Chairmanship of Democratic Party of NH: the insiders in and the outsiders out

Well said. (0.00 / 0)

I personally think that no office holder should be involved in promoting a candidacy other than his or her own.  Office holders should be beholden to the people who elect them, not the established power structure.
Competition is good, not because it gives the electorate a choice but because it helps the competitors try just a little harder to do their best.

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by: hannah @ Fri Mar 23, 2007 at 10:52:22 AM CDT

I take exception to a few points here. (0.00 / 0)

There has been a general throwing around of charges by Betty that bear some healthy skepticism...the Financial affairs of the Party have never been better. When I first got involved over 10 years ago, during and after the 96' cycle, the Swetts wrote a $25k check from Dick's campaign fund to keep us afloat. We had regualr debts after elections, spent more than we took in, and it was an ongoing issue with our vendors. We are much more professional and solid financially .
We run like a professional business when it comes to reporting to the Feds...has anyone heard of any irregualrities in our Party filings ? I haven't.
I've copied a letter here that I rec'd from outgoing chair Kathy Sullivan regarding some of the claims made in Betty Hall's name. I know she signs the emails, but I am not sure she hasn't had help developing her strategy.

Memo to: State Committee Members
From:  Kathy Sullivan
Date:  March 23, 2007

  Hello, everyone!  As I write this memo, it is a beautiful Friday morning, and I am very excited because it is my last full day as New Hampshire Democratic Party chair!  It has been a great eight years, but I am very much looking forward to whatever the next challenge may be.
  You received an e mail yesterday that raised three issues that I need to address: last September's primary, party financial controls, and secret ballots.
1. A statement was made that last fall, "the Party chose to give money and help" to a candidate in the first district congressional primary.  That is a very serious accusation, since Chapter Four, H of the NHDP Constitution requires the NHDP to be neutral in a primary.  Let me be clear:  the NHDP did not give money to either candidate in the primary.  All the congressional candidates received the same opportunities to participate in party functions, such as forums and the convention.  It is true that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Caucus out of DC endorsed a candidate, and I was as critical as anyone of that decision.  The DCCC is not the NHDP, however, and the NHDP remained neutral in the primary. 
2. Comments were also made regarding NHDP finances. Our party has never been stronger financially, and there are strict internal financial controls in place. In addition to filing regular (and public) FEC and State of New Hampshire campaign finance reports, we have an accountant on retainer, who reviews our books and handles payroll on a bi-weekly basis.  We also have a consultant who assists with our FEC reporting, as well as Washington law firm on retainer to assist us with any legal questions with respect to campaign finance matters.  Internally, checks are ordered to pay bills after the independent review of three different people. The person who prepares the checks needs approval from the Executive Director before the checks are brought to the Party Chair for signature, and currently, only the Party Chair has check signing authority.  To the extent that there was any implication that we do not have records of expenditures and contributions, please be sure that we do have records - and these are records that are available to the public at large because of federal and state reporting requirements.
3. Last, with respect to the voting on Saturday, let me review again why we cannot have secret ballots, and why a motion to use secret ballots will be out of order.  First, the NHDP Constitution requires open balloting in conformance with DNC rules.  If secret ballots were used, we would be violating the provisions of our own Constitution.  Second, New Hampshire statute does not require secret ballots when electing state party officers.  Third, even if New Hampshire statute did require secret ballots, it would not be enforceable; the United States Supreme Court has ruled consistently that state law does not take precedence over the rules of organization of state or national parties.  Fourth, if the NHDP used a secret ballot, the DNC would most likely not accept the results, and would order a new election. 

I hope this memo is of some use to you as you prepare for tomorrow's meeting.  We have a lengthy agenda, but it should be exciting!
Once again, thank you for everything that you do for the NHDP; all of our successes over the last eight years would not have been possible without the greatest state committee of the greatest state party ever - in the history of the universe!

  Thank you!!!

Next time, there may be no next time.

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by: Jon Bresler @ Fri Mar 23, 2007 at 14:41:04 PM CDT

The tone of Betty's letter seems to be negative (4.00 / 1)

First of all, I have never ever heard Ray Buckley say anything negative about Betty Hall. I have respect for Betty Hall and have worked with her on the Hillsborough County Democratic Committee. But I do not agree with these tactics in a race for state party chair.

You may want to blame the recent turmoil and scandals on Republicans, and with good reason, but some of this is of our own making, the result of poor judgment. If the Party continues to play insider power politics, our problems will continue. Other shoes will drop.

Second of all, this statement sounds like it came right from the mouth of Steve Vaillancourt. "Other shoes will drop!" That is the exact same phrase Steve Vaillancourt made the week before this whole witch hunt began.

