Alexander, in N.H., stresses education

By Jill Zuckman, Globe Staff, March 11, 1999

DERRY, N.H. -- Emphasizing his commitment to fixing public education, Lamar Alexander opened his Granite State campaign for president yesterday at the Derry Village School, and promised to send Washington bureaucrats home and direct money to the states and the classrooms.

"Ninety percent of what a child needs to succeed in this world he or she learns best in a strong family and a good school," said Alexander, the secretary of education under President Bush. "That is why I will be a president on the side of parents raising children."

Nevertheless, Alexander's second official day on the campaign trail was overshadowed by Elizabeth Dole's announcement in Iowa that she is setting up a presidential exploratory committee. Both Dole, the former head of the American Red Cross, and Texas Governor George W. Bush, who has also set up a committee, have encroached on Alexander's moderate Republican turf in recent weeks with their moves into the presidential arena.

But Alexander said he has an advantage over the large Republican field. "I have the most experience on the most important issue -- education," he said.

Last night, he said he would not cede the race to anybody, regardless of last name. The recent attention to Bush and Dole, he said, is simply the Republican Party and the country reaching for the familiar.

"In this country, nominations can't be inherited and they can't be bought," Alexander said. "They must be earned, and that is what I intend to do."

Alexander also said he had learned a few things since his run for president in 1996. Back then, Bob Dole peppered him with attack ads in the final days of the New Hampshire primary.

"If I get hammered again, I'm going to defend myself," he vowed.

Alexander spoke to about a hundred people in the gymnasium of the public elementary school with a massive American flag at his back and patriotic marching music setting the mood.

On education, Alexander said he would lead a movement to transform the public schools by paying good teachers more money and by ending teacher tenure "so no child is made to be in a classroom with an incompetent teacher." He also proposed scholarships to help families pay to send their children to private schools.

Former Iowa governor Terry Branstad accompanied Alexander last night and recalled the days when they both served in the National Governors Association.

"He was the first governor of all the governors to focus on improving education," said Branstad, who is Alexander's campaign chairman.

Besides improving education, Alexander said he wants to increase family incomes by lowering taxes and maintaining Social Security, and he said he wants to strengthen the national defense.

Continuing his criticism of President Clinton, Alexander said the nation needs a president "who talks straight -- and listens." The strong economy, he said, masks serious problems, including a high school graduation rate that is lower than 12 other countries, higher taxes, more federal regulations, and a weaker national defense.