Alexandria, VA- Americans for Job Security launched advertisements today highlighting Governor John Lynch and Former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte’s unconstitutional attempts to take private property.  

Governor John Lynch and his Attorney General Kelly Ayotte attempted one of the largest confiscations of private property in New Hampshire history. Together, they moved to drain the private medical malpractice funds of our doctors, nurses and healthcare providers. Thankfully the Supreme Court slapped down their $110 million raid of private funds.

“The people of New Hampshire deserve to know the truth about John Lynch and Kelly Ayotte’s unconstitutional attempts to take private property,” said Stephen DeMaura president of AJS.

“…the state’s move was an unconstitutional taking of private property,” Nashua Telegraph 1/29/2010

“The Lynch-Ayotte mindset of private property confiscation to feed a bigger and ever growing government is fundamentally misguided,” added DeMaura.  

“If John Lynch and Kelly Ayotte thought raiding the private accounts of Doctors, Nurses and health care providers was ok then what about the victims’ restitution fund, or College 529 savings plans?,” DeMaura said.

AJS’s initial effort includes a petition and website at www.HandsOffNH.com, as well as internet and direct mail advertising.

Americans for Job Security is a non-profit, non-partisan pro-business issue advocacy organization that promotes issues that strengthen the American economy. To learn more about AJS visit www.SaveJobs.org.

Full Disclosure: Yes, AJS has taken out ads on the 'Grok - just like PETA did once.  After all, we are capitalists in heart and spirit (although I will admit, having the PETA ad allowed us a few more jokes than normal...and paid for a GREAT Prime Rib dinner for me)

Posted by Skip at 6:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Steve at 9:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

From the NHGOP:

Recall, GraniteGrok chased him up the steps of the LOB back during the end of summer recess...

Posted by Doug at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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So I'm reading the in-depth piece by John DiStaso in today's Union Leader on former Attorney General-turned Washington GOP darling and establishment-crowned US Senate candidate Kelly Ayotte, and was struck by her continued hesitance at answering many questions deemed important to Granite State conservatives.

Fresh on the heels of her disastrous appearance at the monthly meeting of the Belknap County Republicans where she remained unable to characterize where she falls on the political spectrum-- liberal like an Olympia Snow/Susan Collins type or a bonafide conservative in the style of a Jim DeMint-- Ayotte continues to bob and weave. Unfortunately for her, she is no expert like the known artful dodgers in the opposing party (Shaheen, Clinton, Obama, etc) and, thus, comes off sounding like she's avoiding the question... something that NEVER plays well here in the Granite State.

Ayotte in the interview would not say whether she voted for Lynch or his GOP challengers in 2008 and 2006. She explained that during her 11 years in the attorney general's office, "I worked very hard to make sure that politics didn't come into that office, even though people knew publicly I was a Republican. I don't think it would be fair now to revisit each candidate I voted for or supported because it would politicize the time I spent in the office."

What's so hard aboiut that? Just answer the question-- either you're a Republican and believe in Republican principles, or you don't. Both Kenney and Coburn were good and decent men, with ironclad Republican credentials. And now, you leave open the possibility you might HAVE VOTED FOR JOHN LYNCH?! The guy overseeing the systematic dismantling of the New Hampshire Advantage? The guy who promised to be against gay marriage? THAT Governor Lynch?

And Roe v. Wade? She's pro-life, but... Yes- there's a "but"

she would not say whether she personally believes that the 1972 Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court legalizing abortion should be overturned because, she said, the issue has been decided and will not be taken up in the Senate

Say what? Isn't Roe v. Wade a creation of the Supreme Court? Don't Senators approve Supreme Court justices? Recall that Ms. Ayotte first revealed, in answer to a question posed by GraniteGrok that she would have indeed voted in favor of seating nominee Sotomayer-- another unknown with regards to the ruling making abortions the supreme law of the land. I would like it if MY senator believed in states' rights, and that Roe v. Wade, found in twisted interpretation of our Constitution, ought be removed from the federal level and left to the individual states.

Ayotte's potential competitors were quick to respond. James Pindell's NHPoliticalReport.com reported Sean Mahoney's reaction:

"I was proud to vote for both Rep. Coburn in 2006 and Sen. Kenney in 2008," said Mahoney. "In fact, I went even further and supported each of their campaigns with $500 contributions because their Republican message of lower taxes and less government spending resonated with me, particularly as it was in it was in direct contrast with Gov. Lynch's record. I commend and thank both Jim and Joe for stepping up and fighting for Republican values and was proud to have voted for both of them."

And an email came from the Ovide LaMontagne people, indicating how HE voted in the past two NH gubernatorial elections:

"In 2006 and 2008 I supported and voted for Jim Coburn and Joe Kenney for Governor.  I know what it means to be the nominee of my Party and fight for Republican principles of smaller, more efficient government, lower taxes, reduced spending and individual freedom and liberty.  For me, I had deep reservations about the Democrats in Concord who, like Paul Hodes and the Democrats in Washington, have embraced increased spending, higher taxes and bigger government as the solution to our current economic crisis.  This is entirely the wrong approach, and the concerns that I had in 2006 and 2008 are shared by many more people today."

Poor Kelly. The more we know about her, the more we don't know...

Posted by Doug at 9:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

                         .

Sean Mahoney has an excellent Op-Ed in today’s New Hampshire Union Leader in which he lays out five principles that should guide the Republican Party as it climbs its way back toward relevance in political life.

In it, Mahoney also lobs a salvo at the candidate of the Washington establishment, Kelly Ayotte:

Republicans in New Hampshire, actually most voters in New Hampshire, still cherish the values that brought me to the party. For too long, Republican candidates have spent too much time worrying about what people in Washington think and not enough time listening to what the people of New Hampshire have to say.

