Woman walks across America for reformation

by YUTA USUDA
reporter

Converting the power of walking into the power of words, 92-year-old Doris Haddock, "Granny D," said in her speech at Marshall University she stood outside the hotel when President George W. BushÕs campaign wasted $20 million one night with a "gorgeous party."

Invited by Dr. Ken Hechler, former West Virginia secretary of state and a professor in the Honors Program, the retired shoe-factory worker spoke out in the Don Morris Room of the Memorial Student Center Thursday.

Granny D, a Dublin, N.H., resident, talked about campaign finance reform. She walked from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., when she was 90 years-old to arouse people's awareness of the importance of campaign finance reform.

"I'm trying to tell people what was going on," she said. "Our government was sliding away from campaign reform ... I live on social security. I have no income. The only way I had of doing anything about it was to walk as a pilgrim across the country.

"There are many great organizations worrying about it, but they don't get anywhere. They need to get together and become a force," she said.

Briant Tanley, senior business major, attended the speech and said, "It was interesting. Very informative of how the government raises money. She must've done a lot of research. She knows what she's talking about."

Hearing Granny D for a second time was Blaine Kelly, senior education major, who met her in Hechler's annual bash at Berkeley Springs in September.

"I think if more people really look into the issue she is addressing, stay informed, really stand for issues and take action, the political process can be cleaned up," he said.

Granny D said, "I feel strongly about talking to students because no revolution has ever occurred without students."

The campaign finance reform bill Granny D supports passed the U.S. Senate in March. Now it is in the House of Representatives. But, Granny D said the House has decided not to vote for it after the last month's terrorism, and the bill will have to be done again next year.

"If there's a possible chance of the bill coming up, I want them (people) to get in touch with their Representatives to vote in favor of it," Granny D said.

Hechler introduced her by saying, "Granny D wanted particularly to come to Marshall University," he said. "She believes that the future of campaign finance reform rests with energy, idealism, enthusiasm and dedication of students."