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PAST ISSUES
Political firestorm engulfs Franklin Pierce
by Jimi Devine
Exchange Staff
The dynamic of presidential politics began taking its grip over New Hampshire and the Franklin Pierce campus, through the Marlin Fitzwater Center's Primary Connection Program.
The Fitzwater Center recently held its first event for the Primary Connection program with Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. The program's goal is to get students involved in the first in the nation events of the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire primary.
The group recently hosted Democratic Candidate and Ohio Congressmen Dennis Kucinich who noted among other things, Financial Aide reform, Drug policy, and his Iraq plan formed by himself and members of the United Nations. Before Kucinich spoke, Republican candidate Duncan Hunter, did a one hour interview on Raven radio.
The group is working on many projects involving the Primary Connection. Director Trent Spiner said, "We are using Political Science majors to do the bulk of the research." The group is actively working on bringing in big name candidates including Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, and John McCain.
The only problem is there has been an issue finding roles for everyone to participate. "Over thirty students have expressed interest in the program, we're still working on how to utilize these people," Spiner said.
Campus political pundit sophomore Justin Martell has also been giving his take on politics through his FPC-TV show, The Dynamic Duo featuring Martell and Eric Jackman. Martell spoke on the difference between other events and those here on campus, "If you have someone like Hilary or Obama you'll get a large turnout, but I think that large audiences will be less fulfilled then small audiences watching and taking part." said, Martell.
The Connecticut native spoke of the pride in New Hampshire over their first in the nation Primary. He said, "It's really interesting to be in New Hampshire. Because you see no matter who is running all residents of New Hampshire of all Political affiliations take pride in the Primary," said Martell.
Martell also found the atmosphere of the campus to be liberal to moderate. He has also brought the Politics of 9/11 to light with his recent Dennis Kucinich interview which ranked well on YouTube. Martell founded Student Scholars for 9/11 Truth which can be seen online at www.sst911.org.
Martell and Spiner both noted how important it was for students to come out and take part in the events. Martell said, "I hope others will take advantage of the great opportunities afforded to them by the activity we’ve seen."
Communication issues have arisen with many on campus being left in the dark about the Presidential Politics going on. Some were surprised they did not have the opportunity to take part. Ben Cummings said, "I didn’t hear anything about it, if I had attended I would of have had questions." Cummings went on to note they were not doing enough to publicize these events to everyone.
Students outside the program have been reacting to the change in the political atmosphere on campus. Mass Communications major Casey Bolduc said, "I'm not a huge fan but it’s a good idea." Bolduc however claimed he did care about politics.
On the subject of voter turnout and political involvement by the FPC campus, opinions varied. Spiner said, "I think there will be a core group of heavily involved students that eat and sleep politics." Spiner noted on the others who would get involved in the political process and said, "Then you have the masses that will read the two line breakdowns and listen to the radio. Eventually basing there vote on what the media says."
Spiner and Martell both believed the student media
outlets of the Fitzwater center would make it an important stop on the
campaign trail.
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The Dems won't forget their Lysol. |
