Skip: March 2009 Archives

There are two races in NH that could use your attention:

• NH Senate District 3 - Republican Jeb Bradley vs Democrat William Martin

• NH House Rockingham 4 - Republican Marilinda Garcia vs Democrat Sheila Murray

Both need your time and your talent; please go to their websites and sign up to assist.  Jeb's election is April 21st, Marilinda's is April 28th.

 
"When I saw this agenda I said, 'What is this?' This is not the Democratic Party that I grew up with."

-Rep Tom Buco (D-Conway) On The Liberal House Leadership’s Radical Agenda

 
Social Issues Test N.H. Democrats
Concord Monitor
Lauren Dorgan
March 29, 2009

[S]ome Democrats voiced frustration that social issues even made the agenda last week. Rep. Tom Buco, a conservative Conway Democrat, voted against the death penalty repeal and gay marriage; he voted for medicinal marijuana. Buco, a member of the Finance Committee, said he'd rather spend the time on the budget.

When I saw this agenda I said, 'What is this?' This is not the Democratic Party that I grew up with," he said.

When Buco first ran in 2004 to join a minority Democratic Party in the State House, it would have been hard to predict many of the votes he faced last week, except for the death penalty. Two years later, his party was in the majority.

"Marriage has been defined for thousands of years," he said. "Why are you asking me to change the definition?"

Click Here For Full Article

           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         CONTACT: Ryan Williams
           March 30, 2009                                                            (603)225-9341


                                                                                                                              
CONCORD – In an interview with WMUR TV yesterday, Democrat State Senate candidate Willard “Bud” Martin refused to provide his positions on same-sex marriage and the death penalty and then praised higher taxes. Mr. Martin’s dodges come at a time when the State Senate is considering bills passed by the House last week that will legalize same-sex marriage and repeal the death penalty. The House is also set to vote next week on legislation that will impose a 5% capital gains tax and an 8% death tax that will devastate New Hampshire’s economy.

When asked to respond to the House’s approval of same-sex marriage and attempts to abolish capital punishment, Mr. Martin flatly refused to take a stand on the issues, instead saying that he wasn’t going to “send a postcard out in advance on everything [he] was going to do,” if elected to the Senate.

“Bud Martin needs to stop dodging the issues and answer questions about his support for the radical bills coming through the legislature. Instead of reciting his carefully scripted and intentionally deceptive talking points, he needs to start being upfront and honest with the voters about his liberal agenda,” said New Hampshire Republican State Committee Communications Director Ryan Williams.

Mr. Martin also praised higher taxes, calling them “collective” community efforts by citizens. He lamented that the word “taxes” has become what he called a “pejorative term.”

“Mr. Martin’s views on taxes show how out of touch he is with the values and concerns of District 3. He obviously doesn’t understand that during these tough economic times the last thing we should do is raise taxes. Working families simply can’t afford Bud Martin’s disastrous ‘tax and spend’ agenda.” concluded Williams.

BACKGROUND:

On WMUR’S Close Up This Weekend, Democrat State Senate Candidate Willard “Bud” Martin Refused To Answer Questions About His Position On Same-Sex Marriage And The Death Penalty:

Sean McDonald: Let me get your reaction this week to the House saying no to the death penalty, wanting to repeal that and saying yes to gay marriage. These are possible issues that you might face if you are selected for the senate. Give me your take on these things.

Willard “Bud” Martin: Here’s my take on that Sean. It’s very important that the voters know that they are sending somebody down who is going to listen and be accessible and then really do the responsible thing in a focused way and on these very important issues to the constituents out there, that’s my pledge. I’m not going to send out a postcard in advance on everything I am going to do, because that’s presumptuous. How should I make a decision on these critical issues without hearing from everybody. So we will have a hearing process - hearing rooms.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF BUD MARTIN DODGING QUESTIONS


Mr. Martin Also Praised Taxes As “Collective” Community Efforts And Lamented That The Word “Taxes” Has Become A “Pejorative Term”:

Sean McDonald: Let me get a reaction on a quote from you “It’s misleading to ask if you are for or against a tax. The correct question is how do we fairly pay for our reasonable services for our citizens.”

Willard “Bud” Martin: I mean that, to frame a question to a political or a governmental leader, “are you for this tax or are you against this tax”, gets the cart before the horse. The first question is do we want to fix the potholes? Do we want to take care of our bridges so they are safe? And if we do, at what level do we want to do that? And then how do we fairly pay for that? Taxes has become a pejorative term. We all pay for what we feel we need in one way or another. Taxes is just a term that we use when we collectively get together and say you know what? We are going to get together and do something about the potholes, we are going to do something about the lack of mental health treatment out in the field, and that’s where I am coming from.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF BUD MARTIN PRAISING TAXES

When running to become your new Republican National Committee Chairman, I campaigned on a need for responsible change for our Party.

Not a change of our core values, but real change of how we go about listening to our supporters, how we communicate our message to all Americans and how we organize and win elections.

While I'm excited about the challenges and opportunities we face, I have no illusions. I am fully aware of the hard work ahead and obstacles we must overcome to start winning elections again.

But this isn't about me -- I can't do this alone.