If Republicans in New Hampshire are ever to reclaim majority status, we need to stop playing the D.C. game and start recommitting ourselves to the people of New Hampshire. We need to stand firm against the "go along to get along" mentality of too many Washington Republicans.

Testify, brother! Read the whole thing by clicking here.

As it happens, Ms. Ayotte was in Washington this very week raising lobbyist money. According to the Union Leader’s John DiStaso, the event was a huge success. A source sends along the following video which appears to show footage of lobbyists entering the National Republican Senatorial Committee on Tuesday evening to pony up for the Ayotte campaign. Did my eyes deceive me? Is that really Planned Parenthood on the list?

Posted by Doug at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With yesterday's news that Sean Mahoney is looking at taking a run for NH's soon to be vacated US Senate seat presently held by Judd Gregg, we now have a two man race... A REAL one.

"Doug, you must mean between Mahoney and Ayotte-- a man and WOMAN race, right?" Er, not really. I was kinda talkin' about Mahoney and Ovide LaMontagne. THAT two man race [Note: do not misconstrue any of my sentiments expressed here as being in any way anti-woman] . How long has it been since Republicans had to make a choice between what most can agree are top-shelf candidates? For me, I am going to be in a quandary, as I know and respect both men, and at different times in the past, I enthusiastically supported each one.

The simple fact about this race is that, while the Washington poobahs may have decided that Kelly is their gal for the GOP nomination and will try to shovel enough money her way so that she might somehow purchase victory, the stark reality is that she was wholly untested and unknown in her leanings before that decision was made. Now that she's been out there a bit, this lack of any real political experience is sorely apparent.

Consider the video Skip took of Ms. Ayotte at last week's appearance in front of the Belknap County Republicans at their monthly meeting. In addition to sounding nothing close to a level of real passion as a speaker, she could NOT answer a simple question as to the type of Republican she might be. If she's this bad in a roomful of fellow Republicans, how on earth will she handle a mixed crowd of Independents and Democrats during the general campaign, should she win the primary?

Compare and contrast that to Sean Mahoney's commanding performance during a recent WMUR CloseUp  program where he spoke specifics on healthcare, or to Ovide's studio visit during our MTNP radio program [download podcast here] and his speech given Saturday in Nashua, peppered with references to the Constitution and liberty and freedom. What was the NRSC thinking when they made their pick? How long before they will admit buyer's remorse in the face of the truly excellent opportunities afforded in the announced potential alternatives of Mahoney and LaMontagne? Is it time to send the supposed savior of the NH's Republican team down to the minors for some needed rehab?

Posted by Doug at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

Here's a video showing NH's 2nd Congressional District representative Paul Hodes taking heat before and after press conference for not allowing constituents accessibility in an open town hall style meeting. With the canned response obviously stuck in his head, the hard to find Democratic Congressman claims he has "spoken to thousands of constituents in a variety of forums." Yeah right. Just ask some of his constituents who were told at the beginning of the recess he was going to hold many forums. Now, still waiting, they are told they somehow missed them all.

Incredibly, Hodes told the gathered interested citizens and reporters that he believes "it's important to be open and accessible and" he "always has been and always will be" just prior to turning his back and walking away from a woman he obviously didn't want to speak to.

2nd CongressionalDistrict Representative (and aspiring US Senator) Democrat Paul Hodes continues his elusive ways as he seeks to avoid getting "whacked" by angry constituents. From the NHGOP:

HODES LETS DOWN NEW HAMPSHIRE, WON’T HOLD TOWN HALL MEETINGS

Embattled Congressman Won’t Hold Traditional, Face-To-Face Meeting With Voters

CONCORD – The Union Leader (9/2) reports that Paul Hodes announced today that he will not hold traditional New Hampshire-style town hall meetings with voters during the Congressional Recess. Instead, he will host contrived, restricted “forums” that are not “fully open to the public.”

“Paul Hodes has let down New Hampshire by refusing to hold a single face-to-face town hall meeting on health care during the Congressional recess,” said NHGOP Communications Director Ryan Williams. “His failure to meet with his constituents in an open and unrestricted format shows that he is out of touch with New Hampshire traditions and values.”

Democrat State Party Chairman Ray Buckley blasted the idea of health care “forums” in a statement released on Monday. Buckley erroneously criticized Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta for holding a “forum” instead of a “real town hall.” According to the Portsmouth Herald (8/31), Guinta actually hosted a traditional, unrestricted New Hampshire-style town hall meeting instead of the phony forums that Congressman Hodes is planning.

“We agree with Chairman Buckley. A forum is not a ‘real town hall,’ and if Paul Hodes was actually serious about hearing from New Hampshire voters he would host open and unrestricted meetings,” said Williams.

 

Posted by Doug at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Pulp?  

From the NRCC: 

Washington- With two weeks left in the summer recess and one step closer to the possibility of a government- run healthcare system, has Carol Shea-Porter read the monstrosity that is the Democrats 1,018- page healthcare bill? Has she read about the job-killing, tax-hiking, and government-run mess that is HR 3200? Well, for New Hampshire residents’ sake, they better hope so.

HR 3200: printed BOTH sides

“If Democrats like Carol Shea-Porter have yet to read the writing on the wall that Americans are opposed to government-run healthcare, the least they can do is promise to read their party’s unpopular bill,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Given the Democrats’ track record, a bill that large could have anything in it. Shea-Porter has a responsibility to hold her party bosses accountable for the content.  After blindly supporting a wasteful $1 trillion stimulus package, Shea-Porter owes it to her constituents to demand that Nancy Pelosi doesn’t strong-arm a massive healthcare takeover through Congress without giving lawmakers the chance to read it in its entirety.”

