On Tuesday, October 17, the Plymouth State University College Democrats hosted a political forum where students could meet and ask questions of two democratic candidates vying for office in the upcoming state election: Paul Hodes, who is campaigning toward a seat on United States Congress, and Deb Reynolds, a Plymouth local woman who is running for New Hampshire State senate, District Two. “College Democrats are here to bring political discourse to campus as well as raise awareness of the candidates,” said Nick Gunn, president of the PSU chapter of College Democrats, “That is the purpose of the forum.”
Both candidates had the opportunity to discuss with an audience of students, faculty, and a few local Plymouth residents, the platforms of their respective campaigns as well as their opinions of the direction New Hampshire and the country as a whole, is taking under the current government.
One of the issues in Deb Reynolds campaign for State Senate is her “strong feelings of connection to the people of district two,” she said to the forum audience, “I want to do things that benefit the people of this community.”
Reynolds’ campaign concerns include expanding Health care for children, making public transportation more accessible for senior citizens and expanding the hospitality business in District Two, which covers 31 towns including Plymouth and Concord.
“Hospitality is a booming industry within District Two. It is important that the state legislature understand this and do what they can to forward the industry. In protecting the hospitality and working toward helping it expand, we are inadvertently keeping ourselves aware of many other issues that affect the state,” Reynolds said in a posting on her campaign website.
Paul Hodes’ political platform for Congress is his emphasis on “asking the tough questions, and holding this administration accountable for the things it should be accountable for,” Hodes said to the forum.
Hodes has several campaign issues including, but not limited to, the war in Iraq, energy conversation and education. “I strongly believe that this country needs new priorities and direction.”
Hodes’ plans to bring to Congress “a responsible exit strategy regarding the war in Iraq, which includes withdrawing our national guard and reserve troops, so they can do what they are supposed to do, which is be here to respond to disasters on at home, and to truly serve as reserves should an unforeseen crisis happen abroad.”
Hodes also plans to bring to light such issues as energy conservation. “There are very few issues facing us right now that are as important, and that we have the ability to control,” Hodes said. “We will be more secure as a nation once we reduce our dependence on foreign oil and demonstrate our commitment to a sustainable energy policy.”
As education is concerned, particularly the “No Child Left Behind” Act, Hodes stance is fix it, fund it or forget it.
“I believe that schools and teachers ought to be accountable for performance. However, this law looks to punish teachers first with little consideration for individual circumstances. I prefer accountability balanced with greater local control and adequate funding; enlisting a corps of quality young people into our teaching ranks through a program of student loan relief; giving teachers the tools and resources they need to teach our kids, including pay raises. Teachers are heroes, plain and simple, and should be treated as such.
“Paul Hodes will represent you in Washington,” said Reynolds during the forum.
Election Day is Tuesday November 7. Student Senate will be sponsoring an event to help students register to vote on October 26th from 4:30 – 7p.m. in the HUB and will also be providing university transportation to the poles.