Congressman Greg Ganske told a group of ISU students and Republicans of Story County members that Iowans have a different social agenda than the liberal Hollywood crowd while on campus over the weekend.

Ganske, a reconstructive surgeon and U.S. representative who is running for a seat in the U.S. Senate, spoke Saturday afternoon in Black Engineering building to a group of 15 ISU students and Ames residents.

Ganske said Iowans are different from more “liberal crowds” and used Barbra Streisand several times as an example of such a liberal.

Ganske defined Iowans as “civil, friendly, fair and courteous people.” Education, farmers and working families were subjects he said are important issues for Iowans.

“Congress has a significant lack of diversity. We need more farmers, accountants, scientists and nurses. We need people of different backgrounds,” he said.

The congressman also spoke about anti-abortion measures. He said pregnant women with cancer, for example, should opt for a Caesarean section over an abortion.

“[Thinking], ‘Gee, I’m really depressed about having to have this baby,'” is not a sufficient reason to have an abortion, Ganske said.

Ganske said he supports stem-cell research but said embryos should not be created specifically for it. He said a possible source of embryos are those that come from fertility clinics.

Ganske also said the new program of Homeland Defense is “foundering.”

Union rules need to be overcome and President Bush needs the approval to move employees positions for Homeland Security, he said.

Ganske said a union boss can say, “Sorry, this is not in his job description,” when an employee is needed to be moved.

Also, when unions strike it is a hindrance to national security, Ganske said.

He said the measures are needed because “Iraq is getting closer and closer to having a nuclear weapon.”

“We know [Saddam] has semi trucks that probably have missiles in them,” he said.

Michael Dale, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences and president of the ISU Republicans, said the small meeting was “good and more interactive, more personal. We got to hear from students.”

Dale said Ganske has a big job ahead of him.

“Ganske needs to focus on the Iowa agenda and also to tackle U.S. issues,” he said.