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WASHINGTON -- The morning after his "shellacking," President Barack Obama made an unusual but crucial congratulatory phone call, not to a winning Democratic House candidate but rather to a losing one, and one whom few people outside of her home state know.
Why? Because he was watching his back in a place where, on the off chance he faces a primary challenge in 2012, he will need to hold the line.
The president wanted to shower deserved praise on attorney Ann McLane Kuster for her brilliant, well-financed but (just barely) losing race in New Hampshire's 2nd District against former GOP Rep. Charlie Bass. He also urged her to try again, and pledged his support if she did so -- and she quickly agreed.
"He couldn't have been nicer or more supportive," Kuster told The Huffington Post after the election. "He said that I'd run a great race and that he'd be there for me to try it again if I want to, and I do."
I think Carol Shea-Porter deserves to get that call from the President too, but I'm glad to hear Kuster--and the President--are getting ready for the next round.
Annie Kuster will be doing a live chat on WMUR at noon. If you have any questions you want answered -- or questions you want other people to see answered -- go to the WMUR website at noon and you'll see a prominent link to the chat.
I know in the next hour and forty minutes this community can think of some great questions. Remember that this chat may be a place that people just starting to pay attention to the race go to find out about Annie's positions, so take it as a chance to get her on the record about substantive, relevant topics.
Not even Cloud Hampshire - the state Andy Smith polls to make Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes look bad - can scratch up enough votes to make six-term Washington Insider Charlie Bass look good:
The poll shows Bass coming out on top by a 5-point margin -- 43 to 38 percent. That's big swing from July, when Bass held an 18-popint lead in a head-to-head matchup.
And speaking of momentum:
Democrat Ann McLane Kuster's campaign manager says that in the two weeks since the Sept. 14 primary, her 2nd District U.S. House campaign has raised about a quarter of a million dollars.
Colin Van Ostern said that while the exact figure isn't ready yet, at quarter's end, "We will have raised more in this quarter than Congressman (Charlie) Bass raised in his entire campaign," at least as of the most recent filing on Aug. 25, which reported $537,000.
Of course, every time the BassMaster panders to the fringe, this helps Annie:
A: When the right-wing think tankers come out to put on their best concern troll costume:
Primaries traditionally attract the more ideologically committed voters within each party, and Arlinghaus said the clear support 2nd District Democrats gave Ann McLane Kuster over the more moderate Katrina Swett shows they weren't voting strategically either. Swett argued in the campaign's final days that her pragmatism would better position her to win the general election. But for many primary voters, "electability becomes shorthand for abandoning your principles," Arlinghaus said.
I have no interest in re-playing a primary that is now behind us, but when the Republicans try to set the narratives for Democrats, it's important to call them out on it each and every time.
The truth is that Kuster won her primary by huge margins, while Bass, despite enormous name recognition and history, could barely squeak by against a hard right-winger who had no money and a ticket splitter to boot.
We are fired up and ready to go with a candidate who is firmly in the mainstream with Americans on Afghanistan and tax cuts. The GOP, on the other hand, largely doesn't like their nominee.
Bass said he supports extending the Bush tax cuts for all income brackets, and he objected to the use of their approaching expiration as "the class warfare issue of the election." He said no "intelligent economist" would support the stance of most Democrats, who would extend the tax cuts for everyone but the highest earners.
Here's one of those uneducated economists:
"Not all budgetary dollars are created equal," said Alan Blinder, professor and co-director of Princeton University's Center for Economic Policy Studies, in a conference Wednesday morning. "Some have a lot of bang for the buck, and some have very little. The GDP increase per dollar of budgetary cost is in the range of 1.6, 1.7 for things like food stamps and unemployment benefits, and in the range of .35 for extending the Bush tax cuts. We could get some substantial job creation by simply reprogramming the $75 billion that would be saved over the next two years by not extending the upper-bracket Bush tax cuts and spending it instead on unemployment benefits, food stamps, and the like."
Blinder's economic advice supports the tax policy of President Obama and the Democrats, who would like to maintain tax cuts for 95 percent of Americans, while letting the cuts for those with incomes above $250,000 expire. Letting the tax cuts lapse is projected to trim approximately $675 billion from the deficit over 10 years, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.
By doing the opposite of what Charlie Bass wants, we can create more jobs and lower the deficit.
No wonder the American people want the Bass-supported Bush tax cuts on the wealthy to expire. No wonder this view is also found here. And here. And here (.pdf). And here. And here (.pdf).
Annie Kuster's got a new approach. As she said last night (2:28):
Instead of going backward to an economic policy of tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and companies that move jobs overseas, I believe we need a new approach. One that cuts taxes for the middle class, eliminating capital gains tax on small business investment, and rewarding companies for creating jobs right here at home
Charlie Bass, a creature of Washington for many years, is part of the problem. Between now and election day, it is your job to remind voters of that.
