Progressives go for a Trial By Fire Approach in Special-Election Races

As special election season has begun, spectators from both political parties have taken notice, especially in blue-leaning districts across the country.

It is not a matter of which party will win, but who from the incumbent’s party will- a progressive or a moderate? As members have been appointed to cabinet positions and other roles in President Joe Biden’s White House, a scramble has begun behind the scenes to see who will be their successor. Former Congresswoman and now Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge (D-OH) provides viewers with a great case example. Her seat is one of the bluest in the country, going D+60 in the 2020 election. It is safe to say no Republican is going to be a challenge in this predominantly urban district that encompasses Cleveland and Akron. 

This situation is not uncommon in the United States, particularly at the beginning of a new presidential administration when many elected officials are asked to join the executive branch. Cedric Richmond from Louisiana’s 2nd district who also joined Team Biden as a special advisor is leaving behind a D+48 district back home. These circumstances allow for basically a one-party election to determine who will fulfill the vacancy. As of late, with polarization at an all time high, it’s been progressive Democrats pinned against more moderate candidates, while in heavily red districts its moderate Republicans versus Trump-like opponents. With a Democratic White House, however, there have been more vacancies on the left side of the aisle than the right. 

Enter Bernie Sanders campaign chairwoman Nina Turner. A lifelong progressive from Ohio’s 11th district, Turner has been able to promote her prior experience as a state legislator and credibility as a pro-union and pro-Medicare For Alladvocate on the national scene to gain traction in her home district. She has also been able to get endorsements from local leaders such as Cleveland mayor Frank Jackson and Ohio Senate Democratic Whip Sandra Williams. On the flip side of the coin is moderate Shontel Brown, who has the highly sought-after endorsement of the United Auto Workers Union, something many candidates look to receive when trying to sway working class voters. She also has the  endorsements of Pro-Israel America and Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI), a Super PAC that has spent vast sums of money on moderate Democratic candidates in the past. Many view this as a proxy battle between progressives and moderates, and with a few months to go before the primary election, expect this race to heat up.

A fall point for Progressives however can be seen in the race to fill Cedric Richmond’s seat in LA-2. Over this past week Troy Carter, a moderate state senator with experience working across the aisle over fellow state senator Karen Carter Peterson, a staunch progressive who ran on a Green New Deal and had the endorsement of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14). Although this endorsement made waves on blue-check Twitter, it was not enough to propel the state senator over her fellow candidates, especially after local teacher unions endorsed Mr. Carter. 

It’s Time We Talk

The events of the past week have left the student body disgusted, sad, and yearning for change. The Mental Health Committee, Meg Gibbons, and Chris DeMarkey hope to be a part of this change.

As Anselmians, and frankly as people, we were all shocked and disappointed to hear the allegations that a prominent member of our campus had engaged in conduct similar to that of society’s worst. On behalf of the Mental Health Committee and as humans in general we want to make it explicitly clear that there is NEVER a place for sexual harassment, assault or rape on this campus and anywhere else.

Many of us felt powerless after hearing what had transpired. How could this have happened? These allegations charge a member of our community with sexual misconduct towards our peers, our friends and the heartbeat of our school. It is common for survivors of situations like these to be left with severe trauma. Survivors often feel ashamed, embarrassed, and guilty, even though it is never their fault.

This is where the rest of us have to step up and take action. We cannot sit idly by while our fellow students, our friends, or our loved ones are affected by these traumatic events. We have to speak out when we see something wrong, no exception. Whether it’s at a party, in Davison Hall, or anywhere else, there is no place for sexual misconduct on or off campus. We have to support our peers and friends- especially in their time of struggle. Whether it’s as simple as sending a text to check-in, saying hello while walking to class or grabbing a bite to eat, the last thing a person should ever feel is alone. In essence, we should be the people we are supposed to be, the best version of ourselves. We should be Anselmians. 