In one the worst recessions in history, the Democrats’ healthcare takeover could lead to even higher unemployment rates:

Continue reading "Summer Reading Assignment" »

Posted by Doug at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It may be time for Kelly Ayotte to get a new spokesman.

Last week we dinged Ayotte’s campaign manager Brooks Kochvar for attempting to convince the Union Leader’s John DiStaso that a National Republican Senatorial Committee fundraiser in DC for Ayotte wasn’t really being hosted by the NRSC.

This week it’s Kevin Landrigan’s column in the Nashua Telegraph where Kochvar is selling something we don’t quite understand.

Having taken heat from state Democrats (and GraniteGrok) for claiming the stimulus act is bankrupting our economy after paradoxically having used stimulus cash to fund a cold case program at the Department of Justice and encouraging eager government entities throughout the state to feed at the trough, Team Ayotte appears to abdicate the GOP frontrunner’s chief qualification for high public office. In this Sunday's Nashua Telegraph, Kevin Landrigan noted he spoke with Kochvar, who explains it like this:

“She was attorney general and responsible for administering tens of millions of dollars in federal grants,’’ Kochvar said. “She can’t be held responsible for all those choices that are made, because they aren’t hers."

Leave aside for the moment the fact that in the above statement, Kochvar is saying Ayotte was both responsible and not responsible for those federal grants.

The only thing that legitimizes Ayotte’s candidacy is her tenure as attorney general. She can either embrace that or reject it, but she cannot do both.

It would be dishonest for Ayotte to claim credit for putting a cop killer on death row on the one hand while disavowing any responsibility for less popular actions by the Department of Justice on the other.

Ayotte announced her resignation as AG on July 7. We are now at the end of August. Ayotte has received high-level endorsements from national Republican figures and a fundraising commitment from the national party. And yet we still have no clear understanding of the justification behind her candidacy. We thought it was her record as AG, but her campaign manager has just taken that out of the equation.

Posted by Doug at 8:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

That's right. I'm perusing the liberal Blue Hampshire blog, our always worthy counterparts on the left, and came across this video put out by New Hampshire Democrats. Now don't get me wrong, by "worthy counterpart" I mean the ying to the 'Grok's yang. We stand poles apart on most issues, especially when it comes to the role of government in our lives, and the funding thereof. Then I watched this posted on the site. Quite frankly, there's little to disagree with here, save for its negative characterization of our friend Karen Testerman.

While I admit that the sentiments expressed by Kelly Ayotte shown in the video certainly cater to a conservative point of view, I am suspicious as to whether it's real. Let's not forget that she told GraniteGrok she would have voted yes on the Sotomayer confirmation had she been in the Senate in Judd Gregg's place (who voted in the affirmative), despite the strong conservative case that had been made in the contrary.

The other interesting point-- one which comes close to home, btw-- is what candidate Ayotte says regarding "stimulus" versus what she was saying a scant few months back. Is she REALLY opposed to stimulus now? Is stimulus bad... for everybody else, but ours GOOD? This raises the legitimate question as to whether she will REALLY shrink government, having been a creature of same for many years, or simply pay lip service to such notions? A Nashua Telegraph story appearing today on Drudge reports that that stimulus money created or saved 796 New Hampshire jobs,

Continue reading "Hell freezes over. Pigs have taken flight. The moon is blue. Corpses have spun. There is a topic on which this Grokster and Blue Hampshire are one!" »

Posted by Doug at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBacks (0)

Kochvar and Ayotte

Kelly Ayotte’s mysterious campaign manager Brooks Kochvar, the same gentleman who tells Ayotte when to stop talking, is in John DiStaso’s Union Leader column today attempting to argue that the National Republican Senatorial Committee fundraiser for Kelly Ayotte in Washington, DC on September 22nd isn’t really an NRSC fundraiser. "It's our event. We're paying for it and we're hosting it,” he tells DiStaso. And Senators Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn will only attend as “invited guests” of the campaign.

Forget for a moment that NRSC Chairman John Cornyn has already acknowledged his role in the Ayotte fundraiser telling both the Washington Times and Roll Call that he had promised to raise money for her. Consider this instead: The contact on the invitation if you want to give Kelly Ayotte money?  Paula Dukes, the PAC Director of the NRSC.

Note also that Cornyn evidently told Roll Call that the money raised for Ayotte on September 22nd in Washington, DC is intended to be used in the General Election against Paul Hodes (provided Ayotte makes it that far), not in the primary against Republicans.  We wonder if Ayotte will honor that caveat.

Why not just deny the fundraiser is happening altogether?

Oh, that would be “misleading.”

Posted by Doug at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Fox News is reporting that Carol Shea Porter and Paul Hodes, NH's House representative have turned up missing...

This is, of course, a result of the stories originally running here and here. I would add our two US Senators Shaheen and Gregg to the list of those among the missing.

Just as I got ready to post this, the NHGOP forwarded the following statement:

PHONING IT IN: SHEA-PORTER REFUSES TO FACE HER CONSTITUENTS

Only Days After Meeting With Liberal Bloggers, Shea-Porter Announces She Won’t Host In Person Town Hall Meetings With Constituents

CONCORD – The Union Leader reports today that Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter will not host in person town hall meetings during the August recess, and will only participate in controlled, telephone “town halls.” Her decision to refuse all face to face contact with New Hampshire residents comes only days after she appeared at a liberal blogger convention in Pennsylvania.