It's about you and every Republican grassroots leader who believes in our conservative principles of limited government, economic growth, personal responsibility and a strong national defense.

And it's about empowering you to lead and giving you the tools to help our Party set a new direction for our country.

Successful campaigns cannot be run from a building in Washington. The strength of our Party comes from people like you who believe in our values and ideals and promote them in their communities.

As one of my first official acts as Chairman, I've commissioned a survey of Republican activists in EVERY state. I want to hear from each of you to understand your thoughts and opinions about our Party and how we can once again be the party of ideas.

That's why I'm asking you to do two very important things for me:

1. Please take a moment right now to fill out online the State of the Republican Party Survey for the RNC. I want you to be honest and candid in your answers -- there's no need to sugar-coat your responses after our Party's performances in the last two elections.

2. And when you complete your survey, please make a secure online contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50, or $25 to help move our Party forward and elect more Republicans in the 2009 state and 2010 congressional elections.

If you choose not to participate in this crucial project, the RNC cannot create a campaign plan to educate and mobilize the millions of Republicans we need to resist the liberal agenda Barack Obama and the Pelosi-Reid Democrats are attempting to ram through Congress.

Your guidance will also help us develop new strategies for winning the two Governor's races held this year.

The elections in New Jersey and Virginia offer Republicans a chance to demonstrate that we got your message and will help us seize the momentum.

But we cannot lay the groundwork for winning this year and next without your participation in this survey and your active involvement in the RNC.

So please complete your State of the Republican Party Survey online today and support the RNC's efforts to grow our Party by making a secure contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50, or $25.

Skip, our Party cannot do this without you. Please take this survey today.

Sincerely,

Michael Steele
Chairman, Republican National Committee

P.S. As the new Chairman I'm eager to hear your views about what our Party must do better to promote our message and win elections. I want our Party's strongest supporters to have a voice in setting our new direction. Please complete your State of the Republican Party Survey online today and make a special contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50, or $25 to support the RNC's party-building programs. Thank you.

“If you don’t think there is going to be a problem with this budget wait until you see what happens to property taxes, I don’t think you want to be responsible for that, it’s their problem. They caused it; they’ve got to fix it.”

—Gov. John Sununu

As we anticipated coming into this session, House Democrats have begun the assault on our way of life here in New Hampshire. From mandatory seat belts to an increase in taxes and fees to smoking in cars. It was never more evident this week with the passage of HB 436, which legalizes same-sex marriage. I was very disappointed by the outcome of this vote not only because there are still many questions to be answered when it comes to this very divisive issue, but because of the way it was achieved.

It was pretty clear after the first count, when we held a one vote margin, that it was only a matter of some parliamentary maneuvering before the results would be overturned. A one vote victory on any issue that is one of the cornerstones to the Democrats’ agenda, is no victory at all. It is a shame that the legislative process, in this case, included arm twisting by the majority to change what should have been a conscience vote by their members. I am convinced that the views in this bill absolutely go against the beliefs of the majority of our citizens.

I know that there was much confusion on the floor of the House following the first vote, but we knew it was just a delaying tactic while House Democrats first found someone who was willing to call for reconsideration while forcing certain members to change their vote of conscience.

It was interesting to see that Gov. Lynch, who has publicly stated on several occasions that, “marriage is between a man and a woman,” has yet to announce that he would veto HB 436 should it arrive at his desk. But he was quick to wave the veto flag earlier this week should legislation repealing the death penalty reach his desk.

It is time to turn our attention to the budget and the fiscal damage that is already being done by House Democrats This coming week the Finance committee will be voting on HB 1 & 2, the state budget. Finance Republicans have been working hard to ensure an open and fair budget process, but they face an uphill battle with threats of the death tax and a capital gains tax being shoved in during the executive session. We will stand with our Finance Republicans as they strive to offer a real balanced budget to the House. I encourage you and your constituents to let Democrats on Finance know that they will not support new taxes and fees or increases in existing ones.

Technology is much, much more than databases for micro-targeting, or blogging, or emails.  Tweeting, Ning, MySpace, FaceBook, and other SocNets (Social Networks) - all are, will, and have to be part of the technology profile for campaigning in the future.

Once again, Matt Moon of The Next Right has an article on this:

What Will the Future of Mobile Messaging Mean for the Future of Get-Out-the-Vote Operations?

BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT: Let's take time to think about how we can get ahead of the strategic curve in the long term while coming up with tactics to win in the short term.

Hat tip to Katie Harbath for tweeting this news item: "Three-Quarters of the World's Messages Sent By Mobile"

"According to TNS Global, 74% of the world’s digital messages were sent through a mobile device in January 2009, a 15% increase over the previous year.

"As for developed countries, the PC e-mail remains the most popular message method, but its use is waning.

"In Japan, 40 out of 100 e-mails sent are from a mobile device. In North America, 69% of those using e-mail on their mobile phone use it daily, high compared with 43% worldwide."

