As a self-proclaimed problem-solver, Tommy Thompson has encountered some big problems.

Most recently, the biggest quest has been how to win the Republican nomination for president.

Thompson, the former governor of Wisconsin and Republican presidential hopeful, spoke to a small group of Ames residents and ISU students Saturday at the Comfort Suites, 2609 Elwood Drive. After being introduced by Congressman Tom Latham, R-Iowa, Thompson fielded questions from the public about a wide range of issues, from health care to the war in Iraq.

His overarching theme, though, remained constant through the entire meeting.

“I’m an individual that likes to look at a problem and come up with a solution,” Thompson said. “I believe in ideas and I think the Republican party has got to start thinking of real imaginative ideas.”

The candidate is well-known for his groundbreaking welfare reform while he was governor in Wisconsin. Known as the Wisconsin Works welfare reform, the policies Thompson created helped those on welfare to find work, insurance and child care or schooling.

Thompson had much to say about the war in Iraq and health care issues, but didn’t have a well-defined plan to appeal to the collegiate demographic. While in Wisconsin, Thompson said he raised the amount of loans by the same percentage as tuition; however, he offered no explanation in how to combat rising tuition costs nationwide.

Don McDowell, president of the ISU College Republicans and junior in political science, said Thompson does understand the growing problem among young adults, and given a chance to properly address it, would come up with a solution for rising tuition.

“As we graduate, we assume higher costs,” McDowell said. “I think [Thompson] understands that . I think college students can look at him and know he’s a solution-oriented guy.”

Thompson’s political career thus far is widely respected, and Latham, who has been in the House of Representatives since 1995, said Thompson’s platform has potential to hit home in Iowa.

“The accomplishments that he has talked about are very important,” Latham said. “He’s an expert on health care, and that will resonate with Iowans.”

In addition to health care and welfare platforms, Thompson offered a number of solutions for the ongoing war in Iraq, including public elections and sharing of oil revenue.

In his Iraqi revenue sharing platform, Thompson suggests Iraq should share oil revenue with its individual states, dividing the money into thirds – the central government, the individual states and the people.

In the end, Thompson’s ability to connect with the state of Iowa and its citizens may be what determines how much of a chance he has at the nomination, but McDowell said his problem-solving ability should make him a strong one.

“You hear Tommy [Thompson] get down the basics and talk about individual, detailed solutions,” McDowell said. “I think, as he travels the state, people will really like the fact that he’s a detailed-oriented guy.”