Monday, August 16, 1999 The University Daily Kansan Section A·Page 19 Nation Bush secures front-runner position Forbes, Dole finish second, third in poll The Associated Press AMES, Iowa — George W. Bush cemented his front-runner status Saturday night with a convincing victory in the Iowa straw poll, passing an early test of political potency that could unravel other Republican presidential campaigns. The Texas governor said he was on the road to winning the nomination. Steve Forbes and Elizabeth Dole finished second and third in the nonbinding poll. Weak showings by former Vice President Dan Quayle and Lamar Alexander hurt their campaigns. Alexander, the former Tennessee governor, is almost certain to drop out of the race, sources close to his campaign said. Quavie faces deep troubles as well A total of nine White House hopefuls poured millions of dollars and spent hundreds of hours in this initial caucus state to test their political strength. Iowans were bused from across the state to feast on free food and music provided by the vote-hungry candidates. With carnival tents and stale popcorn, the event looked more like a state fair than a political trial. "This victory today in Iowa put me on the road to winning the nomination of the Republican Party," declared Bush, who was criticized by nearly every one of his rivals in their addresses earlier Saturday. Forbes, who had hoped for better results, found a measure of solace in the fact that two-thirds of the voters did not vote for Bush. Though no straw poll winner ever has won the GOP nomination, the contest has helped and hurt any number of candidates ahead of the first real votes of the campaign season, the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. Bush received nearly one third of the straw poll vote, or 7,418. Forbes' second-place finish was solid but somewhat disappointing. Having outspent the entire field, the millionaire conservative had hoped to show that his money and message made him a serious vote-getter. He received 4,921 votes. American Red Cross, had 3,410 — a solid showing for a first-time presidential candidate trying to expand the party's base to include more young women. Elizabeth Dole, former president of the Alexander, with 1,428 votes, and Quayle, with 916 votes and an eighth-place finish, were the night's biggest disappointments. Quayle has said the straw poll would not end his presidential quest, but his finish behind three other conservative contenders — Gary Bauer, Pat Buchanan and Alan Keyes — could dry up his fund-raising sources. Alexander's money problems already are severe. Aides said shortly before the vote that he would drop out if he finished lower than fourth; he finished sixth. After a closed-door meeting, Alexander's staff left the arena. One aide had tears in his eyes. The former Tennessee governor has been running for president virtually non-stop for six years, having lost the 1996 nomination deeper into the primary season. "We're going to go back to Tennessee tomorrow to consider our options," said Mike Tuffin, Alexander's New Hampshire field director. GOP Iowa Straw Poll results
votes%
Bush7,41838
Forbes4,92121
Dole3,41014
Bauer2,1149
Buchanan1,7197
Alexander1,4286
Keyes1,1015
Quayle9164
Hatch5582
McCain83
Kasich9
Smith8
Each of the candidates was allotted a total of 13 minutes to address the crowd and for spontaneous demonstrations. Introduced amid a burst of fireworks, patriotic tunes and a spray of balloons, Forbes didn't mention Bush by name but took steady aim at the Texas governor. "The power of these Washington elites won't be tamed, bent or broken by a candidate who relies on pollsters and tutors to tell him what he thinks," he said. Hatch disputes idea he is intolerant The Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Orrin Hatch says that when he told fellow Republicans at their state convention two months ago that they should be proud of their party because it didn't have gays and lesbians, he didn't intend the comment to sound prejudicial. The Utah lawmaker told The Salt Lake Tribune in a story for Friday editions that he was just pointing out that gays and lesbians, by and large, are very intelligent, highly educated, high-earning people, who support mainly Democrats. Hatch said he resented any implication that he was intolerant. "You can sum it up in one sentence: that Orrin Hatch is tolerant of all people and that he doesn't try to tell people how to live unless they ask him," said Hatch, who is a GOP presidential candidate. Hatch has drawn fire from gay rights groups in the past for what they considered insensitive statements. At the Utah Republican State Convention in June, Hatch offered a David Letterman-style list of why Utah Republicans should be proud of their party, including: "We don't have the gays and lesbians with us." In 1988, he called the Democratic Party the party of homosexuals and abortion. While he is tolerant of all people, he does believe that homosexuality is contrary to the Bible, he said. "It's a religious belief to me that homosexuality flies in the face of biblical teachings," he said. Hatch said that is different from the situation of blacks and other ethnic minorities. "People of color can't do anything about their color," Hatch said. "But I do believe gay people have a choice to live within the legal rules or not." "That's why we have civil-rights laws to protect African Americans from discrimination," he said. Jeanetta Williams, president of the NAACP Salt Lake branch, said Hatch's statements comparing gays and blacks were a slap in the face. To demonstrate his tolerance, Hatch cited his compromises with Democrats on federal legislation affecting AIDS and hate crimes, his help in fund raising to combat pediatric AIDS. Last month, however, Hatch introduced a measure that would not include gays as a protected group under the hate crimes law. Students, staff set to return to Columbine LITTLETON, Colo. — With armed guards at the entrance and dozens of police officers patrolling the neighborhood, students will return to Columbine High School for classes today for the first time since last spring's deadly rampage. Before classes begin, Principal Frank DeAngeli will lead the students, teachers and staff in a "take back the school" rally and will raise a U.S. flag that has been at half-staff since the April 20 attack. Joshua Lapp, 16, who witnessed several of the killings, said he and others were nervous about returning, but he especially dreaded facing the mob of cameras and reporters expected at the school. Parents and alumni plan to shield students and teachers from the media attention by forming a human barrier along a path between a secured parking lot and the school. Bullet and shrapnel holes have been plastered and painted over. There's a new wall blocking the entrance to the second-floor library, where most of the victims died. Security has been tightened. All students must wear identification badges. But the nearly 2,000 students will not have to pass through metal detectors or let anyone check backpacks. "We heard shortly after the tragedy and from lots of people — students, staff, parents — that they didn't want their school to be turned into a fortress," said school district representative Rick Kaufman. Two mental health counselors will join the regular staff of six counselors, in case the return is emotionally jarring for any student or teacher. There also will be a safe room in the school for anyone who needs special attention during the first week of class. Kansan Classifieds... ...are going personal! Call 864-4358. Be read. We Buy, Sell & Trade USED & NEW Sports Equipment APARTMENT HUNTING? CAN'T DECIDE WHERE TO LIVE? Do the numbers. On an individual basis, it will cost you only $240.00 per month to live with two friends in one of our largest 3 bedrooms. Another number, 1410 square feet, that's a big place! Don't like roommates? That's OK. We have large studios for those who like living sin- 3 vs. 1 Consider This. Live where your friends live. 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