Swett Campaign Admits Republican Strategy

Fostering The Enthusiasm Gap (0.00 / 0)

There is reason to be concerned that the negativity will come back to haunt the eventual nominee. Especially, when Swett puts out e-mails to its supporter list that are designed to turn them off to Annie.

(Excerpted from a Swett campaign e-mail sent to me by a friend, so no link)

Over the past year, Kuster has repeatedly cited her work in the creation of the Medication Bridge Program as a reason to support her campaign. It is a good program, and Katrina hopes more NH families take advantage of it.

But, let's be clear about this, at the time of that program's development in 2000 Kuster was in her 6th year working as a paid lobbyist for the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). I do not have to tell you that large drug companies do not hire well-paid lobbyists to distribute free drugs to seniors. Large drug companies hire lobbyists to protect their bottom-line. And that is the real issue.

Beside the obvious poison, I'm going to criticize this on another level.

Note the line, "Katrina hopes more NH families take advantage of it." I'm thinking it would have been better to say something like, 'When elected, Katrina will work in Congress to fortify this program, making it even stronger, allowing it to reach more NH families.'

I guess Swett just wasn't thinking along those lines. Plus, it reeks of "entitlement program". That is a Republican no-no.

I heard NH is turning Blue. Did Katrina get the memo?

www.KusterforCongress.com - www.paulhodesforsenate.com

www.nikitsongas.com - www.devalpatrick.com

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Fri Jul 30, 2010 at 07:18:31 AM CDT

Either Can Win In November... (4.00 / 2)

...if whomever loses the September Democratic Primary then immediately begins helping the winner.  To me, they both seem dynamite on the campaign trail.  

There IS some value to having a heated primary campaign, because it increases the enthusiam for whomever the nominee will eventually be, and it allows for a trial run for their campaign.

There is also some value in vetting all the issues that may eventually be launched against the Democratic nominee by the Republican.  Since I don't have a favorite between Ann Kuster or Katrina Swett, I see mostly positives that each has.  But if there are negatives, getting them out of the way now is good, since it allows each to perfect their answers.  

It's not unlike in 2004 when Paul McEachern and John Lynch ran against one another -- Lynch became a much stronger candidate in November against Craig Benson -- and that might have made the difference in Benson having a second term -- or by now, a third or forth (can you imagine?).  

What happens between Kuster and Swett the day after the September 14th primary is more important than the way they battle now.

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Fri Jul 30, 2010 at 07:39:18 AM CDT

I remember my frustration (4.00 / 1)

with some of the tactics during the '08 primary.  Eventually, as you write, Jim, it made our eventual candidate much stronger and did not split the party like the chattering class predicted.

Another advantage of a spirited primary is that more people get involved.  Hopefully, once involved, they stay involved.  It will be interesting, if nothing else to compare the primary numbers in CD 2 between R and D.  Will this tell us anything?


"Physical concepts are free creations of the human mind, and are not, however it may seem, uniquely determined by the external world." A. Einstein

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by: StraffordDem @ Fri Jul 30, 2010 at 08:02:38 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

apples and oranges (4.00 / 1)

NH Primary was the first week of January with the General 11 months away...plenty of time to heal wounds and do all the hand holding to bring everyone together.  We have seven weeks from the state Primary to the General. We do not have the luxury of being able to spend the thousands of hours over many months to unite our party. It doesn't just magically happen.


Have you written a letter to the editor today? Have you donated today? Have you put up signs? Have you made calls? Have you talked to your neighbors?

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by: Ray Buckley @ Fri Jul 30, 2010 at 10:29:59 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Still a basket of fruit. (4.00 / 2)

Sure, there are lots of differences, only beginning with the time period, although I was referring to the national scene and not specifically to the NH primary.  But the main point is that, thus far, the bickering has been fairly tame, somewhat amusing, and limited to a handful of people on a blog.  Seems to me that other commenters have anecdotally reinforced this with stories of civil discussions between supporters of both candidates.

These are two, obviously passionate candidates who are attracting passionate supporters.  Supporters who know how to bop someone in the nose.  I like that.  But I'm not party chair and don't have to smooth things over after.  I dig where you're coming from, Ray.


"Physical concepts are free creations of the human mind, and are not, however it may seem, uniquely determined by the external world." A. Einstein

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by: StraffordDem @ Fri Jul 30, 2010 at 11:18:26 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Bananas (4.00 / 3)

Throw some other fruit into that basket, because some of the bickering drives me bananas! But your perspective is welcome - and wise.    



