U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., spoke to Story County Democrats Tuesday at Heartland Senior Services, 205 S. Walnut Ave., comparing his “realistic solutions” to the “failed policies of George Bush’s presidency.”

Associating himself with Bill Clinton and disassociating himself with Bush — two presidents with whom Gephardt worked closely as the Democratic leader of the House — Gephardt passionately outlined his policy as president to the enthusiastic crowd. The event was hosted by former State Rep. Dennis Parmenter, D-Cambridge.

“I think the present occupant of the White House is doing a horrible job,” Gephardt said. “I’ve worked with five presidents during my time in the House, and he is by far the worst. This man is incompetent.”

Gephardt’s first point of attack against Bush was unemployment. He said the country has lost as many jobs during the last 24 months as Herbert Hoover during the Great Depression. Gephardt then pointed to the large economic growth of the 1990s — during Bill Clinton’s presidency.

Gephardt’s solution was similar to his fellow Democratic presidential candidates: repealing the Bush tax cut. He also defended his position of repealing the tax cut for the middle class, which other candidates such as Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., are in favor of keeping.

“If the tax cut is a failure, why would we keep half of the failure?” he asked.

Gephardt said he would use the money from the repealed tax cut to fund public issues, such as education. He revealed a plan called “Teacher Corps,” in which a person who studies to become a teacher will receive full loan reimbursement, provided they go where the government requests for the five years following graduation.

“If it’s good enough for the ROTC, it’s good enough for teachers,” he said. He then addressed issues he claimed were ignored by the current administration, including alternative energy. He outlined a plan to have 10 percent renewable energy use in 10 years and 20 percent use in 20 years.

He said renewable energy would free America from dependency on foreign oil, which he said indirectly supports terrorism. He said according to the CIA, 90 percent of Saudi Arabians — who supply America with 25 percent of its oil — would vote for Osama bin Laden if bin Laden ran for president tomorrow.

“If an anti-American regime took power, they would raise the cost of oil to 200 dollars a barrel bringing our economy to our knees,” he said. “It’s ridiculous to depend on oil from unstable Middle Eastern regimes.”

One audience member tried to make sure Gephardt didn’t become too idealistic.

“We need to find a solution to the war in Iraq or you’ll never get enough money to do what you want to do,” said Paul Rebers, of Nevada.

Gephardt said the solution was a broader network of international allies in the Iraq reconstruction effort. Gephardt explained, saying Iraqis would be more confident in global support of their country if they could see peacekeeping soldiers from India, Germany, France and other nations aside from the United States.

Gephardt’s appeal for support of his candidacy convinced some members of the audience. Elizabeth Greenwood, 3001 Regency Ct., said she made up her mind Tuesday whom she would vote for in the Iowa Caucuses.

“His sincerity showed me he won’t allow corruption to continue running rampant,” Greenwood said.