RESOURCES:

IF IT’S AN IMMEDIATE NEED- Reach out to the on-call counselor at 603-641-7000

• 911 if  safety is a concern or medical attention is needed.

www.nhcadsv.org

New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence

CONFIDENTIAL 24/7 STATEWIDE NH HELPLINES:

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: 1-866-644-3574

SEXUAL ASSAULT: 1-800-277-5570

www.ndvh.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

www.rainn.org

National Sexual Assault Hotline

1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Information and resources regarding sexual violence.

http://www.loveisrespect.org

Love Is Respect

1-866-331-9474

TTY 1-866-3318453

Text: loveisto22522

Chat online: http://www.loveisrespect.org 

YWCA NH

603-668-2299

Biden Gives Go-Ahead On Airstrikes In Syria Amid A Flurry Of Controversy

Last Wednesday night President Joe Biden approved an airstrike that struck an Iranian-backed facility in Syria, amid bipartisan criticism on how to act. The move came weeks after Iran launched a missile at US targets in Iraq, killing a US contractor and wounding another service member. Following the initial Iranian attack, a first test of the Biden administration in the Middle East, some Senators from the Republican side saw blood in the water and pressed the President to take action. From Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) to Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), many Republicans voiced support for retaliating against the Iranian government. It wasn’t what happened during the retaliatory strike that frustrated Biden’s counterparts in Congress however, it was before the counterstrike. Only the congressional leadership, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) were notified before US action took place.

War powers have been a topic of much controversy and bipartisan debate on what the President can and can’t do without Congressional approval. Article 1 Section 8 of the United States Constitution states that Congress has the power “To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;”. Since President Biden didn’t consult with the full Congress, many like Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mike Lee (R-UT) believe this attack needs legal justification- at a minimum. This also upset progressive Democrats such as Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), who have always been vocal opponents of US involvement in the Middle East. Following a confirmation defeat and minimum wage knock by the Senate Parliamentarian, it has not been the start to the Biden presidency many were hoping for.

If The Past Is Prologue, Saint Anselm College Is In For Another Rough Semester

The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Some of the current policies at Saint Anselm College are the epitome of that tried failure. 

This past year has tested everyone – literally every person on earth. A pandemic few saw coming has devastated many, including myself. I had the unfortunate circumstance of grief after my grandfather caught the virus and passed away- something still extremely tough for my family. There are no words to fully describe the chaos and misery brought on the human race by this virus. Schools like Saint Anselm College, however, gave us hope by taking the great first step in announcing in-person classes for the fall semester of 2020. This well-received news was going to give students the opportunity to see friends again, learn, and escape isolation. 

Students knew a lot would be different on campus when they moved back in August, but this was only the beginning. A lot was going to be different arriving on campus this past August, as we the students knew that, starting with move-in. Phased-in and spanned out over 2 weeks, students were constrained to just their rooms and could not eat in the dining halls. After the 2 cases were identified during move-in, the campus was Covid free, with most still in compliance. “Following a surveillance phase when the harshest of restrictions were lifted, the same was true, Saint Anselm was COVID free yet again.”. Inter visitation, however, was not reinstated. Students could not travel within their own dorms, which, unlike other schools, are already segregated by gender. With few alternatives of socialization on campus, some left to get quality time with friends. These actions put everyone in jeopardy of catching COVID, which was spotted shortly after. The rest of the semester, we, the students, never got intervis, and cases continued to grow…

As part of the SGA Student Response Task Force, my fellow Anselmians and I put in countless hours to gather student feedback on the semester and offer solutions in an effort headed up by Student Body Vice President Kevin Chrisom. Let me be clear, this was not a bunch of rowdy college kids simply upset they couldn’t go to the bars. Over the months of work, we heard from over 400 students in student-led discussions and polls conducted on social media platforms. We looked at the data and realized being frustrated at the policies was not a minority view. Almost everyone, spanning grade, sex, major- you name it and we spoke to, was unhappy with how the semester had been going. 

In the middle of November, it was announced by pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna that a vaccine had been created and was over 90% effective and possessed few negative side effects. Once we hit December, thousands had been getting their first dose every day, ramping up to a million doses per day by President Biden’s Inauguration. Anyone over the age of 65 in New Hampshire who wanted a vaccine could get one around this time-  including the Monks of Saint Anselm Abbey. It would only make sense to relax restrictions for the second semester, right? You would be wrong if you thought so. After rolling out a new color phase policy, where restrictions are either loosened or tightened depending on the phase, once again students were led to believe things might be different this semester.

