Steve MacDonald

Steve is a long-time New Hampshire resident, blogger, and a member of the Board of directors of The 603 Alliance. He is the owner of Grok Media LLC and the Managing Editor of GraniteGrok.com, a former board member of the Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire, and a past contributor to the Franklin Center for Public Policy.

GraniteGrok Q & A Series: Jeb Bradley

by Steve MacDonald

Jeb Bradley.Jeb Bradley

Former Congressman Jeb Bradley is featured in today’s GraniteGok Congressional Candidate Q & A Series. He is one of the two Republicans seeking the nomination for NH’s 1st Congressional District.  As with the others that have participated, we thank Jeb for taking time to answer these questions and further continue to appreciate his acknowledgment of the growing importance of the readers here in the blogosphere. Jebb Joined us on MTNP radio this past Saturday. Click here to visit the podcast page and listen.

Jeb’s responses are below and as always, feel free to leave a comment…

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QUESTIONS

1. If you could ask General Petraeus any question, but only one question, what would it be?

Jeb: General Petraeus: Thank you for your exemplary service to our nation.  Would you describe please the progress that is being made in Iraq stabilizing that nation and leading to political reconciliation and do you have the resources necessary to complete that mission? 

2. Do you favor Oil recovery in the newly found fields in Montana & the Dakotas?  Jeb: Yes

• Drilling in ANWR?  Jeb: YES

• Drilling in the deep waters off Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico?   Jeb: Yes

• Creating a fast track process to license and build new nuclear plants?  Jeb: YES

Jeb adds: Our nation needs to reduce our dependence of foreign imports by exploring in areas that have previously been off limits which includes ANWR. We also need to permit additional refineries, develop clean coal technology, and license new nuclear plants. Additionally our nation needs to develop renewable energy which should be done by creating incentives in the marketplace rather than direct government subsidies.

3. In the area of healthcare, are you in favor of:

• Giving tax credits for policies to individuals / families as well as businesses? 

Jeb: YES

• Allow policies to be purchased across state lines?  Jeb: YES

• Allow individuals to buy lower cost policies by "unhooking" legal mandates  

Jeb: YES

Jeb adds: In order to lower the cost of health care we must reduce frivolous lawsuits that force doctors to practice defensive medicine. Small businesses should be able to pool together across state lines to get large discounts from insurers. Health savings accounts should be expanded. These are all provisions I have voted for. Additionally health care costs should be transparent and fully deductable. Individuals ought to be allowed to purchase health care policies outside their home states if they so choose. All of these provisions will lower the cost of health care. I do not support a Canadian style government run health care system.

4. British Prime Minister Brown said that the US must give up the idea of absolute sovereignty in order to better cooperate in the global community.  Agree or disagree, and why?

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Guest Blog Post: Simple desires are the key to happiness. Except when gov’t. has something to say about it…

by Steve MacDonald

Dashed dreams? Doug, I thought you may find this piece interesting as it relates to the growth of NH’s  regulation and inspection of the vehicle.  It also relates the simple desire of owning an old truck. All the best. Jeff Desiring an old truck By Jeff Woodburn Simple desires are the key to happiness.  I’ve … Read more

“Complete Disregard”

by Steve MacDonald

WASHINGTON – Today the RNC released a new Web video, titled “Politics vs. Petraeus.”  The video highlights Senators Clinton and Obama’s politicization of the War on Terror and complete disregard for the facts and the warnings made by General David Petraeus during his last congressional hearing on September 11, 2007.   After consistently promising to “always … Read more

Catholics for McCain

by Steve MacDonald

Catholic Church

Anybody that watches TV and follows politics at all knows that the Democratic candidates seemingly spend inordinate amounts of time campaigning in churches and would have to admit we don’t see the same on the Republican side. While we generally associate faith and Christian values with conservatism, we just don’t find Republicans as publicly mixing it with politics– at least within houses of worship with cameras rolling.

