Governor Sununu has an on-and-off relationship with constitutional limitations on his power. When he feels the urge to invoke them, it’s a speed-dial booty call, but when they get in his way, he kicks them to the curb (without cab fare). And he’d do anything to stop Donald Trump from getting the nomination.
Consider that commitment as you read this.
[New Hampshire] Secretary of State David Scanlan, who will oversee the first-in-the-nation presidential primary in just five months, said he’s received several letters lately that urge him to take action based on legal theory that claims the Constitution empowers him to block Trump from the ballot.
Scanlan, a Republican, said he’s listening and will seek advice to ensure that his team thoroughly understands the arguments at play.
Are those letters subject to RSA 91a, the Granite State’s Right-to-Know Law, because “several letters” sounds to me like from Chris Sununu. Or maybe they are from his “girlfriend in Canada.”
Sketchy. Suspicious, dubious, fishy.
It would put His Excellency in the same category as Gavin Newsom or Kathy Hochul.
The Democratic process, the foundation of our system of government, appears poised to produce a result with which we disagree. How can I stop that?
It’s election meddling, and I’d bet money Chris Sununu has had conversations behind closed doors with Scanlan’s office, if not Scanlan himself, about shadows or penumbras that could keep Trump off the Ballot.
My advice?
Go ahead and try it.
You’ll be hand-counting write-ins for days: It’ll look like Iowa for the Dems a few years back. Um, yeah, sorry, we don’t know who won yet.
The New York Post (post) primary debate (at which Trump did not appear) shows his lead widening to 52 points: Trump 61, DeSantis 9, Ramaswamy 5, Pence 5, Haley 2, Scott 3, Christie 1, Hutchinson, Burgum, Elder, Hurd 0.
Insider advantage has Trump with a 27-point lead two days after. Trump 45, DeSantis 18, Ramaswamy 7, Pence 2, Haley 11, Scott 3, Christie 4, Hutchinson 1, Burgum 1, Elder 1, Hurd 1.
Morning Consults Poll Results (44-points ahead): Trump 58, DeSantis 14, Ramaswamy 11, Pence 6, Haley 3, Scott 3, Christie 4, Hutchinson 0, Burgum 0, Elder, Hurd 0.
Trump running in New Hampshire is good for political tourism. You may not like him, but he will draw a small fortune that fills hotels and restaurants and lights a fire under the local economy. Trump on the Ballot is good for New Hampshire.
But go ahead and tell me that DeSantis, Pence, Haley, Scott, or Christie will make up the difference. All combined, they are less exciting or of interest than Donald Trump. And maybe that’s the answer. Perhaps what Secretary of State Scanlan needs is “several” more letters (from actual Republicans) suggesting to him that taking Trump off the Ballot would be a bad idea.
Here is the email address: elections@sos.nh.gov.
Reminder: Be polite. No one gains anything in this circumstance by being an obnoxious douche, and make sure to include your name and town so they know you’re from New Hampshire.
“[…] New Hampshire attorney Bryant “Corky” Messner, whom Trump previously endorsed in New Hampshire’s 2020 U.S. Senate race, is apparently responsible for getting the idea on Scanlan’s radar. Messner recently announced plans to sue to ensure Scanlan enforces the Fourteenth Amendment against Trump.
“I really don’t view myself as turning on Trump, as odd as that sounds,” Messner told ABC News. “I love this country. I’ve served this country. I’ve taken an oath to this country. My sons are serving right now and I believe someone’s got to step up to defend the Constitution.”
“Someone needs to take some action legally so this thing can get in front of the Supreme Court sooner rather than later to interpret this section,” he added.
Scanlan’s office confirmed Messner and Scanlan met Friday to discuss Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment but announced the secretary of state will meet with the state attorney general before making any decisions.[…]”
Just the other day, I was wondering what Corky had been up to these days. Now I know. And how close are Sununu and Messner? I have no idea but I’m having a hard time accepting that after years of TDS, His Excellency isn’t somehow involved.
I’m clinging. I admit it.
