Candidates air views at college forum

Written by Marla Hoffman, Hersam Acorn Newspapers

Getting out the “young vote” is something every candidate hopes to accomplish.

The economy, health care, nuclear proliferation and world affairs were among the topics on the minds of young voters at a recent Candidates Day at Sacred Heart University, hosted by Gary Rose, government and politics professor.

More than 25 candidates running for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, governor, attorney general, state Senate and state House participated. With the 2010 election just months away, the candidates handed out literature and answered questions about their stance on the issues and what they had to offer.

“I’m looking for a candidate who has similar views to me,” said Liz Cronin, a political science major. “I’m interested in their views on the role of government and health care, specifically. But I’ll be most impressed with the candidates who know a lot about all the issues facing the country right now.”

Many political science students, like Ms. Cronin, came to the forum looking for specific information on the candidates and on politics in general.

“For the students, the whole idea is to get them involved in the political process,” Mr. Rose said. “And hopefully they will take what they are learning beyond the voting booth.”

Many of his students intern for candidates and are learning first-hand how politics works during a campaign, he said.

Political science major Scott Romano interns with U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-4th) on his re-election campaign but still met with many of the other candidates.

“I want to see what everyone has to say,” Mr. Romano said.

After speaking with several candidates, he said, “It seems everyone here is concerned with health care. But it seems many are ignoring what’s going on around the world, like Iran and nuclear weapons. I would like to hear them get more in depth about those kinds of world issues.”

Fellow student Sean Latella said the economy would take center stage during the election.

“These elections will be crucial for people here at home,” Mr. Latella said. “The single most important issue is the economy and how the newly elected are going to find new ways to help the middle class.”

Mr. Latella said he liked what U.S. Senate Candidate Linda McMahon said about how she would help the middle class.

“She brought up good points on how to alleviate the stress of federal taxes,” he said. “Some of her ideas could help give the middle class the room they need to improve.”

Speaking of the issues

The candidates filled tables with campaign literature, bumper stickers and monikered soda cans. As the students browsed, the eager politicians extended their hands and welcomed the would-be voters.

Most spoke about the issues, many about their credentials, but they all talked about the economy.

“This country is in a lot of trouble,” said U.S. Senate candidate Peter Schiff. “We are headed for a real financial crisis.

“We’re digging in deeper,” he added. “We have to understand our mistakes. But right now we are making it that much more difficult to solve these problems.”

Mr. Schiff, a Weston Republican, said the reason things are not getting better is because “government is so enormous.” The cost of government and the fact that there are too many rules and regulations are hindering progress, he said.

“People will end up leaving the country if there isn’t a dramatic shift in government spending,” he said. “This coming election will determine whether young people, like the students here today, will stay or leave.

“I’m the only guy who will do something about this problem. All the other candidates are business as usual,” he said.

Republican Linda McMahon of Greenwich, also seeking the nomination for U.S. Senate, said she would focus on creating jobs and the economy. “Until we get people back to work, the recovery of this economy cannot be sustained,” she said.

Ms. McMahon criticized the 2008 stimulus bill, saying she didn’t think it was a sustainable way to put money back into the economy. “Most of the money went to government agencies, not the private sector.

“When the stimulus money goes away, where then is the money to support projects in the future?” she asked.

Ms. McMahon, who said that she will petition for a primary if she does not win her party’s nomination, said the government should instead focus on cutting taxes.

“Cutting taxes will leave money in the pockets of the people and small businesses — the ones who need it most,” she said. “History has proven that if you cut taxes, it actually drives revenue.”

Ms. McMahon explained that this ties into her jobs initiative: “If there are more people working, more people will be paying taxes.”

Dan Malloy, a former Stamford mayor who is a Democratic candidate for governor, said he appreciated the opportunity to speak with the young voters.

“It was like a mass meet and greet,” said Mr. Malloy. “I got to talk to both students and faculty members, and I even got some leads on summer interns. It was a good opportunity for exchange with young people, who are really interested in government and this upcoming election.”

Mr. Malloy said that many of the students were concerned about the recovery of the job market.

“Most of the questions were about education and jobs,” he said. “They are looking at a job market that is depressing, and we need to do something about that. This state has lost more jobs in the past 21 years than any other state, and that can’t go on.”

Independent U.S. Senate candidate John Mertens of West Hartford spoke about health care and the rising importance of having a political alternative. “It’s fun running as an independent,” he said. “We haven’t had sustainable solutions presented from either party, particularly in regard to health care.”

According to Mr. Mertens, the Democratic and Republican view of health care is not all that different.

“Both parties tend to misrepresent health care to the public. The reality is the health care bill is not as bad as Republicans say it is, and it’s not as good as the Democrats say it is,” he said.

Mr. Mertens said it is the cost of health care, like the $36 trillion cost of Medicare, that is the problem.

“We have a health care system that is going to bankrupt this country,” he said. “We should be looking at Germany and France and adopting their methods. They spend much less than we do, and 100% of their population is covered.”

Mr. Mertens said he would also tackle tough topics, such as the drug problem in cities, and he would also work to build a national energy policy.

Those issues, like drugs and energy, most candidates don’t talk about, he said. “These are the kinds of issues mainstream politicians won’t touch. I’m going to force other candidates to talk about it, and if they don’t, people shouldn’t vote for them.”

Other candidates who attended in person or were represented at the forum included those running for attorney general: Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, George Jepsen and Martha Dean; for Congress: Tom Hermann, Rick Torres, Robert Merkle, Dan Debicella, Will Gregory, Rob Russo, who has since dropped out of the race, and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes; for U.S. Senate: Merrick Alpert, Vincent Forras and Warren Mosler; and for governor: Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, Tom Marsh, Juan Figueroa, C. Duffy Acevedo, and Scott Merrell.