Once again, cases were contained and isolated during move-in, with few cases following for the first two weeks. This is indicative of the Anselmian community- the vast majority of students willing to sacrifice basic freedoms we had last year to create a bubble. What happened when this bubble was created? Nothing. In an email sent out on February 12th, a Friday afternoon, we were informed by President Favazza we would not be moving out of phase orange, a phase that still does not allow for intervis outside of one’s dorm hall. What happened the week after this announcement? A blistering 17 cases, most likely because students realized our lives would not be changing, like the semester before, and were more than willing to leave campus to socialize. I do not condone going out to bars during COVID, but it is beyond understandable considering the lack of incentives to stay on campus. For students, no matter how hard we try, it feels like nothing will change, as nothing has. The administration may feel good about the status quo, but students do not. The real question is, what will be left when the dust settles on this semester? What has really been provided to students? To this day, we still do not know what it takes to move in and out of the phases. We’ve been here a month! Do administrators not remember who they work for? How much longer will students be subjugated to their “family units”? People are beyond done with the lack of transparency, and the brutal restrictions. 

In polls conducted 2 weeks ago by the SAC Student Response Task Force, 52% of students said they had a “negative” overall experience this semester, with 48% saying they were having a positive experience. The same poll was conducted on November 2nd, 2020 with 72% of respondents saying they had a “Positive” experience. That is a 24% swing in the opposite direction. In another poll regarding opinion on restrictions, 89% of students said the restrictions currently in place are “too strict”, with 11% saying they are “too lax”. Both polls combined garnered over 130 student responses. It’s time for this administration to realize the negative effects these policies have on the student body, particularly with both student morale and student mental health (cases of depression and anxiety have spiked country-wide since last March). We all want the same thing- a strong and vibrant Anselmian community. Without that, there is no Saint Anselm College.

Immigration Bill Set to Reignite Partisan Flames as Biden Takes Office

As Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on January 20th, an immigration debate has been reignited across the country. President Biden is set to propose a piece of legislation that ensures citizenship for Dreamers, known as DACA, political liberals and conservatives are soon to have another bone to pick with one another.

DACA, an Executive order signed by President Obama in 2012 gave children of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, assuming they had no criminal record. This order sparked outrage not just because it created a race to cross the border for illegal immigrants, but because many Americans were concerned with the order’s constitutionality. Many, including myself, wondered what legal authority POTUS had to rewrite immigration laws, instantly legalizing and granting citizenship to those who were residing in our country illegally. With the new administration, one upside is that their proposed DACA legislation will be presented as a bill to Congress, not as an Executive order, seen by many as executive overreach.

What’s wrong with DACA as a bill sent to Congress? Nothing. Assuming we have our southern borders secured with no flaws. However, with pores throughout the wall, fence, invisible line- whatever you prefer to say, there is still the opportunity today for people to cross into our country illegally and undetected, presenting a grave security risk. This is not some crazy hypothetical, it happens practically every day. Since 2016 over 52,000 illegal immigrants detained by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol had prior criminal records. Now, with a bill that grants a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, who wouldn’t want to give entering the country a shot? This vacuum is already in full effect as NBC News has noted, with a caravan from Central America already on the way to the border. This caravan is set to arrive after President Biden rescinds the national emergency order on the border- how fitting. In addition to the lure of free citizenship, the Biden administration has included in their $1.9 trillion proposal, a national $15/hr minimum wage. Not only is this country offering free citizenship, but a high wage as well.

Don’t get me wrong, I support a pathway to citizenship for the law-abiding immigrants here already- immigrants are what make this country the best in the world. I do not support, however, amnesty before security.

“Stats and Summaries.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 2021, http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats. 

Ainsley, Julia. “Incoming Biden Administration to Migrant Caravan: Don’t Come, You Won’t Get in Immediately.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 17 Jan. 2021, http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/incoming-biden-administration-migrant-caravan-don-t-come-you-won-n1254550. 

What Now? Cabinet Appointments & Other Grave Consequences of the Georgia Elections

To my Conservative friends, buckle up. With a 50-50 tie in the Senate, which is essentially a Democratic majority, it’s time to focus on something bigger than all of us. Every single nominee Joe Biden puts before the Senate will have the theoretical backing of almost every Democrat, save a few. Xavier Becerra, the Medicare-for-All and abortion whenever candidate is getting his estate in order and ready to move to the Capital as Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Lloyd Austin, a retired 4-star General and failed strategist in the war against ISIS is the nominee for Secretary of Defense.

Despite the potential for Democrats in the White House and in Congress to push through their agenda with little ability for congressional Republicans to present any opposition, many conservatives are still lamenting President Trump’s electoral defeat choosing instead to support futile legal challenges instead of preparing for the substantial challenges ahead. But please, tell me more about overturning individual results in Georgia, Arizona, and Pennsylvania, all after going 1/62 in the courts.

