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September 26, 1998Marilyn Quayle touts Engler as potential veepDan Quayle's wife in TC to campaign for Michelle McManus in her bid to unseat Rep. Bart StupakBy MARJORY RAYMERRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Marilyn Quayle hinted on Friday that Gov. John Engler might be considered a running mate for her husband in a presidential bid. Quayle, wife of former Vice President Dan Quayle, said the family already is aggressively working toward making Dan Quayle the Republican nominee for president in 2000. When questioned about the potential for Gov. John Engler - who many suspect already is eyeing a jump into national politics - to seek that same nomination, Quayle gave Engler a ringing, but lesser, endorsement. "He's a terrific man. He and Michelle (Engler) are such good friends," Quayle said. "He'd be a great vice president." Engler now is running for his third term as governor against maverick Democratic challenger Geoffrey Fieger, who was previously best known as the attorney for assisted-suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian. "By the time 2000 is here, there are going to be so many Republicans vying for that spot," said Maureen McNulty, spokeswoman for Engler's gubernatorial campaign. "His plan is to serve Michigan for the full four years," Quayle came to Traverse City Friday to support state Rep. Michelle McManus' efforts to replace incumbent U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, on Capitol Hill. She said a win by McManus, a Republican from Lake Leelanau, in the Nov. 3 election is "very doable," as are many contests between Republicans and Democrats throughout the country. In her speech at the Traverse City Elk's Lodge to about 100 McManus supporters, Quayle challenged the Democratic leadership to work with Republicans to save Social Security, fend off terrorists by re-strengthening the Defense Department, stop plans for a federal day-care program and lower taxes. By decreasing the military budget, President Clinton has made the country vulnerable to terrorist attacks and unable to properly defend it self, she said. "We all need to know what our nation is facing," Quayle said. "It's scary, which is why we need good leadership in this country." After her speech, Quayle said she does not expect her personal appearances to actually change voters. She only hopes it encourages more voters to get involved. During her address, Quayle encouraged audience members to remember to vote, talk to their neighbors about the issues and encourage those neighbors to also vote. "We need to send a message to Clinton that business as usual will not stand," Quayle said. McManus said Quayle's visit helps highlight the differences between herself and Stupak. She also found it personally inspiring. "The next 39 days will be many days without sleep," McManus said. "And, that's OK because we want to win." Republicans are working to create a "veto-proof" Congress, Quayle said. Specifically they want to win five additional Senate seats and 17 to 30 House seats. To do that, she and other leading Republicans have been campaigning around the country. Quayle this week made seven campaign stops including Traverse City in five states and was headed to China after leaving Michigan. House Speaker Newt Gingrich also is scheduled to make a stop in Traverse City next month. Dan Quayle served as vice president from 1988 to 1992 under then President George Bush. During that time, Marilyn Quayle served as spokeswoman for the National Cancer Institute's Breast Cancer Summits and served on several national boards and committees focusing on disaster preparation. The Quayles now live in Phoenix, where Dan Quayle teaches at a university. Marilyn Quayle, an attorney, works for a law firm in Indianapolis, Ind. |
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