Making Do With What’s Available

October 23rd, 2020

Watching the national debates unfold in this campaign cycle reminds me how unique and special New Hampshire is regarding the tone, tenor and content of our political dialogue.  Our unique New England DNA and our history of gathering together as a community to discuss and decide issues that effect our lives and wallets has created a landscape that protects an elevated and informative debate focused on issues that matter to local voters.

Fortunately, not even COVID could change this for 2020.  Technology can never replace in-person interaction, but while the risk to public health remains, we make do with what we have available.  And my experience has been overwhelmingly positive in this regard.

I was honored to be able to moderate a number of different virtual town halls and debates in this election cycle.  Even though we were not in the same room, the same rules applied to the conversation and it was evident during each session I attended that within a few minutes of adjusting to the new normal, the debates would refocus on issues and the free exchange of ideas.

Don’t get me wrong, I am ready for the vaccine to inject some close proximity back into our daily lives, but for this cycle, everyone has adapted beautifully.

I moderated town hall meetings for Early Learning NH in the race for Governor, and both candidates did a terrific job of sharing their ideas and platforms, explaining what they wish to do as Governor and even finding ways to make personal connections with the audience despite the technical distance.  I am optimistic we will all double down on that connection once we can all be in the same room together.

As a statewide community having to decide who will represent us at all levels of government, we have adapted and managed to protect what’s unique about our state despite the distancing.  2020 is one for the books.  I, for one, am ready to turn the page.