Collins, a Hampton Falls resident, has worked for either GOP chair John H. Sununu or his son, former Sen. John E. Sununu, for most of the past 27 years.
He had been former Sen. John E. Sununu's chief of staff or campaign manager since 1996 and joined the state GOP in March of the year, shortly after the elder Sununu became chairman and the younger Sununu's departure from Capitol Hill after losing the November 2008 election to Jeanne Shaheen.
Collins began his political career working on the elder Sununu's successful 1982 campaign for governor. He was a special assistant to the governor during Sununu's three terms at the State House.
In other words, Paul Collins is part of the Sununu political family. This hiring sends a clear message to Republicans that Binnie - who has not been falling all over himself running to the right like Kelly Ayotte - is an acceptable Republican alternative. It also shows that Binnie is knowledgeable enough to hire one of the most experienced - and successful - operatives on the Republican side. It also is a big hint that there is dissatisfaction on the Republican side with the establishment frontrunner, Kelly Ayotte.
In some respects, Binnie's candidacy reminds me of the candidacy of Rich Ashooh in the first district. The Republican establishment fell in love with their first candidate, Frank Guinta, who has been running to the hard right. He bombed. Along came Ashooh. Similarly, the Republican establishment fell in love with Kelly Ayotte, and she has bombed. Binnie, who has a bit of a rough start, has woken up and is taking steps to be the alternative to Kelly.
The one difference is that Ovide Lamontagne is no Bestani; he is a serious candidate. However, he is a blast from the past who has proven himself unable to win a general election (witness his loss to Jeanne Shaheen, ending an eight election winning streak for Republican gubernatorial candidates).
Collins not only brings experience in New Hampshire elections to the Binnie campaign, he brings close contact with both of the Sununus. While Sr. is unable to take sides - officially - Jr. is a free agent. What if Collins is able to bring John E. Sununu to the Binnie table?
Is this a game changer? I don't know enough about the internal dynamics of the Republican base, but I doubt that Paul Collins would be moving from his current post with the NHGOP and John H. Sununu if he did not think Binnie is a credible primary candidate and a credible general election candidate. There will be those who will downplay this and say Collins is simply looking to make money, but I disagree. He probably could have written his ticket with any of the candidates (not just US Senate); I don't think he would sign on with someone he thinks is a loser.
The Republican nomination is very much in play. |
