CloseUP Doodlings - who Walt Haverstein first praised and then promptly threw under the bus - Granite Grok

CloseUP Doodlings – who Walt Haverstein first praised and then promptly threw under the bus

…and what the Journalist Round Table failed to recognize.

WMURWMUR’s CloseUp, their Sunday political rumination show, is generally good for a couple items and this week is no different.  Main interviewee was recently announced candidate for the NH GOP nomination for NH Governor, Walt Haverstein (re: info and oops!).  Well, Josh McElveen asked a question that I will be quite sure that NH State Senator Jeb Bradley and NH State Senator Chuck Morse (given that Bob Odell is running away, he won’t care) won’t be all that pleased.

“Do you think that the Republicans that voted for,  in favor for expanding Medicaid or expanding healthcare in NH (however they want to categorize it); is it fair that some of them are getting primaried, you believe?”

First, the “lift up” – Heh!  First he’s for the Rogue Republicans before…

“I think that is going to happen.  But I would tell you this, my sense of what Chuck Morse and Jeb Bradley did is / was forced upon them because of the Governors position and her proposal.  That was going to be the law and they did as best they could to give us an alternative.  frankly, I’m disappointed that we’ve ended up with Medicaid Expansion law or will be and we’re gonna have to work hard to make sure that we have ways to pay for it.”

…he throws them under the bus!  Annnnd, right on queue, here comes the bus!

“And you know there are those that disagree that say that this wouldn’t be law if they had held their ground?”

“Yes, that’s right.  Absolutely”

Absolutely right – So this illustrates one of two things: either he IS that politically naïve (although one doesn’t get to the top of a large corporation without knowing how to do politics but it IS a different kind) or he’s willing to speak his mind / say the truth.  Only time will tell which is which.  Even the “Journalist Round Table (Kevin Landrigan, Drew Cline, and James Pindell) that followed didn’t pick up on those answers  (or if they did, didn’t say anything).  At least they said he gives straight answers unlike Jeanne Shaheen, John Lynch, and Maggie Hassan who always equivocated (proving that Progressives can never seem to be able to campaign on what they actually they believe)

Other raw notes:

  • Self describes as a moderate Republican: fiscally conservative, defense hawk, a Reagan Republican
  • Not all that willing to talk about the social issues
  • On same sex marriage – he has his own “personal beliefs”.  He supports the current gay marriage law but would “consider” signing a repeal bill.
  • On same abortion – he is a  Pro-Choice Republican (so much for the most important Liberty – the Right to Life).
  • Right To Work – absolutely in favor of it
  • Casino – he’s anti-gambling.  Doesn’t know if he’d veto a bill.  It certainly can’t be the economic cornerstone of NH as it is being made out to be.
  • Pot – personally not in favor of it.  Wants more evidence that it would be helpful to NH.  Took a pass on answering about pot decriminalization
  • Northern Pass – needs to be convinced it would work; not made up his mind
  • How close to Brown are you ideologically?  His campaign will not mirror Brown’s.
  • His emphasis as Gov will be on job creation
  • How differ from Andrew and get people to look at him?  Leadership & experience will be the great contrast.  Everyone wants a fiscally conservative leader that can manage the govt depts.  He’s the only one that has that.
  •  Medicaid Expansion – is the horse out of the barn?  Looks like it.  Unexpected Consequences – will the Feds to continue to pay???  Opt out clause – doesn’t look like it would happen (e.g., Me – if it starts, it stays.  Progressive statewide rejoice).
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