As Catholics, we just don’t do politics in Church. It’s God’s house, and of course, the purpose of Mass is to worship Him– period. But that doesn’t mean that people who are Catholics cannot still have an opinion when it comes to politics. In fact, we are encouraged to be active and involved– we just don’t bring it into our Churches. Instead, we are asked to seek out politicians who will best reflect our beliefs and values in line with the teachings of our faith.

Yesterday, the McCain campaign released the following report announcing he has won the support of many Catholics from across America. And why not? When you look at the core teachings of the Church regarding life, forgiveness, and respect for our fellow man, Senator McCain stands head and shoulders above the Democrats candidates who are, after all, representing "the Party of Death." I am glad that our religion is more low key when it comes to politics within the confines of our Church walls. I am glad that my pastor won’t stand in front of the Church and tell us who to vote for– that way there, it is up to US to venture forth into the world and make our own decisions using our best judgement. I am proud to call myself a Catholic, and I am proud that many of my fellow brothers and sisters have joined with me in publicly announcing support for John McCain.

ARLINGTON, VA — Today over 100 prominent Catholics nationwide have come together to support John McCain for president. The National Catholics for McCain Committee, led by U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Former Governor Frank Keating (R-OK), is growing rapidly. The group is represented by elected officials, businessmen and women, grassroots organizers, students, and Catholic leaders from over two dozen states.

"John McCain has a common sense vision for America based on faith, freedom, and families," said Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), National Co-Chair of the National Catholics for McCain Committee. "Committed to the protection of innocent human life, he is a leader Catholics will be proud to support. John McCain knows from experience what it means when a society tramples on the truth of the value of the human person. He is committed to defending the dignity and value of every person, regardless of their status."

John McCain expressed his deep appreciation and stated, "I want to thank Catholic voters today, who have played a vital role in electing me as the Republican nominee for the presidency. I am humbled by the support of such a diverse group of Catholic leaders who are dedicated to the defense of traditional marriage, advocate for the protection of innocent human life, and share my vision for a stronger, safer and more prosperous America. I stand firmly with those Catholics who believe that human rights are natural rights for all people, in all places, and in all stages of life."

The National Catholics for McCain Committee is actively recruiting Catholics at the national, regional, state, local, and parish levels to help share John McCain’s vision and pro-Catholic message. 

Here is the list of those officially signed on: 

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But they made the trains run on time…

by Steve MacDonald

Nobody disputes the fact that the National Socialists ruling Germany in the Thirties till the mid- Forties weren’t anything, if not efficient. Despite that, you don’t find many folks who would define that regime as "good" in any sense of the word. By now, everybody’s heard of the recent Pew Center study ranking the Granite … Read more

John McCain rips the bark off of Romney!

by Steve MacDonald
John McCain…
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Wow! As many of you might have figured out, I’m the kind of guy that LOVES the heat of political battle. I can’t get enough of those able to deliver the conservative message in such a way that it becomes for all intents and purposes indisputable to all those who hear it. Additionally, I apreciate an orator that is able to define his/her oponent in an accurate, unvarnished way that too becomes essentially non-debatable it is so on the mark. Such it was for John McCain today when he addressed the NH GOP state committee at their meeting today in Londonderry.
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Senator McCain effectively shredded fellow Republican wannabee Mit Romney in the speech (which is quite excellent all around) discussing what it means to be a real Republican. Citing Ronald Reagan as the epitome of what a Republican president ought to emulate here in our times, McCain reminds us of Romney’s famous denial of Reagan and his legacy during a debate with Ted Kennedy. For me, watching the YouTube of Mr. Romney saying this is something that I have not been able to get past since I first watched it many months back. I can forgive some deviations from where I might wish my Republican candidates to be on some issues, but such a blatant dissing of Ronald Reagan is not one. Sorry. McCain nails where I am at regarding the former Massachusetts Governor…
ARLINGTON, VA — U.S. Senator John McCain delivered the following remarks to the New Hampshire Republican Party in Manchester today, Saturday, October 13th:
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Thank you for that kind introduction.  It is an honor to speak to you. 
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I don’t usually do this but I’m going to depart for a moment from the issues I want to talk to you about today.  One of the other Republican candidates made an extraordinary statement yesterday.  Former Governor Romney yesterday proclaimed himself the only real Republican in this race.  As we all know, when he ran for office in Massachusetts being a Republican wasn’t much of a priority for him. 