I've written previously about the Pew Internet & American Life Project's "Future of the Internet Report," which has two interesting observations: (1) the mobile device will be the primary connection tool to the internet for most people in the world in 2020, and (2) the divisions between personal time and work time and between physical and virtual reality will be further erased for everyone who is connected, and the results will be mixed in their impact on basic social relations. The National Taxpayers Union put things to practice recently, launching a text messaging advocacy service, a creative tool to enhance that organization's grassroots operations.

Rebuilding our party doesn't only mean taking an inventory of every tool that's available and seeing how those tools fit campaigns and party organizations today; it also means seeing what the trends might be 5, 10 or 20 years from now and creating tools that can put us ahead of the curve. I do not have the proper fusing of sufficient technical skills with amazing creativity that many programmers and coders do ... which is why Code Red has been launched.

So despite my relative technical ignorance, I think a few observations need to be made about how campaigns might be affected, and where can campaigns might go, with increased use of mobile messaging. Yes, all parts of the campaign will be affected from communications on down. But increased use of mobile devices by voters to get most of their information will have a special impact on GOTV operations:

• Voter identification, persuasion and GOTV efforts will have to be more integrated. With personal and work time being merged as well as physical and virtual reality, campaigns and party organizations will have to embark on a long term, on-going voter identification efforts to see when and how often they receive messages and Internet content.
• With social networking sites and programs going mobile, GOTV messages will have to balance simplicity with engaging material. GOTV messages won't only come in the form of SMS and MMS. These alerts will come via Facebook and Twitter as well, where more and more this social networking activity takes place on iPhones and BlackBerries. Sending simple information on polling locations as well as early and mail-in ballot voting will have to become more easily searchable on any mobile device. Voters will also want a quick and easy way to engage with the campaign or party organization if they want to: a mobile version of an "action center" will have to be developed.
• As more and more messages are sent via mobile devices, the tools developed by campaigns and party organizations might need to expand horizontally to include different versions for different devices. The Obama app for the iPhone has somewhat started this thought. As the web will play a greater role in helping campaigns organically enhance their grassroots activism, those with different devices will need different versions of tools to suit their personal needs when receiving GOTV messages and spreading those messages to their neighbors, co-workers and family members.

Those are just some of my thoughts. I may be right. I may be way off base. How do you think campaigns will change with increased use of mobile devices?

 
Democrats Are Predicting That Governor Lynch Lacks The Backbone To Veto The Same-Sex Marriage Bill:

• Blue Hampshire: “[H]ere’s my own prediction. If the Governor can’t find a way to bully the Senate Dems into voting this down, he will lack the political space to veto it.” (Dean Barker, 3/26/09)

The Predictions Come After Governor Lynch Failed To “Specifically Say That He Would Veto” Legislation That Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage:

• Associated Press: “The bill, which passed the House 186-179, next goes to the Senate, where its future is uncertain. Democratic Gov. John Lynch opposes gay marriage but has not said specifically that he would veto it...” (3/26/09)

But Governor Lynch Has Repeatedly Pledged To Oppose Same-Sex Marriage During His 2004, 2006 And 2008 Campaigns:

• Concord Monitor: “Lynch replied that he, too, thinks marriage is between a man and a woman.” (10/19/04)
• Concord Monitor: “Lynch said he opposes gay marriage…” (10/27/06)
• Portsmouth Herald: “Gov. John Lynch reaffirmed his opposition to gay marriage…. ‘Marriage is going to continue as it has.’” (4/27/07)

 
Today, Governor Lynch Failed To “Specifically Say That He Would Veto” Legislation That Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage:

• Associated Press: “The bill, which passed the House 186-179, next goes to the Senate, where its future is uncertain. Democratic Gov. John Lynch opposes gay marriage but has not said specifically that he would veto it...” (3/26/09)

But Governor Lynch Has Repeatedly Pledged To Oppose Same-Sex Marriage During His 2004, 2006 And 2008 Campaigns:

• Concord Monitor: “Lynch replied that he, too, thinks marriage is between a man and a woman.” (10/19/04)
• Concord Monitor: “Lynch said he opposes gay marriage…” (10/27/06)
• Portsmouth Herald: “Gov. John Lynch reaffirmed his opposition to gay marriage…. ‘Marriage is going to continue as it has.’” (4/27/07)

Yesterday, Lynch “Swiftly” Vowed To Veto Legislation That Would Repeal The Death Penalty “Minutes” After It Passed:

• Concord Monitor: “Gov. John Lynch swiftly vowed to veto the bill and uphold the state's death penalty, telling reporters he believes "there are some crimes so heinous that capital punishment is warranted. If a bill to repeal capital punishment reaches my desk, I will veto that bill." (3/25/09)
• Union Leader: “’I do believe there are some crimes so heinous that capital punishment is warranted, and if a bill to repeal capital punishment reaches my desk I will veto that bill,’ he said minutes after the House action.” (3/25/09)

Lynch Has Also Repeatedly Pledged To Oppose A Repeal Of The Death Penalty:

• Eagle Tribune: “Gov. John Lynch has said he would veto legislation to repeal the death penalty if it reaches his desk.” (8/31/08)
• The Dartmouth:  “’The governor supports our death penalty statute,’ Colin Manning, Lynch’s press secretary, said.” (1/29/09)

 

           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         CONTACT: Ryan Williams
           March 26, 2009                                                            (603)225-9341



CONCORD - Today, former New Hampshire Governor and Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu released the following statement on the New Hampshire House bill to legalize same-sex marriage:

“The passage of the same-sex marriage bill is another attempt by the liberal Democrats in the Legislature to impose their San Francisco agenda on the State of New Hampshire. The small margin by which the bill passed should encourage Governor Lynch to take a stand with a clear ‘I will veto this bill if it gets to my desk’ message. New Hampshire doesn’t need this kind of legislation.”

