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In New Hampshire, Clinton shows family ties

By WTOP Staff

KEN THOMAS
Associated Press

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton was born in Illinois, learned the nitty-gritty of politics in Arkansas and represented New York in the U.S. Senate. But her daylong visit here served notice that, should she run for president, she intends to make New Hampshire her political home turf.

Clinton’s first trip to New Hampshire since October 2008 featured a rally with state Democrats, where she linked arms with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Gov. Maggie Hassan, as well as off-schedule stops at popular restaurants in Manchester and Dover and, by nightfall, a fundraiser for Hassan in Portsmouth.

Taken together, Clinton’s appearances showed her ability to energize Democrats and underscored the network in New Hampshire that she and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, have nurtured for more than two decades. At a Nashua rally, the mere mention of Clinton by Shaheen or Hassan prompted booming chants of “Hillary!” from about 700 activists in a community college gymnasium.

“Starting way back in 1991 you opened your homes and your hearts to us,” Clinton said in a nostalgic turn, recalling her husband’s first presidential campaign. “And in 2008, during the darkest days of my campaign, you lifted me up, you gave me my voice back, you taught me so much about grit and determination and I will never forget that.”

Clinton’s New Hampshire trip capped off a busy stretch beginning in September that included 45 political events for Democrats in 19 states leading up to Tuesday’s election. Her next move — whether to run for president — will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.

Clinton’s political upbringing often allows her to cite her connections around the country — and the world, for that matter. Growing up in Chicago’s suburbs, she was a self-described “Goldwater Girl” who supported Republican Sen. Barry Goldwater in his 1964 landslide loss against President Lyndon Johnson. She became a Democrat in college and her political views were shaped by the Vietnam War as a student in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

In Arkansas, Clinton joined her husband’s fast ascent to governor, helping him rebound from a failed re-election bid and serving as an influential first lady, attorney and child advocate. She played a strategic role in Bill Clinton’s presidential campaigns and two terms in the White House, overcame the couple’s public struggles during the Monica Lewinsky affair and moved to New York, winning an open Senate seat in 2000. After Barack Obama defeated her in the 2008 primary, Clinton campaigned for him and then logged nearly a million miles as secretary of state.

In New Hampshire, Clinton offered a glimpse of her family’s political staying power in the state that holds the first presidential primary. Her remarks pointed to specific ways Shaheen had helped voters — protecting jobs at the Portsmouth Naval Yard and efforts to widen Interstate 93.

Later, she plunged into the type of retail politics New Hampshire is known for, stopping by the Puritan Backroom, a Manchester restaurant co-owned by an up-and-coming Democrat, Chris Pappas, who serves on the state’s executive council.

That type of campaigning helps maintain Clinton’s base here: a network of Bill Clinton loyalists, supporters of Hillary Clinton’s first presidential campaign and the melding of the Clinton and Obama teams in Ready for Hillary, a grassroots group encouraging her to run for president.

Democrats said the dynamics would make it difficult for potential challengers like Vice President Joe Biden, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

New Hampshire, as many Democrats note, is full of Clinton-related landmarks: the Elks Lodge in Dover where Bill Clinton promised in 1992 to “be there for you until the last dog dies,” or the cafe in Portsmouth where Hillary Clinton got emotional a day before the 2008 primary, telling a group of voters “this is very personal for me.”

The Clintons have maintained their political network, sending handwritten notes and checking in by phone.

“She doesn’t take people or relationships for granted,” said Terie Norelli, the outgoing New Hampshire House speaker who received a personal letter from Hillary Clinton this year after announcing she would step down as speaker.

Unlike Iowa, which has never sent a woman to Congress or the governor’s mansion, New Hampshire Democrats regularly elect women — with Shaheen and Hassan at the top. “We’re past due for a woman president,” said Rita MacAuslan, a candidate for state representative who wore a white Bill Clinton 1992 campaign T-shirt at the Nashua rally. “And she brings a co-president with her.”

But few expect Clinton to receive a free pass.

“New Hampshire is Clinton country,” said Terry Shumaker, a Manchester attorney and veteran of Bill Clinton’s campaigns. “But if Hillary runs, she can’t take it for granted — as is our tradition, she’s going to have to campaign here and earn it.”

___

Follow Ken Thomas on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KThomasDC

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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