Articles tagged as

NH GOP Chair

A Flip-Flop? No, more of being an on-going feature than a bug

by Skip

“…does this enhance a perception by them as a Stand on Principle or a Politics as Usual?“

Steve’s post brought up that fact that when Jennifer Horn (running to be the next NH GOP Chair – oh my!), she changed her tune might fast once it was pointed out that she included one of the “Five Families” (er, that would be US Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) in excoriating the Fiscal Cliff vote.

Sidenote: Once again, just like Obamacare, we see legislation done by the Elite (Boehner and Reid) instead by open and accountable hearings, and voted upon in the middle of the night.  In that same vein, their information either came talking point and/or most likely, from Cliff Notes (yes, I could not resist) – once again, I am betting that the number of Senators (vs their staff) who actually took the time to read the actual bill.

Back to Jennifer and the title.  Software developers often talk about new development and stuff that is in process – when something “looks bizarre”, it is often laughed off as “a feature or a bug” (unless a VIP is asking the question).  In real life, everyone yields a “bug” now and then – stuff said before all of the news and information is verified.  But it seems with Horn to this observer (and others who have easily commented upon it as well without syllable one from my lips) that this has been an on-going progression since I first met her running for Congress in 2008.  I have watched someone move from being a TEA Party person, who said “THESE are my principles”, morph to being more Establishment “We gotta win!” (or more to the point “I gotta win”) – and a real grassrooter (as opposed to a faux one) understands EXACTLY what I just said.  Sure, one with TEA Party principles has to win to have them be of value….but not at the risk of losing what defines one as being a “grassrooter”.  I am not the only one.

This event certainly is a case in point: Agreeing with grassroot ire – until it became quickly and painfully obvious that:

  1. the deal stunk all the way around and a pox on those that voted for it
  2. Oh crap on that pox – I’m ALSO dissing a VERY IMPORTANT NH Person (who is also getting on some folks Prez-wannabe list, heightening the IMPORTANT part)

So, is this who you (those of you who are now voting Members of the NH Republican Party) want as NH GOP Chair?

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A very ugly autopsy on the Romney campaign…

by

…and a very angry critique of the Republican Party as it exists today, which states in part that…

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Guess WHAT Shawn Millerick? Establishment R’s DID plan to have a meetup to pick their Chair!

by Skip

I am still waiting for NH Journal (as far as I know, still co-owned by political operatives Patrick Hynes of Hynes Communications and Shawn Millerick of Millerick Financial) to post a retraction to their story that a number of grassroot activists met to “choose” someone to run against the Establishment candidate, Jennifer Horn.  Every person named in that story has told Millerick that there was no meeting to which they were “not invited.”  To date, the only notation that Millerick has put on his post has been verbiage intimating there was a meeting but that the “invitees” were not invited (re: how else would you take his phrasing of “UPDATE: Surprise! Diane Bitter tells NH Journal she was not invited to the meeting.” ?).

Well, the bigger problem for him is that the Establishment was talking about having such a meeting – I was forwarded an email thread speaking to that point.  Here are two of them (emphasis mine):

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NH GOP vs NH DEM fund raising

by Skip

NH GOP Chair terms:

  • Fergus Cullen: 2007 – 2008
  • John Sununu: 2008 – 2010
  • Jack Kimball 2011 (Jan to Sept)
  • Wayne MacDonald: 2011 (Sept – Dec) – 2012

It is obvious that the threatened shutoff of donations from Washington during Jack Kimball’s term is easily seen; it also seems that NH based PACs also went along with a self-imposed drought. But it is also clear that from NH individuals, Jack Kimball did better than Wayne MacDonald (and just a little bit less in PAC and “other” contributions) yet Jack is the one that gets the political shaft – what hasn’t MacDonald received the same opproprium?.

In fact, looking at the “off-years”, it seems to be apparent that Jack Kimball did better than John Sununu?