An interesting article by Rob Willington (former MA GOP Executive Director) over at The Next Right:

The Constant Campaign Is On

This is amazing. After an enormous campaign, Barack Obama is continuing to campaign. Right now, Barack Obama supporters are door knocking. You would think that four months after one of the most exhausting campaigns in history, that activists would be sick and tired of door knocking and campaigning.  But the Obama crew is not tired.  

Their campaign was about expanding their base and mobilizing voters.  Now, it's about persuading and convincing voters to help implement the President's agenda.  The Obama crew has Pledge and Protect canvasses to execute Obama's policy.

For a long time now, I have been advocating for Republican Town Committee's in Massachusetts to start a door knocking campaign.  To knock on the high propensity R's, and to knock on the Unenrolled's that voted in the 08, 06, and 04 GOP primaries and invite them to the next Republican social event in town.  I recall hearing that Dick Armey transformed TX politics by doing just this, implementing an intense door knocking campaign.

Is this too hard to ask?  We can't survive with the same old warriors that are discouraged and beat up- we need to expand the pie.  Door knocking is the single most valuable technique to persuade voters and invite activists into the GOP because it's the most personal.  

This effort from Obama is not just about advancing policy now, it's about collecting names, emails, phone numbers, and ID's of voters for 2012 and bringing in future campaign volunteers.

This is very smart.

There is no such thing as "off" season for campaigns.  Right now, there is a tremendous amount of work to do for the 2010 election, and a lot of data can be collected by Republican Town Committees knocking on doors.  I'm not talking about the Presidential election - imagine the impact of a Republican Town Committee knocking on doors now for a State Representative campaign, these seats can be won right now.

Door knocking can be enjoyable, a time when you meet your neighbors, enjoy nature, and your community.  You should try it some time.

The Constant Campaign is on, are we this hungry?

Indeed.

This week Jeb Bradley announced his candidacy for State Senate in the third district. We need Jeb in the Senate to help preserve the traditional values and fiscal integrity that has made New Hampshire a special place to live.

We also have another extremely important upcoming special election for State Representative in Rockingham District 4 at the end of April.

We need your help to ensure that we can win these critical seats and bolster the Republican ranks in the legislature.

State Representative                                         State Senate
Rockingham District 4                                          District 3

Primary Election - Tuesday, March 24                Special Election - Tuesday, April 21
Special Election - Tuesday, April 28

   


Governor Sununu and Jeb Bradley will appear on WMUR's Close Up this Sunday at 10:00 AM.

Governor Sununu will discuss the future of the Republican Party, Governor Lynch's irresponsible budget and the Democrat's liberal agenda. Jeb will discuss his candidacy for the State Senate in District 3.



Democrats in the New Hampshire House of Representatives are pushing radical legislation that will allow individuals to legally choose if they would like to use a men’s restroom or women’s restroom - regardless of their actual biological gender. The “Bathroom Bill” (HB415), which makes changes to existing laws, grants universal access to public restrooms based on an individual’s preferred “gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of an individual.”

This week the House Judiciary Committee voted to advance the Bathroom Bill to the House. The full House will vote on the bill on Thursday, March 26, 2009.

Governor Lynch has refused to take a stand against this disastrous bill, despite receiving media inquiries on his position.




This week NHGOP Chairman John H. Sununu offered his "condolences" to Carol Shea-Porter, who was unceremoniously muscled out of the 2010 race for Senate by the Democrat Party elders in favor or their anointed candidate, Paul Hodes:

“I extend my condolences to Carol Shea-Porter," said Governor Sununu. "Although she is putting on a positive public face, I know that she must be very disappointed at having been forced out of a primary contest with Paul Hodes - especially since she probably would have beaten him.”



Governor Lynch's bid to create a new tax on gambling winnings and higher taxes on meals, room and car rentals was attacked last week by New Hampshire grocers, restaurant owners and nonprofit leaders according to the Nashua Telegraph.

Lynch’s two-year budget also relies upon raising the tax on cigarettes and a host of fee increases that together raise more than $130 million. The Governor also plans to raise the room and meals tax from 8 percent to 8.75 percent.

“I can’t imagine a good time to increase the room and meals tax but certainly I don’t think we could find a worse time to do it than now,’’ warned Bartlett Republican Rep. Gene Chandler.

“Look to the sky when you do revenue estimates, because we need more money.”

—Rep. Marjorie K. Smith (D-Durham), Chair, House Finance Committee

It was only a matter of time before the Democrats in the NH House began playing games with the state budget, and once again it is being done through the Ways and Means committee.

