News – Politics – Opinion – Podcasts
Yesterday, Cliff Hurst answered the first question posed by GraniteGrok: Why are you doing this? Well, we had a number of other questions for Cliff and here is Question 2: Your background includes being a chaplain – in helping people, right? Next question will be up tomorrow.
Last week I also had the chance to interview Diane Bitter as she is now seeking to be the next Assistant Secretary of the NH GOP (her opponent is Jeff Newman). Diane is also the Rye Town Republican Committee Chair as well as an Area Vice-Chair. This video is of Question 1: Why are you … Read more
In continuing the ‘Grok tradition of citizen journalism in covering events, issues, and people that the MSM won’t (or can’t, but mostly won’t), Diane Bitter good naturedly answered Question #2 from your’s truly (which was asked with a puzzled look on my face): How long have you been on the NH GOP ballot? Seems like … Read more
One of the largest groups within the New Hampshire GOP is the “Liberty and Freedom” or “L&F” Republicans. This increasingly vocal and effective sub-coalition includes movement conservatives, libertarian conservatives, free enterprisers, TEA Partiers, and yes, social conservatives. What each group has is common is the crucial centrality of individual liberty versus ever-growing government power.
This past Thursday, NH State Senator Jeanne Forrester held a home event for Ovide Lamontagne, a candidate for the NH GOP nomination for NH Gov. This was an “intro” type of meeting but he also went into some of his philosophy of government. Following his talk, he took 8 questions (to be posted later). This … Read more
Oh, of course! It was a social issue! Given that the Country Clubbers have thrown the grassroots under the bus (hmmm, guess who else throws the “politically incorrect” under the bus to protect himself?), I was not surprised to hear that no one saw any formal representation from the NH GOP (or the Exec Board, … Read more
So says Sen. Jim DeMint, and he’s right. Here’s why Republicans must become more libertarian.
What a sad bunch of foolish, prejudiced people are running the Concord Monitor these days. They seem to bend over ever more readily to lick the shoes of their friends in the New Hampshire Democrat Party. Here’s the latest prevarication from the Monitor, which every day looks more and more like nothing more than a … Read more
One truth at a time! Here are the latest corrections, on…
I thought that Phyllis Woods might run for re-election as Republican Committeewoman from NH. I guess not; she just announced that she will not be:
I’m writing today to let you know that I will not seek another term as National Committeewoman. I will, of course, continue to be active in this role for the remainder of my term which ends on September 1st. Although I originally intended to only serve these five years, at the urging of others I carefully considered another run. While I have enjoyed serving as your representative on the Republican National Committee, in the end I decided to give someone else an opportunity to serve in this position.
It has been a pleasure to get to know volunteers, committee members, and grassroots activists throughout the state. We have so many dedicated party members who work tirelessly to elect and support our Republican candidates and I have been proud to bring that message back to the RNC.
We continue to enjoy the special honor of holding the first in the nation primary; a process that allows our voters the exclusive benefit of meeting and vetting our candidates on a personal level as they engage in the retail politics that has served our candidates and our country so well. I will continue my work to preserve our primary as a member of the RNC Rules Committee until the end of my term.
From Distaso: WILL PHYLLIS RUN? Long-time Republican National Committeewoman Phyllis Woods told the state Republican Party executive committee on Monday night that she’ll decide within the next several days whether to run for a second full-term in the post. Keene businesswoman and former Cheshire County Republican Chair Juliana Bergeron announced during the weekend that she … Read more
The ‘Grok went to the Ovide Lamontagne reception last Saturday evening and the videos are here, here, here, and here). We also had the chance to do a couple of GrokTALK! Special interviews. First one was with DaTechGuy (Pete Ingemi) and being from Massachusetts, he wanted to discuss what he had just observed (his post … Read more
Last night, GraniteGrok went to the reception for Ovide Lamontagne. It is our understanding that about 80 odd folks had RSVP’d but by my count, over 160 were in the room as the evening’s proceedings played out. The downside to trying to live stream the event was that Windows 7 just would not attach to the WiFi at the hotel (as usual with all things Microsoft, reboots fixes most all ills). The upside is DaTechGuy showed up with his lovely bride so we were able to have some chit-chat in between everything (and we did a bit of a GrokTALK! commentary which I will post later once I process the audio from the evening. He also posted up some pictures and interviews here (even got my good side!).
Jeff Chidester served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening – and given he is a political activist himself, he can always add “commentary quips” that most cannot. In this clip, NH State Senator Jim Luther gave the invocation, Di Lothrup lead us all in the Pledge, and the Peters children played their violins “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”:
One of the speakers in favor of Ovide’s candidacy was Sandra Ziehm – video after the jump:
Following on the heels of the Intro Ceremonies and speech by Sandra Zimm, ‘Grok (and personal) friend, Jack Kimball, was the Keynote speaker of the night. Previously having endorsed Ovide, he gave one of his classic stemwinder of a speech:
Well, if the reception was for Ovide Lamontagne (thrown by Grokster Mike and Mar-Mar Rogers), it would be great and fitting for Ovide to speak, and indeed, he did. Topics centered on his background, his guiding philosophies, and how he would carry out the duties and responsibilities of NH Governor:
Mike Rogers (Grokster!) decided that he also wanted to speak on Ovide’s behalf (and why not, it was his event!) and made it clear that Ovide is his choice for NH Governor:
There was also one other speaker at the event: Nancy Elliot (after the jump):
This past Saturday afternoon, GraniteGrok covered the New Boston Taxpayer’s Town Hall event, hosted by NH House Rep Pat Murphy and where NH Speaker of the House Bill O’Brien, Deputy Speaker Pam Tucker, Majority Leader DJ Bettencourt spoke on issues like the Budget, Voter Fraud, redistricting, traditional marriage, and education.
In this clip, Pat begins the meeting with some introductory remarks and the Pledge while Pam Tucker discusses the budget and voter fraud:
After the jump, NH House Majority Leader DJ Bettencourt gives his talk to the crowd at the Whipple Library (numbering about 100 folks):
Following Pam Tucker and DJ Bettencourt, Bill O’Brien spoke for about 30 minutes on the budget, jobs, creating a pro-business environment here in NH, reforming public pensions, the process of redistricting, and a new site, ConcordFactCheck.org:
RSVP: Laurel@Ovide2012.com Ovide2012.com
Live from the Crown Plaza – just getting on the Internet now so we join the event in progress. Live video from your iPhone using Ustream Also, DaTechGuy just came in and he is tweeting away as well. Presently, Jack Kimball (who has already endorsed Ovide) is introducing Ovide with another one of his stemwinder … Read more