Smietenka highlights College GOP meeting

Former University Regent Dean Baker was overwhelmed last night.

Sitting in front of the Pendleton Room in the Michigan Union at the College Republicans mass meeting, Baker said he was surprised with the turnout of more than 100 people.

"Many years you could have fit all the College Republicans (at the University) in the eight or nine seats over there," Baker said, pointing to a small cluster of seats in the corner. "There's an amazing difference."

Every Republican candidate running for office in Washtenaw County, along with Michigan Attorney General candidate John Smietenka, were given the chance to speak to the crowd.

Without fail, they said student support was necessary for Republicans to triumph in the fall.

"I'm here to work with students at U of M and I'm here to serve you," said Julie Knight, the Republican candidate for the 52nd district of the state House, currently held by Mary Schroer. "We will have a winning team with your help. Let's go out and do it!"

The crowd burst out into applause and Knight added that "We need every Republican vote out there."

Adam Silver, president of the campus chapter of College Republicans, said the College Republicans have coordinated a huge effort to bring students to the polls in November.

"We're looking at 400 to 500 people helping us this fall," Silver said. "We'll be handing out literature at football games, going to senior citizen homes. We're canvassing too."

Silver said College Republicans are looking to take advantage of widespread resentment against democratic gubernatorial candidate Geoffrey Feiger.

"There's a huge anti-Feiger movement out there on campus and even if (those students) are not card carrying Republicans, we're hoping to get their help," Silver said.

Charles Luftig, campaign manager for Ann Arbor republican state house candidate Garret Carlson, said Republicans have a unique opportunity in November's election.

He said the strength at the top of the Grand Old Party ticket, along with widespread dissatisfaction with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Geoffrey Fieger, makes Carlson's candidacy in a strong Democratic district viable.

"A lot of Democrats like Liz Brater are endorsing Feiger, and when you hear their names in the same sentence it drags (Brater's candidacy) down," Luftig said of his candidate's opponent.

LSA first-year student Kevin Marsh said he attended last night's event to see if College Republicans are an organization worth joining.

"I'm looking to get involved, for some type of activity to put down on future applications to graduate school," Marsh said.

Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon, a Republican, said she always has been indebted to students for their efforts on her behalf. She encouraged those students who are not registered Ann Arbor voters to put their effort into the fall campaign, emphasizing that a Republican victory is possible.

"I know many of you have left your registration back home, but working on a campaign for candidates in Ann Arbor gives you a way of helping out the political system," Sheldon said.

"How did I get elected mayor in a Democratic city?" Sheldon asked the crowd. "Well, the public knows potholes are not Democratic or Republican."

Patrick Rosensteil, manager for Tom Hickey's campaign against U.S. Rep. Lynn Rivers' re-election bid, said the Democratic party will be hurt by a weak president and an ineffectual candidate for governor. He said the large Democratic student turnout in support of President Bill Clinton in 1996 will not be repeated this year.

"A lot of Democrats will need to look in the mirror and vote their conscience when you have liberal extremists like Feiger and Rivers at the top of the ticket," Rosensteil said.

09-18-98