Erik Sanzenbach / L’Observateur / July 7, 1999

RESERVE – The 2000 presidential campaign kicked off in the River Parishes Thursday when presidential candidate Gary Bauer gave a speech at the Reserve Christian Church on West Airline Highway.

Bauer, who calls himself a conservative Republican, has a lot of experience in national politics. He served for eight years in the Reaganadministration, first as the senior domestic policy advisor to the president and then as Under Secretary of Education.

As founder of the political action committee Campaign for Working Families, Bauer’s platform stresses family values, preserving the sanctity of human life and smaller government.

Bauer also proposes a flat tax for all Americans.

“The American family could write off their income up to $30,000, and then there would be a flat 16 percent tax on anything higher,” he said.

Bauer also believes in a very strong military. He charges that under theClinton administration the United States Armed Forces have been cut dangerously low, and they need to be built back up to defend the country.

According to Bauer, America especially need to defend itself from China, not only militarily, but economically.

“If I am elected, I will tell China they no longer have a most-favored trade status with the United States,” he said.

A staunch pro-life advocate, Bauer said one of the things he plans to do if elected president is make sure the people he appoints as federal judges meet two criteria.

“They cannot be bigots and they must be pro-life.” he declared.Though well-known in conservative circles, Bauer will have a rough time against the two leading presidential candidates, Gov. George W. Bush andVice President Al Gore. Not only does he not have the name-recognition ofBush and Gore, but he will have a hard time building up campaign finances.

However, Bauer is optimistic about his chances.

“The truth will trump money any day of the week,” he said with a smile.

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