BH Straw Poll: NH-GOV #1

I'll support (4.00 / 3)

the candidate that is willing to lead an adult conversation about what we want as state and how we best organize ourselves to pay for what we want.

I think the timing is right for a "We are One State" message/stance.

"We are not donor towns, or receiving towns, we are the towns of New Hampshire"


Hope >> Fear





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by: Mike Hoefer @ Fri Apr 15, 2011 at 18:14:00 PM UTC

I voted "other" (4.00 / 14)

I voted other because I believe we should draft John Lynch to run for an historic fifth term. Until he decides whether to run or not, we should be doing all we can to encourage him to run again.



"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 @ Fri Apr 15, 2011 at 18:58:10 PM UTC

Could not agree more (4.00 / 5)

John Lynch is the personification of the message that will lead Democrats to a complete victory in   '12.  A historic 5th term run will help peel off business people and traditional Republicans from the "R" column.

As much as I long for more progressive Democrats to hold office, I hope Lynch will run again.  

""Hope is the dream of a soul awake.""

/French Proverb quotes.

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by: susaninrindge @ Fri Apr 15, 2011 at 21:43:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I strongly agree (0.00 / 0)

It's gotta be Lynch. Lynch is already deeply engaged in the debate with the far right Republicans. Moving the debate into a campaign for Governor would be natural.  

whp

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by: whp @ Mon Apr 18, 2011 at 17:23:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Connolly ... (0.00 / 0)

Really?!?

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by: Crawford @ Sat Apr 16, 2011 at 04:34:28 AM UTC

First question for me (0.00 / 0)

for anyone not named John Lynch who wants to be governor is: how will you get beyond Pledge Politics?

Note: the question is not "will you" but "how will you."

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Sat Apr 16, 2011 at 12:20:47 PM UTC

Seems like Lynch figured that one out ok. (0.00 / 0)

If you support him, as many of us do, why would you have a different bar for someone else?

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by: veritas @ Sat Apr 16, 2011 at 12:32:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Lynch is already commited to pledge politics. (4.00 / 2)

No going back for him.

Those of us who want our children living in a future that involves living in NH rather than in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome require someone who will address our structural deficit.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Sat Apr 16, 2011 at 12:43:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

that's called the "sunk cost fallacy" (4.00 / 1)

if you support him (and I do) you have to acknowledge that the pledge should not be the end-all-be-all litmus test, ever.  Not in a general election, and not in a Democratic primary. Other issues, qualifications, and points of view matter.

To be clear, I don't think from your comment that you view it as a litmus test, necessarily.  But some do, and I think that is playing into the Loeb/Thompson/etc trap.  I could care less whether a candidate takes the pledge or not, because I think there are other, incredibly important issues at play and I'm not interested in letting that right-wing frame control an election.

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by: veritas @ Sat Apr 16, 2011 at 21:38:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Two Years vs. Indefinitely. (4.00 / 5)

A 5th term for Lynch (I think it unlikely he'll run, but for the sake of the argument) means two more years of pledge politics.

A run by any other Dem nominee who adheres to the pledge means adherence to an immoral, regressive revenue system for the indefinite future (of course the GOP nominee will adhere to it too).

Gov. Lynch has been a genius at getting the budget balanced under the constraints of the Pledge.  

But it's a losing game in the long run. So long as we balance the budget on the backs of the poor and middle class, while exempting the wealthy from their fair share, we will have a structural deficit that will turns the skin and bones nature of our state services into a ghost.

Sadly, we are seeing this played out right now.  Forget the immoral O'Brien budget.  Forget the severe Lynch budget.  The DoJ is investigating our DHHS right now under our current budget for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

And to clarify: I'm not looking for a candidate who will proudly reject Pledge Poilitics in some grand gesture.  I'm looking for one who refuses to play on that field altogether.  The "Pledge" frame is designed for only one successful outcome, with the alternative meant to be a political loser.  I want my candidate to be smarter than that, to reject the whole frame of reference, to change the nature of the discussion, to talk about the values and future we want the children of this state to inherit.


birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Sun Apr 17, 2011 at 00:15:40 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Here's a pledge I can live with: (4.00 / 1)

"I pledge to lead our state in developing the infrastructure that brings us squarely into the 21st century.  That means we can no longer play the pledge game - against this, or for that, - effectively eliminating excellent ideas and options that would otherwise help our state.  I pledge to work for every NH citizen to find our best way forward, and I will not preemptively take those ideas off the table.  I have such confidence in the ability of the good people of our state and legislature that all ideas are enthusiastically welcomed."

And I would add that John Lynch has the personal and positional power to do just this.  Are you listening, Gov?

In the immediate aftermath of Since the start of the financial crisis, the Fed/Treasury lent, spent, or guaranteed $28 $29 trillion to save the banking system.

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by: StraffordDem @ Sun Apr 17, 2011 at 15:41:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Uggh. Shoulda read through. Props to Jackie C. and Lucy. n/t (0.00 / 0)

In the immediate aftermath of Since the start of the financial crisis, the Fed/Treasury lent, spent, or guaranteed $28 $29 trillion to save the banking system.