“If Carol Shea-Porter can find the time to meet face to face with far-left bloggers, there is no reason why she cannot extend the same courtesy to the people who elected her to the United States Congress. Her decision is a slap in the face of the First District residents who rightfully expect the opportunity to question their Congresswoman in a traditional, New Hampshire town hall format,” said NHGOP Communications Director Ryan Williams. “If Ms. Shea-Porter doesn’t have the courage to answer tough questions from voters about her support for higher taxes, reckless spending and the Democrats’ disastrous health care agenda, she should not be running for reelection.” 

On Sunday, the Portsmouth Herald (8/16) blasted Shea-Porter for ducking her constituents and refusing to defend her support for the Democrats’ disastrous health care agenda. The paper also slammed her participation in telephone “town halls,” saying that the artificial format is no substitute for a traditional, face to face, New Hampshire town hall meeting.

“The whole concept of a telephone town hall meeting is flawed. We live in New England, where the town meeting form of government originated and where it still thrives. We know how a town meeting is supposed to work, and it certainly isn't by telephone.” writes the Herald. “[Shea-Porter] doesn't want to face questions from people who disagree with her positions, particularly on health care. We find this curious and regrettable, especially given her history of challenging her predecessor, Jeb Bradley, for nearly two years during his town hall meetings.”

While Shea-Porter has declined to meet with New Hampshire voters, she has managed to find time in her “busy” schedule to meet with far-left bloggers. On Friday, Shea-Porter ditched the Granite State to attend the “Netroots Nation” conference in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and address a friendly crowd of liberal bloggers. She has also committed to appear at the “Blue Hampshire Bash” on August 24 in Concord and mix and mingle with Democrat Party insiders, more far-left bloggers and liberal activists.

 

 

Posted by Doug at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

Ayotte chats with party faithful in Wolfeboro

Despite earlier reports to the contrary, cameras were indeed rolling at tonight's Winnipesaukee GOP social gathering in Wolfeboro when former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte made her first official public appearance on the ground in New Hampshire, starting her quest for the Republican nomination for the US Senate seat being vacated by Judd Gregg.

Following an introductory speech to the gathered crowd of local Republicans, [and one by Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta, also in attendance] Ayotte spent some time mingling with people and answering some of their questions. GraniteGrok caught up with her and asked how she would have voted on elevating Justice Sotomayer to the US Supreme Court:

While that's not the way I would have voted, I did appreciate her honesty and taking the time to answer my question. I will post her actual speech, also caught on tape, in a separate post later.

Posted by Doug at 9:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Official game of NH politicians?

[UPDATE] GraniteFrok cameras will be on the scene for this, along with other media including WMUR, apparently. Hopefully this represents a new trend of welcoming those who wish to cover politicians and events for people who cannot attend. The technology is here to stay. Get over it!  

Cross-posted at NowHampshire.com:

The Silence of the Politicians

New Hampshire. The Granite State. Where Jimmy Carter famously slept at supporters’ homes during the 1976 Democratic presidential primary. Where Ronald Reagan told John Breen, “I paid for this microphone, Mr. Green.” Where Bill Clinton became the “Comeback Kid.” Where John McCain spoke seemingly to every voter in the state and upset the GOP establishment to beat George W. Bush. Where John McCain downsized his Straight Talk Express to an Econoline van to cut costs and mount his comeback-from-the-grave to defeat the Candidate from Central Casting, Mitt Romney. The land of 400 state representatives.

It is American political legend that New Hampshire is different. We’ve built a presidential nominating monopoly around the idea that we deserve primacy on the presidential primary calendar because here people don’t just know politics, we live it. We can smell a slimy politician a mile away. We know what to ask for, what to look for and how to give ‘em the what for.

As the old joke goes: You voting for What’s His Name? I don’t know. I’ve only met him twice.

No longer, apparently.

In a distressing new development the politicians in New Hampshire no longer seem interested or willing to talk to the people. New Hampshire’s congressional delegation has exactly zero town hall meetings with constituents planned for the August recess.

Cowed by news stories of town “hells” in other states, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Reps. Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes (who is running for U.S. Senate) have apparently opted to take the idea of a summer break literally and avoid direct personal engagement with the people who voted them into office—and, it must be said, reserve the right to vote them out if necessary.

And this isn’t just a Democrat thing. Sen. Judd Gregg has no town hall events planned, either. As a key Republican player on the Senate Finance Committee Gregg plays a major role in shaping the health care legislation, which is the cause of all the bother this August recess.

But Gregg is retiring at the end of his term. He may very well be unmotivated by what’s on the minds of voters. He’s got a legacy to consider. More distressing is that his hand-picked replacement Kelly Ayotte has yet to hold a single public event with voters or articulate herself on a single issue of import. Despite this, Ayotte has managed to pull off the near impossible. She has somehow earned the endorsement of the entire Republican establishment in Washington, DC.

Ah, but her silence will soon be broken, right? She’ll be the featured guest at the August 11th Winnipesaukee Republican Social in Wolfeboro. She’s finally ready to face those inquisitive New Hampshire voters, right?

Think again. The Concord Monitor reports on Sunday that “Winnipesaukee GOP Leader Chris Ahlgren said that while reporters and photographers are welcome to their meeting with Ayotte on Tuesday night, he wants to keep out video cameras.” Interestingly, Ann Romney will be the guest of the the “Winnipesaukee Republican Social” on August 14th and–surprise!–there is no ban on video cameras for that one.

It may not matter anyway. NowHampshire.com has learned from a highly placed Republican source that Ayotte won’t be taking questions about issues at the event in Wolfeboro. She’s just going to socialize.

