There’s a little bit of a story behnd the NH GOP bumper sticker introduced in the GraniteGrok posting below. The design was originally going to be "New Hampshire" on the top line, with "New Republican" on the bottom line. But some people whom I respect greatly were a little bit chary about whether the words "New Republican" could be misconstrued. Here’s some of what passed between us….
On Tue, Jan 4, 2011 my Strong Republican Friend wrote:
Tim, glad I was able to help. Once I realized you were serious (putting money into the project) I felt I needed to put my two cents in. Of course, I may have been worried for nothing. I hope you sell a bunch of these!
On Wed., Jan 55, 2011 I wrote him back, saying:
Heh! I just paid to have a boatload of the bumper stickers printed up. I think the donation commitments will be enough to cover it; but if not, what the hell, I’ll pay for them. It’s not a money-making effort anyway; if people want to donate, I’ll take a buck or two per sticker, but I think I’ll often be handing them out. After all, I want to see these bumper stickers EVERYWHERE in the state.
Republicans in NH have for too long (far too long) been kind of…oh, I dunno…maybe "embarrassed" to be Republicans. Although the state has been controlled by nominal Republicans for most of the past 100 years and more, they very often weren’t "real," (i.e. "conservative") Republicans. Think about Doug Scammon being elected to the Speakership with Democratic support in 2004, and the GOP Reps. who helped put him into office. (What a nightmare that was!)
Now, however, we’re seeing the emergence of a very new, very forthright, very proud, very confident, and very righteously strong "new breed" of Republican (and not a moment too soon, IMO). Suddenly, Republicans in NH are becoming openly proud of standing for a set of very specific policy prescriptions, and advancing those "Republican ideals and ideas" as set forth in the state GOP platform.
All of which means…it’s time for "New Hampshire Republican" bumper stickers to start showing up everywhere. (We’re putting away any fear too: Some people in the past have been afraid their cars would be attacked by "peace-loving fascists" that seem to predominate in the Democratic Party; but we’re not going to be afraid anymore, and will fight back to defend ourselves when and where necessary.)
I find it exciting. Thanx for the help, and look forward to seeing you at the GOP meeting on the 22nd! —Tim