Groups of Bowdoin Democrats and Republicans both converged on the University of Maine at Orono last night to hear Democratic vice-presidential nominee John Edwards address a crowd of 6,800 during his first campaign visit to Maine.
Against the backdrop of an American flag, Edwards opened by responding to Vice President Dick Cheney's recent remark that future terrorist attacks may be linked to the outcome of November's presidential election. "Fighting terrorism, keeping the American people safe from terrorism, keeping the American people safe, period, is not a Republican issue or Democratic issue," Edwards said. "We believe it is an American issue."
Edwards questioned President Bush's spending in Iraq, accusing Bush of neglecting domestic issues such as health care, unemployment, and lack of federal funding for education. "We need a President who will fight as hard for your job as he does for his," declared Edwards, adding, "We need a President who will get rid of tax cuts for US companies sending jobs overseas." The Senator from North Carolina proposed an initiative that would provide federal money to fund tuition for students wishing to attend college for four years in exchange for two years of public service. "We need equity for all students who want to go to college," he stated.
An estimated thirty Bowdoin students turned out for the rally, including many representatives from the College's Democrat and Republican clubs. Alex Cornell du Houx '07, president of the Bowdoin Democrats, saw the event as a footing for the Kerry/Edwards campaign effort in Maine and looks forward to future events. Du Houx estimated that 15 members of his organization were in attendance and stated that their goal was "to organize and mobilize all colleges in Maine to get all kids to vote." Du Houx is part of Colleges Across the State, an outreach program with nine chapters in public, private, and community colleges around Maine. Du Houx and his constituents hope that their efforts will encourage "every Bowdoin student to vote, regardless of affiliation."
Dan Schuberth ('06), member of the Bowdoin Republicans, joined a group of around 70 veterans, students, and Orono community members in a protest just outside the rally gates. Schuberth was pleased with the turnout, stating that seven students from the Bowdoin Republicans were in attendance. Amidst chants of "four more years," Schuberth voiced concern that "the Kerry campaign is littered with unkept promises. Fully funding college tuitions? Ludicrous. Where will they get the money?"
Schuberth found little to be novel about Edwards' speech. "They talk about defense funding being slashed, fewer troops in war, fighting a more sensitive war," he said. "You can't tell me that what he said up there today was drastically different from the Bush platform."
Ryan Dunlavey '07 disagrees. "He's taking a fresh stance on the war, and I support his goal to get other countries and NATO involved. I hope they'll be receptive if we come to them with a new president." Dunlavey will vote for Kerry, he says, and attended the rally to hear what his candidate had to say to the Maine audience. "I don't think that it's a hard decision to make, but I don't believe in voting blindly without hearing what my candidate has to say."
Professor Chris Potholm, who is currently teaching a course in Maine politics and has over 30 years of experience in Maine politics as a participant, consultant, and pollster, says that though "Maine may be a battleground state.... I continue to believe Kerry will win Maine and lose the country. It may end up being close nationally but I don't think it will be when all is said and done."