Procedurally Democrats can, if they hold their line, nuke the filibuster and allow for a simple majority to pass virtually all bills that come to the Senate floor. What would that mean? $15 minimum wage- sure. Legislatively passing DACA without funds for border security- why not? Abolishing the Hyde Amendment- of course! Don’t believe me- that’s ok, don’t take my word for it, take Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro’s.

In a committee hearing on the Hyde Amendment, a bill that prohibits federal funding for abortion procedures for Medicaid patients, Democratic Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut’s 3rd district had this to say, “While the Labor, HHS, Education bill has carried the Hyde amendment every year since 1976, this is the last year.” A bill that prohibits federal funding for abortion, with exceptions to cases of incest and rape, as well as endangerment of the mother, this policy has been on the books since 1976 and is now in jeopardy of being struck down. Although Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) are pro-life, they have supported the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and liberal judges in confirmation hearings. In addition to these Senators, both Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are among the most liberal Republicans in the Senate and identify as pro-choice. Even if two of the previously mentioned senators object, that wouldn’t be enough, as a 50-50 tie would require the vice president to cast the tie-breaking vote. Kamala Harris is about as pro-abortion as it gets, with a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood’s Congressional Scorecard. That would bring the bill to President Biden’s desk, where in 2019 he indicated “… I could no longer continue to abide by the Hyde Amendment. “

What about nationalizing the minimum wage? This is a senseless proposal that would destroy small businesses in states with minimum wages vastly smaller than such. I am not against raising the minimum wage, but I believe states know their respective economies and how to stimulate growth more so than the vast bureaucracy that is Washington DC. Not to mention, 48(!) states are below the $15/hr mark by over 20%, of which 21 would need to more than double their wages per hour. A blanket wage increase with no phase-in period has no logic and would be devastating to a still-recovering economy. With a $15 minimum wage bill already clear of the House floor (passed in the 116th Congress), it could come down to the wire in the Senate, which would have been impossible if not for the sweep in Georgia.

Now is the time for the Republican party to be unified, sticking together to stand up for Conservative values, most importantly the right to life and economic commonsense. These issues are of great importance to members of the GOP, yet lawmakers are instead focusing on dangerous and detrimental ideas such as overturning federal elections to retain power.

https://www.vox.com/2019/6/22/18713603/joe-biden-hyde-amendment

https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/congressional-scorecard#CA/

The Saddest Day of Our Democracy

Only in today’s hyper-toxic political environment could the events of January 6th, 2020 occur. While over 100 Congressional Republicans, 10+ Senators, and the President objected to the valid results of the 2020 election, Americans who supported the President and everything he said became indoctrinated into his false premises. Let me repeat myself- Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the next President and Vice President of the United States. They won by substantial margins in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia. When questions arose as to the validity of the ballots cast, Team Trump used their legal rights and objected in court. They lost – a lot. To date over 60 petitions had been filed in courts across the country with a grand total of 0 resulting in a change of vote count. The legal process should have and did end there. What came afterward has been nothing short of despicable, egregious, and dangerous. Refusing to admit defeat, the President and his cronies began peddling misinformation- that the election was rigged (it wasn’t), or that Hugo Chavez (a deceased Dictator of Venezuela) had conspired with voting machines among other lies. With these lies repeated over and over again, one by one people who voted for the President felt disenfranchised and angry- and wanted action.

With Congress meeting to certify the Electoral College vote on January 6th, the President and his loyalists saw this moment as one last chance to attempt to overturn the election, a tactic completely unconstitutional and dangerous. His calls to overturn the election reverberated throughout the party, with cynical Senators such as Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) joining the President in his claims in an attempt to win over his base of support. Leading up to today’s Joint Session of Congress, was a scheduled rally of protesters to try and convince their congress members to “object” to the results of the 2020 election. This goal became realized when President Trump joined the protesters and spoke in front of Capitol Hill this morning, further fanning the flames of hatred towards those willing to uphold the rule of law.

