Articles tagged as

NH GOP

NHGOP Exec Committee Backs Off

The NH-GOP Executive Committee (EC) met recently (last night I believe) and bye-bye a vote of 11-8 decided to waive the committee participation fee, referred to by most opponents as the poll tax. This $25.00 “formerly known as almost-sorta-kinda-mandatory” donation will get a wavier from the Establishment for 2013.  Voting committee members will not be … Read more

NH GOP vs NH DEM fund raising

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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Was Millerick Donating Regularly to a PAC that Supports Prominent Democrats?

NH Journal took its first shot at Andrew Hemingway for daring to challenge the Republican establishments anointed candidate for NH-GOP chair.  Shawn Millerick sources his most recent remarks on the race for New Hampshire Republican State Party Chairman from a ‘Republican Reader,’ who forwarded to him a piece by the more-often-than-not left wing political meme generator, POLITICO.

The story recounts the mind-numbing volume of shady, fly-by-night PACs formed over the last two years ostensibly designed to help the pugnacious West, a conservative African-American Congressman from Florida.

So Shawn Millerick, the (r)epublican establishment meat puppet whose ‘Sources’ invented a meeting and its purpose out of whole cloth, which Millerick then posted without verification (becasue he probably made it up) and has yet to retract, now has a ‘Republican Reader’ who sent him an article questioning Hemingway’s motivation for using his PAC to support Conservative Republican Allen West for Congress…

OK Shawn I’ll play.  Why did your wife donate regularly to a PAC that gives half it’s money to Democrats in Congress and the US Senate?

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

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

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

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”

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?

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

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

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”

“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

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

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

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

With This Bunch Failure Is Always An Option

I’m torn between thinking this is just sad or that it’s just funny.  Maybe ironic is a better word? First, the NHGOP establishment power brokers (who forced Jack Kimball out) just cleared the field to make sure that the preferred, groomed, in-debted (and in debt) to them, moderate-insider was the only candidate left running for the NHGOP chairmanship.

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NH GOP: And I thought a “poll tax” was illegal!

I overlooked this announcement (on which Steve is busy writing a post on as well, I see) when it first came in – someone else emailed in on this and my head whipped around.  File this “what were they thinking” OR “the Five Families were planning ahead, eh?“:

NH GOP

Important Notice on the 2013 Annual Meeting

The State Executive Committee has voted unanimously to charge $25 to all State Committee Members to attend the 2013 Annual Meeting (below is brief summary from that discussion)

This can be done before or at the Annual Meeting The 2013 Annual Meeting will be held at Bedford High School on January 26th

Any question please call the State Party at 225-9341 or email info@nhgop.org

Rest of the notice after the jump.  Oh, the “Five Families” of the NH GOP.  Of course you know that things have gone out of control when the Chair of the NH Democrat Party, Ray Buckley, has a public comment on the brouhaha now coming to a boil over the NH Republican Chair Race.  So, context by what Mike wrote last night (emphasis mine):

Only hours earlier, DiStaso reported that several others had considered and then stepped aside, but that Cliff Hurst, who rejuvenated the Manchester GOP, and who guided the success of the blowout NHGOP victory dinner earlier this year, was in the running. Hmmm. What a difference a few hours makes – what could have happened? No need to risk losing an election and having to deal with the messy business of toppling the chairman after the fact, if you can mount a smear and fear campaign in advance, and drive your opponent out of the race ahead of time. You see, Cliff Hurst is no newcomer to politics, is good at fundraising, and is happy to criss-cross the state meeting with town committees – he might just win if not neutralized immediately.

The smears – Cliff Hurst started getting phone calls from friends that the word on the street was that he had become senile. The money drying up – Andy Leach called Cliff from Ayotte’s office to advise that, if Cliff won, there would be no help whatsoever forthcoming from DC, just as had happened to Jack Kimball in 2011.

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Breaking: Andrew Hemingway to run for NH GOP Chair

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

Facebook Doodlings – So, Greg Carson, Secretary of the NH GOP is demanding “unity” – Part I?

