Chuck Morse, candidate for Governor and past NH Senate President, was the guest speaker several nights ago at the regular meeting of the Tri-County Republicans.
The Tri-County Republicans group, which meets monthly in Alton, typically draws hard-core conservatives (“real” Republicans) from Belknap, Strafford & Carroll counties, which come together at the NE corner of Belknap. If attendees were prepared to be lulled asleep because they had heard some of the opposition political patter to the effect that Morse was unexciting and actually boring, they were in for a big surprise.
As is typical, Morse opened with an abbreviated version of his life story and then proceeded to discuss his accomplishments from his many years in state government, followed by extensive questions and answers. Morse clearly demonstrated an encyclopedic knowledge of our state government, how it works, and its problems. He was candid about aspects of our state government and what needs to be fixed, mentioning some state departments by name.
He explained his key role in crafting several state budgets and his role in reducing our taxes, including both business taxes and personal taxes, such as the tax on interest and dividend income. He explained his early endorsement of President Trump, his strong stands for local control of our schools and land use regulation, and his promise to oppose any state income tax and any broad-based sales tax.
He did not hesitate, even for a moment, nor did he seek to avoid answering any questions, including some from the “hard graders” in the room. He was articulate and very polished. All in all, it was a very impressive performance, especially meaningful to those who had not previously heard from him.
It should be noted that there should be little doubt by voters that a vote for either of the Dem candidates for governor is a vote for making New Hampshire over in the mold of Massachusetts. Thus, one of those Dem candidates has actually been endorsed by the failed governor of Massachusetts. And that same candidate essentially promises to do for and to our entire state what she has done as the failed mayor of, and for, Manchester- with a dangerous, homeless-infested downtown, with many assorted unsolved problems across that city.
The bottom line is that our voters will be in the enviable position of having two very strong Republican candidates for governor, and the choice between them may be difficult. What should not be difficult is the postulate that New Hampshire cannot afford to have as its governor either of the Dem candidates now running for that office. If you want to be notified of upcoming meetings of the Tri-County Republicans, email this writer at njs@silbersnh.com to be added to the list.
