The New Decembrists

Even the broken clock.... (4.00 / 4)

 this could be Santorum's one moment to get something right.

While I don't think that this primary will be necessarily be rendered irrelevant-- too much has already been invested here by the candidates for that to happen--although some who think they will lose here might well use it as an excuse not to play.

I do think that moving it into December is likely to make this the last NH primary with meaning, as it will probably make us the target of all who want change and is likely to drive a wedge into the presently unified four early states. If you think Iowa or South Caroline wont throw us under the bus if provoked and if it would serve to maintain there status, think again.

If I were Bill Gardner I would either:

a. declare Nevada not a similar contest and go 4 days before it (let's face it, there has been no real consistency in the interpretation of this phrase in the Past), or (my actual favorite

b. think a bit outside of the box and try voting on Saturday. Having voting on a day when far less people have to squeeze a trip to the polls into an already busy day of work, kids events etc. may do a lot to expand the electorate and reduce the pressure on the polling places at the critical times of noon and after 5 pm.

A Saturday event would have the additional benefit of showing to the rest of the country that we try to work with others to make the primary system rational and put the blame for any failure back on Florida, where it belongs. As it is, people around the country are simply sick of our flaunting a sense of entitlement and a December primary will just enhance this.

Finally, it would be an interesting experiment in democracy to try to actually hold elections on a day when it is convenient for the people. I have always thought that our presidential elections should be held on Veterans day-- I see a direct link between the sacrifice of service members and the democratic institutions that fought to preserve. I am not so sure what is beneficial about Tuesdays.


"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Thu Oct 13, 2011 at 12:32:29 PM UTC

Yes--Let's campaign NOW for a Saturday primary. (4.00 / 2)

I'm with Paul on this. Let's do a letter-to-the-editor campaign state-wide, write letter to Bill Gardner, everything possible to get a Saturday primary in January.

I really hate this longer and longer primary season. When I moved to NH in '78, I think the primary was held in March!

I'm thinking that by 2016 or so, we'll go into vote for President, etc., and we'll get two ballots, one for the current Presidential race, and one for the 2020 primary.  

JillSH

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by: JillSH @ Thu Oct 13, 2011 at 13:29:33 PM UTC

is Tuesday so inconvenient (0.00 / 0)

if elections are run correctly, it only takes a few minutes to vote- and you get to visit with your neighbors while waiting.  is it really so inconvenient to vote on Tuesday?  

 

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Mon Oct 17, 2011 at 21:31:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes, for someone working all day (4.00 / 1)

who comes home to pick up kids, do errands, and get dinner ready - Tuesday is inconvenient.

There is a big chunk of childhood years where parents basically have no life during the work week.

The fewer barriers to voting, the better.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Mon Oct 17, 2011 at 22:21:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

For people who work, yes n/t (0.00 / 0)

"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 @ Mon Oct 17, 2011 at 23:22:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Saturday Primary (4.00 / 1)

Paul has a great idea - two great ideas.  A Saturday primary in January would get more voters and more attention. I also like the idea of voting on Veteran's Day. So appropriate.

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by: calvin @ Thu Oct 13, 2011 at 14:42:25 PM UTC

Saturday in January sounds great! n/t (4.00 / 1)

"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 @ Thu Oct 13, 2011 at 15:27:57 PM UTC

Pindell Blames The RNC (4.00 / 1)

James did pretty well shilling for Bill Gardner, but then he lashed out.

The talking head on the left took a dig; saying something about WMUR losing ad revenue, if the primary is held in December.

D'Oh!

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

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Thu Oct 13, 2011 at 18:31:50 PM UTC

Multiple pages (4.00 / 2)

The NHGOP is in a bit of disarray on this, with Chairman McDonald asking the SoS to reconsider his decision that the Nevada caucus is similar, and O'Brien and Bragdon calling for a boycott, apparantly the brainchild of Republican consultant Mike Dennehy. I'm a little surprised; on the D side, whenever we had issues like this, the senior elected officials and the party officials had a uniform strategy.  It certainly undercuts McDonald in his first crisis to have legislative leadership ignoring him. I wonder if they ever even thought of talking to him first? Not being on the same page weakens Republican efforts.  



"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 Oct 14, 2011 at 09:13:49 AM UTC

Changes (0.00 / 0)

I think Chair McDonald has had second thoughts about his "opposition" to his description of the Nevada Caucus, which is indeed covered by the NH First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary Law as an event that we would have to respond to.

And it's fascinating to see how the Republican officials are REALLY divided in Nevada itself.  All Bill Gardner is requesting is for them to move their caucus back 72 hours, from January 14h to 17th, and a lot of Republicans in Nevada's high circles seem to know they should do that.  Then we can have our primary on Tuesday, January 10th and have our one week tradition preserved.

Bill Gardner is doing a great job on this.  He's following our state statute to a "t" (i.e. preserving our "tradition.")  And that's how we make sure we're first AND relevant in the presidential selection process into the future.

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Fri Oct 14, 2011 at 11:55:42 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Bottom line: (4.00 / 2)

The person with the most to gain from the NH Primary, is doing the least to defend it: Mitt Romney.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Fri Oct 14, 2011 at 09:23:02 AM UTC

Did Romney Betray New Hampshire? (4.00 / 1)

According to reports from Nevada and Iowa, the Romney campaign pushed Nevada Republicans to move up their caucus date; Romney spokesman would not deny the report.

Instead of calling on candidates to boycott Nevada, maybe Bragdon and O'Brien should call on voters to boycott Romney.



"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 @ Mon Oct 17, 2011 at 20:15:33 PM UTC

Betray? (0.00 / 0)

n/t

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by: JimC @ Mon Oct 17, 2011 at 21:07:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes (0.00 / 0)

He's been running around paying lip service to the awesomeness of our primary but working to undercut it behind the scenes.  



"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 @ Mon Oct 17, 2011 at 21:46:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Fair enough (0.00 / 0)

I think "betray" is strong, but I'm kind of a noodge.

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by: JimC @ Mon Oct 17, 2011 at 22:00:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]