Hockey Moms for Obama - with Lipstick!

by: Dean Barker

Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 19:24:38 PM EDT

She included in her piece what I thought were two of the best moments of the night.  One from Obama,

Obama said that McCain, an Arizona senator, has voted with Bush 90 percent of the time and that his promises of change are hollow.

"They must think the American people are stupid," Obama said...

Using papers from a college bulletin board and sticks of lipstick borrowed from fellow audience members, they made signs reading "Hockey Moms for Obama."

And now millions of people will be reading about it. Hoo-ray!

Here's a photo of the hockey moms, next to "Republicans for Barack":

Pix from Obama in Concord

by: Dean Barker

Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 07:01:23 AM EDT

My favs are the kids and the Hockey Moms for Obama.

Obama - Live in Concord!

by: Dean Barker

Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 17:10:33 PM EDT

CNN LIVESTREAM HERE

We only had to walk around the building twice to go to the wrong door and have someone tell us to go back again. In the rain.  But it's all good.  I'm sitting behind the "Reserved for the Union Leader" table.

Liveblog notes below the fold, and more and better pictures coming soon...

Tales From The Bottom Of The Ticket: Change Doesn't Come From Concord, It Comes To Concord

by: Andrew Sylvia

Sun Aug 31, 2008 at 20:28:42 PM EDT

My journey in politics began in the Spring of 2003 volunteering for Howard Dean at Keene State College. That year and that campaign made me believe that anything was politically possible, and eventually led me to come back to my hometown to help assail what seemed to be the impossible task of getting Democrats elected here in Merrimack.

While the core of what being a Deaniac meant never left, as the weather grew colder that year, so did I. The fatigue and tedium changed my focus that year changed from helping elect Dean to helping elect a Democrat that would defeat Bush, no matter who it was. By December of 2004, I became jaded towards Presidential Politics.

During this presidential primary cycle, the ambivalence hadn't worn off, but the scale and scope had changed. I must've went everywhere and saw everything that all of the campaigns on both sides had to offer across this great state and beyond.

But even that couldn't bring me back to the summer of 2003. Whenever I heard the candidates speak, what I heard wasn't what they said or what their words meant, but the substance between the words: how those words were said and perceived by potential voters.

I've begun blogging about my travels along the campaign trail here at the bottom of the ticket because so much attention is given to the Presidential campaign that you would think it's the only race being contested this year.

However, the campaign for President is so large that even us small fries get caught up in it, and that happened the other night at a small convention watch party the Merrimack Democrats had at our town chair's house.

Obama's speech was pleasing because of how he said it, he was finally attacking the attacks of McCain, but other than the tone of what Obama said, I honestly couldn't tell you a single thing other than a single part that resonated with me...

"...You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington.  Change comes to Washington.  Change happens because the American people demand it - because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time..."

I have lost track of how many times I had heard Barack Obama speak, either to an audience I was in, or even to my own face. (in Hampton he told me he didn't like stickers on his suit, in Nashua he told me I had asked him too many questions and that somebody else deserved a turn, etc.) Each time I heard him speak, it was in that hardened mold that was born in the Fall of 2003, not caring what he said, but how everybody perceived what he said.

But for that paragraph at Invesco Field, I was transported back to Jack Spratt's farm in Walpole listening to Howard Dean tell us we could change the world, because it captured why the hell I was here better than I could say it myself.

It may seem cliche, but we are at a critical moment in our history where a new way of thinking must replace the old ways, where new leaders challenge the beliefs of the established elite in order to make sure our entire way of life does not collapse from a tired complacency of failed tactics.

The voters of Merrimack are sick of those failed tactics in Concord, whether they be constitutional amendments on education, the 150,000 residents across the state without healthcare, taxes rising without seeming to return any immediate value, or here in Merrimack the endless failures from proposing doomed legislation to bring us a just toll system.

That change isn't going to come from Concord, it is going to come to Concord.

Several days now after he spoke those words, their essence is still rattling around my mind.

These words may sound unusual since I am a Democrat, and both houses of the legislature and the Governor's office are Democratic, and what may sound more unusual is that there are many talented people on both sides of the aisle currently serving in Concord.

Those public servants are like the words in the candidates' speeches, what is the issue is the substance between the words: the actions that trickle down to the average person who is not as politically involved as we are to help them believe that things can get better, that solutions can be obtained.

That is not going to change from the inside, it will take new people.

And that's why four years later, i'm still here in Merrimack, trying to come to Concord.

Update: Stop Clowning Around, NH Advantage Coalition

by: Zandra Rice Hawkins

Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 20:36:21 PM EDT

Although they claim to be a citizen's initiative, the "friends of the party" New Hampshire Advantage Coalition is heavily connected to the NH Republican party.

Key supporters also come from the Free State Project, which is encouraging thousands of people to move to our state and press for political changes.

Make no doubt - the NH Advantage Coalition is pulling out all the stops with this initiative. Ad buys were mentioned in a comments section earlier today, here's more:

Union Leader, 7/3/08: Agree or disagree with its conservative views, the New Hampshire Advantage Coalition is becoming a factor in the 2008 elections. And it will be a more of a factor in the fall.

Group chairman Mike Biundo confirmed this week that, knowing the most sought-after time slots will be filled up quickly, the group has already secured $140,000 worth of television air time for issue ads in the final three weeks leading to the Nov. 3 election.

I'll post more on this group in the coming weeks. For now, Granite State Progress is working with - and looking for - activists, community groups and local leaders who can help us reveal what the revenue cap is really about. So visit our website to let us know you support our work challenging the NH Advantage Coalition's revenue cap.