You may recall, it was during the last session when Rep. Marjorie Smith, Chair of the House Finance committee, told members of the House Ways & Means committee to, “look to the sky when you do revenue estimates because we need more money.” The result was a 17% increase in spending and 23 new taxes and fees.

The problem clearly began two years ago with changes in the way the House was allowed to review the revenue estimates. This not only threatened the system of checks and balances, it also prevented the legislature from playing its proper role in shaping the state budget. Now, just two years later, the people of the State of New Hampshire are paying a heavy price.

In each of the previous three budget cycles that occurred under Republican leadership, the Ways & Means committee prepared estimates of expected state revenues for the upcoming two year budget cycle before the governor presented his or her budget. This also gave guidance on spending levels to the budget writers on the House Finance committee. For some reason the process was changed for the last budget cycle and the Ways & Means committee received revenue estimates after the governor delivered his budget. With agency heads already committed to the governor’s revenue numbers, an independent legislative estimate was difficult, if not impossible, to produce.

As a result, there was a less reliable check on the revenues estimated by the governor to balance his budget. The legislative process only works when there is an open, free-flow of information.

This week it became clear once again that House Democrats have no plans to cut spending. Instead they continue to look for ways to increase revenue (i.e. taxes) on the backs of our constitutents—and their methods are just plain wrong.

           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         CONTACT: Ryan Williams
           March 16, 2009                                                            (603)225-9341
 


CONCORD - Today, former New Hampshire Governor and Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu released the following statement on Carol Shea-Porter’s decision to not challenge Paul Hodes for the Democrat nomination for U.S. Senate in 2010:

“I extend my condolences to Carol Shea-Porter. Although she is putting on a positive public face, I know that she must be very disappointed at having been forced out of a primary contest with Paul Hodes - especially since she probably would have beaten him.”

         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            CONTACT: Ryan Williams
         March 16, 2009                                                               (603)225-9341

 

CONCORD - Today, former New Hampshire Governor and Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu released the following statement on Jeb Bradley’s candidacy for the State Senate in District 3:

“Jeb Bradley’s love for the State of New Hampshire is clearly demonstrated by his acceptance of the call to run for the State Senate in District 3. He understands that if we are to preserve the traditional values and fiscal integrity that have been the hallmark of New Hampshire, we need to strengthen the Republican ranks in the Legislature.

“Jeb Bradley will make a great State Senator and his voice will help fight against the increase in the room and meals tax, restore fair distribution of revenue to our communities and help maintain New Hampshire’s special environment.”

Former NH Governor and current NH GOP Chair John H. Sununu was interviewed by The Hippo this past week. 
In an extensive (5 pages) piece, Sununu was asked a wide range of questions - and he obliged!


Former New Hampshire Gov. John H. Sununu has served in a variety of roles during his distinguished career, from engineer to governor to White House chief of staff to the host of CNN’s Crossfire. He and his wife, Nancy, even took on hog wrangling duties for a year in their town. (The pair were named honorary hog reeves in Hampton Falls, which means they were the go-to tandem for rounding up the town’s loose pigs.)  But at 69, his latest post as chairman of the state Republican Party may prove to be one of the most challenging roles he’s played so far. Earlier this year, Sununu, who served as the state’s governor from 1983 to 1989, took the reins of the party from prior chairman Fergus Cullen, who opted against running again since Sununu wanted the post

He takes over a party that was beaten badly both in New Hampshire and nationally in the November 2008 election. His son, John, lost in his bid for reelection to the United States Senate. Longstanding Republican Sen. Judd Gregg nearly left the Senate to be President Barack Obama’s Commerce Secretary and then abruptly turned around on that post and quickly added he won’t seek reelection in 2010. In addition, Democratic incumbents bested their Republican challengers in both Congressional races and in landslide fashion for the governor’s office. While Republicans did pick up some seats in the state House of Representatives, the majority still goes heavily to Democrats, who also held their majority in the state Senate. On top of all that, recent studies coming out of the University of New Hampshire say Democrats are taking over the Granite State. New voters are siding with Democrats. People moving into the state — not all from Massachusetts — are already Democrats when they arrive. The result, UNH researchers say, is a much bluer New Hampshire.

But Sununu isn’t backing down — not even close. Soon after last fall’s election, the man who was Chief of Staff for President George H.W. Bush went on the offensive. He offered strong criticism, a good portion of which was aimed directly at Gov. John Lynch and his Democratic counterparts, who Sununu says are guilty of overspending.


I sat down with Sununu at his home Friday, Feb. 27, to talk with him about a wide range of topics. We conducted a follow-up phone interview Tuesday, March 3. We started off with his reasons for getting back into politics.

Why did you decide to reenter the ring, so to speak?

