Our friend Liz Mair at GOPProgress.com informs us that their "Candidate of the Week" is NH’s congressman from the 2nd Congressional district, Charles Bass.
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With control of both houses of the federal legislative branches hanging in the balance, all of the closely contested elected positions are being carefully scrutinized by all. The Bass/Hodes race has suddenly become, according to polls, one of the ones to watch. As the election draws near, survey polls are, says conventional wisdom (more wrong than right in the last couple of elections), supposedly more accurate. If true, we may have a problem right here in the Granite State. Liz Mair writes
While Bass had led his opponent, Paul Hodes, by up to 20 points earlier this year, a poll came out yesterday showing him trailing Hodes by 9 points, with a substantial number of voters undecided..
Hmmm. As a solid conservative, I have long waited for the day when he departs the seat, replaced by a more traditional conservative Republican. Not that I don’t think Charlie’s a good guy, mind you, it’s just that he’s often times too liberal for my liking.
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This got me thinking- what if some of my conservative friends in that district were to "sit out" the election, perhaps "offing" Rep. Bass once and for all? Nah- one thing’s for sure, they won’t "sit out" an election. Maybe leave Bass’s name unchecked on the ballot, or worse, would they vote for his opponent? Is that what I would do? (I live in the 1st CD- Jeb Bradley’s district) Would I risk turning the House over to Nancy Pelosi and company? Absolutely not!
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The odds of a Charlie Bass voting favorable on issues important to me as a conservative are much higher than his Democratic challenger, should he win. Besides, the time to make a run at Congressman Bass is during the primary. Does anybody really want a Democrat to hold that seat? Anybody remember when Democrat Dick Swett held this seat? Recall that he voted for the so-called "assault weapons" ban. This may have been his ultimate demise– but the damage was done. Do we want a rerun? I think not.
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The GOPProgress posting on Bass calls him
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.
Other than his environmental record, (I want more domestic oil drilling), I agree with the above sentiment. And really, given the more left of center nature of the portion of the state Bass represents, combined with classic NH frugality, I think he most closely reflects the belief of a majority of his constituents.
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Would I vote for Bass? You bet! ————————the word from several conservative friends from his district is that they plan on casting a ballot for Charlie as well.
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I think it will be up to that large group in the middle- the "great unwashed"- (those who never follow politics until a week before the election) as to who gets the seat in Congress. I really see no reason for these people, if they really think about it for a minute, to jettison Charlie Bass.
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I asked friends in Charlie’s district whether they thought that conservatives would stay home (or, not check Charlie’s name), seeing an opportunity to dump him once and for all, noting that as much as I’m not a Charlie Bass fan, I think the consequences of Democrats taking the House would be very bad for our country…
Some responses:
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I would say this one reflects the hard right winger viewpoint:
Doug,.I am disgusted with the 4 Republicans representing us in Washington. They just don’t share many of the values that I do. Their stance on Illegal Immigration, their inability to stand up to the big spenders (on both sides), etc. They are just not conservatives anymore. They are moderates..I realize that the public is roughly 40% Republican, 40% democrat, and 20% undecided. That means that the people with no conviction are the ones who are deciding the fate of this country (scary thought huh?). So the NH Repubs pander to these wanderers by being "moderate". They are spineless but I guess are doing what they have to to be reelected.
I did not vote for Bass in the primary. Unfortunately I will hold my nose and vote for him in the General election as the alternative is much worse..B.
And this one, the social issue, pro-life viewpoint:
Doug,.I agree with you, but someone needs to get Charlie on board for families. His votes are killing us as much as Hodes would. However, giving the party of death any chance at control is worse..
K.
This sums it up:
Doug,.I no Bass fan, and it is tempting to think conservatives can use a Dem tide to bump off Bass, then win the seat back next time. The same idea could happen this cycle in CT with Chris Shays.
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But can you find me an example where this strategy has worked? Even at, say, the state senate level?
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What seems much more likely to happen is the Dem wins, uses incumbency to secure the seat, and then holds it for many years..F.
As NH turns bluer and bluer, this is a risk we cannot take!
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And another conservative weighs in:
Doug,.I am a true blue Conservative who is active in state, local, & national grass roots efforts. I live to work for Conservative Candidates in primaries because they represent me up to 100% of the time. When my candidate does not win I look for the candidate that represents me the most. Paul Hodes is the exact opposite of my ideal candidate. Paul Hodes’ will not stand up to the terrorists, tax and spenders, the illegal alien lobby but he will stand up to the President he shows no backbone standing up to the extreme of his party..Paul Hodes does not have a back-bone- that is San-Fran extreme liberal, Nancy Pelosi’s hand up his shirt controlling Hodes’ every move..V.
Haha! Very true!
Doug,I think Hodes would be a far worse candidate. I do hope that republicans do turn out, as you can be assured that the Dem engine is well tuned and running strong!.I will be placing my vote for Bass!.C.
Now that I think about it, I can’t remember people this fired up for Bass in the past. Hopefully it’s enough.