And yes, once again, I decide to weigh in.  His opening remark – well, I can’t quote it from FB because he decided to take himself out of the thread and erased all traces of himself, but it started with someone asking the simple question of “Who for Republican Minority Leader in the NH House?”. Fortunately, I keep all my emails which now provides a nice little trail of breadcrumbs from the NH GOP Secretary on “Party Unity” and other sundry bon mots:

 …I’m not a House member any more so its none of my business as to who Rep’s vote for but …

…If anyone wants my opinion about selecting a Minority Leader I would be glad to give it…off-line. This is an issue for House members, not the peanut gallery, the State Committee or anyone else.

And took a slap at a Libertarian leaning guy on that thread as well:

this is a conversation regarding Republican Leader not Libertarian Leader or do you have a recommendation for the Dem’s too. LoL!

And continued to state that one is “either a Republican or is a Libertarian…not both.”

Ah-hemm.  Nobody else’s business as to who our “elected employees / representatives” vote for? And my impression about the “LoL!” was not so much the “Laugh”. My response ( translated from FB to be more bloggish and correctly some typo / grammer stupidities):

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When you put the cross-hairs on yourself, Alida….

From the Laconia Daily Sun:

Millham declines nomination to GOP committee amid criticism of her endorsements of Dems

Yep.  This headline pretty much sums it up, eh?  This could have fit as well: “Milham finally dropkicks herself out of bounds“.

…However, later she recalled that conservatives targeted moderates in GOP primaries and, describing herself as “one of the targeted people,” urged her listeners “to take a look at how people in the partite [sic] are treated. ” Quoting economist Paul Romer, she remarked “a crisis s a terrible thing to waste” before taking her seat to scattered applause.

And I chose not to waste it, Alida. Regular readers of the ‘Grok know that she has graced (disgraced?) the pages of the ‘Grok multiple times – I have followed her votes and made sure that she (along with others in my formerly larger district like Peter Bolster and Doc Pilliod) were well recognized for their votes that enlarged (and never lessened) the size and scope Government, and showed the arrogance of the State making decisions where individuals should be making them instead.  Her philosophy is not that of govt as umpire…but as ruler.

Sure she was targeted – but she was far from being the innocent victim that she wants people to believe she was.  She wanted to be able to vote the way she wanted (pretty much against party principles and platform) without having that dreaded word “accountable” dragged out of the dictionary.  Sorry, Alida, but decisions (and votes) have consequences and you manufactured this one all by your lonesome – I merely shined a flashlight on it.

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Update: Email Doodlings – “Who for NH House Minority Leader”

As the saga continues – two updates on who will be the face of the NH GOP in the NH House:

  • At a gathering this weekend, the consensus was that the Party would be ill served; given how Obama and Dems have characterized the GOP, methinks he’d be called by the Dems and the Media “the old white guy”.  And would be hammered for that plus other stuff.  Not a great perception (which is worst, that or what they kept calling Bill O’Brien?).
  • Pam Tucker has announced that she has 70 House reps that are supporting her run (updated at this gathering to 80).

“Old white guy” doesn’t apply here for Pam – but would the Dems pick on one of their special interest group members (women)?  Oh, silly me -of course they would!  It is only Democrat women are special – they can call Republican women anything that comes into their silly little heads.  It only matters when it is Sandra Fluke talk-alikes.  That said, it would be like waving a red flag at bulls; we’d have a lot of fun here if they do so.

But there is another member of the Special Interest Minority Group group whose name popped up,

Sidenote: if women are 51% of the  population, how can they be a minority?  And since they are the majority gender, and according to Democrat philosophy only minorities can be oppressed, why are they still a special interest minority group?  Lack of consistency for mere vote getting?

Laurie Sanborn.

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So, will the NH GOP Executive Board do as the requestor asks?

To the NH GOP and Chairman MacDonald: I respectfully request that Chairman MacDonald and all of the executive staff of the NH GOP resign their seats immediately.  The returns from this past Tuesday are disgraceful and reflect a Party and Leadership completely out of touch with constituents. For the first time in my life, I … Read more

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