Well, New Hampshire is really such a great state, and I saw it changing dramatically for the worse. I have kids and grandkids that I want to be able to enjoy the state and all the benefits of the state the same way I did. And I felt that if I didn’t get involved, it might never get restored to where it should be. I really do believe that over the last 10 to 12 years — now with the new administration coming in, it’ll be 12 out of 14 years of Democratic rule in the state — that the state really has lost a great deal. We’ve lost a lot of the quality of life. We’ve lost a lot of the aspects of local control which kept our citizens involved and self-governing. We’ve shifted power from cities and towns to Concord. And we have lost the fiscal discipline and the management discipline that made this a very well-run state that people really loved living in. It’s still a good state, but not as good as it used to be. It used to be a great state. And we have to try and help restore it. I saw that one of the biggest problems was that Democrats campaign well and govern terribly. But I also recognized that the problem was a problem within the Republican Party where we have not defined the difference between ourselves and the Democrats in a way that registered with the voters, and in a way that explained why the Republican traditional way of doing things really was done for the benefit of the state over the last half century.

Now that you’re back into it, do you feel energized or reinvigorated?

I’m dangerous.

How so?

For people who think I have been too tough on the Democrats by accusing them of ruining New Hampshire, to understand my criticism you don’t need to look any further than the recently proposed HB415 “Bathroom Bill” as well as Governor Lynch’s attempt to raid the Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Associating Plan to understand my criticism. These actions serve as reminders of the radical agenda being pushed by the Democrat Leadership in Concord that threatens to damage New Hampshire’s special quality of life and government structure.
This week a house judiciary subcommittee voted along party lines to advance the Bathroom Bill to the full committee. The legislation, which makes changes to existing laws, grants universal access to public restrooms based on individual’s preferred “gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of an individual.” This would allow an individual to legally choose if they would like to use a men’s restroom or women’s restroom based purely on their own personal preferred gender - regardless of their actual biological gender.

The Democrat’s Bathroom Bill is a radical assault on personal privacy that poses, at the least, an undue level of discomfort on users of public facilities and at the worst a mischief risk for families who utilize public restrooms facilities across New Hampshire. It’s about time that Governor Lynch shows some backbone and stands up to the extreme liberals that dominate the Democrat leadership in the New Hampshire House and Senate. He should publicly denounce and commit to veto egregious pieces of legislation like the Bathroom Bill before they reach his desk.

A second example of the Democrats disastrous agenda is Governor Lynch’s attempt to take money from the New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association Plan and use it to balance the budget.  The fund consists of premiums and payments from doctors that were intended to provide stability to the medical malpractice insurance market. In the event that the plan was to have a surplus, New Hampshire regulations clearly states that it shall “repay members for assessments previously levied.”

Legal opinions can’t make this kind of expropriation justifiable. This is private money, not state revenue, and any attempt by the Governor to use it to fund the operations of state government amounts to nothing more than the theft of private property. If they are to succeed in these efforts to pocket this money from New Hampshire’s doctors what is to stop them from taking money from other groups to balance future budgets?


John H. Sununu
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               CONTACT: Ryan Williams
March 13, 2009                                                                                  (603)225-9341


CONCORD - Today, former New Hampshire Governor and Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu released the following statement on the Merrimack Station Power Plant:

“No matter how hard the Democrats try to sound like they have a constructive energy policy, their actions prove they are anti-energy, anti-growth and anti-jobs. The repeated attempts by the House and Senate liberals to force the Merrimack Station Power Plant out of business are perfect examples of the radical and destructive agenda that has been adopted by the New Hampshire Democrat Party. Their actions should serve as a clear indicator for anyone who doubted that the Democrat leadership supports the debilitation of the traditional power sources that supply the majority of New Hampshire residents with cheap and efficient energy.

“This effort to shutter the Merrimack Station is part of a larger effort by the national Democrat Party to abandon our domestic coal as a principal supply of energy. While liberal Democrats in Washington are pushing unreasonably high standards on trace mercury emissions, their comrades in Concord are attempting to implement conflicting restrictions that will make it impossible for the Merrimack Power Plant to meet those standards. We’ve seen the same strategy employed towards other reliable forms of energy such as oil and nuclear power, which Democrats have attempted to block with government regulations, superfluous lawsuits and unfounded scare tactics for the last thirty years.

“If one thing is clear it’s that the liberals in Concord will stop at nothing to implement their radical agenda regardless of the disastrous effects it will have on electrical bills or New Hampshire’s power supply. We can’t let them shut down 40% of New Hampshire’s supply of electricity. The Merrimack Station should be allowed to purchase and install environmental controls to meet the federal standards.”

“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

--Ronald Reagan

The taxes and fees being passed on the floor of the House just keep on coming! Last session Democrats in the legislature passed along 23 fee and tax increases to the taxpayers of this state. After receiving a mandate from the voters in November to continue controlling both chambers, it appears that the majority party feels that the open season to “tax and spend” can continue for two more years. We hope the voters are paying attention.

House Democrats have already voted to pass no less than eight bills this session, that included increases in taxes and fees. They have targeted everything from boating fees (HB 205) to fees for attraction signs (HB 671), from establishing a recreational saltwater fishing license fee (HB 481) to increasing the gasoline tax (HB 644)—at a time when the federal government is also looking to increase the gas tax.

Last week the “tax onslaught” continued when no less than 11 (tax) amendments were introduced to HB 638, the bill to increase the tobacco tax. It is clear that, if it moves (and even if it doesn’t) state Democrats, led by Gov. Lynch, are trying to tax it. Their targets include charitable gambling winnings; the meals and rooms tax (increase); several filing fees, as well as fees for health facilities and community living facilities; a fee for a driveway permit review and inspection; subdivision fees and environmental services’ subsurface systems programs; and an increase in the motor vehicle inspection fee.