Emboldened by their President and members of Congress trying to score political gains, many protesters stormed the capital, breaking through barricades and smashing windows, forcing a shutdown and evacuation of the buildings. Amidst the chaos and dysfunction, the most radical (relatively speaking) of the group broke into the Senate chamber, rushing the majority member’s chair and jumping from the scaffolding. Where was the President during this moment of domestic terrorism? Tweeting. The tweets and videos have since been taken down due to the risk of instigating more violence, with one of them criticizing VP Pence for refusing to object. All while people overcame Capital Police and lay siege on our Capital.

Never before in the history of our nation have we had a President or major candidate for the nation’s highest office refuse to concede an election. Never before have we had domestic terrorists lay siege upon our nation’s Capital. Today is truly a sad, despicable day.

Rising Stars of the Northeast

Whether one is a Republican or Democrat, there are new, young faces that represent their respective parties. From far-left Progressives to Trumpian Republicans, there are representatives of every ideological thought.

Governor Chris Sununu (R-NH)

A lovable moderate Republican from the Granite State, Governor Chris Sununu has been able to successfully straddle the Trump base while simultaneously securing votes from both Independents and moderate Democrats. Running as a social moderate and economic conservative/libertarian in 2016, Sununu was able to rally disaffected Obama voters into joining his voting coalition and beat his opponent, Colin van Ostern 49% to 46.7%, a healthy 17,000 votes. In addition, he was able to run ahead of then-President-elect Trump by 2.5 percentage points, laying the groundwork for New England Republicans who will run for office in the near future. His crossover appeal is one of his biggest assets, as is his record as governor. The most important of his executive actions have been met with widespread approval, including when it comes to addressing the COVID pandemic. According to the most recent UNH survey, Governor Sununu has a 71% approval rating on COVID, and a 69% overall approval, netting him the #5 spot of most approved governors in the nation. 

It is uncertain what the future holds for him, as rumors have been circulating as to whether he will run for Senate in 2022, return to the governorship, or even be a VP contender in 2024.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)

Whether you love her or despise her, it is undeniable AOC has taken Washington DC by storm. Winning unexpectedly during New York’s 14th District primary race immediately launched her into the spotlight, for various reasons. First, her opponent Joe Crowley was the 4th highest-ranking Democrat in the House and was rumored to be next in line for the speakership, a title very few have had the privilege of holding. Running to the left of a Hillary Clinton surrogate after 2016 in one of the most liberal districts in the country was a bet that paid off for Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez. Now a 2-term member of Congress with a lot of media exposure, expect AOC to push for more reforms and more power in varying committees for herself and other progressive members.

It is also worthy to note that AOC has not ruled out a Senate primary of Chuck Schumer in 2022, which could be potentially catastrophic for Democrats if they are matched with a viable Republican contender. Although New York is a solid-D state, nominating a far-left Progressive would definitely put the seat in jeopardy, with potential Independents and moderate-leaning Democrats willing to vote Republican.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY)

Elected in the 2014 “red wave”, Congresswoman Stefanik has quietly but surely become one of the GOP’s rising stars in Congress. Running as a moderate Republican from Upstate NY, Stefanik cruised through her primary and general, winning by a healthy 20.5% margin. Pro-life and a staunch supporter of the 2nd Amendment, Stefanik has been a strong voice for social conservatives, even speaking during a primetime spot at the 2020 RNC Convention. At only 36 years old, the sky’s the limit for this young Congresswoman.

Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (D-CT)

A young progressive elected in 2018’s “blue wave”, Congresswoman Hayes, a former Connecticut Teacher of the Year recipient, won by 11% in Connecticut’s 5th district. With a compelling story and an endorsement from former President Barack Obama, Hayes cruised through the primaries and general election against former Mayor of Meriden, Manny Santos. Since taking office, she has voted with the Progressive Caucus on many issues, including debt relief to those most at risk of falling into poverty. At 47 years old, there is a lot more to be expected from this experienced educator.

UNH Survey Center, “Sununu’s NH Job Approval Remains High; Handling of COVID-19 Falls 12/2/2020” (2020). All UNH Survey Center Polls. 628. 
https://scholars.unh.edu/survey_center_polls/628

“Governor Rankings.” Morning Consult, 4 Jan. 2021, morningconsult.com/governor-rankings/

 “Jahana Hayes.” Ballotpedia, 2020, ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes. 

“Elise Stefanik.” Ballotpedia, 2020, ballotpedia.org/Elise_Stefanik. 

“Chris Sununu.” Ballotpedia, 2020, ballotpedia.org/Chris_Sununu.