga said. "But he wins in front of juries because people have nine or 10 days to listen to and get to know him.
"He'd be governor if each Michigan citizen had nine or 10 days with him," he said.
But Engler said Fieger's campaign style, which he claims attempted to skew the Engler campaign to a personal debate, proved more hurtful to the challenger's campaign than his own.
"He proved to be more of a menace to his own campaign," Engler said. "Maybe that's the discipline that experience brings."
And Michigan Republican Party chair Betsy DeVos said Democrats were hurt by the weak head of the ticket.
"Clearly having Fieger at the top of the ticket had more impact than anything nationally," DeVos said.
Oakland University political science Prof. John Kelly said a strong Engler victory would not have a dramatic effect on other Michigan Democrats running for office.
He said 20 to 25 percent of voters split their tickets and predicted a Democratic victory in the state House.
"Americans want divided government," said Kelly, a Democratic candidate for the Wayne State University Board of Governors. "They like the interplay between the parties."
LSA senior Donnie Tigay, who worked on state Republican campaigns, said the governor will return to office with a strong mandate from the people, but not much more than in past years. She said the Republican Party maintained Engler's strength.
"We have a very good organization, very good grass roots," Tigay said.
 |
| Photos by LOUIS BROWN and MARGARET MYERS/Daily Above: Michigan Gov. John Engler celebrated his third consecutive gubernatorial victory last night.
|
11-04-98
| Next Article |
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |