Students' behavior at GOP event questioned

College students' behavior at Mackinac Island conference scrutinized

Karen Bouffard and Mark Hornbeck / The Detroit News

Lansing -- Questions continue to be raised about the behavior of college students at the state Republicans' leadership conference on Mackinac Island with some asked to vow to vote for their candidates or risk losing their rooms and others charging that underage drinking was rampant.

Gubernatorial hopeful Rick Snyder has been accused of capturing the top spot in an exclusive Detroit News/WJR NewsTalk 760 AM straw poll during the Sept. 25-27 gathering by having students sign a letter vowing to vote for the Ann Arbor businessman in the poll or risk losing the free hotel rooms and island ferry rides.

On Thursday, Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer called for a State Police investigation of underage drinking at the event after a Central Michigan University student blogged about how easy it was to get drinks at parties.

Some of the hundreds of bright-green clad students who Snyder brought to the island were asked to sign a "contract" which reads, in part: "I have read the above and understand that my staying in a Rick for Michigan sponsored hotel room and traveling on a Rick for Michigan ferry is contingent upon voting for Rick Snyder in the straw poll."

Snyder campaign spokesman Jake Suski said the form was created to help ferret out "infiltrators" from other campaigns who were trying to get a free trip and didn't support Snyder. He also noted the island was swarming with volunteers sent by other candidates, lobbying firms and the Republican Party.

"To come up with our group and not to support Rick or to support other candidates would have been dishonest," Suski said.

Mike Cox 2010 spokesman Stu Sandler said Cox's campaign also brought a large number of volunteers to the island, and the campaign paid for their meals and accommodations. The volunteers signed an agreement they would represent Cox admirably, wouldn't break the law and wouldn't drink underage, but he said voting for Cox wasn't part of the deal. The attorney general came in second.

"The straw poll had nothing to do with it," Sandler said. "Part of it's to operate the functions.

Snyder volunteer Andy Radakovitz, 34, of Grand Haven said he was never told to vote for Snyder or asked to sign a contract. He stayed four-to-a-room at the Holiday Inn Express in St. Ignace and partook in two free pizza parties for campaign volunteers.

"We weren't paid to go to Mackinac -- they provided our lodging and we got a free ferry pass," Radakovitz said.

Brewer released the blog written by a student volunteer about underage drinking during the event.

Her blog doesn't say who gave them the alcoholic beverages, where the drinking took place or if GOP candidates were involved.

Vanessa Oblinger, a member of the College Republicans at Central Michigan University, said in her blog students were "rewarded" for their volunteer work "with open bars and free dinners. The X's on the minors' hands were washed off and the free drinks showered upon us."

Oblinger didn't respond to an e-mail request for comment.

Brewer remarked that the "so-called policy conference ... was Animal House on the Island for three days sponsored by the Michigan Republican Party and its candidates."

He called for an investigation by the Michigan State Police, the Liquor Control Commission or the Mackinac Island Police.

Jennifer Hoff, spokesman for the Michigan Republican Party, said the blog apparently was about activities at remote spots on the island.

"All official Republican Party activities were held at the Grand Hotel. I can't comment on other stuff," she said.

John Tramontana, spokesman for the Michigan Democratic Party, said party officials "stumbled onto the blog" during an Internet search. He acknowledged it's unclear who provided the alcohol.

"That's why we're calling for an investigation," he said.

kbouffard@detnews.com (517) 371-3660