When Democratic presidential hopeful Heather Harder stopped at Ford Hall on Thursday, only three students were there to hear her plan for the future of the country.
Harder, a former professor from Indiana, is conducting a grass-roots campaign against popular candidates Vice President Al Gore and former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley, with little support from the Democratic Party.
“My campaign is run on the $5 and $10 contributions of people,” Harder said.
Harder is targeting nonvoters and is campaigning on three main issues:
ù Restoring the Constitution to the American people is of great concern to Harder. She said there has been a loss of due process of law in the United States, where law enforcement can seize any property if it is connected with drugs and drug trafficking.
ù Harder supports a national referendum allowing people to circumvent the legislative process and decide on major issues — such as campaign finance reform — themselves through a vote.
ù Harder wants legislative bills to be written in common English and understandable to anyone who reads them.
Even though the bulk of Harder’s campaign centers around these three issues, she does have position statements about most issues, including her position on the government’s involvement with UFOs.
For example, in a written statement, the Democratic presidential hopeful said, “The federal government does not belong in the business of education.” She argues the dangers of outcome-based education and advocates local control of schools.
She did not mention her stance on education to those who attended her University appearance.
“It’s too bad that she doesn’t have the money or national recognition to be heard,” said attendee Bryan Donaldson, a University public relations junior.
Harder began her political career in 1990 when she set a goal of running for president in the 1996 election.
Since then, one of the most commonly asked questions she gets is about being a female running for president. Harder said she always replies that the issues she is running on are more important than her gender.
One of the biggest hurdles she has had to overcome is recognition by the Democratic Party.
“I haven’t gone up through the party and have to earn their respect,” Harder said.
Harder owns several day-care centers in Indiana and is the mother of two grown daughters.
Stopping by the event was U.S. Senate hopeful Rebecca Yanisch. Yanisch was not connected to Harder but stopped by for a brief chat with the three attendees. After introducing herself, she told the students why she is running for Senate and talked about her interest in farm issues and increasing student aid.

Nathan Whalen welcomes comments at [email protected].