To The Editor:
In his column, Student Voting at Dartmouth, Daniel Linsalata pointed out the mistakes Hanover voters made by voting for Sen. Judd Gregg ("Student Voting At Dartmouth," November 10). Indeed, he made a legitimate point about the role Gregg plays as Dartmouth's congressional benefactor. Dartmouth's share of pork probably has a significant amount to do with him, and his efforts should have been considered more thoroughly in Hanover's decision to favor Doris Haddock. Gregg's chairmanship of important and relevant committees have been a boon for Dartmouth.
The problem with the article is that it is obliquely partisan. Along the same line of reasoning, South Dakotans made one of the biggest election mistakes by voting for John Thune. By ousting Tom Daschle from office, South Dakota lost its voice in Washington. Perhaps John Thune is better attuned to the views of Dakotans, but Daschle did to South Dakota ten times what Judd Gregg did for Dartmouth. South Dakotans decided that their powerful voice in Congress was not worth having someone less conservative than themselves represent them. Essentially, Hanover voters did the same. Both are questionable but legitimate decisions.
Furthermore, Linsalata does not address the argument that Dartmouth students who chose to vote in New Hampshire did so because voting in a swing state for president was worth abstaining in their hometowns where they would be more able to make educated decisions about local politics.
I voted in my home, New Jersey, for the specific reason that I worked for the congressional challenger in my district. I voted in New Jersey not because I felt educated about the issues, but because I felt passionate about one specific candidate, Steve Brozak of the 7th District. If I hadn't worked on that race over the summer, I would have voted in New Hampshire in a heartbeat to make my vote count for the obviously more important presidential election.
It is not just local politics that students take into account when choosing a place to vote. Linsalata maintains that he voted in his home because "I didn't know anything about the candidates here save for the president and senate, and felt unqualified choosing judges, sheriffs, state reps, etc."
Curiously enough, Dan Linsalata hails from Ohio.