Open Thread: Save The Secondary Edition

by: Jack Mitchell

Fri Dec 03, 2010 at 16:05:41 PM EST

Apparently, SOS Bill Gardner is focused on  "...7 days or more immediately preceding the date on which any other state shall hold a similar election..."  Add to that, the NHGOP is rabid with Teapublicans and your very own junior Senator has a big IOU stamped on her forehead. Just how will Gov. Quitter exact her pound of granite, eh? Ya, Speaker O'Brien, I'm talking about you.

NH is dead to Palin or her 2012 stalking horse. Would she meddle with NH through fawning NH teabaggers, recently elected to serve the people "real America."

If'ins I'ze wuz you'zes, I'd drum up a primary challenge for POTUS. Like the one Pindell imagines. And go with Dean...Dean Barker, that is. Because, I've watched the Obama NH Steering Committee in action. They got 2nd place down, real good.

Please have at it on this Open Thread.

Our First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary: The National Parties Are Threatening It Again

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Fri Jul 23, 2010 at 10:56:46 AM EDT

A Democratic National Committee panel has made a recommendation that in 2012, the Iowa Caucuses will be scheduled on Monday, February 6th.  The New Hampshire Primary would be on Tuesday February 14th, and the Nevada Caucuses would occur on Saturday, February 18th.  The full DNC will vote on the recommendations later this Summer.

The DNC panel's recommendation creates a situation similar to 2008 where there will be uncertainty as to what the primary and caucus schedule will be.  The traditional role of the New Hampshire First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary has been that there is a period of seven days or more after New Hampshire before other nominating events are held, and our Secretary of State has used the authority of our state's first-in-the-nation primary law to set our date at a time that guarantees that tradition.

The historic tradition has been that since 1920, New Hampshire has had its presidential primary at least seven days ahead of any other state.  When other states try to piggy-back on New Hampshire, we respond.  In 2012, we will have to do so again if the DNC schedule is not changed.  Our state law that we have a date a week or more ahead of other states will be followed.  

Senator Bill Gardner?

by: RealNRH

Sat Jan 31, 2009 at 15:32:53 PM EST

First, he's popular around the state and not viewed as overly partisan. He's been supported by Democrats and Republicans alike to hold his current position, and as foremost defender of the New Hampshire Primary, he's got strong credibility as someone who will do what's right for New Hampshire.

The "Granny D Commission" Is Now Law

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Fri May 16, 2008 at 20:04:42 PM EDT

The Commission will consider how to create and fund a system for New Hampshire similar to the "clean election" laws already in place in 12 other states, including Maine and Arizona.  It's not easy, but if we can find a way to fund campaigns for Governor, Governor's Council, and State Senate in a way that allows for candidates who don't want to go to lobbyists or other big contributors to raise money, our democracy will be all the better for it.  

A large bipartisan group of House and Senate members have supported the concept, including some previous candidates for major office, including John Rauh, Walter Peterson, Jim Rubins, and Paul McEachern.

Also, a lot of things are happening in the Legislature -- in the House and the Senate -- concerning some of the other issues that all of us are concerned about -- such as lobbyist disclosure and influence, campaign finance, and the state's code of ethics.  

As an update to what I've written about in previous Blog posts, House Bill 91 -- which would have allowed lobbyists a 10 day or two week "grace period" before even having to register, and allow some lobbyists 75 hours of free lobbying before they even had to register (lobbyist registration by the "honor system") --was defeated on Wednesday.  Thanks to  Secretary of State Bill Gardner and Paul McEachern who joined me on fighting that one.  We stopped it.

And on Thursday, part of another bill -- Senate Bill 482 -- which would have repealed most of the state's code of ethics law and allow lobbyists to be placed as voting members onto state boards, committees, and commissions was taken out.  After nearly a two hour debate, the vote was 163 to 100, with the majority representing a bipartisan coalition of Democrats and Republicans supporting an amendment I offered to "repeal the repeal" of the state's code of ethics.  So, the majority of the House once again stood for honesty and openness in our state government.
 

Granny D: A New Hampshire Treasure Made Of Gold

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 21:03:37 PM EDT

Back then, I was fascinated by this somewhat short and unassuming woman who seemed to have a lot of get-up-and-go.  I enjoyed campaigning for and voting for this visionary, very positive human being.

