first in the nation – Granite Grok

Rich Old White Bloomberg: NH too White!

We’ve heard this line a few times already this Presidential cycle from some minority fringe candidates who needed something to blame for their lack of support: New Hampshire is too white. And so is Iowa. Therefore, we don’t deserve the First in the Nation Primary, duh. Now, Rich Old White Bloomberg is playing the same … Read more

Live By Identity Politics … Die By Identity Politics … (Castro hoists Buckley with his own petard on FITN)

by Ed Mosca

This: And we are all supposed to stand in solidarity with Ray Buckley and the New Hampshire Democrats because our cherished first-in-the-nation status is being challenged: Well count me out. The New Hampshire Democrats love to play IDENTITY POLITICS against the GOP. This or that person has to be elected because we need more LGBT … Read more

PHOTOMENTARY: Scenes From Outside the Trump Rally

by Kimberly Morin

While Trump supporters still fill the SNHU Arena for the rally tonight, I thought I’d share some scenes from outside of the rally that I took earlier. The line went on for a really long way… not sure where it eventually ended: Yes, this guy was on stilts: Just a bit of an idea of … Read more

And this is a MASSIVELY Stupid (yes, with a capital “S”) idea, Bruce Breton

by Skip

Well, it would put one thing to rest – New Hampshire as the First in The Nation (“FITN”) Primary State. Second, as I have said for years, the FITN primary really distorts the political “marketplace” as the locals start falling all agog over themselves with all of the Bright and Shiny Objects waltzing into NY. … Read more

Ayotte’s First Big Mistake?

by Steve MacDonald

Her endorsement of Willard ‘Mitt’ Romney stands to undo every scrap of goodwill she may have accumulated to this point but should we be surprised?

Mitt Romney: Like Having to Take Your Cousin to The Prom

by Steve MacDonald

Mitt Romney - All things To If this running for president thing doesn’t pan out, Willard ‘Mitt’ Romney could probably get a gig as the new spokesman for Pork; The other white meat. And I don’t mean political pork. I’m referring to the "not Mitt" mentality that continues to surround the GOP primary process. Romney continues to fare well, and if nothing else polls consistently, but he is the Republican voters guy-who-can-beat-Obama candidate of last resort. He’s the backstop candidate where the ball ends up if no one else gets a hit.

And Mitt was looking good until Governor Rick Perry announced and proceeded to suck all the wind out of the race.

As Perry stumbled around on the national stage Herman Cain climbed up to the number one spot.

While Cain works out his alleged and unofficial "dating" history Gingrich is now favored among the conservative base and not because he’s necessarily the best conservative but because he is a fighter and…he’s not Mitt Romney.

You see the pattern. Anyone but Mitt, please.

Ron Paul Supporter – “Please pollute the GOP Primary”

by Steve MacDonald

I have been alarmed in the past when people have told me, back in 2008, that they liked either Obama or Ron Paul. I couldn’t figure out how they made that leap. A few years on and I’m not all that surprised anymore. They both evoke a cult like following that scares the crap out of me. (Reagan fanatics scare me a bit too.) Screw policy differences, and to hell with being right on even 80% of the issues–it is a cult of personality and I do not care what party you claim to be in, that is dangerous.

Here’s a recent example from facebook. A proud Ron Paul Supporter, whom I shall not name, is begging Democrats to register as Republicans (today is the last day) so they can vote for Ron Paul.

What the?!

While Everyone is Pissed Off at Rick Perry

by Steve MacDonald

Romney is not the presumptive winner, not because of Rick Perry, but because most Republicans really are still looking for a candidate they can get behind and Perry is the best high-profile “not Romney” candidate to come forward.

Christopher Hill is Running For President

by Steve MacDonald

Christopher Hill is running for president. Who? Chris Hill. Chris is a gulf war fighter pilot who spent time in New Hampshire working in grass roots Republican politics. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1985. I met Chris about a year and half ago, and about twelve moths ago he told me over lunch that he was fed up with the government, and was interested in running for public office. He told me he was going to run for president.

AFP New Hampshire Legislative Score Card is Out!

by Steve MacDonald

Americans For Prosperity has released its 2011 Score card for New Hampshire Legislators in the House, and the NH State Senate. The tally is based on eleven bills AFP focused on in 2011 and whether the New Hampshire Representative or Senator took AFP’s position.