Way Too Late

I'm not so sure - (0.00 / 0)

Hodes' early entrance accomplishes two important things: it lets him do serious fundraising immediately, and it gives him a good reason to comment on Senator* Newman's votes. Without the announced run that might seem like carping.

The second point is particularly important. It will limit Newman's ability to quietly please McConnell with low-profile right-wing votes - or rather, will make her pay a price if she tries.

But we only need one announced candidate to accomplish that.

The fundraising is a different matter. Hodes will be building up a big warchest; the longer a potential candidate waits, the further he or she will be behind.

But I'm not sure jumping in now would change that - for anyone except possibly Shea Porter. Hodes still has the name recognition and electoral record to make him the obvious choice for donors when compared to a Nadeau.

If Hodes somehow stumbles or re-considers, a late entrance will work fine. If he doesn't, an early entrance may not help.

(This is still ignoring the strategy for Carol. I'm biased here: I don't want to see Paul and Carol face each other in a primary. If I strongly believed she were a much better choice than Paul I might have a different view.)

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by: elwood @ Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 07:15:34 AM CST

Define "A Lot" (0.00 / 0)

I'm always skeptical when someone says "a lot" of people are urging someone to run. I could stand up at a restaurant in Manchester and say, "Hey, I'm thinking of running for the US senate!" and 20 people would say, "hey, great, go for it, now let me get back to my soup."  




"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 07:34:47 AM CST

Me, Myself, and I (0.00 / 0)

A lot of people told me I should run for the Senate, there's "me" over there, "myself" can't stop talking about me, and "I", well I has already purchased the website.

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by: sdoyle @ Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 08:04:37 AM CST

[ Parent ]

But that's not what people are saying to Joe (0.00 / 0)

Because he is who he is, people don't want to "get back to their soup." Instead they're paying attention. Fact is he enjoys wide, yes bipartisan respect.  

No'm Sayn?

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by: BurtCohen @ Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 07:39:58 AM CST

I might very well like him (0.00 / 0)

But he has just barely been at the edge of my radar screen. He has a lot of work to become known beyond the seacoast and beyond legal circles.

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by: elwood @ Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 07:42:15 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Which means I'm being inconsistent - (0.00 / 0)

If a candidate doesn't have statewide name recognition - that is, if the candidate is not named Hodes, Shea Porter, or Lynch - s/he will need to establish it. That takes many months.

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by: elwood @ Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 08:32:53 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Where? (0.00 / 0)

Sorry, Burt, and this isn't a case of whenever you say night, I say morning, but most people in New Hampshire do not know who Joe Nadeau is, so I guess I have to ask you what your definition of "widespread" is.  One geographic area and perhaps some legal circles do not widespread make. That doesn't mean he can't win a primary; it means he has a lot of work to do. That is way waiting until at least the fall, in his case, may be a big mistake. Or not. Nothing is carved in stone until the votes are counted.  Are you supporting him? You seem very supportive. In any event, if he wants to run, he should run, but he shouldn't let early enthusiasm of friends and family lull him into thinking that the race will not be a long, hard, slog.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 07:54:30 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Way too early (4.00 / 1)

I'm sure he knows how daunting and long a slough it is. But in terms of support and choices, it's just beginning. Like you, Kathy, my goal is to assure four Democrats from NH in Washington. Unlike the nervous shell-shocked Republicans, we have some really great options.

No'm Sayn?

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by: BurtCohen @ Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 08:05:01 AM CST

We May Have a Definition (4.00 / 1)

We may have a definition of "lots".

From today's Concord Monitor:  

So far, Joseph Nadeau said, he has done no polling and no fundraising and has not talked to almost anyone about it, including his old friends, the Shaheens. As governor, Jeanne Shaheen appointed Nadeau to the Supreme Court; last year, she was elected senator.

"I've talked to my nephew, Justin, and that's just about where it stands," Nadeau said.

 

[I am not posting this because I have a dog in this race - I don't - I am posting this because it supports my aforementioned skepticism about what it really meant when Justin said lots of people were urging Justice Nadeau to run]



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 11:01:57 AM CST

Good research (0.00 / 0)

I had not seen the Monitor. Score one for our former chair. A lot of people need to be talked with before running for US Senate.  

No'm Sayn?

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by: BurtCohen @ Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 21:18:08 PM CST