John Gregg's Primary Source:Ann McLane Kuster, the progressive Democrat running for New Hampshire's Second Congressional District seat, continues to line up support in the blue towns of the Upper Valley. A fundraiser and house party tonight in Hanover for Kuster includes such sponsors as former Dartmouth president Jim Wright and his wife, Susan; Lebanon state Reps. Laurie Harding and Susan Almy and their Hanover counterpart, Sharon Nordgren; state Sen. Matthew Houde, D-Plainfield; and former Lebanon-area state Sen. Ralph Hough, who left the Republican party several years ago. Don't take this as an endorsement, because I've got a whole lot more learning to do about all the candidates and potential candidates, and there are things I really like about all of them.
But that graf from Gregg is telling, because it highlights two contradictory qualities about Kuster as candidate that could actually be complementary.
She's reaching deep into the newly dominant progressive base of the Upper Valley, and at the same time, perhaps by virtue of her family history, collecting support from former Republicans, a.k.a., people who haven't really changed but whose party radically changed.
This could be a powerful combination against, say, Charlie Bass, who would have to rely on as many moderates as possible to win, while at the same time hoping Democratic voters don't turn out in force.
But that's presuming he can survive a primary contest with Jennifer Horn. I don't think he can, since she more accurately reflects the New Hampshire Republican of 2009 than he does.
And if Horn becomes the nominee, Kuster's ability to draw both progressives and former Republicans will be absolutely lethal to the Republican's chances. |
