Will Rodgers And NHS Students Talk Politics

By Eliza Hallabeck

Not all students at Newtown High School may be able to vote on this year’s Election Day, but for the second time this election, season students in history and government classes were offered the chance to discuss national and local politics with someone who will be on the ballot next week.

William F.L. Rodgers, the Republican nominee for the 106th District, spoke to two groups of students on Thursday, October 23. As a member of the Legislative Council, Mr Rodgers opened his two speeches by telling the students he intended to share information about town politics, state politics, and national politics.

“The chief reason why I’m running,” said Mr Rodgers, “is I’ve grown tired of year after year of cutting a quarter of a million dollars from the proposed operating budget every spring.”

Mr Rodgers continued by adding that he plans to bring more taxes back to Newtown because, he said, cities like Bridgeport have a larger return rate on their state taxes.

“I want to form alliances with representatives from rural and suburban areas,” said Mr Rodgers regarding how he would bring more tax money back to Newtown.

After his introduction, Mr Rodgers opened the discussion for students to ask questions. Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, was among one of the first topics brought up.

“She’s had an up and down effect,” said Mr Rodgers about Gov Palin. “I’d personally like to see her answer more questions with ‘I don’t know. How could I possibly know? I’m the governor of Alaska.’”

He said her typical reaction is to say she knows many things, but Mr Rodgers said that works against her.

As far as the Presidential candidates go, Mr Rodgers said he believes the Democrats reversed their candidates. He said typically an experienced candidate, like Democratic vice presidential nominee Senator Joe Bidden, would be the Presidential candidate, and Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic Presidential nominee, would be the vice presidential candidate.

He added he has faith both Senator John McCain, the Republican Presidential candidate, and Mr Obama would run the country smoothly if elected on November 4.

A student asked Mr Rodgers for his opinion on the economic crisis currently facing the country, and Mr Rodgers said he does not think the “blame game is helping a whole lot.”

Making Connecticut favorable to small businesses would be one way Mr Rodgers said would be helpful to the state through the financial crisis.

One of the final questions brought up during the first of the two speeches Mr Rodgers gave was how he feels about allowing 17-year-olds who will turn 18 before the next general election to vote in a presidential election. Mr Rodgers said he is in favor of allowing it.

“I can guarantee you that everyone in this room is giving more thought to the election,” said Mr Rodgers. He said when campaigning from door-to-door in town, he asked people why they intend to vote. Their responses, he said, were tenuous.

NHS social studies teacher Candace Dietter said she thinks having candidates speak at the school helps students understand and connect to the election process more.

“I like the way that Mr Rodgers spoke of both national tickets and accentuated the positives and negatives,” said Ms Dietter.

Christopher Lyddy, Mr Rodgers’ Democratic opponent for 106th District representative, spoke to NHS students on October 1.