It remains to be seen if this new velvet rope strategy will benefit the politicians or further enrage a disenchanted public. But one thing is for sure. When state party leaders dust off their talking points to lobby the national parties to preserve our First in the Nation presidential status, they might as well bust out the White Out while they’re at it.

“[T]he unscripted, face-to-face grass-roots campaigning that has been the trademark of the first-in-the-nation primary for generations,” as former state Democratic Chair Kathy Sullivan once characterized it, no longer passes the giggle test.

Posted by Doug at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Ayotte

James Pindell is reporting that probable US Senate candidate Kelly Ayotte, free of the NH AG's office, has hit the road as she starts her quest to replace Judd Gregg.

I can hear them now: "See Doug, we told you," the Ayotte acolytes will say... "NOW you'll see why she's a good choice for conservatives!" Yeah-- perhaps when she actually campaigns on the ground here in the state. But really, who are we, just mere voters, when there are bigger fish in Washington, to fry? You see, it appears that perhaps Ayotte has launched her campaign-- but not in the cities and hamlets of the Granite State. Oh no... the little people can wait. From NHPoliticalReport.com:

The Hill's Walter Alarkon spotted Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Ayotte in Washington today with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Sen. John Cornyn.

A source told the Hill that she is "introducing herself to Senators, committee staff and others as part of the exploration process."

Read post

She sure sounds like a woman of the people, doesn't she? Why, as an active NH conservative, I ALWAYS want my candidates to be vetted by the likes of John Cornyn...

Posted by Doug at 7:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

James Pindell is reporting at NHPoliticalReport.com that businessman Fred Tausch, head of the grassroots group STEWARD of Prosperity has announced he will  NOT run for office in 2010, allaying rumors and speculation of a run for the US Senate seat being vacated by Judd Gregg...

That still doesn't take away from Fred's message decrying the wasteful "stimulus" spending, which is doing a great service to the citizens of the state...

Read Tausch's statement here.

Posted by Doug at 9:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ayotte

As reported yesterday by James Pindell at NHPoliticalReport.com, the now former NH Attorney General Kelly Ayotte has

filed papers opening up an exploratory committee for the U.S. Senate, a source close to Ayotte said. 

The source said Ayotte will begin raising money immediately and begin a conversation with New Hampshire Republicans.

Regular readers know that this conservative blogger remains skeptical of both her candidacy and her conservative credentials. Bolstering my concern, Pindell's report further noted

As a first time candidate Ayotte has advantages and unknowns. Her advantages include the backing of U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg and much of the Republican establishment, good name recognition, and a bi-partisan resume.

Does anybody really think this sounds like a candidate that will go to Washington with a single purpose of reducing the size of government thereby putting a halt to the socialism starting to engulf us? And really, as a conservative, what has the so-called Republican "establishment" done for ME lately?

I'm not just some lone guy in the wilderness on this one. Former state representative and one-time fill-in Union Leader Editorial Page Director Dean Dexter of Laconia has a few questions and observations, too:

Continue reading "Ayotte jumps in. Color me unconvinced..." »

Posted by Doug at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Tausch at Concord Tea Party June 24

Following on the heels of this week's latest anti-Obama, andti-"stimulus" mailing from STEWARD of Prosperity's Fred Tausch, the Nashua businessman weighs in on the Sotomayer Supreme Court nomination:

SENATORS MUST REJECT SOTOMAYOR’S JUDICIAL ACTIVISM

CONCORD, NH – STEWARD of Prosperity founder Fred Tausch, of Merrimack, released the following statement today as the Senate Judiciary Committee launches hearings on the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court:

“Chief Justice John Roberts opened his confirmation hearings by saying that a judge should act like an umpire – applying rules but not making them. Senators must bear that in mind as they examine and evaluate Judge Sotomayor’s long record of judicial activism. With the nation’s highest court having reversed her reasoning in six out of seven opportunities, Committee members will be hard-pressed to deny that she doesn’t inject her personal views into her rulings.

“Senators have a solemn ‘advice and consent’ duty that charges them with the important job of evaluating the President’s judicial nominees. If their intention is to put the Constitution first and protect the Supreme Court from becoming an extra-legislative body, they will reject Judge Sotomayor’s nomination.”

I'm wondering where our present Republican Senator stands on this-- My bet is he acts like a well-behaved politician seeking not to make waves or ruffle feathers (as usual) and follows the tired mantra of "giving the President his pick." You know-- like the Dems have always done.

Also, does anybody know if the presumptive favorite of the GOP country club crowd, Kelly Ayotte, would be bold in this instance and take a stand against an activist judge like Sotomayer?

Posted by Doug at 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

In a September 2006 post here on the 'Grok I wrote:

When I  look at a candidate for any office, I always look behind the scenes to see who is in their circle of supporters, when they joined the team, and why. Senior Political Correspondent for the Union Leader John DiStaso writes of Tom Rath

Since 1980, Rath has advised the Presidential campaigns of former Sens. Howard Baker and Bob Dole, former President George H.W. Bush, Sen. Lamar Alexander and President George W. Bush. He has also been a strategist for current and former U.S. Sens. Judd Gregg and Warren Rudman.

This guy Rath is a big party guy, eh? He must be quite the conservative with this resume. Well, er, maybe not- Lamar Alexander? Warren Rudman? Bob Dole? Conservatives? Not hardly. And neither is Tom Rath. He's what I would describe as a "country club" "Rockefeller Republican". Always looking for the deal. The consummate party man. I guess I'm a bad Republican to feel a "party man" loyalist is in some way bad- so be it. When have I heard Rath say anything in defense of Republican principles lately? Has he defended the war? Supported the troops? Written a letter? Of course not- he's too busy being that genteel diplomatic, deal making sort. Don't rock the boat.