In fact, when he ran against Ted Kennedy, he said he didn’t want to return to the days of Reagan-Bush.  I always thought Ronald Reagan was a real Republican.

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Giuliani wins the straw poll. No, not THAT one…

by Steve MacDonald

Ron Paul’s supporters caravanning to the straw  poll? * . In the Nashua Telegraph’s blog page, "NH Prime Cuts", Kevin Landrigan reports on another, lesser-known straw poll that took place this past weekend. Given that it took place in NH, probably a more important state than Iowa in the requisite steps a candidate must take on the path to … Read more

Welfare Poem

by Steve MacDonald
welfare sticker
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Well, I have no idea if the figures in the poem below are correct, etc., but you get the drift, huh? Read the poem (after my discourse)  and let me know if it makes you angry, okay?
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Somewhat related to this, I’ve been following some of the coverage on the Pelosi/Shea-Pompous upcoming trip to New Orleans along with the other 13-14 democratic party animals. The story is interesting. Why, you ask? The comments are overwhelmingly against them going to New Orleans for what most people believe is merely another photo op and Bush bashing expedition at taxpayers’ expense.
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What does Congress do about approval ratings in the single digits? Go on a trip, of course. They are all on vacation anyway. Many people are mad at Pompous and wondering why she doesn’t work here in NH to solve fixing the many roads and bridges that are red-lined, help those who have suffered flooding problems here, feed the one in ten children who go to bed hungry…you know work on NH’s many unsolved problems. We’re 6th in income but 49th in services to citizens right here in NH. Where’s the NH way?
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Not a big photo op here, I guess, as it probably wouldn’t get national exposure. Playing on people’s sympathies works very well many times. What some people don’t seem to understand is that you can fell sorry for somebody, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to "do" something for them, especially if they’re not willing to do something for themselves.
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We all like to give, partly because it makes us feel good about ourselves. Obviously, when there’s a real crisis as there was with Katrina, we should all try to do our part to help. But, sometimes people don’t appreciate what they get for nothing so it can be more harmful to them and what they may need is to become responsible and accountable and held to a higher standard sometimes too. I’m not saying we still shouldn’t be trying to help people in New Orleans, but sometimes "help" can actually hurt.
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I was in Vail about a year ago. I rode the shuttle van from Denver and met a New Orleans’ football player who was going to see an ortopaedist in Vail. We started talking about Hurricane Katrina.
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Howie Carr update

by Steve MacDonald

  Like many folks throughout New England, I too was stunned by the news that longtime afternoon talk show host Howie Carr- the "franchise" of WRKO radio these days, is jumping ship to another station to do a morning drive time slot. Many believe he’s making a play to replace Imus as the "king" of … Read more

Democrat Priorities Killed School Funding Solution

by Steve MacDonald

New Hampshire Republican State Chairman Fergus Cullen explains Gov. John Lynch’s failure to steward a constitutional amendment on education funding through the legislature this way in a press release: “Governor John Lynch’s weakness as a leader has finally caught up with him.  A leader cannot punt on issue after issue and expect people to follow … Read more

2 Questions for NH GOP candidates

by Steve MacDonald

    . As the NH GOP works to implement party chair Fergus Cullen’s strategy of rebuilding the party structure and activist base from the ground up, which I applaud and support, I will be looking for more. In the wake of what’s happened since the Republicans fumbled power to the Democrats in the last election cycle, I will be … Read more

If only my backyard was bigger…

by Steve MacDonald

    . As sure as the sun comes up, each year at the start of the travel season for most Americans, we see rising gas prices blamed on "a refinery fire somewhere", or some other similar sad refrain. You know, it’s like the stories we hear at the beginning of the heating season– "Due … Read more

200 NH Guardsmen Activated for Statewide Flooding

by Steve MacDonald

Soldiers from the NHNG survey flood damage in Alstead NH on Oct. 13, 2005. . CONCORD – Gov. John Lynch today activated 200 N.H. National Guardsmen in response to statewide flooding and road closures across New Hampshire. . As of noon, 125 soldiers and 75 airmen were deploying to at least seven communities including  Greenville, … Read more

