Politics & Government

TV Actress With Milford Connection Canvasses For Obama

Melissa Fitzgerald, best known as Carol Fitzpatrick on West Wing, has been going door-to-door in Milford.

This actress has taken her role in politics from cameras to doorsteps as she campaigns to get President Barack Obama re-elected this year.

Melissa Fitzgerald, who played Assistant to Press Secretary Carol Fitzpatrick on the popular television serial drama The West Wing, has been canvassing door-to-door in New Hampshire to encourage voters to get to the polls.

“New Hampshire is one of the key states, and it is neck and neck,” said Fitzpatrick. “This election is important and the power of voting is equally important. Our vote is our voice in this country.”

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This is not Fitzgerald’s first time in the town of Milford. Her first acting job was actually with the American Stage Festival, which used to be based in the area prior to its closing. She also spent a few years at summer camp in right here in New Hampshire.

The Granite State is an important state for Obama to win, according to Fitzgerald, and she said that every voter needs to make their vote count on Tuesday. Her efforts going door-to-door are to remind people that it is not only important, but easy to vote in the state with same-day registration.

Find out what's happening in Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Pennsylvania native said that she does not like Mitt Romney’s economic policies, which she says continue to promote the idea of trickle-down economics by supporting the wealthy.

“I feel like the Romney and Ryan economic plan is taking us back to failed policies that got us into this mess in the first place and could send us into double dip recession,” said Fitzgerald. “We need a thriving middle class and less economic disparity because the American Dream should be accessible to all americans, not just the very rich.”

She is also opposing the Republican take on social issues such as women’s health and gay rights.

“Women should be able to make decisions about our own bodies and our own health,” she said. “I also cannot support limiting civil rights for any citizens in this country.”

Her top priority right now is to get Barack Obama another four years in the White House to continue his economic recovery efforts. She said that Obama has worked hard for equality and strengthening the middle class through his support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, higher education and private sector job growth.

“This president has taken us from the brink of disaster and put us on an economic plan to recovery,” she said. “We have had 32 straight months of private sector job growth in this country.”

She wants to not only see Obama take another term, but also wants to see more partisan efforts in government to reach solutions. Fitzgerald believes that this is possible under his leadership.

“We are on the road to recovery, but we need four more years to make that happen.”


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