Washington
By ROBERT MACKAY

Michel believes he can be No. 1

U.S. Rep. Robert H. Michel of Illinois expects to be elected leader of the House GOP by the end of the year. A native of Peoria who was elected to Congress in 1959, Michel has been the second-ranking Republican in the House since 1975.

Michel, 57, who resembles the wizard in the movie classic, "The Wizard of Oz," does not talk about "if" he will become minority leader, but "when." He is so confident of succeeding House Minority Leader John Rhodes of Arizona that he stated in a recent interview: "If we had the election today, there'd be no question that I'd win."

Veteran Capitol Hill reporters agree that Michel is the favorite to succeed Rhodes who announced he would not seek the post again if the Republicans remain the minority party in Congress after the November elections. Michel is respected and well-liked among his colleagues and is considered the Republican humorist in the House because of one-liner jokes about the Democrats during his speeches on the floor. "There are very few people who don't like him. In fact, I can't think of a single person who dislikes him," said one veteran reporter who wished to remain unidentified. "He's got a great bass voice. He'll sing 'Old Man River' if you pour enough drinks into him over at the Republican Club."

Asked why he would want to be minority leader, Michel said, "For me, it's a natural step of progression. In the leadership ranks, I was once chairman of the congressional committee, then I ran for whip. I served as whip during these last three Congresses. I guess it's like anyone else. You're No. 2, you aspire to be No. 1."

Michel's only announced opposition for the post is Rep. Guy Vander Jagt of Michigan, who has been a member of the House since 1966.

Michel has been on Capitol Hill since 1949, when he became administrative assistant to his predecessor, Rep. Harold Velde. When Velde retired in 1956, Michel was elected to the 85th Congress and has been reelected ever since. He was elected minority whip by his colleagues in January 1975. In that post, he is the second-ranking Republican in the House and has responsibility for floor activity on behalf of the party leadership.

Two years ago, Michel said there was a "little talk" among his colleagues about him challenging Rhodes for the minority leadership, but Michel said he decided against it in the interest of party unity. Then, rumors started circulating that Rhodes would step down in 1980.

"I had made some inquiries long before John's announcement because there were some scattered reports that he was thinking of doing what he did. So I started canvassing members, button-holing them one-on-one — 'Given this kind of hypothetical situation, would you vote for Bob for leader.' And I got enough encouragement that I knew that this was my lot and that that was what I was going to do, given the opportunity."

What does Rhodes think? He is staying "absolutely neutral" in the race, an aide to Rhodes said, and considers Michel "a good friend."

But Michel indicated that he has not been completely happy with Rhodes' performance as minority leader: "There've been some things in which I might have done things differently around here than what John currently is doing as leader. John, on several issues, was not in line where most of his troops were and then had to adjust his position. Now that can happen, but if it happens too many times, it obviously indicates that you've lost your ear for your own membership."

After the congressional elections in November, the new Congress will meet in December to elect its party leaders. Michel expects his experience to be a factor in beating Vander Jagt.

"You have to demonstrate by your actions that you can lead," Michel said, "and I think what most members will probably cite is my activity on the floor, doing my homework in areas of responsibility that I've had, offering amendments, engaging in verbal fisticuffs out there on the floor in a confrontation sort of way with the Democratic side on real, basic hard issues . . . and show a record of accomplishment. Now there are those who can get up and wail away and never win one legislative victory. I have."

Michel said he has been able to convince Democrats to vote with the Republicans on certain issues, and that has provided enough votes to pass legislation considered important to the GOP. That is the mark of a good minority leader, according to Michel. "That's the name of the game around here. Keep your folks together and garner votes on the other side simply on the basis of the credibility of your argument. And I know I've got that confidence when I stand on the floor of the House, and people do believe me."

Michel said his "mission" between now and the end of the year is to make sure there is no erosion of support for him and to convince junior members of the House "that I'm the best qualified to lead them in the next two years,"

At least four congressmen are seeking Michel's post as minority whip, but Michel said he has "no preference" as to who succeeds him.

In private life, Michel is vice-president of Towne House Inn Inc., a motel-restaurant complex in Morton, Ill., and is married to the former Corinne Wodruff of Peoria. The couple has four children, all in their 20s.

32/May 1980/Illinois Issues