Competition for the 2000 GOP presidential nomination has increased as more politicians are entering into the race.

With Vice President Al Gore the obvious leader for the Democratic nomination, Iowa State political aficionados say competition in the Republican field should be stiff.

Jason Darrah, vice chairman for College Republicans, attributes this increase in interest to the fact that “there is no clear-cut leader.” He said the candidates want to “pursue their visions for America.”

Ray Dearin is the adviser for Campus Republicans, and he said he believes the Republican presidential candidacy is wide open and is going to create a lot of interest.

“[The Republican Party] will be getting all of the attention,” said Dearin, professor of English, speech communication and political science.

A poll taken March 4 by a non-partisan research firm in Alexandria, Va. surveyed 300 Republicans.

The survey showed Texas Gov. George W. Bush in the lead with 36.7 percent of the vote, and Elizabeth Dole followed with 16.4 percent of the vote.

Pat Buchanan, in his third run for president, received 8 percent, as did former Vice President Dan Quayle. Former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander garnered 7.7 percent.

Also included were Alan Keyes with 4.6 percent, Sen. John McCain with 2.7 percent and Steve Forbes with 2 percent.

Dearin said there are “a lot of candidates who can do very well in Iowa if they catch on.” He said there are many new names and faces, which makes it difficult to predict the outcome.

Dole announced Wednesday that she will be forming an exploratory committee for the Republican nomination. She has not officially announced her candidacy, but she already is considered a front-runner for the nomination.

Steve Erickson, president of Campus Republicans, said the interest in Dole may be partially due to her gender.

“I think a lot of people are looking at the fact that she’s a woman,” said Erickson, senior in history. “They don’t really care about her stance.”

Bush has come out on top of early polls, which may be attributed to his well-known name and political history.

“I like Bush because he is not muddied in Washington politics,” said Darrah, junior in political science. “Other candidates have been part of Washington politics, but he doesn’t seem to be.”

Alexander began his second run for the presidency by leaving behind his red-and-black flannel shirts and adding former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as his national campaign manager.

“Alexander appointed Branstad because he is so popular in Iowa,” Darrah said. “If he can get Iowa, it will help him out.”

Dearin said he thinks all of the candidates are fairly conservative, and they will need to find some way to stand out from the crowd.

“Each one is trying to craft a message that is unique,” he said. “We just have to wait and see what their campaign looks like.”

Erickson believes abortion will be a top issue in this election.

“I think the Republican Party needs to keep the focus as the party who will deal with moral wrongs as opposed to running away from them as the moderates want to do,” he said.

Dole spoke in Des Moines Wednesday, and Alexander will be speaking at ISU today.

“We are right here in the middle of it,” Dearin said. “For anyone interested in politics, there is no better place to be.”