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An endorsement on behalf of Andrew Hemingway’s quest for NH GOP Chair

by Skip

I received this earlier today from Ms. Monson – I do not know her but certainly we can put up her Letter: “I’m electrified for Andrew Hemingway’s bid for Chairman of the NH GOP.  Andrew inspired me when I met him a couple years ago. Andrew is friendly and is animated. At our first meeting, … Read more

Andrew Hemingway for NH GOP Chair – questions from the ‘Grok

by Skip

Andrew Hemingway For NH GOP ChairUpdated and Bumped:  Since a number of GraniteGrok readers have already posed questions on the posts I put up concerning Andrew Hemingway’s running for NH GOP Chair, I decided to see if they could get answers to those questions.  I have emailed with Andrew and he has indicated that he’d be most  happy to oblige.  So, I’ll gather them up and will start / continue to post both the questions and the answers here over the next few weeks. The idea will be to have answered questions “up top” and unanswered ones after the jump; so prepare to see this post a number of times.  Stay tuned!

Sidenote:  Other than this particular outreach to the Hemingway campaign, this is about all the contact we have with his campaign.  Neither I, GraniteGrok, or any of the other writers (that I know of) are working for the campaign (just in case you were wondering).

Answers from Andrew:

  • Andrew, Why are you seeking this position?

I am seeking this position because I believe I am uniquely qualified and positioned to help move the party in a new direction. I believe the NH is a better state when Republicans are leading, and so I want to dedicate my efforts to seeing republicans elected all over the state. The party needs leadership, creativity, and a sound understanding of technology. I can provide all of these and we can once again begin winning elections and helping turn around our state and our country.

  • Our current method of reaching unknown, prospective voters in nonexistent, what your vision to help reach voters?

This hits the area I am most excited about. We need to expand our Republican voting base and we can do this through data collection, analysis, and implementation. Data will drive the decisions that we make if I am elected as Chairman. We will be able to target new voters and deliver the right message to them.

  • Andrew, how will you bypass the old media (or do you have to) bias towards Republicans and conservatives in this state?

Social media allows Republicans a great opportunity not only reach voters and to bypass the media, but to target exactly who we are talking to, and what to say to them. We can talk to “Business Owners” about taxes and spending and to “hunters” about gun rights and land ownership, etc. The NHGOP needs to build a complete technology infrastructure that will facilitate such targeting and messaging.

More unanswered questions after the jump.

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Andrew Hemingway for NH GOP Chair

by Skip

Andrew Hemingway For NH GOP ChairAs reported here and here, grassroots activist Andrew Hemingway has decided to challenge the Establishment candidate, Jennifer Horn.  If you are looking for more information, he has a Facebook page up here.  In fact, he is planning a reach out tonite via Facebook:

Dear Concerned Republicans,

 Today has been an exciting day for the future of our party! This morning I announced my candidacy for Chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party. I am doing this because I have a unique set of skills that I want to use to serve our party and strengthen it. Tonight I will be laying out some of my vision for the future of our party. Please join me tonight at 8pm for a live Facebook Town Hall about my candidacy and my ideas to help Republican Party in New Hampshire. The video will be streamed on my Facebook page via Ustream.

Sidenote: or watch it live here after the jump:

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“Jennifer Horn – Wayne MacDonald in a Skirt?” or even more derogatory “Jennifer has a bus – just like Obama’s”

by Skip

Skirt.  This reminded me of something that happened when Jack Kimball was running for NH GOP Chair

There is a crying need for revised American (and Israeli) military doctrine in the face of enemies who hide behind women’s skirts

Associated Sidenote: I also note with disdain from this morning’s WMUR Channel 9’s Closeup interview with Wayne MacDonald:

“When Jennifer Horn decided it was time for Jack Kimball to go..”

I wasn’t aware that it was her decision to make.  Interesting that the present NH GOP Chair would make such a statement.

Derogatory.   Yes, you’ve been seeing that word in my posts for a while – there’s been a reason for it (Steve sneaks it in every once in a while too).  It’s a blogger inside joke – something happens and you write about it in such a way that only those that were involved in the incident (generally a bad one) will “get it”.  And sometimes, if done right, it’s like that old Carly Simon song “I bet you think this song is about you“, you have a bunch of people thinking “Oh jeeze, he’s at it aGAIN”?  And you giggle, knowing that you succeeded.  And sometimes, it’s just enough to be eternally tearing off their scab.

