Conservative Bauer declares he's seeking GOP nomination

By Ron Fournier, Associated Press, April 22, 1999

NEWPORT, Ky. -- Conservative activist Gary Bauer declared his presidential candidacy yesterday, telling students in his hometown that the school killings in Colorado prove "something is wrong in America" that only a moral reawakening can fix.

"This country can be better than it is today, and I intend to make it better," he told a crowd of 1,000 at Newport High School, his alma mater.

Bauer, 52, a long-shot Republican candidate who worked in the Reagan White House, had planned to introduce his pro-family, antiabortion agenda to the country in a speech setting himself apart from the rest of the GOP field. Instead, he devoted most of his remarks to the slayings at Columbine High School.

The rampage leaves Americans wondering "whether we're going to continue to sink into the despair, violence, and death that all too often fills our television sets," said the father of three. Bauer left this blue-collar Ohio River town 35 years ago.

Bauer said the problem is simple: Too many children resort to hatred, not God, in a nation that glorifies violence in its mass media, allows "militant secularism" in its courtrooms and legalizes abortion. "I will never sacrifice one American child -- born or unborn," he vowed.

An opponent of gun control, Bauer said new laws would only "focus on things and instruments instead of what happens in the hearts of our kids."

Hollywood promotes violence, he said. The justice system forbids prayer in schools. And Washington "gives us platitudes."

Draped in flags, the high school gym vibrated to rowdy applause and country music. Dozens of students wore Bauer T-shirts handed out by the campaign, but few seemed to know much about the candidate.

After stopping for a bowl of chili, Bauer was flying to Iowa to deliver his original speech. Focusing on taxes, trade, foreign policy, and values, Bauer hopes to prove to increasingly pragmatic social conservatives that he could win the general election.

"They want to see a candidate that not only communicates their issues but also a candidate who can win," said Randy Tate, executive director of the Christian Coalition.

"If Gary is given half a chance to get his message across to the nation, he will be a formidable candidate," said a longtime ally, James Dobson, an influential conservative broadcaster who stopped short of endorsing Bauer.

Former vice president Dan Quayle, political commentator Patrick J. Buchanan, radio broadcaster Alan Keyes, New Hampshire Senator Bob Smith, businessman Steve Forbes, and Bauer are competing for the same base.

Though excited about his campaign, Bauer appeared subdued.

"Despite the Dow Jones Industrial Average over 10,000, a growing economy and despite all of the things to our credit, you and I know there is something wrong in America," he said.