Candidates Attract Campus Support

As the Feb. 9 New Hampshire Primary approaches, Exonians have an increased interest and support of the frontrunners Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. Whether through clubs or independently, students are exploring their partisan allegiances and are navigating the political landscape on campus.

Exonians are able to get involved in the political process through clubs or for those who are older than 18, by voting. Due to the fact that New Hampshire hosts the first primary, Exeter is frequently visited by candidates as they campaign. Students can go to the Republican Club on Thursdays to discuss policy issues or to the Democratic Club on Mondays to phone bank and canvas for their favored politicians.

This presidential election season is particularly unusual because of the support for candidates who actively reject and oppose the political establishment. Sanders and Trump both epitomize this quality, on the left and right, respectively.

Many Exonians find Sanders appealing for a variety of reasons, mainly centered around economic inequality and his stance on contentious social issues such as gay rights. “I think his vision for the future of America will restore our corrupted economy, reduce income equality and increase the size of the middle class,” prep Eli Garcia said. The fact that Sanders is an insurgent candidate that is removed from the political establishment is also attractive to students.

“I think his vision for the future of America will restore our corrupted economy, reduce income equality and increase the size of the middle class.”

Prep Gillian Quinto explained that she preferred Sanders over the more moderate Hillary Clinton due to the fact that she doesn’t rely on Super PACs. “I don’t like how Hillary is endorsed by big companies and thus furthers corruption in government,” she said.

Support of Sanders is clear and often aired on campus, almost to the point that it is expected to support him. Prep Joseph Walewski said that while he is a candidate who is often considered extreme, “Many people here support Bernie. It’s basically a social norm. It’d be more questionable if you didn't support him.”

Lower Nick Song agreed with Walewski. Song said that he supports Sanders, but questioned the comfort with which that decision is accepted on campus, and how students reply to alternative perspectives. “I think the real question is what people tell you when you’re not a Bernie Sanders supporter. I’ve always grown up in a liberal environment and that continues to be the case here at Exeter.”

Most supporters of Sanders appear to face minimal criticism due to their political beliefs, if any. Lower Daisy Tichenor said that the greatest condemnation of Sanders she has heard is that he is perceived as unelectable. “The phrase I hear most is, he could never win, so I get scoffed at for being idealistic,” she said.

Garcia said that other (though significantly fewer) Exonians find Trump appealing due to his outspoken nature, stances on immigration and policy and the fact that he isn’t reliant on Super PACs, like Sanders. They have more faith in Trump’s ability to remain uninfluenced by outside financial backers compared to other candidates.

“[Trump] is the one candidate that isn’t a puppet for substantial campaign contributors and supporters, which will allow him to follow through with his ideas once elected President. Every other candidate, republicans included, are supported by large donations, and will be pulled in every direction when making policy decisions,” upper Charlie Dubiel said. In a political climate in which some feel censored, Trump’s brashness and disregard for those who are more or overly sensitive is especially compelling to some students.

“I do think that [Trump]'s lack of fear from saying something that might be seen as offensive is admirable. I think that America has become over-sensitive and how he doesn't really care about any of that is something no other candidate does.” lower Ty Deery said. Especially as many Americans become jaded with the political process, the insurgent aspect of Trump’s campaign has proved to be alluring. “I can admire him for shaking up our political process which has become stagnant,” Deery said.

Unlike Sanders supporters, Trump supporters on campus face significant backlash from the greater community. Those who find Trump appealing on campus say that they are assumed to be unintelligent or even islamophobic. “I have been called ignorant and a bigot, among other things, when I do choose to express these views,” Dubiel said.

Prep Reese Popkin said, “Some people will look at [my Trump hat] and assume I'm a bad person or that I’m an Islamophobe.” And while some Trump supporters were willing to go on the record with their views, others were reluctant or asked not to be interviewed for fear of potential backlash. Popkin and Deery also stressed that they don’t agree with all of Trump’s proposed policies or support all of his past statements.

Despite the opportunities given to Exonians to explore politics and the support that some politicians appear to have on campus, there is a concern that there is not enough interest in the primaries on campus. Several of voting age seniors expressed that they are not planning on voting in the primaries. “I might actually just choose not to vote, because I dislike or outright hate every candidate,” said senior Peter Duff.

History instructor Michael Golay agreed. He said, “I don’t sense that there is a huge amount of interest in the New Hampshire primaries. I do wonder if we should encourage a little bit more political engagement.”

In light of discussions surrounding the upcoming primaries, a need for more respectful discourse and impactful political action has become apparent to many on campus. “Those who can should vote, those who can't should engage in debate and try to get other youths involved in the political process,” postgraduate Mathias Valenta said.

Valenta added that in response to discussions about a potential lack of conservative representation on campus, there is a call for more respectful and understanding discourse. “Many believe that Exonians should become more open-minded when it comes to politics,” Valenta said.

Senior Sean Taylor agreed with Valenta, calling for a greater effort to understand alternative viewpoints. He also stressed the importance and power given to those eligible to vote in the primaries in enacting positive change.“On both sides of the political spectrum, people are fed up and frustrated, and want to see significant changes. Voting is a right that people have died to get, so it’s important that adults take time out of their day and ensure that their voice is heard,” he said.