For the first time in UNA history, a presidential candidate addressed the campus community.

Students, faculty, staff and Shoals residents attended a rally for Republican candidate Mike Huckabee hosted by College Republicans today at 8 a.m.

“Folks, we’re in trouble,” Huckabee said. “I wouldn’t be running for president if I didn’t think this country could come out of the tailspin it’s in. This country can get back on its feet again. We don’t have to say that the best days are behind us.”

Huckabee is the first presidential candidate to visit the quad-cities area since Jimmy Carter announced re-election in 1980.

The former governor of Arkansas addressed issues regarding poverty, open borders, the IRS, voting trends and student debt.

“For every single college student here today, we owe you more than a $19 trillion debt and a collapsed economy in a world in which your student debt cannot (be paid) back based on the meager job prospects that await,” he said.

He said he believes the current state of the country is not one he would wish on his family.

“I am not willing to march my five grandchildren through the charred remains of a once great country called America and say, ‘Here you go, good luck with it,’” he said. “We owe you more than that.”

For more on Huckabee’s speech, read our Oct. 8 issue.