Presidential candidate Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Penn., appeared at the dedication of the Reiman Gardens this weekend to drum up campaign support.

Specter is a fiscal and economic conservationist and a social libertarian who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980, 1986 and 1992. He was previously an assistant district attorney and district attorney of Philadelphia.

The senator said an increase in foreign markets would help Iowa soybeans, beef and pork markets. Expanding export opportunities is what Iowa needs, “and the opportunities in foreign markets are tremendous,” he said.

Specter said although he is a Pennsylvania senator, he was born in Wichita, Kan., and raised in the small town of Russell, Kan. Because of his background, he said he has seen, and is sensitive to, the problems of farmers.

Also a priority for Specter is to balance the federal budget.

“But spending needs to be cut with a scalpel and not a meat ax,” he said.

One option would be through a flat tax proposal, which would replace the “entire Byzantine federal tax code” with a 20 percent flat tax rate on wage and business income.

Specter said this would be important for college students entering the work force because it would be a significant improvement in the federal tax system and would take the burden off students.

Specter said he has supported Pell Grants, loans, and is against cutting out the waiting period to pay back loans.

“I want students to share in the American dream,” Specter said.

Recent federal funds allocated for ISU research were supported by Specter.

“The funds allocated make sense in the importance of the quality of national education,” he said.

The Pennsylvania senator is looking for a strong finish in the Iowa Caucus.

“I hope to finish second behind Dole in the Iowa Caucus,” Specter said.

Dole has been strong in Iowa for several decades, but Specter said he thinks he has a good chance of doing well.

As the only pro-choice Republican, Specter said he hopes to attract college-age voters. He said he many college students think “the less government is, the better government is.”

Therefore, students prefer to rely on their own good sense and would rather decisions be left up to the individual, Specter said.

While he doesn’t agree with abortion, he said the government should have no authority over a woman’s body.

Education is also cited as a priority on Specter’s platform.

Education is needed to deter discrimination because “discrimination is everywhere,” he said.

“I support women in politics,” Specter said. “My wife is a councilwoman in politics.”

Specter suggested that a good Republican woman running for vice president is needed on the ticket.

“Women deserve comparable pay for comparable jobs and they aren’t always receiving it,” Specter said. He said he has also led the way in establishing a special unit for research specifically for women.

Other priorities for Specter include NATO, crime and terrorism control, health care, environmental issues and crime control.