It is clear that the Democrats in the legislature are trying to balance the budget on the backs of our citizens through an increase in taxes and fees when instead they should be looking at cutting spending in the state. It is, and always has been, a spending problem and not a tax problem. Republican Leadership will continue to oppose any increase in taxes and fees. Given the current economic environment, this is not time to be increasing the tax burden on our constituents.

We will be having a number of exec sessions this week and it is very important that all Republican members make every attempt to attend these sessions. We have an opportunity to win some battles at the committee level if we have a strong attendance at these sessions.

We will not have a House Session this week, however the following week will be extremely busy. With more than 300 bills to deal with before crossover, the speaker is planning sessions on April 24th (10 AM), April 25th (9:30 AM), and April 26th (9:30 AM). I am currently planning to hold a Republican Caucus on all three days, however, should that change, we will let everyone know. We will not have a session on April 1, however, the speaker is planning session session days on April 8th and 9th.

The House Finance/Ways and Means “Road Show” will also hold their final public hearing on Monday, March 16 (6 PM) at the White Mountains Regional High School. Democrats have been pretty successful so far in getting their money-seeking constituents to these hearings. If you are able to attend this last hearing it would be helpful.

President Obama recently compared the stock market plunge to the fluctuations in political polls - ignoring the fact that real people are losing real money when the market slides. And Senator Chuck Schumer said on the Senate Floor that the American people don't care about the "pork barrel" projects in the "stimulus" bill.

President Obama and Liberal Democrats in Congress don't seem to grasp the fact that since the Democrats took total control in Washington, the stock market has lost over 20% of its value. And over 50 million middle class Americans have lost a huge amount of their life savings.

The Democrats' wrongheaded economic policies and their apparent lack of understanding for the pain hard working Americans are feeling is being handled with kid gloves by the liberal mainstream media. They refuse to hold President Obama and company accountable for their actions and words.

I'm here to tell you Republicans will hold them accountable -- and I need your help today if we are to set the record straight.

The Republican National Committee is counting on your urgent support to help us get the facts out about the Democrats' economic agenda. This is the only way we can go around the liberal media filter and directly reach the American people.

Your secure online contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50 or $25 to the RNC today will provide the vital funds the RNC needs to highlight the truth about the Democrats' hypocrisy and facts about their radical plans to undermine the free enterprise system.

President Obama pledged to cut taxes -- not raise them -- cut them. It sure sounded good during the campaign. But the President's budget actually raises taxes by $1.4 TRILLION over the next 10 years. His proposed cap and trade emissions tax plan alone imposes $646 billion in new energy taxes that will be paid by every American household as the companies pass the cost onto consumers.

There's also the President's claim that his budgets will cut the deficit in half by 2013. This can only be achieved through smoke and mirrors accounting and assuming that the new programs passed in the $787 billion "stimulus" bill won't be renewed. The fact is that the President's tax hikes and spending boondoggles will increase the national debt by $23.1 TRILLION over the next ten years.

The liberal talking heads who act as Democrat mouthpieces won't give you the facts about Democrats' budgets that grow the size and scope of government at all levels, increase spending to record levels, foster the redistribution of wealth, and destroy the savings of millions of Americans.

It's up to you and me to get the truth to the American people about President Obama and the Democrats' reckless and irresponsible, tax-and-spend agenda.

Please help the RNC spread the word about the Obama Democrats' broken promises and real designs for America by making a secure online contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50 or $25 right now. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Michael Steele
Chairman, Republican National Committee

 
 
CONCORD -- Today, former New Hampshire Governor and Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu released the following statement on the Democrats’ gas tax proposal:
 
“This week the ‘tax and spend’ Democratic leadership in the New Hampshire House passed a 15-cent per gallon tax increase. This action by those Democrats illustrates Governor Lynch’s inability to get the members of his own party to follow his agenda in the Legislature.
 
During his first bid for re-election in 2006, the Governor made his opposition to a gas tax increase one of centerpiece the issues of his campaign. Yet despite his pledge to stand firm against any attempt to raise the tax, Governor Lynch was either unwilling or unable to stop the House Democrats from passing this disastrous legislation.
 
It important for the Governor to urge Democrats in the New Hampshire Senate to join the Republicans in stopping this tax increase which he himself opposes. The last thing the legislature should be considering during these tough economic times is raising taxes. Any discussion about addressing the financial standing of the state highway fund should focus on reforms and cost saving strategies – not increasing revenues on the backs of the taxpayers.”
 

A message from the Republican Leader.....

Its that time of the year when the House is called upon to affirm the revenue estimates for the current fiscal year as well as the next biennium (2010-2011). Last Wednesday we voted to accept the House revenue projections contained in HR6 which represented the projections put together by the House Ways and Means committee. After reviewing these figures and comparing them to those of Governor Lynch, it is apparent that the governor is once again relying on inflated revenue projections to balance the budget.