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by: StraffordDem @ Sun Apr 17, 2011 at 15:43:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

That sounds nice until you think about it. (0.00 / 0)

Don't you want a candidate who will pledge to support same-sex marriage?  

Who will promise to veto Right to Work legislation?

Who will swear to do everything in his or her power to stop the effort to undermine student voting rights?

Who will tell us, in clear and precise language, that he or she is opposed to cutting vital services to make room for lower cigarette taxes?

Pledges, promises, and policy positions are common in campaigns and that is a good thing.  It tells us what the candidate is for, and how strongly.

Your argument is with the tax policy itself, not the request for an unambiguous position from the candidates.

On the big issues, we deserve to know where the candidates stand. Either you support an income tax or you do not.  There is merit to both arguments.

Saying you are against an income tax but then refusing to say you will use your power to stop it sounds like "An income tax is not my preference, but I'm flexible on this".  As I think about it, that is also a perfectly legitimate position to take, but I think you should just admit that.  

Trying to use tough-sounding language isn't going to change it.

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by: veritas @ Sun Apr 17, 2011 at 20:10:29 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Sure, but there's really only one pledge, (0.00 / 0)

veritas.  That's what I was responding to.

It's enough for me for a candidate to refuse to take the tax pledge, promising to consider all options.  The political environment is poisoned for a fair and honest tax debate until someone who is open to considering all options wins the day.  

We don't have to wind up with an income tax, which is what I support, because I'm not certain that it's the best alternative.  I'd be happy with a transparent and honest state discussion on how we can solve the issue of our structural deficit.

I'm not a one-issue voter, and your partial list is also important to me.  But my point was that Lynch is that guy who supports those things and he is the most supremely positioned among all the potential candidates to fundamentally change the dynamics of of (tax) pledge politics.

I didn't think the language was all that tough...  

In the immediate aftermath of Since the start of the financial crisis, the Fed/Treasury lent, spent, or guaranteed $28 $29 trillion to save the banking system.

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by: StraffordDem @ Sun Apr 17, 2011 at 20:43:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Straw vote for Governor (4.00 / 1)

I just voted for Jackie Cilley as governor.  I truly believe that she is someone who actually has great leadership abilities and will use them to the fullest.  She is  completely honest and will never use political double speak.  New Hampshire is dearest to her heart and she will serve its citizens with dignity and intelligence.

State Rep. Marcia Moody

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by: marciagm @ Sat Apr 16, 2011 at 13:57:16 PM UTC

I just voted for Jackie Cilley also. (4.00 / 1)

She is a daughter of Berlin NH, the author of weekly Legislative Alerts that make the mess that is our NH State House digestible.
She was one of the hardest working senators and she will be a wonderful governor whose language will be clear and well framed.  

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by: Caroline French @ Sat Apr 16, 2011 at 14:52:48 PM UTC

At a Rockingham Dems event (0.00 / 0)

last fall, Jackie told us some of her personal story and why she is a Democrat and she won my heart.  What she has been doing this year to get the news out has won my brain.  I put her on a level with Carol Shea Porter and Granny D as women I have met who I honor, respect, want to emulate, and truly love.  

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by: Lucy Edwards @ Sat Apr 16, 2011 at 16:13:00 PM UTC

if I may ask (0.00 / 0)

Lucy do we know where she stands vis a vis Dean's concerns;
"I'm not looking for a candidate who will proudly reject
Pledge Politics in some grand gesture. I'm looking for one who refuses to play on that field altogether."

Has Jackie been public on her current view of the pledge vs Income Tax or something like Hager-Below?


note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

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by: JonnyBBad @ Sun Apr 17, 2011 at 13:45:29 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Jackie in her own words (4.00 / 8)

This is the response that she sent yesterday to someone who asked about her position on pledges.  It is precisely what she said during the past campaign and she refused to take any other than the pledge that you see below. It is the position that she has had for some time.

Thanks for asking about my position on pledges.  Here's what I said in the last campaign and here's what I would say if I were running for political office today -- and this is what I would want to hear from anyone to whom I offer my support and assistance.

The sole pledge I would offer to the citizens of my district and the people of New Hampshire is this:  To work tirelessly, to the best of my abilities and with the highest standards of integrity, in the interests of our citizens and toward meaningful solutions to the problems that face our state.  

The days of paying homage to long-dead politicians and to signing pledges to out-of-state puppet masters are over.  We now see the full, scarred face of silly political pledges as manifested by eugenics-style budgets that leave thousands of our citizens behind, fail to protect our precious natural resources, abandon our responsibility to provide a sound education to every single student within our state regardless of his/her community, treat our indispensable public employees as mere political pawns, and play Russian Roulette with the future of our state.

We are better than that.  New Hampshire, our beloved state, deserves better than that from those who claim to lead.  It is time that we all stopped settling for anything less than that!

Jackie

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by: Lucy Edwards @ Sun Apr 17, 2011 at 15:10:08 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Wow (0.00 / 0)

Excellently said, and I'd say a very strong argument to those who haven't given the pledge much thought.