So let this be a response of mine  to this FB page notification:

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Kevin Landrigan – how often do you call the subjects of your reporting?

by Skip

Kevin Landrigan?  Did you even BOTHER to contact Jack?  Or is this merely simple plagiarism? “Defrocked Republican State Chairman Jack Kimball hosted a meeting Friday to express outrage about the Horn ascendancy and volunteered to run against her if no one else would.” You need to read the ‘Grok more often, or are your sources … Read more

Is James Pindell calling Andy Leach the Second Coming of this guy?

by Skip

Andy Leach: Andy continues to establish himself as Kelly Ayotte’s enforcer and the muscle behind her political machine. His behind the scenes moves this week dramatically shaped the chairmanship race more than most people realize. Andy’s work doesn’t always earn him friends (see the Grok post), but he’s quickly becoming the most effective person at … Read more

A quick ditty on Electability, Power….and what often gets forgotten: Why? And what is Jennifer Horn’s answer to that?

by Skip

As I mentioned here, I had a long phone call with an official in the NH GOP and I had brought up this article that was written by Mike Murphy in that paragon of Conservative Journalism: a blog at Time magazine.  He’s a Republican strategist who often appears on the Sunday morning talking head shows (especially Meet The Press hosted by Democrat with a byline, David Gregory).  I am always amused / dismayed at what comes from him as he is framed as being one (or only) of the “balanced” conservatives on the panel roundtable.  Most of the time, he’s just a political operative (“hack”) but is instructional on how most Establishment Republicans think:

  • I see talk about “Electability” in that piece.
  • I see talk about “Power” in that piece.

But nary a mention WHY the obtaining of power is important – what is it that is to be accomplished when it has been obtained?

Bill O’Brien knew exactly why he did what he did upon obtaining power.  Unlike the vast majority of politicians, the WHY of Power was to return it back to the Citizens – instead of just going with the flow under the guise of “getting stuff done and solving problems” (like that means anything at all).  It was increasing personal Liberty and not centralizing it.

So, I will ask both Jennifer Horn and Andrew Hemingway:

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“The Future of the New Hampshire GOP”

by Skip

“I have been told that I will receive more details later on this afternoon” –  just like my Magellen GPS: “you have arrived”:

The Future of the New Hampshire GOP

Dear Concerned Republicans,

Like you, November 7th, was a very sad day for me. I awoke to the realization that we had been defeated. All the time, money, and energy seemed a waste. Though I had seen what I thought were some weaknesses, I could not imagine President Obama being re-elected given his horrendous record.

The country needs Republican leadership. States where Republicans govern are far better financially than those where the Democrats are in charge. We especially need principled Republicans in leadership here in New Hampshire.

Out of my anger and frustration, I began to analyze what went wrong and what needed to be done to correct our mistakes. Here is a short list that I came up with:

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Speaking of NH GOP Chair – it sucks to be Fergus C

by Skip

Heh! DOWN Fergus Cullen: For the second consecutive cycle he tried and failed at getting elected to the New Hampshire Republican State Committee. In a field of 43 candidates, the former party chairman was unable to earn enough votes at last Saturday’s Strafford County Caucus to secure one of the 38 availed slots. Ouch. I … Read more

NH Journal – Shawn Millerick: stooge for the Gnome of the North

by Skip

Well, I guess that the battle will now be joined.  Shawn Millerick is a partner / friend with Pat Hynes (a former friend and co-host in “Meet The New Press” radio show that was the number one talk show in the NH Lakes Region) in NH Journal (and other activities) decided that NH Journal was going to start to “shape the battlefield” with this “out of thin air” post:

Sources: Kimball to stage comeback attempt as party chairman

After having served a failed half-term as Chairman of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee – a term that ended in his last-second resignation just before being ousted – Jack Kimball may attempt to engineer a comeback and challenge Jennifer Horn for the post, sources tell NH Journal.