At the time, this was against the context of Rath being a key figure for the Romney camp, which, if you recall, was actively seeking to recreate its candidate as a plausible conservative figure following years of being known as a typical Eastern "moderate" Republican. We all know how THAT went...

Fast forward to today...

Republican sources have told GraniteGrok that Tom Rath will help lead her effort, but it's unclear at this point what title he might retain within the campaign.

Uh-oh! As I implied in my previous post about Judd Gregg's compromising with the liberals on nationalized health care, I am ALL SET with getting hosed by moderate Republicans driving us down the road to socialism, albeit a little bit slower than the Democrats. I want Republican candidates and politicians that will UNDO the damage being wrought, not "go-along to get along" types seeking "common ground" and "compromise." The time for that is over--We are on the brink. 

Candidate Kelly Ayotte, with the support of people like trusted turncoat Sen. Susan Collins, faux-partisan hacks like Tom Rath, and the stimulus-supporter-loving NRSC led by the likes of Sen Cornyn, just doesn't do it for me as a conservative. Sorry. Show me some solid proof that a "Senator" Ayotte will NOT hang me and my smaller-government friends out to dry, much like Judd Gregg has been wont to do as of late...

Oh, and as to Rath's political prowess, ask President Alexander, President Dole, and President Romney how that all worked out for them.

Hmm. I wonder if Rath's dancing abilities have improved any since he last cut some moves on the campaign trail?

Posted by Doug at 1:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

The more one learns about Kelly Ayotte, the more worrisome the prospect becomes of her gaining the GOP nomination for the crucial Senate seat being vacated by present Senator Judd Gregg. Following the initial stumble (as first reported in this GraniteGrok exclusive) when the New Hampshire Attorney General reneged on her acceptance of a keynote speaker's gig at a prominent GOP function-- which insiders claim was at the request of Governor Lynch himself-- the most recent "buzz" surrounding her potential candidacy is a mixed bag at best. Given the far-ranging damage being wrought by President Obama and the Democratic majority in Congress, New Hampshire  needs a Republican that can get elected, and, more importantly, that can be counted upon to go to Washington and undo the destruction as quickly as possible. With John E. Sununu and former Gov Merrill both out of the picture, it’s questionable-- from a conservative point of view-- as to whether Ms. Ayotte becomes the next best choice, despite what some are saying...

"But Doug, look at today's polling-- SHE CAN BEAT DEMOCRAT HODES! Surely you want to win, right?" Whoa, there now. While I certainly note that the UNH survey shows Ayotte the only Republican beating likely Democratic nominee Paul Hodes in hypothetical "trial heat" matchups, I agree with the authors of the survey in that we are still a long ways off, and only a small number of Republicans have made up their minds, given the wide open nature of the upcoming primary. And don't fail to account for the fact that Ayotte, while certainly a savvy player with regards to how she performs in an appointed position free of the usual politics and muckraking, has yet to stand up to the scrutiny and open commentary a political campaign will no doubt bring. Despite the initial knee jerk exuberance on the part of some Republicans at the prospect of a young, female candidate with little to no political track record, there are a few items that others, giving this a little thought, view as potential problems for a candidate Ayotte down the road.

First of all, conservatives and Republicans seeking real "change" with regards to the present economic situation that understand all of the problems built into the so-called "stimulus" package and what it will do to us down the road, ought to put great care into who they pick to take Judd Gregg's place. Do they want a Republican in the mold of Mainers Olympia Snowe or Susan Collins, both of whom VOTED FOR THE STIMULUS stinker, turning their backs on fiscal sanity and party? Of course they don't! Most true conservatives I know DESPISE these constant Republican traitors from the Pine Tree State. That is why they should take note of who is among the so-called Party bigwigs promoting Kelly Ayotte…

In an exclusive story found today at James Pindell's NHPoliticalReport.com, it being reported that Ayotte has been talking with Judd Gregg, Sen John Cornyn, and, SUSAN COLLINS about a possible run for the NH seat. Yes- THAT Susan Collins. I challenge ANY good conservative to tell me that Collins has done anything good for the cause lately, or even ever. I am skeptical of anybody that, given the present times of economic upheaval and the rise of the Tea Party movement, is associated with the likes of stimulus-backer Collins. This could spell trouble in lost enthusiasm for a base seeing little difference between a squishy moderate in the mold of a Susan Collins versus a Paul Hodes. I know I would rather vote for nobody, given that option. Why endure the heartache and heartburn of entrenching such a Republican empowered with incumbency status forever? Is it not better to work on the up and coming prospects for the NEXT opportunity?

Then there's the Lynch connection. The sign at the June 24 Concord Tea Party said it all:

I'm sure that, given his latest stretch of broken campaign promises and a lack of effective leadership through the perilous economic straits, many Republicans now agree that John Lynch is indeed, when you look at the lasting damage he has allowed, the worst governor ever. What should be made of the fact that Kelly Ayotte was reappointed to the Attorney General position by this governor? As the state's top lawyer, she has been defending his programs and policies, including the present debacle involving the JUA funds some say have been "stolen" to balance the not-so-frugal state budget.

Pindell's aforementioned exclusive story also reports that

Continue reading "Do Republicans, Granite Staters really want a Lynch protégé for the US Senate?" »

Posted by Doug at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Guest post by Fred Tausch

“We must push to bring fiscal responsibility to Washington”

LIKE MOST Americans, I’ve always believed hard work, self-reliance and integrity are all you need to succeed in America. We don’t believe government owes us a living, just the opportunity to succeed or fail by our own initiative, hard work and talent.
 
