Hodes talks Iraq, flatware, job ahead

New congressman speaks to crowd
in Keene Tuesday

Jake Berry
Sentinel Staff

It didn’t take freshman Congressman Paul W. Hodes long to learn that nothing comes easy in Washington, D.C.

In his first 100 hours on the job, Hodes, who represents New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes the Monadnock Region, helped the House pass legislation prohibiting all gifts and meals from Washington lobbyists to congressmen, he told a crowd of about 50 Tuesday night at Antioch University New England in Keene.

But, it took the lobbyists less than 100 hours to find a way around it, he told the crowd.

“Now, when they have a reception offering food, there are no more forks,” Hodes said. “Only toothpicks. If there are no forks, it’s not really a meal.”

Flatware aside, Hodes, who was elected president of the House’s freshman class, feels he’s making an impact on Washington over his first six weeks on the job, he said.

During that time, he’s voted to increase the minimum wage, cut student loan rates and eliminate earmarks from federal legislation, among other matters.

And he’s just getting started, he said.

After the Antioch town hall meeting, Hodes talked with The Sentinel about his first six weeks on the job, and the 22 months ahead.

Clinton makes a splash during appearance at Keene High

Anna Haigh
Sentinel Staff

The banners for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary R. Clinton’s campaign stop in Keene read, “Let the Conversation Begin.”

On Sunday at Keene High School, voters were ready to listen — and talk.

Clinton wrapped up her two-day trip to New Hampshire in Keene Sunday afternoon, where she spoke to hundreds of people at a town-meeting style forum.

She touched on what she called the “heartbreaking dilemma” in Iraq confronting the country, her plan to bring universal health care coverage to the country, the need to reduce dependence on foreign oil, and plans to help families and students by investing in preschool education and making college more affordable.

Ten area residents questioned Clinton, and their concerns ranged from the war in Iraq to global warming.

Keene gets a visit from Kucinich

Presidential candidate says N.H. voters proved they want change

Freeman Klopott
Sentinel Staff

Dennis J. Kucinich may be short in stature, but he’s not short on ideas of how to change the country he wants to lead.

The five-foot tall Democratic congressman from Ohio was in Keene Saturday, stumping for his second bid at the presidency, and he’s looking to build on the success of New Hampshire Democrats who swept November’s election.

“New Hampshire voters wanted a shift in ‘06 by sending two Democratic members to Congress,” Kucinich said, after spelling out his platform to about 75 supporters at Cheshire County Democrat headquarters in Keene Saturday afternoon.

“It’s important to look at what that represents — something happened in New Hampshire,” Kucinich said.

But there’s a lot of work to do if he wants to make a mark in the 2008 primary.

Illinois businessman running for president

Freeman Klopott
Sentinel Staff

Republican John Cox has already taken two unsuccessful shots at political office in his home state of Illinois, but he’s not letting that hold him back from trying to take a seat behind the president’s desk in the Oval Office.

The Chicago businessman-turned-politician wants his life story — from small beginnings on Chicago’s south side to multimillionaire — to represent America to the world.

He has already been making his rounds through New Hampshire, opening an office in Manchester last month and stopping in Keene on Friday.

Cox admits getting elected is a long shot, but he said he’s hoping his combination of fiscal and social conservatism will play well with Republicans who might feel the party has strayed from its core values.