An Elk Mound, Wis., truck driver and 1997 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduate recently announced his bid for U.S. president in the 2008 election. Bill Ingram is running for president on the independent ticket because he "is tired of important issues being divided down party lines." "Republicans are too far to the right and Democrats too far to the left," Ingram said, "I'm reaching out to the working and retired Americans in the middle." Ingram said he does not agree with traditional politics. "Since 1853, either a Republican or Democrat has been in office, and if Hilary [Clinton] gets elected, that's over 24 years of just two families running the country." Ingram said. "We might as well go back to a royalty system." Ingram added one of the most important issues in his campaign is ending the Iraq War. "The first thing I would do is bring the troops home," Ingram said. "It's called the war on terrorism but terrorism is a crime, a war is between two or more nations or sides, there is no one over there who can even surrender to us. It's up to the United States to pull the troops out." If elected, Ingram said he hopes to revive the American dream. "The American dream is to retire, travel, have a nice vehicle, and own your own home, things like that." Ingram said. "Now, many Americans are reaching retirement age in credit card debt [because] they had to supplement their incomes." Ingram said he truly believes he can win the presidential race, but UW political science professor Kenneth Mayer thinks otherwise. "His chances of winning are zero, and he's unlikely to even be on the ballot in any state," Mayer said. People like Ingram run for office to make a point, not because they actually think they can win, Mayer added. UW political science professor David Canon also added "small, truly independent candidates have virtually no impact on presidential elections; mathematically there is no way he can win." Regardless of these doubts, Ingram is reaching out to college students in his campaign. "Students are going to be working Americans very shortly, and they're going to have to pick up and pay for all the problems that have been growing the past few years" Ingram said. While campaigning on the road, Ingram said he has gotten positive feedback about his run for the White House. "I have a banner on the back of my semi-truck; that's better than a billboard because I can travel along with people," he said. "I'm getting my name out there over and over again, across the interstate lines."