Lamont Stops In Storrs
James Tinley and
Posted: 9/21/06
Democratic senate nominee Ned Lamont spoke to a crowd on the steps of
Arjona, Tuesday afternoon in what his staff called a meet and greet.
Lamont delivered a short speech, and gave his opinion on the main
issues and concerns of his campaign. Following the speech he opened the
discussion up to questions from the crowd.
The event organized by the UConn College Democrats was barely
publicized and was not confirmed until late Monday afternoon according
to president of the UConn College Democrats, Dave Steuber, a
5th-semester political science, economics and philosophy triple major.
Lamont came specifically to talk and meet with UConn students, Steuber said.
By Tuesday afternoon there were flyers posted around campus, although most students still weren't aware of the event.
Ten minutes before the event the designated room was already
overflowing with students, forcing the event to be moved outside.
Lamont stood on the ledge above the stairs leading into Arjona to allow
the crowd to see him.
"I love UConn, for a bunch of reasons," Lamont said from his perch.
"Years ago I started a telecommunications company and my first major
job was at UConn. We delivered video capabilities throughout campus,
among other things. Also, Mansfield was at the top of towns as far as
supporting and voting for me."
The majority of the crowd, composed of students, faculty, and community
members were vocal in their support of Lamont. Lieberman supporters
were also scattered amongst the crowd. Some of which were making their
opposition known by donning shirts that read, "I'm sticking with Joe."
Lamont made light of the opposition.
"I see a lot of 'Vote Joe' shirts and I think it's great that you are
voting for Joe Courtney," Lamont joked, referring to the democratic
candidate for the Connecticut House of Representatives.
Gregory Post, a 9th-semester history and political science double major was one of the students wearing a Pro-Lieberman shirt.
"I'm here to support a conservative candidate versus a one issue
candidate and his issue is the war," Post said. "I don't think the war
is going as well as it could, but I also don't think an immediate exit
strategy is a viable option, especially being proposed by a junior
senator."
James Randall, a 9th-semester psychology major and volunteer for the Lamont campaign disagreed.
"I think that the eyes of the world are on Connecticut right now,"
Randall said. "The people of Connecticut want a change and Ned Lamont
offers that change. If more people knew about him, more people would
support him. I suggest to anyone not decided yet to look into him."
The main issue separating Lamont from Lieberman is the Iraq War, which
was one of the first questions asked during the question and answer
period.
"This election is about the war, it's about foreign policy, our values,
about America," Lamont said. "It's high-time we start investing in
America again. You guys should be outraged."
To which someone shouted, "We are!"
Lamont stressed the importance of a timetable in which to remove American troops from Iraq.
"This situation keeps getting worse, Iraq is in the early stages of
Civil War, and the best hope for saving Iraq is taking the face of
America out of the issue," said Lamont. "We should let the Iraqi
military step up and take control, while at the same time offering
humanitarian aid, training and reconstruction."
Lamont addressed the hot button issue of the environment and presented
expanding public transportation and investing in cities as a way to
curb CO2 emissions.
"We passed a 300-plus billion transportation bill, but we did it in the
worst possible way," Lamont said. "Current policies on transportation
and budgeting are wrong. The most cost-effective solution is to get
people out of their automobile. We disgracefully walked away from the
Kyoto Accord, not everyone likes it, but we need to fix it. The US
needs to start setting a new example by supporting changes such as
better monitoring of CO2 and fuel emissions, and we haven't done that
yet."
Lamont also provided several ideas for curbing rising tuition costs.
"The first thing that comes to mind is fixing Pell Grants," he said.
"There has been zero increase in Pell Grant funding in 10 years, which
doesn't make sense. The other big issue is student loans, and giving
out more grants and less loans, because loans become such a burden to
students when they graduate. There should be certain incentives
involved with loans, such as interest rates being based on the percent
of what you make, and also according to the field you are in."
Lamont said the incentives would encourage people to take lower paying jobs like working in inner-city schools.
On the issue of drugs, Lamont said that he does not support legalization but disagreed with the current policy.
"I don't agree with putting everyone in jail," Lamont said. "Our method of incarcerating people is dead-wrong," Lamont said.
Lamont has taken a clear stance on a woman's right to choose in the past, but he elaborated on the issue.
"The government is intruding in people's private lives, and I don't
stand for that," Lamont said. "Options such as Plan B are also very
important, especially in rape cases. What are you supposed to tell
someone who just got raped? Well, go to the next hospital, we don't
support Plan B here?"
Lamont also made his support of universal health care known.
"The health care system is broken, but we can make a new system that
doesn't bankrupt families, flood emergency rooms. The most efficient
system is universal coverage for each and every American," he said.
Forty-seven million citizens currently have no health insurance and
that should be fixed and it can be."
The UConn College Democrats are planning to bring Lamont back to the
university for a speech in a larger venue along with the democratic
nominees for the House of Representatives race and the Gubernatorial
race, according to Steuber.
© Copyright 2006 The Daily Campus
