New Haven Independent

The students, from New Haven and other cities across the state, were at the state Capitol Thursday for the day-long third annual Ella Grasso Youth Action Conference. Organized by the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame, the event introduced the students to elected officials, activists, policy experts, and issues facing the state.

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz began the day by inviting a student supporting each of the three top candidates for president to make a brief pitch.

Finding a Barack Obama fan was a snap. Ony Obiochi of Windsor High School praised the Illinois senator’s speaking ability.

Ashley Daley of Weaver High School was selected from among the backers of Hillary Clinton. Daley spoke of Clinton’s universal health care plan — and her ability to come from behind, such as in Texas, to stay alive when her campaign has been pronounced dead.

When Bysiewicz asked a supporter of Republican front-runner McCain to come forward, no one raised a hand. No one walked up.

Finally, James Mills of Meriden’s Maloney High School took the mic.

“No one in here is a McCain supporter. Either am I,” he confessed, to laughter. He offered an explanation: McCain supports an indefinite continuation of the war in Iraq. “We’re the ones who are going to be fighting the war, not him or anyone associated with him,” Mills said.

Click on the play arrow above to watch the three presentations.