 According to sources, Kimball will host a private strategy meeting on Friday to discuss the race for chairman and seek an opponent to Horn, who is backed by most party big-wigs. According to one source, if no other candidate emerges from the meeting, Kimball has said he would go for it.

Some of those invited to the meeting include Kimball, Skip Murphy, Diane Bitter, Joe Barton and Gerry and Sue DeLemus.

Really?  “Sources”?  Those in his head? So be it.  I sent that post to all the folks  to check because I was never contacted for verification.  Turns out, nobody was.  Simply put, this was a hit piece just like the Obama folks do – an attempt to discredit folks that might be playing a role in fighting yet another Sununu sock puppet.

“Sources“?  Those in his head? Or those just whispering in his ear (the Left one)?  Journalistic Integrity? So be it.    #WAR

Let’s  follow some connections in a quick exercise of “Six degrees of Kevin Bacon”?

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Breaking: Andrew Hemingway to run for NH GOP Chair

by Skip

Breaking details: The once cleared table for Jennifer Horn to assume “by accolade” the NH GOP Chairmanship may have gotten a rightward tilt to it.  Former RLCNH Chair Andrew Hemingway has announced that he will be opposing Horn’s ascendancy. I have been told that I will receive more details later on this afternoon. Hmmm, the … Read more

Looks like we’re not the only ones demanding NH GOP Chair Wayne MacDonald’s resignation – or ouster

by Skip

Given what we’ve posted about this topic (here, here, here and here), this from FaceBook Sounds.Just.About.Right.: Cliff Hurst has worked tirelessly for the Republican Party for decades as a citizen-activist, Chairman of the Manchester Republican Committee, and currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee. Looks like other folks have the same … Read more

NH GOP Annual Meeting – By Law amendments

by Skip

As a member of the NH GOP Committee, I get to vote for this inside baseball Republican style stuff.  Two folks have put forward amendments: Sylvia Smith and Diane Bitter.   Both are about the same subject matter – how a sitting NH GOP Chair can be removed from their position.  Right now, it is … Read more

This is a defense of the NH GOP Party Platform? Oy vay!

by Skip

Yes, the vote on HB 437 (the repeal of gay marriage) did not go the way that I would have hoped.  Yes, I agree that the primary concern of the NH GOP majority in the House and the Senate should be fiscal issues, fiscal issues, and more fiscal issues.  However, there is always a fiscal cost to social issues as well – every. single. one. of. them.  Sure, lots of  Rockefeller Repubs hate to see their hands get “dirty” in social issues, but they are always present.  Perhaps the fiscal issue may not be immediately observable on what seems to be a social primary issue, but when one rises up to the 10,000 foot level, the $ signs can be seen bobbing around the landscape.  And social issues are inescapable, as the Progressive movement has pushed politics and Government into almost all aspects of our lives.

I keep going back to when this WAS a big deal and a lot of outside money flowed into Democrat pockets to get it passed – certainly, the Dems thought this was a big social issue deal that had to be addressed. And now, they wanted it off the table (“hey, this isn’t a fiscal issue” – a use of “Use their own rule book against them”.).  Forget, for a moment, that this social issue was about gay marriage; should the NH GOP just let the Dems do any social issue they want?

And the NH GOP Party Platform has social issues in it that are major pillars: 

VIII. THE FAMILY

Preserving Marriage and Family

We realize that the family’s most important function is to raise the next generation of Americans. We place our highest priority on promoting and preserving the family as the most important institution of human development by:

  • Recognizing marriage as the legal union between one man and one woman

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Guest Post: an email to NH GOP Chair MacDonald

by Skip

Chairman MacDonald, Until the day arrives that the NH Republican Party disallows non-republicans to vote in our primaries, I shall contribute nothing to the party.  You really want me to help our party enable non republicans to vote in our primaries?  No money from me. Also, your support of RINOs throughout our once-proud State has … Read more

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