by: Eric Grennell
Just as the State of Michigan is the center of attention for Presidential campaigns, the University of Michigan is also the focus of the Michigan Republican Party. At the State of Michigan Republican Convention on September 6 and 7, every issue and every candidate was handled and voted on in record time and without hesitation. Included in these issues, the Republican Party voted for support of Congress in banning partial birth abortion, called for a ban of physician assisted suicide, eliminating duplicative government services and waste, and called for a prohibition on U.S. Servicemen from serving under foreign commanders. The Republican Party showed themselves to be a unified body, without dissension, and truly indicative of the "Big Tent," discussed so thoroughly at the national Convention in San Diego.
Then there was the University of Michigan. To those of us who are students at UofM, it should come as no surprise that if there is going to be a debate, or an airing out of opinions, the University of Michigan can be counted on to play it's part. However, great surprise there was, and it came to the Michigan Republican Party in the form of Mike Bishop, a Wolverine Alumni and dark horse candidate for one of the open Michigan Board of Regents seats.
Many of the Michigan Republicans did not see the conflict coming. Dean Baker, a long time member of the Board of Regents had just unanimously been nominated to run for re-election on the Republican ticket, and many felt that the nominations for the second seat would go just as smoothly. There were some eyebrows raised in regards to Mike Bishop the young 28 year old real estate lawyer from Waterford Michigan, but only because of his very short campaign. Mr. Bishop, running against a well financed and long standing campaign from opponent and fellow Republican Judy Frey, started campaigning for the office of Michigan Regent only three days before the September 6th opening of the State Convention. As such, his sweeping victory came as a great surprise.
However, surprise turned briefly to confusion when Govenor John Engler took the podium. There were several procedural questions that needed to be addressed, and the Governor also took the opportunity to speak in support of Judy Frey, mentioning the importance of having another lady on the Board of Regents, and calling for support of the Republican dedication to the party of the "Big Tent." Tempers got hot, voices were raised in debate, and ultimately a revote was called for, in order to be procedurally in-line. "The University of Michigan is a very high priority for us as a party," said one voting delegate present. "Having the best and most concerned leadership as possible. How the future leaders of our state and nation are educated is of the utmost importance, and we are very concerned."
The concern spoken of was obviously observable, too, as people returned to their Congressional District areas once again to caucus and revote. While the voting on all other issues had been conducted and concluded in a matter of minutes, the revote for Bishop vs. Frey lasted longer than two hours. Opinions heard by the voting delegates were as varied as the delegates themselves, and right up until the last District posted returns there was no decisive leader. Frey had carried Governor Engler's support a long way and to great advantage. At the end, Mike Bishop led by only 11 votes out of more than 1800, and the remaining District, the third, was Judy Frey's home territory. Many thought the election as good as done. However, the members of the Third District were not among them. Unable to reach a decision, a secret-ballot was called for. In the end, Mike Bishop was shown to be the winner, by a narrow margin.
After the returns, the Republican's were unified in support for Mike Bishop, all the way from the Governor to Judy Frey. Mrs. Frey spoke in support of Mike Bishop, saying that the democratic process had been fair and reflective of Republican concern for the University of Michigan. She did not rule out the prospect of running for Regent again, and expressed no regret or contention with the elections, except the she "Regrets not having the opportunity to work for the students of the University of Michigan."
Mr. Bishop's speech in accepting the nomination was heartfelt and showed strong dedication to the University of Michigan. He spoke of his pride at being a UofM graduate, and how he looked forward to serving the University as one of its Regents. He stressed the need for the strong Republican unity to continue, thanking Frey for her kind words, and reaffirming his support for Governor John Engler. Bishop further addressed University issues, stating that he wanted to continue the trend of keeping tuition increases lower than any time in recent memory, maintaining fiscal conservatism, and making the University of Michigan a more enjoyable, life-changing experience for its students. In closing, with spirit and intensity rarely seen outside of Michigan Stadium, Mike Bishop showed his true colors with a shout of "GO BLUE!!!"
Of all the things said that day, this was without doubt the most universally agreeable, as well as most important.