UNH students have mixed emotions about the former Mass. Senator
By Brittany Schaefer, Staff Writer
In the upcoming midterm election, both Jeanne Shaheen and Scott Brown have made it a point to visit the University of New Hampshire.
Both seem to have advantages in dealing with issues that students find most important. And, with both having senatorial experience, Brown is giving Shaheen a fight for her seat in the United States Senate.
Shaheen has been the senior senator for New Hampshire since 2009, which many students believe gives her an advantage for knowing what has been going on in the state. Brown started in the Massachusetts Senate back in 2004 and has since moved to nearby Rye.
Brown had represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate, which some students believe will hurt him in the senatorial race because he has no previous experience voting on behalf of New Hampshire.
“I think that being from Massachusetts and recently moving to New Hampshire will hurt Scott Brown,” UNH sophomore Dan Fothergill said. “He isn’t associated with the state, and it will take time to gain that recognition.”
Fothergill also believes that since Brown has voted against important social issues, like gay marriage in Nov. 2011, and equal pay for women in June 2012, he will have a hard time winning over the millennial generation. “These issues are so crucial to our generation right now,” Fothergill said. “His opinions will definitely hurt his campaign.”
During Brown’s visit to UNH, many female students protested for their rights of equality and to protect Planned Parenthood programs.
“I don’t like Scott Brown because he repealed the Affordable Care Act for Planned Parenthood,” said junior Anna Jones. “I am more liberal, and I think it is unfair that Scott Brown is trying to take away women’s rights.”
Brown makes it clear on his website that he is against “Obamacare,” and he rejected the Paycheck Fairness Act while he was in the Massachusetts Senate.
According to Real Clear Politics, Shaheen currently holds a lead by 4.5 points.
“I think our generation is one that is going to face a lot of climate problems,” said UNH senior Tom Giancola, “which Scott Brown has voted against.”
Although Brown goes against some issues that UNH students care about, he has many fans on campus; this was easily seen when he visited Durham on Sept. 12.
“I think it is a great thing that we have these political officials reaching out at college campuses,” junior Michael Raccio said. “Scott Brown values personal responsibilities, free markets and small governments, and I strongly agree with his views. I will volunteer to help people, but I don’t want to be forced to help them.”
“Being a different ethnicity, I found that the Republican Party [caters] to my needs better,” said senior Michael Vazquez, an intern for Republicans of America based in Concord. “Working with Scott Brown has made me realize that he is perfect for New Hampshire. Not only is he a humble person, but he knows what this state needs to succeed.”
UNH students showed mixed emotions about who would be the better candidate for the United States Senate. However, one major consensus between students was that they are happy that politicians are taking the time to meet with their younger voters.