Does he wear a tinfoil hat to prevent “them” from reading his brain waves?

by Steve MacDonald

Is it any wonder that the devastated city of New Orleans is still a mess? Is it really George Bush’s fault, or might it be possible that the hapless city’s Mayor Ray Nagin is the cause? And when you consider that the city’s voters reelected him, should we have a whole lot of sympathy? Consider … Read more

More inconvenient truths for the global-warming crowd

by Steve MacDonald

I don’t know if it’s just me, but it sure seems like more and more scientists and weather & climate types are taking a more vocal, prolific stand against the notion that man’s activities are the primary cause of global warming. In this recent post, I noted a hurricane specialist that attributed the current more active … Read more

Didn’t he get the memo?

by Steve MacDonald

I’m sure this guy will be out of a job before too long… Expert disputes storms’ link to global warming By Zane WilsonThe Sun News COLUMBIA – As population continues to grow on the coast and people build more structures, losses from hurricanes will go up drastically but it isn’t because of global warming, one … Read more

Campaign ’08– GraniteGrok Analysis- A View from Central NH. Part 1: Republicans

by Steve MacDonald
Given the crop of presidential wannabees all jumping into the fray in the past two weeks, I’m beginning to think that perhaps it’s time for me to throw my hat in the ring as well. The way things are going, if I don’t hurry, I may be the last guy in America that ISN’T running for President in ’08. (Vote for Doug– he’ll cut taxes and kick some butt over in Iraq and Iran, solving the problem once and for all. Doug’s plan calls for winning the hearts and minds of any survivors. Oh, and he’ll build a wall as high and deep as necessary along the entire length of the southern border.) Unfortunately, I am otherwise occupied and hereby announce that I will NOT run for the Presidency in ’08. Because of this, I am desperately seeking a candidate I can support to do the job in my stead. Let’s review…
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I’ll consider the Republicans first. Being a conservative, I’m fairly certain that whoever I end up supporting, he or she will most likely be of the GOP. I will review the Dems in a second posting to follow from the viewpoint of which one scares me the least. Partisan? Definitely– Not in a Repub/Dem way but in a conservative/liberal vein. The list is in alphabetical order, NOT in some kind of preference order. It includes declared and speculative candidates. I am using the list as presented on Ron Gunzburger’s Politics1.com site, which is an excellent starting point for candidate investigations for anyone who is so inclined.
  • Senator Sam Brownback:– He’s very conservative on the issues– he and I are in agreement on many. His name recognition at this point is mostly derived from recent Sunday morning appearances on the talking-heads shows– where he generally seems articulate and knowledgable– until this past Sunday. When pressed by Chris Wallace to substantiate his claim of being different than the other conservatives in the race, his inabilty to answer made him sound like he "shoulda stayed in a Holiday Inn last night." Certainly he’s a longshot, at best. Oh, and he’s pro-amnesty.
  • Jim  Gilmore: Former Virginia Gov. who’s great on the borders, the tax issue, and small government beliefs. He announced an exploratory committee on January 9th and has no web presence, other than a draft Gilmore site run by others. A grasp of the new media is an important criteria for me as I assess candidates. He looks particularly strong, however, in homeland security issues. After all, his state was one of the ones attacked on 9/11 (Pentagon is in VA) This previous post features a report from Ed Naile of the CNHT who had a chance to meet in a small group with Gilmore. Perhaps Jim will take off? He’s got a long ways to go, for sure.
  • Newt Gingrich: 5 main issues: 1. Securing America and her Allies By Defeating our Enemies; 2. Defending God in the Public Square; 3. Protecting American Civilization; 4. Competing and Winning in a Global Economy; 5. Promoting Active, Healthy Aging. Almost sounds like some sort of "contract," doesn’t it? Newt is this campaign’s wildcard. He is the one guy that, whenever he appears on TV, I tend to bump into people the next day who ask me if I saw Newt. He is extremely active in all media, has multiple websites, and needs neither spokesmen or cue cards to articulate a coherent, plain argument that is easily understood by ordinary folks. He is one of but a handful of people in the world that is recognized by first name (i.e. Hillary, Diana, Condi, Rush) alone. While he’s not yet declared his intentions, he still has a leg up on all but a couple of the wannabees in many aspects of a run. He’s my kind of politician who leads by actions on the issues. DO SOMETHING and, if it’s good, people will follow. For what it’s worth (hopefully  a lot), Newt came in first in RWN’s right of center bloggers’ poll. And then there’s his recent joint editorial effort with the next guy on the list…