I would like to make one last point. Who really cares about resolutions at the state party convention. What do they mean? What happens to them after they pass? Nothing. The only purpose they serve is to distract the media's attention at the convention away from our candidates.

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by: itstime @ Fri Mar 23, 2007 at 16:56:09 PM CDT

I don't see this letter (4.00 / 3)

as being directed against Ray Buckley as an individual (any more than against Jim Craig as an individual), but against the decision-making processes in the state party, and I appreciate the information from Kathy Sullivan provided in the comment above to set things straight on the facts.

I do however think there are some reasonable points to be made about the NHDP's openness to broad participation, and that those issues can be raised without in any way being personal attacks on Ray Buckley.

I understand that you as his friend are attuned to defending him this week, and as someone who shares strong loyalty as a value, I respect that.  However, I think it would be helpful in promoting discussion around here if you didn't personalize things quite so much but left a little more room for engagement with larger issues.  That's something I struggle with, not always with complete success, but, uh, I'd appreciate if you gave any evidence that you saw it as something to fight against.  There are issues here far bigger than any individual, bigger even than the sum total of all of us.

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by: Laura Clawson @ Fri Mar 23, 2007 at 17:06:19 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

In Pollyanna mode (4.00 / 2)

Betty Hall's central -- and strong -- argument is that the New Hampshire Democratic Party needs to be much more open to the grassroots activists. I agree.

We have some credentials here as a grassroots group. There is no admissions test, no financial test, no ideological test to participate on Blue Hampshire. We tend to be a little bit "to the left" (I welcome better, more accurate wording for the point) of the party Establishment.

And both of the candidates for Chair -- Ray and Betty -- have joined us in discussing New Hampshire issues.

Whoever wins, we are seeing a Party that is becoming more aware of the power in its roots.

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by: elwood @ Fri Mar 23, 2007 at 17:48:11 PM CDT

Well said. n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: Laura Clawson @ Fri Mar 23, 2007 at 18:00:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Breath of fresh air (4.00 / 1)

The attacks above on Betty Hall by Raymond Buckley's supporters show that nothing has changed.  That is unfortunate.  Democratic activists deserve and need a straightforward dialogue on the future of our party.  Betty has done her part.

We spent years losing election after election.  As Bill Clinton himself says, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  Just because we lucked out in the last election and rode the national wave doesn't mean that we did everything correctly -- it just means that the other guys made more mistakes than we did.

We can't expect them to hand us the election again next year, and that is why we must invigorate the grassroots -- an area where the state party has been woefully deficient -- and prepare to do battle with everything we have.  We must have a chair who will give it 100% and who won't hold back out of timidity because of public scrutiny.

Betty Hall can give us that and more.

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by: Dave @ Fri Mar 23, 2007 at 19:21:52 PM CDT

Luck? (0.00 / 0)

In 2004, New Hampshire elected a Democratic governor, gave Kerry its electoral college votes, and increased its numbers in the state legislature, with the help of a lot of invigorated Democrats.  In 2006, New Hampshire did catch a national wave, but the results in New Hampshire were much better for Democrats than in other states - in NH, the bases had been loaded for a walk off grand slam to end the game, again because of the hard work of a lot of activists. I know that it is fashionable among some to claim that the NHDP is not a grassroots organization, but that would be a heck of a surprise to the hundreds of Democtatic volunteers who helped make 2004 and 2006 happen.

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by: Frodo @ Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 07:30:59 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

True true (0.00 / 0)

sipping a Bud...

Next time, there may be no next time.

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by: Jon Bresler @ Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 22:48:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Attacks? (0.00 / 0)

I don't see any of the comments in this thread as 'attacks'.  This is an inner party election, and people have strong opinions as to who they support. 

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by: Nicholas Gunn @ Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 08:52:46 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I don't think (4.00 / 1)

the 14 Democratic State Senators think it was luck that gave them the majority. Ray Buckley did a brilliant job running their political committtee. The purpose of the NH Democratic State Committee is to elect Democrats to office, not to debate ineffectual resolutions on national issues.Buckley has shown that he knows how to win elections. He also seems to have a genuine interest in strengthening local party committees.

I dont understand all the whining about insiders vs. outsiders. There is a very simple but labor intensive way to take control of the NH Dem State Committee apparatus. You get off your couches, organize, and turn your people out for the local caucuses that send voting delegates to the state convention.

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by: Huey @ Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 07:32:52 AM CDT

You're right (0.00 / 0)

you don't understand, because you aren't really listening to what's being said. It's a shame that this issue can't even be discussed without a lot of kneejerk reactions and hostility.

This whole thread exemplifies EXACTLY what Betty Hall is saying. It's the ongoing battle between the insiders and the rest of us. The insiders make condescending comments like "get off your couches and organize" which is just not possible for some people in this state. Please, c'mon up and say that to the folks in Carroll County who are working 2 and 3 jobs to get by.

