Monday, Sept. 21, 2015 | Volume 211 | Number 19 | 40 cents | iowastatedaily.com | An independent student newspaper serving Iowa State since 1890.
The hug that was felt round the world By Julian.Neely @iowastatedaily.com A test of true friendship was brought to the steps of Park Library on Friday between two life-long friends. Personal space issues were not a concern for Alec Norem, sophomore in advertising, and Amanda Nerem, sophomore in kinesiology, as they beat the world record for longest hug.
The two have been friends since fifth grade and wanted to create a remarkable memory during their time at Iowa State. “It all started by jump roping and I was like, ‘I’m going to beat the record for jump roping,’” Nerem said. The two decided to do research on all the records they could possibly beat and came across the longest hug. “We were just bored this summer in the beginning,” Ner-
em said. The current Guinness World Record for the longest hug is just over 26 hours. In order to beat the record, Nerem and Norem needed to maintain their hugging position as long as possible. They were not allowed to change their hugging position or sleep during the time they were hugging. The huggers took breaks every hour to use the bathroom and eat.
But when Parks Library closed, they had to develop a strategic plan for ways to use the bathroom, so they built their own restroom using a gallon container. Nerem and Norem need evidence to prove to Guinness that they beat the record by four hours. The two had friends on rotation for observations and a recording that will be sent to Guinness for judging.
Max Goldberg/Iowa State Daily
Amanda Nerem and Alec Norem attempt to break the world record for longest hug.
Charlie Coffey/Iowa State Daily
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker appears on stage at the Faith and Freedom Coalition Dinner on Saturday in Des Moines. Walker was joined by other Republican candidates to discuss Planned Parenthood and the Iran nuclear deal.
GOP candidates attempt to win over Iowa Republicans aim for support of Christian conservatives By Alex.Hanson @iowastatedaily.com
J
ust shy of four months until Iowa’s precinct caucuses, Republican presidential candidates flocked to the state once again this weekend — this time trying to win over a crucial chunk of the vote: Christian conservatives. About 1,500 religious conservatives packed into the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center at
the Iowa State Fairgrounds to hear from the candidates — all of whom lashed out at Planned Parenthood, defended religious freedom and promised not to abide by the Iran nuclear deal if elected president. Religious conservatives in the state make up more than a third of caucus-goers. All eyes were on several different candidates at this point in the presidential cycle. Donald Trump, of course, has dominated the polls this summer. Scott Walker, the once-frontrunner in Iowa, has struggled in the polls recently. Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum have won the past two caucuses. Finally, Bobby Jindal is widely known as one of the most
religious Republicans in the race. Trump, it seemed, wanted acknowledgment from the crowd that he still had a chance at their vote. “I brought my Bible,” were Trump’s first words. “See, I’m better than you thought.” His argument didn’t stop there. “I also brought my confirmation picture,” he said holding up the photo. “No one can believe it. Nobody believes this. What went wrong? I’m a Christian. I’m a Presbyterian. Do you believe it?” Trump then addressed the news story that has been following him since Thursday — not correcting a New Hampshire man
at his rally who asked Trump what he would do about Muslims in the United States, including President Obama, who the man argued was Muslim. On stage in Des Moines, the billionaire businessman read a series of tweets he made before flying to Iowa. One person asked if he is “morally” obligated to defend President Obama whenever something bad is said about him. Another asked if Obama would come to his defense if something bad were said about Trump. “This can only happen to me, the press is going crazy and they all wanted to see me,” Trump said. “For the first time in my life, I got in trouble for not saying anything.
I didn’t say anything. I was in big trouble, all over the place — CNN, Fox, CBS, every newscast it was the biggest story. I even beat out the Pope, on every single one. The only time I’ll ever beat the Pope.” A CNN/ORC poll released Sunday morning showed Trump losing ground, but still ahead in the Republican race. Trump had support from 24 percent of voters nationwide, but former HP CEO Carly Fiorina went up 12 points from the last poll, with 15 percent support. Jindal was not impressed later in the evening, sticking to his guns, as he has over the past week, at-
TRUMP p8
Graham talks education, foreign policy in Ames By Elizabeth.Gray @iowastatedaily.com
Korrie Bysted/Iowa State Daily
Lindsey Graham takes photos with ISU students Saturday at Olde Main Brewery in Ames. Graham focused his speech on student debt and the Iran nuclear deal.
Republican presidential candidate Lindsey Graham was in Ames on Saturday for a meet and greet, talking foreign policy, debt and education at Olde Main Brewing Company. Graham’s Ames stop was just one on a multi-day tour of the state following the second Republican debate. Graham has struggled in polls since announcing his campaign in the summer, but has continued to push an aggressive foreign policy while traveling the country. “A weak America is a dangerous world,” Graham said. Graham said he supported sending ground troops to the Middle East in an effort to abolish ISIS and other terrorist groups. Although the plan to defend the
United States and create a safer world is a priority for Graham, he said he realizes that it can not be done without a strong economy to back it up. Graham said he supports lower tax rates, and encourage younger citizens to avoid retirement until they reach the age of 69. “If I’m president we’re going to drink more,” Graham joked about finding solutions to debt. He said the only way to lower debt in America is by working with both Republicans and Democrats to find the solutions that work best for working Americans. When asked about Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, Graham said people find him entertaining, especially when he says the unexpected, but said he does not believe Trump is ready to be the president of the United States. “We’ve seen what happens
when we elected a law professor,” he said. “What’s gonna happen if we elect a reality TV star?” Graham was also asked questions concerning student loans and the problem with tuition-free colleges. He said his plan to lower the interest rates, increase accessibility toward student funding and open the student loans to private sectors would reduce the burden on students. Graham also rejects the idea of free college tuition for all students because he said it would contribute to the rising national debt. His overall goal is to improve the job market for recent college graduates. Following his Ames appearance, Graham appeared in Des Moines at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s fall dinner along with several other presidential candidates.