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by: FrankLloydMike @ Sun Apr 17, 2011 at 15:48:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

wait, what (0.00 / 0)

That would be a no...thank you!

note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

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by: JonnyBBad @ Sun Apr 17, 2011 at 15:50:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

That certainly goes a long way (0.00 / 0)

toward moving me out of the undecided column. I'd need to hear and see more, but that's pretty impressive.

They. Don't. Care.
We do.
Rinse, repeat.

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by: GreyMike @ Sun Apr 17, 2011 at 17:38:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

She's even better in person. n/t (4.00 / 1)

In the immediate aftermath of Since the start of the financial crisis, the Fed/Treasury lent, spent, or guaranteed $28 $29 trillion to save the banking system.

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by: StraffordDem @ Mon Apr 18, 2011 at 18:54:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Most excellent. n/t (0.00 / 0)

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Sun Apr 17, 2011 at 18:32:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Putting the NH tax debate aside for the moment, (4.00 / 1)

I'm for politicians refusing to take political pledges in general.

Those who are willing to take pledges are obliged to take (or notably refuse to take) all kinds of very specific pledges from all kinds of special interests--as if they're going to consult a checklist of commitments before doing anything in office, as if their minds don't change when the facts change, as if it's okay for the Grover Norquists of the world to frame the issues for our leaders.

I'll support Governor Lynch if he runs for re-election, but I'm very glad to read that message from Jackie.

--
Hope > Anarch-tea
Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Mon Apr 18, 2011 at 03:47:31 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Password Reset Is Working! (0.00 / 0)

A number of folks contacted me over the weekend regarding the password reset function not working (and I was able to confirm that there were some deeper tech issues going on)

I submitted the issue to SoapBlox (the true tech developers behind the website code) and something has cleared up as of 9am this morning.

Log in and vote away!

Hope >> Fear





Create a free Blue Hampshire account and join the conversation.

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by: Mike Hoefer @ Mon Apr 18, 2011 at 13:13:00 PM UTC

See.... (0.00 / 0)

See everyone who contacted me over the weekend thinking you were being singled out because somehow someone somewhere decided they didn't want you to vote.  Jeeesh!

Have you told a stranger today about Bill O'Brien and his Tea Party agenda? The people of NH deserve to hear about O'Brien  and his majority committed to destroying New Hampshire and remaking it into a armed survivalist preserve.  

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by: Ray Buckley @ Mon Apr 18, 2011 at 13:20:48 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

1 day waiting period (0.00 / 0)

Is in effect for new users.

As a crude measure against spammers and troll our site enforces a 1 day waiting period before a new user may comment or create a new diary.

That policy is still in effect and I think the system treats a "poll vote" as a comment.

If you are brand new user to BH and having trouble voting but are able to log in, please try again after the waiting period if over. (And, welcome to BH we are glad to have you here!)

Hope >> Fear





Create a free Blue Hampshire account and join the conversation.

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by: Mike Hoefer @ Mon Apr 18, 2011 at 14:10:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Who says wait periods don't work? n/t (0.00 / 0)

In the immediate aftermath of Since the start of the financial crisis, the Fed/Treasury lent, spent, or guaranteed $28 $29 trillion to save the banking system.

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by: StraffordDem @ Mon Apr 18, 2011 at 14:59:29 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Sucking air out of the room... (4.00 / 1)

Mostly because of what passes for mainstream media in NH seems so good at being led around by [inset your appendage of choice here] by the TPers or Republicans in general, I'd like to suggest that the sitting governor be pressed about his intentions to run again or not, and/or to have a few obvious possible candidates start sounding like such. This might get the media to give some attention to cogent arguments as what a mess of things the O'Brien/Bragdon legislature is doing the state government.

Is there an NH equivalent of forming an exploratory committee for a run for governor?

And my next 2 cents: As a Commerce Committee member, I spent a lot of time in the FRM hearings. I'm very impressed with Hassan and Cilley, and not much at all with Mark Connolly.

JillSH

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by: JillSH @ Mon Apr 18, 2011 at 20:42:22 PM UTC

That title was (0.00 / 0)

in reference to a hope that O'Brien et al. might find themselves gasping for air.

JillSH

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by: JillSH @ Mon Apr 18, 2011 at 21:57:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hoping (4.00 / 1)

you're back in there sooner rather than later, providing that's where you want to be...!

They. Don't. Care.
We do.
Rinse, repeat.

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by: GreyMike @ Tue Apr 19, 2011 at 01:08:15 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Push Poll Push (4.00 / 1)

As a rapid response blogger type, I'll speculate that the vote totals were fought for, amongst the top 3.

"Ill writers are usually the sharpest censors." - John Dryden

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Mon Apr 18, 2011 at 21:46:45 PM UTC

Yup (0.00 / 0)

Be interesting to know how many new people signed up tp vote. Although not sure it means much, you and I could both get at least 25 votes without breaking a sweat by getting friends and family to vote,



"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 @ Tue Apr 19, 2011 at 00:45:59 AM UTC

[ Parent ]