Of course, the 3 northern counties have been pretty much written off by the state party, anyhow.

NH Kucinich Campaign

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by: susanb @ Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 11:07:15 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I grow tired of North Country whining (0.00 / 0)

Every Governor in memory has made economic development in Berlin a priority.

Ray Burton is arguably the most influential Executive Councilor, partly from longevity.

But our North Country friends continually complain about beign ignored, while providing no specifics or data.

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by: elwood @ Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 13:06:35 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Berlin (0.00 / 0)

is hardly the entire north country.

Ask any first time candidate who has run for office up here how much help they got from the state party. Incumbents are a slightly different story.

Then there's the fact that all meetings are held in Manchester, the center of the universe.

This is, however, another classic illustration of what is wrong inside the NH Democratic Party. Instead of caring, and doing something, the concerns of the north are casually dismissed as whining.

NH Kucinich Campaign

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by: susanb @ Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 18:40:03 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You're not making a case. (0.00 / 0)

You simply repeat, repeat, repeat, that the North Country is treated unfairly.

You make broad assertions with no context whatsoever. If you believe that a first-time candidate in Gilsum or Winchester gets more help from the party -- provide some data.

You sneer "center of the universe" about Manchester. As though people in Keene, Portsmouth, or Hanover find Manchester a convenient locale and the North Country is being singled out.

I dismiss you as whining -- because you are whining.

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by: elwood @ Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 18:50:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

well, Elwood (0.00 / 0)

Since this seems to be becoming a knee jerk site for insider Dems, there isn't any way I'm going to address specific concerns here. It's not a safe place.


NH Kucinich Campaign

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by: susanb @ Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 19:46:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Since I am not an "insider Dem" (0.00 / 0)

maybe you should consider the possibility that you are simply unconvincing.

And this "not a safe place" claim is so over the top you deserve an award -- perhaps an award for using paranoid conspiracy language to avoid ever having to actually back up your claims.

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by: elwood @ Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 19:52:17 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Deja vu (4.00 / 1)

I don't think she was calling you an 'insider Dem'  much like I wasn't trying to call you a Hillary supporter in a recent discussion.

If you look at what she's saying in the context of this blog, it is true that the North country is underepresented here so she's kind of in a bind:  she is saying that the north country  has no voice in the NH political process, but no one here can vouch for her because the north country is also underrepresented on this site.

I'd like to state that I have no opinion on this matter, just making observations.

It's time we steer by the stars, and not the lights of every passing ship

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by: Andy Edwards @ Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 21:43:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

North of the Notches (0.00 / 0)

How many folks live in this area ?
I've heard 30,000 =-.
Is that correct ?

Next time, there may be no next time.

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by: Jon Bresler @ Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 22:49:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Not quite accurate (0.00 / 0)

Your comment about all the meeting sbeing held in Manchester is not correct.  In October, the state committee had its fall meeting in Gorham, which is in Coss County.  It was arranged to be held on the same day as the Coos County Truman dinner, so that a lot of state committee members would stay and attend that event.  The executive committee frequently meets by conference phone call, so that people don't have to drive.  Paul Robitaille, the chairman of the Coos County Democrats, nominated Buckley on Saturday. Dorothy Solomon, the secretary of the state party, is from Carroll County.  I think what Huey is saying is, instead of throwing bombs from outside, without having all the facts, why don't you get more involved and then get your issues addressed?  These are not bad people - these are people who want to get Democrats elected because they believe in social justice and equal justice.  Get to know them!!!  You might be surprised!!!  We Democrats are always too prepared to think the worst of each other.

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by: Frodo @ Sun Mar 25, 2007 at 07:39:35 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

One of the problems (0.00 / 0)

in addressing the North Country's needs is that the roughly 30,000 folks North of the notches are used to relying on one main industry, wood products, which has been decimated of late. The lack of high speed internet, and proximity to major population centers like Boston, makes it a difficult business proposition for manufacturing, given high costs getting products to market.
The number of voters are not enough to swing an election in and of themselves, though there are attempts by the politician de jour to take on the mantle of North Country savior. Other that Ray Burton, there has been no real champion for their needs. Congressman Paul Hodes has announced a Northern Borders Economic Development effort that seeks to break the 'logjam' on economic progress for his consituents. It's prospects for success can only be viewed over the long haul. It will take more than the next 18 months of his term, but his committment is an important first step.

Next time, there may be no next time.

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by: Jon Bresler @ Sun Mar 25, 2007 at 08:36:14 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Buckley announced (0.00 / 0)

yesterday that he was restructuring the NHDP staff and would have someone focused on the North Country and the Salem-Derry-Merrimack part of the state where Dems still get clobbered.

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by: Huey @ Sun Mar 25, 2007 at 09:49:56 AM CDT