We want a government that shares our convictions; that does its work, not ours, and does it competently; that manages its budget as responsibly as we manage our own budgets; a government that doesn’t play favorites or use our money to reward the failures of others; a government that earns our trust by trusting us and leveling with us about the cost and performance of its programs.

All we ever seem to get, though, is a government that increases its own prerogatives and power rather than the liberties and opportunities of the people it serves; a government with little accountability and less transparency; a government that tries to do things it was not intended to do and has no idea how to do. And many of the things it must do, it does not do well.

The Republican Party is the party of fiscal discipline, the party that trusted Americans to make their own decisions about how to use their money to build their dreams.  But, when Republican leaders lost their way, they lost me. I voted for George Bush in 2000 because I believed he would be a careful steward of our prosperity. Instead, he and Republicans in Congress turned a budget surplus into a huge deficit. They cut taxes but didn’t make the spending cuts necessary for the government to live within its means. They spent record sums on a bailout of the financial industry that I knew from the outset would be an expensive failure, without giving us any clear idea what the money could be used for and how it would be paid back.

Barack Obama promised to change that, and I hoped he would. He promised to put government on a budget that didn’t exceed its revenues, to be as careful with our money as we are and to take the best ideas from both parties and offer new solutions to the challenges of our time. But as soon as the applause at his inauguration subsided, he began to break his promises.

Continue reading "ATTENTION! Message of "change" ends up meaning what it always has: Government knows best" »

Posted by Doug at 6:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Former US Senator John E Sununu (GG file photo)

In an emailed statement, Senator John E. Sununu announced today that he will not run for office in the 2010 election cycle.

“Representing New Hampshire in the United States Senate is a great honor, but effective public service is much more than just a desire to hold office.  It’s essential that the timing fit both personally and professionally.

This year I’ve made commitments to serve several technology firms, begun working with a number of non-profit policy groups, and continue to serve on the Congressional Oversight Panel for the TARP.

Equally important, campaigns require great sacrifice from family.  After running in seven primary and general elections over twelve years, my family still means more to me than anything else.  I very much intend to keep it that way.”

Sununu currently serves on the boards of Time Warner Cable, Boston Scientific, and ConvergEx Group.  He is a member of the Congressional Oversight Panel for the Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program.  Earlier this month, Sununu led an international delegation monitoring the Lebanese Parliamentary elections.  He also serves on the Middle East Working Group for the U.S. Institute of Peace.

 

Posted by Doug at 5:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Leaving no media aside, Fred Tausch's STEWARD of Prosperity fiscal restraint message machine now hits the TV airwaves. If there was anybody left in the state of New Hampshire that HASN'T heard the anti-stimulus, anti-spending, pro-transparency, anti-Obamanomic perspective being delivered with the cold hard economic facts and reasoning combined with a somewhat biting sense of witty sarcasm, a new TV ad set to hit the Granite State starting tomorrow will seek to change that.

Building on a series of mail pieces and a recent flood of radio ads [Full disclosure: STEWARD has purchased ad space here on the 'Grok and on MTNP radio], Nashua businessman Fred Tausch, through his grassroots organization, STEWARD of Prosperity, as reported on WMUR TV, will air an ad entitled Taxpayers First. Here is the WMUR report:

And this is the ad itself that will be broadcast:

I know that the mmessage is getting out there, as I have been running into people here and there that ask me, "Hey Doug, what do you think of that Steward guy... what's his name, Fred Tausch, or something?" And then they usually tell me how much they agree with what he's been saying...

Posted by Doug at 7:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With the announcement that NH Attorney General Kelly Ayotte was to be the featured speaker at an upcoming GOP event before backing out, it appears she is at least taking the first initial steps to a possible run for NH's US Senate seat being vacated by Judd Gregg. This further raises expectations that were first hinted at last week. With Paul Hodes taking a swipe at Nashua businessman Fred Tausch (Steward of Prosperity) in a recent fund-raising letter (reacting to THIS mail piece), given that the former is definitely --and the latter is rumored to be-- a candidate, one cannot deny that the position jockeying has begun.

Drew Cline, apparently having sat down with Tausch recently, Twittered:

“Just spent an hour with the mysterious Fred Tausch, founder of STEWARD. First impression: This guy is for real.”

Paul Briand, writing in the Manchester Examiner writes, on Ayotte:

 the candidacy has a certain amount of curb appeal for the centrists in both parties. She was appointed to her post by former Republican Gov. Craig Benson and was reappointed by current Democratic Gov. John Lynch.

She is the type of Republican that Colin Powell says the GOP desperately needs -- moderate, not strident in the mode of Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cheney ... and the Sununus.

Regarding another name being bandied about as "not ruling out" a Senate run, in 2006, Republican analyst Liz Mair wrote about Charlie Bass' performance as NH's District 2 Congressman, noting he was

a key moderate, with a strong record of supporting the war in Iraq, pursuing tax cuts benefiting the middle class and small businesses, and working to protect New Hampshire's environment.

Let's not forget that should John E. Sununu decide to take another crack at a Senate seat, he would be hard to beat in a primary, given his popularity is still high among Republicans. Also, other names I've heard bandied about are BAE Systems' Rich Ashooh, who is active in numerous groups and boards across the state, and former Governor Steve Merrill.

OK GraniteGrok readers, what do YOU think? Can any of these guys and gal cut the mustard in a general campaign against the likely Dem nominee Paul Hodes? Have I left somebody out? Feel free to vote "none of the above" and leave your choice in the comment section below.

