Feb

01

2008

Top 10 Reasons things are looking up for the NH GOP

by Doug

GOP rising?
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At last night’s monthly meeting of the Gilford Republican Committee, NH GOP chairman Fergus Cullen offered, with proper due to the writers on strike & David Letterman, his "Top 10 Reasons Things Are Looking Up for the New Hampshire Republican Party." While I have been critical of the ongoing boneheaded actions of some of our elected Republicans, Fergus has made definite progress as Republicans adapt to the new reality of a changed New Hampshire. As an example of the dramatic shift seen in the Granite State, he pointed out that, back in 1991, Wal-Mart was non-existent here. Today, they are the state’s largest employer.
Here’s the list:
10) More than twice as many people voted in the recent Republican primary than did in the 2006 election.
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9) The presidential campaign will be competitive. New Hampshire is an important swing state, and much attention will be paid to us. This will help set the stage for competitive races up and down the ballot. We will not see, as in ’06, that same sort of "tidal wave" but instead more "equilibrium."
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8) John E. Sununu’s polling data and approval numbers are solid and improving. He has a 3 to 1 advantage in cash on hand over probable opponent Jeanne Shaheen.
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7) The party has had candidate recruitment "coups" in all of the major positions
  • Gov- Giunta (maybe); Keough (maybe); Sen Joe Kenny
  • Cong- Jeb Bradley; John Stephen; Jim Steiner, Jen Horn, and maybe Sen Clegg.
6) Hodes approval: 35%; CSP approval: 33% (UNH survey)
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5) The emerging Democrat scandal over the sale of the state voter files. Look for big news to come soon.
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4) National issues are moving our way. With the success of the surge, the Iraq War is secondary. When people worry about the economy, the Republican message beats that of the Democrats.
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3) State issues are moving our way. With the looming deficit, and Democrats in charge across the board, Republicans are positioned to benefit. They were right to criticize the 17-1/2% budget increase and were right on their call of using "overly rosy" budget projections. Lynch and his party are very vulnerable here.
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2) 2008 is a "change" election. Given the current majorities and the governorship are Democratic, in NH, if people want "change" they’ll vote GOP.
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1) The Democrat Party has been taken over by the angry left wing. They have abandoned the center, proven by their record of "nanny-state" bills that most ordinary people find overly excessive. 
These are all good things, and I don’t disagree with Fergus on any of his points. The key for Republicans to truly capitalize on the points raised, however, will be attracting good candidates to run. The current crop of elected Republicans contains a fair number who, when it comes down to brass tacks, stray from the core beliefs that are our supposed strong points: Less taxes, Less government, and more freedom. This doesn’t help us as we make the argument for restoring Republicans to the majority here in NH.
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How about it? Are there any of you out there that have had enough and might consider taking a run for elective office this time around? Signup is at the end of June.

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Leave a Comment

  • Randy

    I wish I could make a run for the Legislature, but frankly I don’t know if I could commit the time/money for such a run. God knows we also have to get Porter out NOW. That woman is becoming one of the biggest laughingstocks in Congress.

  • http://www.granitegrok.com doug

    Run for the state legislature. You can do that for little to no money. It will be an uphill battle against your local country-clubbers (in both parties) but, if you make good use of the “free media” (letters to editor, blogs, local talk radio, etc) you’ll have as good a shot as anyone at a possible upset, especially if you can describe your ideas in plain logic.

  • http://laconia-nh.us Greg Knytych

    With all the problems going on in the state legislature we need someone with good conservative principals to stand stong for the people of New Hampshire.
    It makes me wonder if I can do both the Laconia City Council and State Rep at the same time.
    So much to be done and so little time to do it.

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