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Another person weighs in on President Carter…

by Steve MacDonald

Insight of a Sergeant Major (The author, J.D. Pendry, is a retired Army Command Sergeant Major who writes for Random House.)
 
NO PUNCHES PULLED HERE
 
Jimmy Carter, you’re the father of the Islamic Nazi movement.  You threw the Shah under the bus, welcomed the Ayatollah home and then lacked the spine to confront the terrorists when they took our embassy and our people hostage.  You’re the Runner-in-Chief.
 
Bill Clinton, you played "ring around the Lewinsky" while the terrorists were at war with us.  You got us into a fight with them in Somalia, and then you ran from it.  Your weak-willed responses embolden the killers.  Each time you failed to respond adequately they grew bolder, until 9/11.
 
John Kerry, dishonesty is your most prominent attribute.  You lied about American Soldiers in Vietnam.  Your military service, like your life, is more fiction than fact.  You’ve accused our Soldiers of terrorizing women in Iraq. You called Iraq "the wrong war, wrong place, wrong time"… the same words you used to describe Vietnam. You’re a fake.  You want to run from Iraq and abandon the Iraqis to murderers just as you did the Vietnamese.  Iraq, like Vietnam, is another war that you were for, before you were against it.
 
John Murtha, you said our military was broken.  You said we can’t win militarily in Iraq.  You accused United States Marines of cold-blooded murder without proof.  And said we should re-deploy to Okinawa.  Okinawa, John?  And the Democrats call you their military expert.  Are you sure you didn’t suffer a traumatic brain injury while you were off building your war hero resume?  You’re a sad, pitiable, corrupt and washed up politician.  You’re not a Marine sir.  You wouldn’t amount to a pimple on a real Marine’s ass.  You’re a phony and a disgrace.  Run away John.

Dick Durbin, you accused our Soldiers at Guantanamo of being Nazis, tenders of Soviet style gulags and as bad as the regime of Pol Pot who murdered two million of his own people after your party abandoned South East Asia to the Communists….

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John Edwards- Dope of the Week (Again!- Our first “triple crown” winner!)

by Steve MacDonald

Maybe Democratic presidential wannabee John Edwards should stick to suing doctors into bankruptcy and leave the anti- Wal Mart (free-market) shtick to those better suited… . DCE at Weekend Pundit has the lowdown. Click here.

President’s Radio Address: Giving thanks, remembering our military men and women.

by Steve MacDonald
The President spoke about reasons Americans have to be thankful during his weekly radio address:
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, Americans across our Nation gather with loved ones to give thanks for the many blessings we share. We’re grateful for our friends and families, who fill our lives with meaning and purpose. We’re grateful to live in a land of plenty and during a time of great prosperity. And we’re grateful to Almighty God for the freedom to enjoy all these gifts.
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Every Thanksgiving, we remember the story of the Pilgrims who came to America in search of a better life and religious freedom. Much has changed in the four centuries since these humble settlers landed at Plymouth Rock. While they were only a shivering few, we are now a strong and growing Nation of more than 300 million. And the desire for freedom that led the Pilgrims to the New World still guides our Nation today.
He then rightfully acknowledges our brave troops standing in our defense
Americans believe that every person has the right to live, work, and worship in freedom. And we’re thankful to the men and women of our Nation’s armed forces who risk their lives to protect those rights. This Thanksgiving, we are mindful that many of our finest citizens are spending the holiday far from their homes and loved ones, and we know that their service makes it possible for us to live in freedom.
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