January 23, 2000

Hatch visits Drake University
in final days of caucus campaigning

DES MOINES, Iowa--Presidential candidate Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, greeted Drake University students and Des Moines residents last Friday afternoon in Olmsted Center on campus, where he addressed issues such as foreign policy, health care and education.

"It's really great to be at Drake University and around college students," Hatch said to approximately 70 people.

Drake's College Republicans arranged Hatch's visit to campus. Sophomore Justin Taylor, chairman of the College Republicans, said, "We called the Hatch campaign early last Monday. They said he had availability Friday. It's exciting."

Hatch said his campaign depends on the younger generations like students who attend Drake. "In 1976, I wouldn't have been elected except for young people like you," Hatch said, speaking of his start in Utah politics. "Active people like you make a difference."

"I have a record of accomplishment more than any other candidate," he said of his campaign for president. "I know how to get [bills and programs] through Congress. I've done it. I'll do it. I'm concerned about your futures. I'm running a citizens' campaign."

Hatch said he filed to run for president on the last day possible to register, July 1. Instead of accumulating large donations like other candidates, Hatch said he chose to run a "skinny cat" campaign by asking "regular people to give $36 per family member."

"I want to treat your money like my own," Hatch said. "If all we're doing is throwing it out [on programs], we're hurting your future,."

Hatch fielded questions from the audience. Taylor said he was surprised by Hatch's speech. "[He] was going to give a 30-minute speech with 10 minutes for questions, but he changed it," Taylor said. "I think [Hatch's speech] addressed a lot of issues that are important to college students, specifically because he took questions from us."

Junior Craig Drummond, student body vice president, asked Hatch to explain his views about China and Cuba with respect to the United States. "Cuba is run by a tyrant named Fidel Castro," Hatch said. "China is a major country [with] which we have to compete. China wants to come into the real world of commerce. The only way to help [China] is by not isolating them."

"I was rather impressed," Drummond said. "I didn't agree with all he had to say, in particular about the China and Cuba issue, but I think he answered the questions and didn't side-step the issues."

Education was another topic Hatch discussed. Sophomore Zach Nunn, member of the College Republicans, asked, "When will education and making it [affordable] become a priority?" Hatch said community colleges provide affordable education today; however, bigger schools and universities are almost impossible to afford. He said his goal is to provide opportunity scholarships for students, including those in elementary and secondary education.

"We don't think any child should be trapped in a school with drugs ... and bad teachers," Hatch said.

Hatch also said people should be cautious when looking to the federal government to help solve some problems. "The federal government does better [in areas like] civil rights, food safety, environmental controls and national security," he said. "But, we've got to allow 50 state laboratories to grow."

Hatch said health care is a federal problem that needs to be resolved soon. "[Individual Retirement Accounts] are a sugar-coating system," he said. "[The federal government] should make Social Security deductible so to give you a break. We need a national dialogue. We can't do the right thing without thinking of you and being fair to our seniors. I promise to get that problem solved, or I'll die trying."

Hatch referred to the Iowa caucuses. "I don't have to win first, but fourth or better," he said. "I'm hoping you folks will help. I won't let you down, so don't let me down."

Hatch said media groups and other politicians have already counted him out of the presidential race, but Hatch said he felt differently. "If you want an effective president, you're looking at him," he said. "But I don't think I can get elected without you. Get out there and exercise your franchise."

The College Republicans presented Hatch with a Drake T-shirt and a Drake coffee mug before he left for an interview with Oliver North in Des Moines.