Former Penn prof. Elizabeth Warren tells the DP America needs to work for everyone

LEBANON, N.H. – Former Penn Law School professor and Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) hosted a town hall for around 500 people on Sunday night in New Hampshire.

In the heart of the action leading up to the nation's first Democratic primary election, Warren called for “big structural change.”

When asked by Daily Pennsylvanian reporters what she would say to on-campus college voters, Warren stressed the need for "an America that works for everyone."

"Who the government works for has got to be the central question that will determine your future," Warren told the DP. "If we stay on this current path of government working great for giant corporations, for billionaires, and for lobbyists, then your future – unless you are a billionaire, a giant corporation, or a lobbyist – is going to be in real trouble."

Warren detailed her plans to combat corruption, climate change, and alleviate issues that affect working class Americans in front of a crowd of mostly older families with children. There were a handful of college students in attendance, including several from nearby Dartmouth College and Philadelphia's Temple University.

In her speech, Warren also criticized the recent impeachment trial, calling it "a sham trial with no evidence."

During the Q&A session of the town hall, Warren compared current Vice President Mike Pence to a loyal pet. An audience member asked the Senator whether she discusses her own potential vice presidential picks with her dog, Bailey, who was present at the town hall. 

"Do you whisper into Bailey's ear, 'Who is going to be my Mike Pence? Who’s going to look at me with adoring eyes?'" a man in audience asked.

Warren cut off the man and said, "Oh, I already have a dog," followed by laughter and cheers from the crowd. 

Dartmouth sophomore Izzy Glennon said she remains undecided about which Democratic candidate will get her vote. But she said she was glad to attend the event, especially due to its proximity to Dartmouth's campus. 

“I think it is important just to take advantage of this opportunity, being up here and having such easy access, especially being a student and all this being free," Glennon said. 

Temple seniors Katherine Weaver and Andrea Salas were at Warren's town hall covering the event for their college newspaper. They stressed the importance of the youth vote in the upcoming presidential election.

"I know they say that all the time, but there really is a lot at stake [in the presidential election]," Weaver said. "I think students should be aware because this [presidential election] is going to affect us more than it is any other voters." 

Salas echoed Weaver, adding she feels her age group is not always represented at the polls. 

"People who get involved in politics are usually older people because they have the time to watch the news and get politically involved." Salas said. "In order for issues that affect us to really be addressed, more college students need to get out there and vote — especially women." 

Currently, Warren is polling third in the RealClearPolitics polling average of New Hampshire, behind both Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind.

Before her current position in the Senate, Warren was a longtime law professor, teaching at Penn Law between 1987 and 1995. According to recent interviews with the DP, both students and faculty who knew Warren held her in high esteem.