July Straw Poll - Senate Primary

Interesting article up today (0.00 / 0)

in the Monitor on Iraq and the Senate race, focusing mostly on Shaheen.  These two grafs stood out for me:

Political observers said Sununu won't let Shaheen forget that [support for the Iraq war]. "For Sen. Sununu, what he needs to do is really just hang that support of the war on her and say 'You were right there with me,' " said Wayne Lesperance, an associate professor of political science at New England College.

and

Bill Shaheen seemed to agree with that, saying his wife would have provided fierce oversight if she had been in the Senate instead of Sununu. "I can tell you: Once Jeannie finds out you lied to her, watch out. Watch out. She doesn't take lying easy, so everything the CIA did, watch out. The yellowcake lie, the WMD lie, there have been so many lies that John Sununu just overlooked," he said.

For more on the candidates' (and Shaheen's) record on Iraq, I wrote up a diary on that topic a little while back.  In it there is evidence to suggest that her position has evolved since 2002.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 00:57:44 AM UTC

Exactly (0.00 / 0)

If Shaheen's running she needs to quickly come out strongly against the Occupation of Iraq, in clear opposition to John Sununu.

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by: Nicholas Gunn @ Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 01:02:09 AM UTC

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No, they didn't play Live Earth, (0.00 / 0)

but Sununu and the Loserpalooza Crew are raking in the cash from out of state rich people regardless:

Between the beginning of April and the end of June, the Smith campaign spent about $330,000, most of it on fundraising, Hammond said. Smith was one of four Republican senators, along with Susan Collins of Maine, John Sununu of New Hampshire and Norm Coleman of Minnesota, to attend a series of recent fundraisers in Texas and Nevada. All four are considered vulnerable incumbents for 2008.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 01:05:41 AM UTC

My Results (0.00 / 0)

6/11 Fantasy Poll

Senate Primary 08
* Marchand - 9 votes (56.25%)
* Shaheen - 5 votes (31.25%)
* Buckey - 1 votes (6.25%)
* Lynch - 1 votes (6.25%)
* Hirshberg - 0 votes (0%)
* Swett - 0 votes (0%)
 

Next time, there may be no next time.

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by: Jon Bresler @ Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 02:13:03 AM UTC

I don't know about you guys, but . . . (2.00 / 2)

. . . I'm hoping Shaheen DOES NOT jump in.  She's old news.  Bring on Marchand!!!

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by: The Caped Composer @ Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 02:28:54 AM UTC

Why do you think that? (0.00 / 0)

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by: Nicholas Gunn @ Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 03:01:23 AM UTC

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I worry . . . (2.67 / 3)

. . . that a 2008 Shaheen campaign would be a repeat of the 2002 campaign.  Plus, she's got the Iraq baggage.  Therefore, I hope she stays out of it.  Out with the old, in with the new.

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by: The Caped Composer @ Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 03:09:19 AM UTC

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Monitor Story (0.00 / 0)

The Monitor story, unlike the AP rewrite which followed, did not include any of Governor Shaheen's subsequent comments about the war in Iraq.  There is a clear contrast between Gov. Shaheen's statements in 2004 (as evidenced by Dean's earlier diary), and the John Sununu's cheerleading for Bush's Iraq policies.  The Monitor had access to those comments (copies were e mailed), but chose not to use them.  The Associated Press did, however.
And, hard though it may be, I am not going to respond to the comments the Caped one made about Jeanne Shaheen; I'm feeling really positive about all the great candidates, announced or potential! I am feeeling especially positive about the one I think would be the best candidate!
Don't walk under any ladders today - it is Friday the 13th.

Energy and persistence conquer all things.


Benjamin Franklin


 

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by: Kathy Sullivan @ Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 12:35:21 PM UTC

I should add . . . (2.00 / 2)

. . . that I'm sure Shaheen's own position on Iraq has always been significantly different from Sununu's.  My worry is, average voters don't focus on nuance, and it will be all too easy for Shaheen to be painted with the broad brush of "well, she supported the Iraq war, too, so why bother voting for her?"  Don't get me wrong-- I like Shaheen, she was a terrific governor, and she'd make an excellent senator.  I just worry about the baggage making her less electable.

Well, that and the fact that I find Marchand to be quite energizing, providing the same breath of fresh air that we've seen in the two victorious House candidates.  I hope Shaheen lands a prime cabinet post in the next Democratic administration, as she would undoubtedly be an asset.  Again, it's just about that delicate tightrope that is electability.

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by: The Caped Composer @ Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 13:48:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The Voters (4.00 / 1)

heard over and over that Jim Coburn was going to raise gasoline taxes...he may have said it in response to a question about lowering consumption and pollution, or getting people to use alternative fuels, but all the voters heard was "Jim Colburn wants to raise your taxes" On Shaheen they will hear that she wanted to put in a sales tax, supports abortion, and she supported the War. Will she automatically be put on the defensive like John Kerry, who's campaign she chaired nationally ? That campaign failed to respond to attacks when they happened, and it was the end of a good candidate. I had lunch with Billy two weeks after the Dem convention had nominated Kerry, right after the Swift Boating attacks had started. When I asked gently how the attacks were going to be fought off, and why the response had not already started(which the Clintons so clearly understand)he told me that Kerry did not think it wise to dignify the attacks with a response. I nearly choked on my tuna sandwich. I was so depressed by that, and I told him so. It was huge mistake and the country and the world are paying. Whoever goes after Sununu better have steel in their shorts and drink rust inhibitor for breakfast because they will get hammered and kicked in unpleasant ways.

Next time, there may be no next time.

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by: Jon Bresler @ Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 15:03:48 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Now, Jon... (0.00 / 0)

Every one of the announced candidates has something (or more than one somethings) the Republicans will attack them over. If we are going to start disqualifying candidates because the Republicans might attack them, well, we won't have any Democratic candidates anymore, will we - the Republicans will attack whoever our Senate nominee is.  In every one of Jeanne Shaheen's four statewide elections, the Republicans attacked her, and she did not run and hide, she responded forcefully. Which is one of the reasons I think she will be a great candidate! 

By the way - Gordon Humphrey spent millions telling the voters about Jeanne Shaheen's income tax plan. She won.  And you know better than to think John Lynch was re-elected because of Coburn's gasoline tax increase comment. Also, as you may remember, Coburn spent a lot of money telling the voters that John Lynch had a secret income tax plan. 

Energy and persistence conquer all things.


Benjamin Franklin


 

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by: Kathy Sullivan @ Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 16:27:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

New Poll Coming Out (4.00 / 1)

I heard tonight that a new poll is coming out in the Monitor this weekend. According to what I was told (fourth hand), the Monitor polled Gov. Shaheen and each of the three announced candidates against Sununu.  So, it will be interesting to see what that poll shows for results.  I think this is the first poll that includes all three of the announced candidates, as well as Gov. Shaheen.

Energy and persistence conquer all things.


Benjamin Franklin


 

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by: Kathy Sullivan @ Sat Jul 14, 2007 at 02:05:56 AM UTC

Cool (0.00 / 0)

Can't wait to see it.

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by: Nicholas Gunn @ Sat Jul 14, 2007 at 03:42:18 AM UTC

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Here ya go, sports fans (0.00 / 0)

http://www.concordmo...

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Sat Jul 14, 2007 at 11:31:02 AM UTC

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