NEW HAMPSHIRE The Editorial Page UNION LEADER Wednesday, October 14, 2020 • Page A8 Editorials Electoral question Where does Pappas stand? .S. Rep. Chris the citizens of New York, Pappas is appar- California, Florida, and Uently undecided on other urban populations whether New Hampshire whose issues and interests and the nation should are often not the same as continue with its current our own. way of choosing a presi- Applied to presiden- dent. This view, made on tial selection, “One man, a recent public radio “de- one vote” would effec- bate,” is astonishing. tively mean no vote for any The freshman con- New Hampshire man or gressman either does not woman. understand the electoral Scrapping the elec- college process and its im- toral college might also portance for a small state do grave damage to New like New Hampshire or he Hampshire’s first-in-the- actually favors its abolish- nation primary, something ment and somehow thinks that also rankles politi- that not taking a stand on cians — from both parties the matter is the safest — from the big states. They way not to offend fellow fairly seethe at voters in Democrats. our small state having any But doing away with the real say in the selection electoral college would do process. great offense to the form of New Hampshire voters government the Constitu- have a right to know where Sununu is a strong leader, Trump isn’t tion’s framers established. the congressman stands Without it, presidents on the matter. Will Pappas AS WE TRANSITION debate set-up staff from danger this virus presents would be chosen totally by tell them? into what is traditionally flu ththe presidential debate that seriously from the begin- season when COVID infec- foffollowed, Hope Hicks, Kel- ning. He listened to both tions and deaths are likely Jennifer llylyanne Conway, Kayleigh New Hampshire and CDC to continue to increase, it MMcEnany, Gov. Chris Chris- experts on infectious Governor on nominee seems like a good time to Horn tittie,i and others are among diseases. He listened to the recap where we are in this tththem. The maskless Sen. guidance offered by both pandemic. MMike Lee, seen on video and implemented a bal- Sununu’s notable absence As I write this, it has been from the event hugging sev- anced response that helped exactly seven months since Frieden explained. “If you eral people with open arms, diminish the spread while e wonder: Was true, weighing in on that the president of the United died from COVID, and you has also tested positive. respecting the rights of the other Chris in selection, especially one as States declared a national also had diabetes, you died Because the administra- Granite Staters at the same WNew Hampshire contentious as this, is not emergency due to the from COVID.” tion has refused to engage time. politics trying to emulate without effect. spread of the novel corona- Friedan also suggests in contact tracing from the He also did something his namesake by not tak- Sununu’s reason for not virus. In the past week, we that while there are over 7 gathering, we will never that Donald Trump has ing a stand on an issue doing so might have been saw more than 50,000 new million confirmed infec- know how many people consistently refused to do. of some importance to a bit more convincing had infections per day for four tions in our country, the were ultimately infected Gov. Sununu set the best Granite Staters? he not done the opposite days in a row. real number is likely closer from the exposure that possible example in his If not for fear of offend- in previous instances, Reported infections are to 40 million. The highly began in the Rose Garden. own actions. He wore a face ing some voters, why did expressing support of on the rise in 31 states, and contagious nature of the Some, like Sen. Lindsey mask, maintained appro- Gov. Sununu decline to President Trump picks. five states — including Ver- disease, and the fact that Graham, have openly priate physical distancing, sign up with most other Not taking a stand this mont — are reporting an we are still not testing at the refused to be tested despite and took other common- Republican governors time probably won’t hurt increase of over 50%. New rate most infectious disease the possibility that he could sense precautions to pro- in a letter of support for Sununu much if at all at Hampshire’s neighbor to experts say we should be be infected and infecting tect himself and others. supreme court nominee the polls. But speculation the east, Maine, is among makes it difficult to nail others. Gov. Sununu is a strong Amy Coney Barrett? as to why he chose this only three states reporting that down. One would think that leader who has consistently His office said it is course leaves voters to a decrease in cases. Of course, the most once he had contracted the put the safety and well- simply because gover- wonder if Justice Bar- New Hampshire’s infec- salacious news regarding potentially deadly disease being of the people of New nors have nothing to do rett’s pro-life views or the tion rate is holding steady, COVID is that the presi- himself that the president Hampshire at the forefront. with selecting supreme Trump stamp of approval one of 16 such states. dent of the United States might have reevaluated Donald Trump is not. court justices. While that somehow figured in to his More than 214,000 contracted the disease and his attitude and approach So as we move toward is certainly technically decision to steer clear. Americans have lost their was subsequently treated to COVID, but that un- the winter months, when lives to the coronavirus. at Walter Reed Medical fortunately has not been coronavirus infections are According to many experts, Center. On September so. Instead, he marched expected to surge once including Tom Frieden, for- 26 the president hosted up the stairs to the White again, leading potentially PLEASE OBSERVE OUR LETTERS POLICY mer director of the Centers a large event in the Rose House balcony and ripped to a doubling of lives lost We ask letter writers to observe these rules: Letters should be no longer than 250 words and addressed to the Pub- for Disease Control and Garden for Supreme Court off his mask in front of the according to at least one lisher or Editor. Longer letters will be edited or rejected. Prevention, the real number nominee Judge Amy Coney entire nation, making clear model, I urge you all to Anonymous letters are not accepted. is likely higher as many, Barrett where people were his contempt for medical continue to listen to our For verification, letters must include the writer’s name, full address and especially the elderly, may crowded together, shoulder science and the American governor and follow his daytime phone number. Names and home towns will always be printed. Published letters from Manchester and Nashua will include street addresses. have been recorded on their to shoulder, sans masks. people in one aggressive example. Form letters or post cards will not be accepted. Include letter in body of death certificates as dying The president’s super- gesture. Unfortunately, I cannot email. Attachments won’t be opened. Two letters per month allowed. from an underlying condi- spreader event has led to In New Hampshire, we say the same about our Letters critical of another’s religion, blasphemous, obscene, legally tion rather than COVID-19. the infection of at least 30 have seen a very different president. objectionable or commercial in nature will not be published. Religious letters will be used occasionally. “If you die from cancer, people that we know of. approach to the pandemic from our governor. Chris Former state Republican Party chair Our mailing address: The Union Leader, Attn.: Letters Editor, P.O. Box 9555, and you also have diabetes, Three U.S. Senators, several Jennifer Horn is a founding member of Manchester, NH 03108-9555. Email to [email protected]. you still died from cancer,” White House staff members, Sununu has taken the The Lincoln Project. Letters Democrats and America and more vibrant when and allow the project to make with these additional unaffiliated independent Trump is a peacemaker both major political parties proceed. funds. Such as improved voters. That even division is need good Republicans offer their best ideas and I’ve been following this fire safety equipment, im- representative of the inde- To the Editor: The Middle can rally behind decent, proposal since its incep- provement to our schools pendent thought that New East has been a thorn in To the Editor: I read principled leaders. I would tion earlier this year and and ability to fix our roads. Hampshire has long been our side over the course Chuck Douglas’ op-ed dearly love to see that be- the more I have learned Perhaps we can finally noted for. Unfortunately, of numerous presiden- “Why I Can’t Vote for come a reality again. about the positive benefits afford to provide our hard- the local news reporting of tial administrations with Trump” last week with To achieve this, we need this will have on our entire working town employees our network-affiliated TV peace either never tried or great interest — and even more than just Democrats town now and for years to the raise they deserve and station makes no attempt elusive. President Donald greater surprise! I never like me to get out and vote come, the more I like it.