NH-Sen: Ayotte Trial Balloon Forces Sununu Duo's Hand

oh no -- who do we root for? (4.00 / 5)

Kelly Ayotte who is a tougher general election candidate? If so we get to  see Papa Sununu's dreams crushed for the second time in two years? that's hard to pass  up. Although I must say he had a good line when he said

I will use my warmth and charm to make sure that if there is a primary it is a constructive primary, or if a primary can be avoided I will do that."

Or do we cheer for Junior? A deeply flawed candidate in the general election who has just been rejected for re-election by the same voters.

It would be interesting to see if the two GOP candidates had to run hard to the right for the primary ( with subsequent damage to general election chances or if Kelly Ayotte will be able to position herself closer to the center, which is where I think she more naturally fits.

This is the conundrum that the small and getting smaller  tent GOP creates for more centrist candidates.

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 12:12:23 PM CDT

Anybody that would (4.00 / 2)

take a law like the parental notification law, that had no provision for the life and health of the teen-ager, to the Supreme Court to defend its constitutionality is by definition a right -winger.

Ayotte can try to position herself towards the center, but she is far from it.

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by: Jennifer Daler @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 12:52:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Perhaps she was motivated by an expectation that the Clarence Thomas (4.00 / 3)

judgment that juveniles have no human rights would be more widely shared.

Thomas' dissent in Safford Unified School District #1 v. Redding really deserves more attention.  While the press is framing it as a success for Justice Ginsberg in representing the sensitivities of teenage girls and some of the justices seem to have been persuaded or intimidated into making a special exception for women at that age, Thomas' pandering to authority, regardless of the specifics, should be a matter of concern.  His claim that judges are not competent to second-guess school administrators about how to maintain quite and order reveals, at least, that he's got no appreciation for citizens who consider the behavior of public officials egregious and attempt to call it to account.  More deference to authority is the last thing we need.

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by: hannah @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 15:27:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Root for a primary (4.00 / 1)

We can have Ayotte and Sununu run for a year slamming each other for everything under the sun, both trying to out-crazy each other, neither of them able to build up any bankroll or make any attacks on Paul Hodes, and loudly reminding the state why New Hampshire is Democratic territory these days.

IT for John Lynch '04 and NHDP '08 - I'm liking my track record so far!

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by: RealNRH @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 14:26:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I always root for a primary and have been impressed by (0.00 / 0)

the fact that Republicans are good at mustering candidates.  The problem is that they're all like peas in a pod and the variety is mainly superficial--like a package of luncheon meats, they all taste the same.

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by: hannah @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 14:59:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Good at mustering candidates? (0.00 / 0)

They can generally manage the bare minimum required to lay claim to 'functioning political party' status, sure. But putting up sacrificial lambs to Governor Lynch, not to mention putting up Jennifer Horn against Paul Hodes, and having no better ideas against Carol Shea-Porter than giving it another go with the same guy she had just beaten two years ago? That's not 'good,' that's C- territory. That they all spout the same tired, nonsensical party line is undeniable, though. Nobody who's not a complete checklist nutjob can make it through a Republican primary anymore.

IT for John Lynch '04 and NHDP '08 - I'm liking my track record so far!

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by: RealNRH @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 15:09:13 PM CDT

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Layed at the feet of Fergus Cullen (4.00 / 1)

As John H. would say, 'What's past is past.' spit, snort, gnashing of teeth

www.KusterforCongress.com - www.paulhodesforsenate.com

www.nikitsongas.com - www.devalpatrick.com

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 15:13:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well, you have to choose between (4.00 / 2)

one hard-core anti-choice right-wing ideologue who tries to cover it with the fig leaf of "moderate NH Republican,"

or

one hard-core anti-choice right-wing ideologue who tries to cover it with the fig leaf of "moderate NH Republican."  

birch, finch, beech

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by: Dean Barker @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 14:31:12 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

yawn (4.00 / 6)

...Hodes is our next US Senator.

Have you written a letter to the editor today? Have you donated today? Have you put up signs? Have you made calls? Have you talked to your neighbors?

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by: Ray Buckley @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 13:27:18 PM CDT

Yawn is right. (4.00 / 1)

One the floor of the House and in committee, Paul is a firebrand.  But, in person he comes across as sort of bland.  

Don't get me wrong, but a tad more energetic in meetings with voters wouldn't hurt.

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by: hannah @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 14:53:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Bland?! (4.00 / 1)

Have you heard his guitar solos!?

Jokes aside (although his solos are no joke) don't worry for a second. I have a feeling we'll see an even more fiery Hodes for this Senate race.

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by: StevenPlace @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 15:39:45 PM CDT

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I suspect that those of us who like the firebrand side (0.00 / 0)

know he's got it.

I could be wrong, though. The alternative, careful image may not be, "conscientious Congressman" but rather "Washington insider."

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by: elwood @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 17:56:52 PM CDT

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Donate. Donate. Donate. (0.00 / 0)

The June 30 filing deadline is fast approaching, so open your wallets and send a message to Sunutte: Paul Hodes will NOT be outworked, and he will have the resources to fight back against GOP mud-slinging.

Give whatever you can - even just a few bucks. Paul will make it count!

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 16:34:28 PM CDT

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He voted for continued funding of the wars and the IMF (0.00 / 0)

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by: xteeth @ Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 06:50:32 AM CDT

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Don't forget "The Stunt Man" (4.00 / 1)

NH-Sen: Tausch Inching Closer to a Run
Rip van Papa 'nunu might have no sway with a self-funder.  

www.KusterforCongress.com - www.paulhodesforsenate.com

www.nikitsongas.com - www.devalpatrick.com

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 16:42:20 PM CDT

But what harm could a self-funded candidate do the GOP? (4.00 / 1)

paging Craig Benson, pick up the white phone...

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by: elwood @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 20:13:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]