I've met both Kuster and Swett and heard each of them speak on several occasions in various settings. I've had the chance to ask questions. I think they're both smart and they're both good people, they both have supporters who I like and respect as people and as activists, and I'll be happy to support either one in the general election. In the spirit of party unity and because I live in the 1st District, I haven't publicly supported either candidate.
"We will see if Democrats, whatever the deepest feelings of their hearts may be, decide to nominate somebody who has that ability to appeal to a wide range of voters in what is going to be a very tough year for Democrats," Swett said, "or whether there is going to be an ideological purity test."
Annie Kuster is opposed to the buildup of troops in Afghanistan. Less than a month ago, 63% of Americans polled by CNN/Opinion research said they opposed the war.
Annie Kuster is also opposed to extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest. Less than a month ago, 56% of Americans polled by CBS News said the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest should expire.
No one hates war more then a veteran. As a Vietnam veteran I want to see our troops brought home from Afghanistan as soon as practical. Annie is a strong supporter of the war on terrorism but doesn't want America to lose sight of its mission by getting bogged down in prolonged war in Afghanistan.
No contest in the 2010 New Hampshire primary offers voters a tougher choice than the one between Democrats Katrina Swett and Ann McLane Kuster for the 2nd District congressional nomination. The candidates are both well-qualified and differ little on the issues. The district's voters can't lose, no matter whom they choose. That said, our vote goes to Kuster, whose home-grown support and two decades of work bringing lawmakers from both parties together on issues in a legislature the size of the U.S. House gives her an advantage.
...Kuster, who has received nearly 90 percent of her campaign contributions from New Hampshire sources, has demonstrated that she has the support and confidence of a large number of her district's voters. She's also proven that she has the skills to help do what's sorely needed in Washington: convincing people on all sides to come together, end the gridlock and get the nation moving again.
In the Democratic primary in the 2nd District, Kuster deserves your vote.
It will be interesting to see the endorsements as they roll out at this point. If you see one from your local paper, let us know!
Adding: I find it interesting that Afghanistan played a role in their thinking. More evidence that running to the left of Obama on the war is actually the popular view.
Update by Mike: Today The Keene Sentinel Endorsed Ann McLane Kuster as well.
Still another plus is her lawyer experience in negotiation. She comes across as a tough bargainer who also knows that protracted stalemates don't normally serve the client - in this case, the public - very well.
Since July 1, she has outraised Bass, Swett, and Horn by a huge margin:
http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/
RAISED SINCE JULY 1: Ann McLane Kuster (D) $222,507
Charles Bass (R) $57,190
Jennifer Horn (R) $39,036
Katrina Swett (D) $36,795
James Pindell also got his hands on an internal poll showing a commanding lead:
A poll conducted for the Ann McLane Kuster Second Congressional District campaign shows her with a sizable lead over Democratic primary rival Katrina Swett, just 11 days just remaining before the primary.
A Mellman Group poll of 400 likely Second District Democratic voters shows Kuster with 47 percent support, Swett with 24 percent, and 29 percent were undecided. The Mellman Group polled for John Kerry's campaign in the 2004 New Hampshire primary.
You have to take an internal FWIW, obviously, but it's a respected pollster, and between that and the money numbers the Kuster campaign has got to be feeling good about all the hard work they've done all along as they roll into the final two weeks of the campaign
TAG TEAM. In 2007 and 2008, former ambassador and Democratic National Committeeman Terry Shumaker backed Hillary Clinton for President, while former state Democratic Chair Ned Helms backed Barack Obama.
...In an "open letter to New Hampshire Democrats" to be released before the end of the week, Helms and Shumaker say Kuster will bring "a new approach" to Washington.
They said she's right on the issues, particularly Iraq, Afghanistan, the Bush tax cuts and a woman's right to choose, and she has the better chance of keeping the seat Democratic.
I've secured a copy of former NHDP Chair Helms' and former DNC Committeeman Shumaker's letter. It's really quite powerful. An excerpt:
We disagree with Charlie Bass on most issues. But here is one thing we agree with him on: If Democrats don't hold New Hampshire's second congressional district - a district that voted for Barack Obama by 13 points in 2008 - then our party is in serious trouble here in New Hampshire, and all across the country.
Dick and Katrina Swett have done tremendous work for New Hampshire Democrats over the years, and they deserve our respect. But it is hard to ignore the fact that since 1980, New Hampshire has never had an election in which Charlie Bass or Dick or Katrina Swett were not running for something. In 2010, voters have made it perfectly clear what they are looking for: a new approach in Washington. Annie Kuster will bring just that.
Annie has built an unparalleled grassroots campaign, held over 100 house parties across the district, set records for her in-state fundraising support, and she promises to put people over politics-as-usual. In contrast, Katrina Swett lost to Charlie Bass by 16 points the last time she took him on, has demonstrated relatively little grassroots support, and has relied almost entirely on out-of-state financial support to fund her campaign.
