Incumbent democratic president wins re-election for 2012 presidential race
Whitney Cyr
Managing Executive Editor
“I pray the president will be successful in guiding the nation,” Mitt Romney told his supporters in Boston, Ma. during his concession speech Tuesday night. President Barack Obama has been re-elected, securing the 270 electoral votes necessary to secure his seat for the next four years. At press time, reports had the numbers at 290-203. In Keene, NH, President Obama won the race with 8,667 votes, Mitt Romney gaining 3,592 votes, while libertarian Gary Johnson earned 180 votes throughout the five wards of the city.
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Many local politicians focused on the importance of the student vote. Molly Kelly, who won the race for Senate, spoke positively about the impact Keene State College students had on the election. “Overall, the message truly is about growing our economy and providing opportunities for everyone and in particular for young people. You will be the ones who will start and create new jobs and industry,” she said. Kelly also advocated for the re-election of Obama, saying he will be able to continue on the path he’s been traveling on for the past four years.
“There will be equal opportunity for people who live in this great country, not just a few. He will continue his work in investing in his resources. He will keep jobs here in the United States,” she said.
Richard Foote, who lost the race for Senate to Molly Kelly, also agreed the student vote was very important in the election, but he also stressed the importance of being informed.
“Students should do their homework before they go vote. It’s important they familiarize themselves with the issues,” he said. Foote said Obama will continue to increase the amount of debt. Romney, on the other hand, would have stabilized the economy, make small business grow, and be more fiscally responsible, according to Foote. Both Foote and Kelly attended parties for their respective political parties. Samuel Hawkes, the chair of the Cheshire County Democrats, held a party at Ramunto’s on election night. “Elections are a very exciting time,” he said, amongst some cheers as Obama was announced as winning various states throughout the night. Hawkes said Obama hasn’t forgotten about the people who are still struggling to support themselves.
“He is deeply concerned with the welfare of the middle class. He is a champion of their cause and he hasn’t forgotten them,” Hawkes said. Hawkes praised the college students for turning out to vote.
“It is wonderful that college students have taken interest in the democratic process,” he said. “The future of our country depends on the educated population.” Hawkes is confident Obama will be able to improve the cost of Medicare, improve higher education and make it more affordable for everyone.
Several of the people administering the community voting today were thrilled over the college students exercising their constitutional rights. Carol Hill was at Ward One, located on Marlboro St., where she saw bus load after bus load of students going into the polls.
“All of you guys were wonderful going and voting today. Students today are starting out their life voting today and they will continue throughout their life,” she said. The chair of the Cheshire County Republicans, Bill Hetwelker, held a party for the area members of the Republican party at Papagallo’s on election night.
According to Hetwelker, a large number of people supporting the party went around knocking on doors and worked extremely hard to support the national and local Republican campaigns.
If Romney had been elected, Hetwelker said it would have resulted in an economic upturn and would restore true bipartisanship. However, under another term with Obama, Hetwelker said he foresees the president’s continued inability to lead effectively.
Hetwelker said the budget deficit increased by 60 percent, instead of being decreased by 50 percent as Obama has originally promised. He emphasized the importance of college students being civically engaged. “The youth vote is critical. Young people should be engaged. They should work with the local government,” he said.
Allie Bedell, a junior, and chair of the Campus Republicans in addition to being a field representative for Richard Foote’s campaign, was not pleased with the results of the election.
“I haven’t seen economic improvement from Obama,” she said. “I’m a proponent of small government and little government intervention.” Bedell said Romney has the skills, resources and knowledge to turn the economy around. “Our country is doing a disservice to college students by letting the debt rise. We’ve seen unprecedented spending,” she said. “Our generation will have our hands tied.”
Kay Montplaisir, a KSC freshman and member of Obama’s campaign, said, “I’m extremely ecstatic,” about the win. “I’m such a huge fan of him, I’ve been working really hard on his campaign,” she said. In particular, she was impressed with the voter turnout.
“More than two times the amount of students who voted in 2008 voted in 2012,” she said. Montplaisir has worked closely with students on campus to ensure they went to polls. Austin Martin, a sophomore, said it would be foolish not to believe in Obama’s morals. “Every vote counts and every bit made a difference,” he said. Gabby Boyle, a freshman, said it was exciting and powerful to be able to vote for the first time.
Whitney Cyr can be contacted at
wcyr@keene-equinox.com
Check out The Equinox special project on the election at www.keene-equinox.com