(And, yes, we're calling it a revenue cap. Essentially, it prevents our communities from setting our own budget priorities and threatens our ability to make investments as we see fit. Overrides are not a guarantee, especially when the NH Advantage Coalition is trying to back candidates and elected officials into a corner by having them sign a pledge to the same end.)

Pictures of a peace rally

by: JonnyBBad

Sun Mar 16, 2008 at 11:50:43 AM EDT

With apologies to Will and the Soothsayer, it was not tee shirt weather yesterday, dawning snowy and grey. Many showed up to march at 1pm from Loudon Rd. parking lot across from the Everett Arena, over the Merrimack to the State House. Here's my attempt at photo-journalism. MBair, oh how we miss you !

notice in the sky a large Peace dove.It had mechanical wings and a rather fish like body. Flying Fish for Peace !

I did not make the March but headed to the rally at 2 in front of the Arch. The band played dirges, which sounded very eastern European to me, though I never got the name. It reminded me of "Nothing" by the Fugs, based on an old German famine song.

Blue Hampshire Bash

by: JonnyBBad

Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 19:42:57 PM EST

Please save the date Sat. May 3rd, at 12 noon because...we will be having our first annual Blue Hampshire Bash in Concord at Hermanos. Our hosts Bruce Parrish and Jane Valliere are going to put on a killer buffet for this unique Progressive Online Community ! Our three founding editors as well as current and past FP'ers have confirmed attendance. Pindell will be covering for PolitickerNH, I am working on some live music.

Watch this Space for Details
More to come,
Jonny

PS Thinking of ideas like a Canned Food Collection  to coincide with the event. Send good ideas to
jon.bresler@gmail.com
Free Drinks to the Winning Suggestion
That's how I roll  

"Undecideds" Beocome "Decideds"

by: Amy Rubin

Sat Jan 05, 2008 at 18:43:57 PM EST

At a town hall in Concord, New Hampshire today John spoke with a mixed crowd of New Hampshire voters. Some were long-term Edwards supporters, looking for one last chance to hear the Senator speak before heading to the polls. Others had been leaning towards a candidate, but had yet to make a firm choice. Still others were seeking information, completely uncertain of who they would vote for on Tuesday.

The first voter I spoke with quickly identified himself as a Democrat whose ideals fit the progressive agenda. He said he didn't expect to leave with his mind made up - just more information. He said had seen Senator Clinton not too long ago and was impressed with her breadth of knowledge and understanding on the issues, but wasn't swayed. He was encouraged to see that she took questions from the crowd, something she has been known to avoid, but felt like she wasn't really listening to the questioners. She "knew the answers before the questions were even asked" he said.

As things got started, Elizabeth introduced John saying,

"This election is not just about the language of change - it's about results."

Concord Monitor to Endorse Clinton

by: newhampster

Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 18:23:18 PM EST

Clinton's ambitious to-do list for her first few weeks in office gives us confidence that her priorities are right and that she would act swiftly to make a positive difference. She is the Monitor's choice in the Jan. 8 Democratic primary.

New Hampshire Democrats and independents are blessed with a strong field of presidential candidates at a time when a change of course is desperately needed. We have been impressed by Joe Biden's pragmatic foreign policy and by John Edwards's insistence that we pay attention to the poorest Americans.

Barack Obama, more than most, has the power to inspire. The positive tone of his campaign is not a gimmick. He is a serious candidate with sober ideas. For reasons symbolic and substantive, he would also be a nominee Democrats could feel proud to vote for.

But Hillary Clinton's unique combination of smarts, experience and toughness makes her the best choice to win the November election and truly get things done.

Update.  The full endorsement is here: Clinton Endorsement

Obama makes it official

by: cmdrfoley

Thu Oct 25, 2007 at 21:17:59 PM EDT

Obama continues to show that kind of leadership at events when he visits New Hampshire, offering clear, direct answers on the issues that matter to voters.

Barack Obama's Campaign in NH - August 19-27

by: cmdrfoley

Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 09:41:42 AM EDT

Other highlights from the campaign this week:

• On Sunday, the Union Leader profiled Howard Morse, super-volunteer for the campaign in NH.


• On Saturday, volunteer Danny Gates hosted a house party in the oldest house in Jefferson.


• Also on Saturday, a group of volunteers from Rhode Island supplemented our weekend canvass in Portsmouth.


• On Friday, the NH Obama campaign blog profiled volunteer and community organizer Dan Grandone and the executive director of Seacost Ouright in Portsmouth.


• On Thursday, the Concord Monitor profiled Gabrielle "Gaby" Grossman, a volunteer in our Portsmouth office and one of the latest winners for the "Dinner with Barack" series.

For the latest in the campaign's efforts across the country and right here in New Hampshire, check out the NH Obama campaign blog at nh.barackobama.com.

Tim Foley
Proud to be a member of Barack Obama's movement for change.

Sen. Obama's remarks in Concord

by: cmdrfoley

Thu Jul 26, 2007 at 18:44:04 PM EDT

Today in sun-drenched Eagle Square, the early-morning crowd of over 600 people who had come out to see Congressman Paul Hodes endorse Senator Barack Obama for President saw much more than that.  They saw Barack articulate a forceful vision of leadership that echoes their own hopes, dreams and hunger for change.

Now, you can see it for yourself.

Tim Foley
Proud to be a member of Barack Obama's movement for change.
http://nh.barackobama.com/

NH Project: Day One Dispatch

by: BuckeyeStateBlog

Sat May 19, 2007 at 20:31:58 PM EDT

Anyways, as the project gets started I decided to take up the recommendation of one of your frontpagers and crosspost a few of my entries for the project here at Blue Hampshire. Today's "getting started" entry is after the break. Tomorrow I'll be posting video and writing about Franklin Pierce Law Center's graduation I attended  today in which Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan served as the speaker.