Feedback on DiStaso's revelations has been something less than an endorsement. Dean Spiliotes:
But what a tactical blunder by the Swett campaign! I can't think of a better way to muddle their core negative message against Kuster than with the news that Swett has herself been a registered lobbyist. It doesn't matter that she may not have been actively engaged in the profession. For anyone paying casual attention to the race (which most people are in August), this disclosure will simply be seen as more evidence that politicians and would-be politicians are in the pocket of corporate America. If the Swett campaign has to get into a debate with the Kuster camp about which candidate was a bigger lobbyist, then the potential impact of the original negative attack is essentially lost.
The Concord Monitor:
Second District congressional candidate Katrina Swett could be this season's winner of the "glass houses" award. Swett's campaign had been making much of fellow Democratic candidate Ann McLane Kuster's record as a State House lobbyist when, lo and behold, Swett's own name was discovered on a federal list of registered lobbyists.
Finally, Charlie Cook (sorry, paywall) trains his lens on CD2:
The Democrats, who both come from notable political families and have ties to national networks of support, are raising more money. The favorite is attorney Ann McLane Kuster, a longtime party activist whose father served on New Hampshire¹s executive council and mother served as a liberal Republican state senator. Facing off against Kuster is Katrina Swett, the daughter of Hungarian immigrants, including late California Democratic Rep. Tom Lantos, and the wife of former 2nd CD Rep. Dick Swett. Swett ran for this seat against Bass unsuccessfully in 2002 and launched a shortly lived Senate campaign in 2008.
Please join us for great food, Vegan and Barbecue, (same great caterer)Mary Fagan Music, and great political discussion. Congressman Hodes, Ann Kuster, Katrina Swett, and Speaker Norelli are confirmed to attend and speak.
Our special guest speaker is known to many here on BH. He is Dr. Lawrence Lessig, bio below.Chairman Buckley believes as I do that the Citizen's United ruling will have far reaching impact on our politics. We need a disclosure bill, and the though NH House tried without success last session to pass one, the cause continues. Come here why this is central to preserving our democracy.
http://www.facebook.com/home.p... http://www.bluehampshire.com/e...
The Merrimack County Democrats invite you to our Summer Barbeque and Picnic. Join Cong.Paul Hodes, Ann Mclane Kuster, Katrina Swett, and other great candidates at the home of Steve Gorin and Cyndy Moniz...
Lawrence Lessig is the Director of the Edmond J. Safra Foundation Center for Ethics at Harvard University, and a Professor of Law at Harvard Law School.
His current academic work addresses the question of "institutional corruption" - roughly, influences within an economy of influence that weaken the effectiveness of an institution, or weaken public trust. His current work at the EJ Safra Lab oversees a 5 year research project addressing institutional corruption in a number of institutional contexts.
He will talk about the relationship between change- every new administrations' mantra, lobbying in Washington, and Campaign Finance effects of the "Citizen's United" Case.
The first seal of approval was going after Ann Kuster for going after the Bush tax cuts. The second is that they didn't put her rebuttal online, saving it for yesterday's dead tree only version.
Good thing Annie has her own website for her own words:
I support permanent middle class tax relief instead of extending Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
Apparently that position is enough to prompt an accusation of "economic illiteracy" from this newspaper.
...Frankly, this isn't a partisan debate. My opponent in the Democratic primary, Katrina Swett, supported the Bush tax cuts, the war in Iraq, and now the escalation in Afghanistan. And while I am proud to have widespread support from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, I am equally proud that so many Independents and open-minded Republicans are already standing with me in this campaign. They recognize that the reckless spending of politicians like Congressman Bass made a mockery of the fiscal restraint for which the Republican Party was supposed to stand.
...If that belief earns me some name-calling from the defenders of George Bush's policies, so be it.
Matching jobs with clean energy, and doing it right here in New Hampshire. And Annie Kuster has a plan to get us there. One part of it involves ending the corporate welfare that oil and nuclear companies get - to the tune of 65 billion dollars. Kuster:
"These are not the jobs of tomorrow - they are the jobs of today," said Kuster. "New Hampshire is already emerging as a leader in the area of clean energy technologies, so smart investments now can result in thousands of good jobs from Nashua to the North Country."
"Instead of continuing massive tax subsidies for the big oil and power companies, which Congressman Bass voted for repeatedly in Congress, we need to invest in safe, renewable technologies right here in New Hampshire."
Full release, including details of the plan, below the fold. Or you can click the link.
A year ago, when it was clear that Judd Gregg's coup to install Kelly Ayotte over the Sununu dynasty's plans was a clever way to hitch the GOP to the recent successes among Democrats, I knew a narrative like this was coming and I dreaded it:
When the 112th Congress convenes in January, the Granite State could be represented by the nation's first all-female Congressional delegation.
Which is why this response knocked my socks off:
"We haven't talked about it," Kuster said of the possibility of an all-female delegation. "I'm running against a woman in the primary. I could be running against a woman in the general election. It's just not a remarkable event in New Hampshire anymore."
She continued: "I'm far more focused on getting a delegation that's all pro-choice from New Hampshire."
