In Wisconsin this last election cycle, the Progressive Democrats and unions were booted from power after having had their way for decades. Voters finally decided that they should not wield that power and those that were voted in immediately set in on to do what they campaigned on. However, the Progressives & unions decided they didn’t have to accept that result and started recalls, hoping to override the November results. They have been used to wielding power for decades – and took it for granted. When they lost their majorities, they flipped their lids.
How is this much different with the situation in the NH GOP? The perception (which makes it reality) of the grassroots is that while the old guard lost but, as Steve put it so well, they have seemingly been fighting the results of January since. Now, they are looking for their version of the Democrat’s recall.
It is my opinion that they believe they are trying to right a wrong. They also believe that there is only an upside for them in that the grassroots that helped to put Jack Kimball into the Chair have no where else to go. In essence, they believe there is absolutely no downside to this attack, on the idea of "they have no where else to go" as well as "Suckers, there is NOTHING they can do in retaliation". They believe there is no consequence to their decision and action.
There needs to be one. If Jack survives the vote, he should immediately turn around and ask for those who voted against him to resign. He also should pivot and bring in more of the Freedom folks to advise and run things. Why? This is only one battle, IMHO, in this seemingly endless enmity between the Establishment and grassroots. it will not stop here. In fact, this will only cause that to increase.
I had a discussion with a long term NH political operative last night. He brought up…
…the example of the social conservatives of the 90s, and how they folded when confronted with a similar result of their struggle. The current Establishment may be using that as a guide, thus, proceeding apace. I pointed out, however, that the TEA Party and 9/12 folks have been far more vocal and far more willing to go to action than the social cons of then – and that this may well lead to a real fracturing of the GOP here in NH; this action may well be the impetus for a real TEA Party (as many in the TEA Party grudgingly agreed to work within the Party). This would have horrific results for the NH GOP.
It may also result in the furthering of the disintermediation of the power of the Party here in NH as this last cycle, many more people used the power of the Internet, both as candidates and as supporters, to reach the voters and donors. The rise of the small advocacy groups, as Doug noted years ago, here in NH has also lowered the importance of the Party. This combination will only continue to accelerate – and may well be pushed by the current events today.
There are also rumors that Speaker O’Brien’s agenda may also get whacked. In talking to several activists, some of the issues that are near to his overall agenda only need a few votes to switch to deep six things such as Right To Work – they are that angry over this and that $100K. His Speakership, too, depended on a very few votes; memories fade slowly and it will be interesting, IF the Rs hold a majority, to see if he can hold onto it.
Others on this list, such as Frank Guinta, have already angered their base (often, the same folks) on other issues (like the debt ceiling) and may find that the support they enjoyed before will evaporate with their signature and vote. They may find that while money is needed, unmotivated folks may be a crusher.
*****
Names that are bolded are those that signed the letter demanding that Jack Kimball resign. Jack also needs to ask for a roll call vote so that we get them all on record.
Contact them, please, and let them know how you really feel:
Chairman Jack Kimball chairman@nhgop.org
Vice Chairman Wayne MacDonald wayne@nhgop.org
Treasurer Robert Scott yourcareerdoctor@hotmail.com
Assistant Treasurer Eileen Smiglowski esmiglowski@comcast.net
Secretary Greg Carson carson@post.harvard.edu
Assistant Secretary Pam Manney info@pammanney.com
National Commiitteewoman Phyllis Woods parishoner@comcast.net
National Committeeman Steve Duprey sduprey@foxfirenh.com
Area 1 Vice Chair Vicki Schwaegler vickiodescalchi@aol.com
Area 2 Vice Chair Jack Thorsen jdt@mind.net
Area 3 Vice Chair JP Marzullo selectmanjp@yahoo.com
Area 4 Vice Chair Rob Kasper navyjagcapt5926@yahoo.com
Area 5 Vice Chair Alan Glassman alan.glassman@gmail.com
Belknap County Chair Alan Glassman alan.glassman@gmail.com
Carroll County Chair Maynard Thomson mfthomson@yahoo.com
Cheshire County Chair Bill Hutwelker bhutwelker@yahoo.com
Coos County Chair Kevin Meehan kman799802
Grafton County Chair Bruce Perlo bsp@bmsi-fund.com
Hillsboro County Chair Ray Chadwick rfchadwick@juno.com
Merrimack County Chair Jen Wrobleski jenwrobleski@gmail.com
Rockingham County Chair Mike Silverwood msilverwood@comcast.net
Strafford County Chair Tess Conroy tess_conroy@yahoo.com
Sullivan County Chair Steve Cunningham drstevec@live.com
Manchester City Chair Jeff Frost
Nashua City Chair Andrew Cernota
Concord City Chair Jeff Newman tankerjeff@aol.com 603-566-9129
Manchester City Chair Jeff Frost jeffreyfrost@comcast.net 603-674-2246
Nashua City Chair Andrew Cernota acernota@maineandasmus.com
Derry City Chair Jim Foley geordiefoley@aol.com
NH Federation of Republican Women Chair
Nancy Elliott mmknhrep@gmail.com
Young Republican Chair David Hurst davidhurst@manchesteryr.com
College Republ. Chair Rob Johnson rjm36@cisunix.unh.edu
Senate President Peter Bragdon senatorbragdon@myfairpoint.net
Speaker of the House Bill O’Brien william.obrien@leg.state.nh.us
US Senator Kelly Ayotte
US Congressman Charlie Bass
US Congressman Frank Guinta
