The government should be more of a friend to American farmers, offering them assistance and not regulation, said former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.

Alexander outlined his agricultural policy Thursday to about 200 people in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

With campaigning chairman and former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad at his side, Alexander tackled the issues facing farmers in Iowa and around the country.

“American agriculture has achieved near miracles in its efficacy and its ability to feed a hungry world,” he said. “Yet our farmers and ranchers have not received their share of the rewards.”

Alexander outlined his agricultural policy with five points.

First, don’t impose economic sanctions unless there is a clear and overriding national interest. Second, fast track legislation and more access to foreign markets. Third, get rid of regulations by cutting federal regulations exactly in half. Fourth, fix the federal crop insurance program. Finally, promote value-added agriculture by doubling research funds to our universities for biotechnology research.

Alexander said he blames the government for the current farm crisis.

“The recent story of American agriculture is a story of government opportunities lost because of action or inaction,” he said. “It can be a story of great opportunities ahead if we will adopt a sensible farm policy.”

Some farmers have blamed their troubles on the Freedom to Farm Act, but Alexander disagreed with that opinion.

“It is time we allow American farmers to do what they do best — that is produce an abundant, safe food supply,” he said. “Freedom to Farm was to be a transition to a future in which Washington bureaucrats do not control decisions about production — farmers do.”

Problems involving federal regulation should be a major concern, he said.

“I will suggest to Congress that they pass a two-year budget instead of a one-year budget, which raises the question, ‘What will they do every other year? I would suggest they convene primarily for the purpose of reviewing, revising and repealing laws and regulations,” he said.

Alexander said there is a choice between two methods of solving the problems facing farmers.

“One is to let nature take its course. The other is to expand access to foreign markets, reduce the cost of regulation, develop new management tools, find new uses for agricultural products and give producers more control,” he said. “The second choice is the right one. But the Clinton-Gore administration has not made that choice.”

The Clinton-Gore administration has failed on its promises to the farmer, and as a result, prices have continued to drop, he said.

Alexander promoted the use of ethanol over harmful petroleum-based fuels.

“Ethanol can help clean our air without poisoning our groundwater, and the citizens of California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, where MTDE is poisoning the groundwater, will be grateful for the farmers of Iowa and of Tennessee and their own farmers in California for producing the corn that produces ethanol, which cleans the air and the groundwater,” he said.

Alexander made the goals of his candidacy well known.

“Two days ago in Nashville, Tenn., I announced my candidacy for the presidency of the United States,” he said. “In that announcement, I said that my campaign would be about bringing out the best in our country, about raising our standards.”

Although Alexander is trailing in the polls, Branstad said there is nearly a year until the first primaries.

“The only poll that I believe in is the one that takes place on election day,” Branstad said. “I have run 10 times and many of those times I was picked to lose. Public opinion polls do not elect people.”

Branstad said Alexander has what it takes to be president.

“He has been a great leader in the development and diversification of the economy and education, and he understands the importance of a land-grant university and the role it can play in the research to help American agriculture as we look and move towards the 21st century,” he said.

Honey Alexander, Lamar Alexander’s wife, voiced her support for her husband’s campaign.

“He has the experience; he has the commitment; he has the ability; and he will work hard for the American people,” she said. “He would make a wonderful president.”