During the last budget cycle the Democrats in the Legislature increased spending by 17% and then when the revenue stream fell well short of projections, they were forced to dramatically increase fees and taxes to balance the budget. Are we headed in the same direction?

According to HR 6, the revenue estimates for FY2010 are $62.6M lower than those of Governor Lynch. For FY 2010 the governor’s numbers are $73.1M higher, for a total differential of $135.7M over the biennium. It was just over a year ago that we warned that the governor and Democrats in the Legislature were “out of touch” with the real financial crisis facing the State of New Hampshire by continuing to ignore that fact that our first $10 billion budget was based on inflated revenue projections. The economy has continued its downturn even further since the governor presented his projections so we haven’t even seen the bottom yet. A year ago the economic indictors pointed to trouble the instant the overinflated revenue figures were passed by Democrats. Let’s not let history repeat itself.

This week’s House Calendar is light in comparison to last week. We have 41 bills on the Consent Calendar and only 26 on the Regular Calendar. There are a couple of Election Law bills special ordered to this week that are of concern.

HB 614, pertaining to the domicile of students for voting purposes, is a nightmarish bill that will send us down the slippery slope of loosening our election laws at a time when we should be tightening them. This bill would result in “Drive-By Voting,” where people working in this state on a temporary basis would be allowed to vote. There will be a request to recommit this bill to committee, we ask you to SUPPORT this motion— if that fails, we ask you to OPPOSE the report of OTP/A.

HB 417 would completely change the way we elect our leaders, calling for NH electors to cast ballots based on the national popular vote rather than how the people of our state voted. It would tie the hands of our citizens with no assurance that any other state would fall under the same mechanism. Please SUPPORT the report of ITL.

With Town Meeting on Tuesday, we will not hold a caucus, however please plan on caucusing at 8:45 a.m. prior to the House Session on Wednesday (Rms. 305-07).

Handouts showing the Estimated FY 2010 Change in State Aid; The NH Retirement System Reform Legislation; and the Republican Bill Presentation Improvement are still available in our office. Stop by and pick up a copy of either document.

-Sherm

During the past few days, leadership has signed-in, testified and taken a position on a number of bills being heard in committee. Here is a complete list of those bills:


HB 561—relative to insurance coverage for persons having deafness and hearing loss. (Opposed)


HB 381—prohibiting preferences in recruiting, hiring, promotion or admission by state agencies, the university
system, the community college system, and the postsecondary education commission. (Supported)
HB 673—relative to withdrawal of political subdivisions from the New Hampshire retirement system. (Supported)


HB 496—establishing a limit on the amount of cost recovery for the emissions reduction equipment installed at the
Merrimack Station. (Opposed)


HCR 8—urging the President and Secretary of Defense to withdraw all New Hampshire national guard troops
from Iraq in the absence of a valid and subsisting Congressional mandate for such service, and
withholding the consent of the governor and New Hampshire state legislature from any further
deployment of the New Hampshire national guard to Iraq in the absence of such mandate. (Opposed)


HB 179—requiring automobile insurance to register a vehicle. (Opposed)
HB 639 —relative to mandatory motor vehicle liability insurance. (Opposed)


HB 664—relative to taxation of capital gains under the interest and dividends tax. (Opposed)
HB 166—increasing the beer tax. (Opposed)
HB 584—establishing an income tax for the purpose of paying college tuition for emergency first responders, law enforcement officers, and dependents of emergency first responders and law enforcement officers.
(Opposed)
HB 642—establishing a flat rate education income tax and relative to the statewide enhanced education tax and
certain other taxes. (Opposed)
CACR 1—relating to taxes. Providing that all revenues raised by a state income tax shall be dedicated to funding
public education. (Opposed)

          For Immediate Release:                                                                           Contact: Press Office
          March 6, 2009                                                                                                (202) 479-7070



Washington - Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) voted last night against protecting millions of Americans who played by the rules, including thousands of her constituents.  The motion that she voted against would have prohibited those who lied on mortgage applications from receiving taxpayer assistance.  Instead, Shea-Porter has voted along with her party bosses in Washington to reward dishonest borrowers, unscrupulous lenders, and speculators (House Roll Call 103).

Specifically, Shea-Porter voted against a motion that would prohibit taxpayer funds from being used:

• to assist anyone who lied about their income or assets on their mortgage application;
• to assist any lender that failed to follow proper underwriting standards;
• as incentives to lenders to rework loans for irresponsible borrowers;
• unless the President submits a plan that provides equitable treatment of all mortgage holders.

“Any middle-class family will tell you that rewarding bad behavior is the last thing that will get this economy moving again, but it’s clear that Carol Shea-Porter and her Washington Democrat friends disagree,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain.  “While homeowners are struggling to pay for their mortgages, Shea-Porter refused to stand up to the irresponsible speculators and lenders that contributed to our current housing crisis.  If Carol Shea-Porter is fighting for the dishonest characters that got us in this mess, who is fighting for her constituents who played by the rules?”

Middle-class families all across America are hurting in these tough economic times, but Carol Shea-Porter has refused to put partisanship aside to look out for their interests. Shea-Porter was elected on a promise to protect American taxpayers, but instead she has chosen to look the other way and reward dishonesty.