Who do you support for the GOP nomination to NH's US Senate seat in 2010?
	Rich Ashooh
	Kelly Ayotte
	Charlie Bass
	Steve Merrill
	John E. Sununu
	Fred Tausch
	None of the Above (leave comment)
pollcode.com free polls

Posted by Doug at 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

GraniteGrok has learned from GOP sources that NH's Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, rumored to be considering a run for the Republican nomination for the US Senate, has pulled herself from the keynote speaker role at the Winnipesaukee GOP's annual Fourth of July breakfast.

This comes on the heels of several reports earlier in the day heralding the recently reappointed Republican's scheduled appearance at the event.

Veteran observers have taken note of this apparent disarray within the budding campaign, it obviously not being the way her supporters had hoped to begin a possible race. Against the backdrop of a potential field of talented and well-funded opponents, time will tell if this early snafu has any chance of inflicting permanent damage.

DEVELOPING...

Posted by Doug at 3:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

.

   Brother Reid, can you spare a dime?

After a disappointing first fundraising quarter as a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Democratic Rep. Paul Hodes (NH-02) is turning to embattled Senate Majority leader Harry Reid for fundraising help. Reid will headline a June 3rd Hodes fundraiser in Washington, D.C., the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call is reporting.

Hodes is the only announced candidate from either party vying for New Hampshire’s open Senate seat being vacated by Judd Gregg.

Sen. Reid himself is up for re-election in 2010. A recent poll shows him to be viewed as unpopular by most voters in Nevada, his home state. A poll released earlier this month by Mason-Dixon for the Las Vegas Review-Journal shows that fully half of all Nevadans have an unfavorable view of Reid while only thirty-eight percent have a favorable view of him.

Still, Reid holds the reins of power in the U.S. Senate and by headlining the event he sends a clear signal to lobbyists in Washington that Hodes is the Democratic Party’s choice to fill Gregg’s seat.

Fred Tausch, the founder of the government watchdog group STEWARD of Prosperity, was unimpressed.

“The same old fundraising game being played by Rep. Paul Hodes and Sen. Harry Reid is a clear example of what is wrong with our system,” Tausch said. “We don’t need the power elite in Washington, DC deciding who our next Senator should be. We don’t need out-of-state special interest money influencing the process.”

NH GOP Communications Director Ryan Williams also took exception to the Beltway attention being ladled on the Senate race.

“It’s not surprising that a political insider like Paul Hodes would turn to Harry Reid and the Washington political establishment to help boost his floundering Senate bid,” said Williams. “At a time when New Hampshire families are struggling to make ends meet Paul Hodes should be working to fix our economic crisis instead of focusing on his self-serving political ambitions.”

I suppose, though, if Hodes is at some party with Harry Reid, that means they won't be raising taxes, spending money we don't have, or dissing the troops and their mission-- at least for a few hours. Every cloud has it's silver lining...

Posted by Doug at 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Really?!

"why did Paul Hodes give them millions in bonuses?"

That is the question Fred Tausch asks in yet another clever STEWARD mailer destined for the mailboxes of Granite Staters. On the heels of the hard-hitting direct mail piece slamming Obama for comparing the ill-conceived Air Force One NYC flyover photo-op and his spending program,

Tausch turns his sights on Paul Hodes-- Democratic candidate seeking the nomination to run for Judd Gregg's seat in the 2010 US Senate election. And, in targeting the present congressman from NH's 2nd District, he skewers him in fine fashion-- using his own words. The STEWARD mailpiece points the bony finger and calls Hodes what he is:

A Hypocrite on the AIG Scandal

Steward explains. Working off the above-noted March 18, 2009 statement by Hodes, the mailer shreds his supposed concern: 

Continue reading "Tausch Targets Hodes With New Mailer" »

Posted by Doug at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

A great place to start would be to send long-time Connecticut Senator Dodd packing, and this could be just the man to do it:

Visit his website at http://www.joinrobsimmons.com/ or you can also follow him on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/robsimmons

Posted by Doug at 7:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

US Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH)

Regular readers know that from time to time, we have been quite critical of Senator Judd Gregg's performance both as a Republican and as a supposed conservative. We're happy to note that in the short time since his flirtation with the Magic Obama, the Senator has regained his footing and has been as strong in his criticism of the proposed taxpayer-busting budget as anyone. This week, our senior Senator provided the Republican weekly radio address and provided some much-needed detail and words of caution regarding the Magic Obama's budget. I appreciate this, and would further add that, given Gregg's attempts at bipartisan cooperation with the Democrat-led Executive Branch, he has a degree of credibility on these fiscal issues that cannot be tagged simply as partisan rhetoric...

GREGG: Hello, I’m Judd Gregg , Senator from New Hampshire. We all know these are difficult times. People are worried about keeping their jobs, paying their bills, the value of their homes and the cost of sending their kids to college. It’s hard.

Thus I appreciate, as do all Americans, the efforts being made by our President and his seriousness about addressing these issues.

But what concerns many of us are his proposals in the budget he recently sent to the Congress that dramatically grow the size and cost of government and move it to the left.

It is our opinion that this plan spends too much, taxes too much and borrows too much.

You may have heard this before that the budget of the President spends too much, taxes too much and borrows too much.

What do we mean? Well, let me give you a few examples.

 

Continue reading "Judd Gregg: The budget of the President spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much."" »

Posted by Doug at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Following on the heels of Congressman Paul Hodes' announcement of his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for NH's US Senate seat (presently held occupied vacated in limbo thanks to Judd Gregg's imminent departure) in 2010, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has just released an ad in response:

Ah... I'm lovin' every minute of it! The endless campaign rolls on. I'm glad to see "our guys" are in the game.

Posted by Doug at 9:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)