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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…