"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 Jul 30, 2010 at 12:08:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

"Can Win" (4.00 / 1)

I've got a ready made lecture on the difference between possibility and probability, but I'll spare you.

In '08, the spin was that "the primary made Obama a better nominee." Which, on its face, cannot be readily dismissed. BUT, that is a hind sight euphemism.

During the campaign the trial by fire that Obama was subjected to was perpetrated out of desperation, not backhanded QA/QC.

This is what you see now. I quoted this before:

With Kuster leading in endorsements and local support, the Swett campaign may have drawn attention to Kuster's lobbying ties in an attempt to get traction, said political analyst Dean Spiliotes.

Of course that is Spilliotes, he is just one opinion. Oh, wait!

Primary Wire:

"...the shenanigans make Swett look fairly petty - she's coming off a disappointing second quarter haul, media questions about her support for gay marriage, and watching Kuster earn support from gay marriage and progressive groups. Firing off about lobbying this week makes Swett's campaign seem anxious about her ability to win in September."

Landrigan:

"Democratic congressional candidate Katrina Swett's campaign took one of its sharpest arrows out of the quiver today and aimed it squarely at primary rival Anne McLane Kuster who clearly has shown some early momentum."

The UL:

"Swett, who ran for the seat in 2002 and who is the wife of former Rep. Dick Swett, challenged Kuster, an attorney who has emerged as the favorite of party activists in the state,"

Not only is this ploy desperate, but it is politically short sighted towards the future and the past.

Mike Hoefer:

Reminds me of the good old days... (4.00 / 1)
Remember the the "Who is Jim Demers" Ad? :-)

Kuster has the Big Mo... looking forward to making a few call on her behalf Thursday night!

www.KusterforCongress.com - www.paulhodesforsenate.com

www.nikitsongas.com - www.devalpatrick.com

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Fri Jul 30, 2010 at 08:46:12 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I should add, "Avoidable" (0.00 / 0)

The problem that Swett has at this point is certainly compounded by decisions made over a long stretch of time, but let that go for a moment.

This recent stint of reactionary strateegery is a response to Kuster's campaign prowess and the lack of prowess on Swett's part. Had she played her cards differently since the summer of 2009, this ruckus could have been avoided

It's almost August and Swett's campaign is unimpressive on so many different levels. It skews one's confidence in her ability to run an effective congressional office on behalf of NH-02.

We do not have to accept the lowest commom denominator, "better than Bass," arguement.

www.KusterforCongress.com - www.paulhodesforsenate.com

www.nikitsongas.com - www.devalpatrick.com

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Fri Jul 30, 2010 at 09:55:38 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

well the winner will get slimed anyway... (4.00 / 1)

I am sure the Republicans will slime whoever gets nominated in September.  (In fact they are already sliming Annie Kuster now.)  

The primary fight gets stuff out on the open now: the primary fight actually gives the Republicans fewer options for smearing Kuster or Swett in the general election.  And whatever the Republic Party comes up to slime the Democratic primary winner won't be shocking because the media will have heard it already.


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Thanks for all the fish


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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Fri Jul 30, 2010 at 08:45:39 AM CDT

Early Dump? n/t (0.00 / 0)

www.KusterforCongress.com - www.paulhodesforsenate.com

www.nikitsongas.com - www.devalpatrick.com

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Fri Jul 30, 2010 at 08:47:19 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

The media do like a cat fight. Anything to keep the voters out (0.00 / 0)

of it as long as possible.  Nobody appreciates citizen participation, except as a cash cow.

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by: hannah @ Fri Jul 30, 2010 at 09:27:37 AM CDT

Katrina Swett hates puppies, too (0.00 / 0)

Really.  Can we have, perhaps, a single day when the focus isn't on shredding Democrats on Blue Hampshire?

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Fri Jul 30, 2010 at 14:15:04 PM CDT

I knew it! (0.00 / 0)

But I didn't have the proof. Though some would still say, Kuster Allies Making More False Accusations.

They loves'um some CSP up in here.

www.KusterforCongress.com - www.paulhodesforsenate.com

www.nikitsongas.com - www.devalpatrick.com

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Fri Jul 30, 2010 at 14:34:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]