But only in the past two years or so have I seen her quite up close (REALLY close when she gives you the patented "Granny D Hug"), and come to know, better understand, and even get to love this 98 year old New Hampshire treasure who is made of gold.

I could write so much about her, but watching her for a couple of hours this past Thursday as she experienced one of her greatest victories -- the New Hampshire State Senate approving a bill that she and her cause has inspired -- kind of sums up all about her.  

That legislation, House Bill 794, called "The Granny D Bill," creates a seven-member Commission to craft and recommend a public financing program for New Hampshire.  Whether that can be done is not the question -- some dozen other states have similar programs for at least some of their candidates, and Maine, Arizona, and Connecticut have rather complete systems.  And whether it WILL be done here is not the question -- it will be someday, because it is at least a partial answer to improving democracy and making it more accessible by more of our citizens.  It will happen.  It has to.

And all that is Granny D's cause.  She says the same thing -- that this will happen -- that we must do this not for ourselves, but for our future, and our children.  To hear her say that makes you believe that it will be done.  Because it has to.  

But what was remarkable this past Thursday was to see this energetic woman walk the halls of the New Hampshire State House, a building only a little more than twice her own age, with just a cane while leading her troop of supporters at a fast pace.  More on that walk in a moment.  

After being introduced to the Senate by Keene Senator Molly Kelly and Senate President Sylvia Larsen, she sat for close to an hour in the historic chamber for her bill to come up and be voted on.  It passed unanimously after two speakers, one a Democrat (Senator Jackie Cilley of Barrington) and one a Republican  (Senator Peter Bragdon of Milford) recommended passage.  Then Granny D stood to the applause and thanks of a gallery full of her longtime supporters who came from throughout the state to cheer her on.  

Then she stepped -- "ran" might be a better description -- out of the Senate into her crowd of backers while she answered questions from reporters.  In the midst of all this commotion Governor John Lynch walked up the stairs going toward his office.  He stopped for a moment to say hello to Granny D.  It gave her a chance to corner him on her cause...(more below fold)

The "Granny D. Bill" Passes The New Hampshire House And Senate

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 18:31:01 PM EDT

House Bill 794 creates a seven-member group which will consider public funding options of certain campaigns in New Hampshire -- possibly Governor, State Senate, and Governor's Council.  So, this legislation could eventually dramatically affect for the good the way that democracy is exercised in our state.

After a public hearing early last year the bill was sent to a House Election Law Subcommittee which I chaired.  There I saw first-hand the enthusiasm for the concept of this bill that Granny D and others brought to her cause as we held a dozen work sessions on the bill.

The Subcommittee even met with Maine State Representatives to learn more about how public funding of certain campaigns works in that state.  Altogether, we had over 35 hours of discussion on this bill in the Legislature. HB 794 passed the House on January 16th on a roll call of 199 to 121.

I have dubbed House Bill 794 as "THE GRANNY D BILL," because this is her cause.  She walked across America in support of "clean elections."  In light of the ever-increasing costs of running for public office and the reliance on personal wealth or extensive fundraising in order to run for public office, this bill seeks to allow for a different approach to funding campaigns for potential candidates without such financial sources.

Legislation similar to the original version of HB 794 was almost passed by the 2000 Legislature.  A bill creating public financing of campaigns passed the State Senate that year, and came within 28 votes of passage in the then-Republican controlled House after a lengthy discussion.   GOVERNOR JEANNE SHAHEEN was prepared to sign the bill.

The people on the bipartisan Commission created by HB 794 will dedicate dedicate themselves in the next few months to the task of identifying alternative ways to fund state campaigns.  The  Commission will examine potential revenue sources for funding and develop recommendations to the legislative session of 2009.

This Commission, under the directives of the bill, may consider voluntary contributions, in-kind donations of services, and other means to generate revenue.  The Commission will include not more than three members of a political party.   No Commission members can currently hold elective office.   Two appointments are to be made by the House Speaker, two by the Senate President, two by the Governor, and one by the Secretary of State.  The Commission will report back by December 1, 2008, in time for legislative action in 2009.  

Some twelve states already have "clean election" laws at one level or another, with Maine, Arizona, and Connecticut having statewide versions affecting most elected offices.  This concept has been publicly endorsed by leaders and people who have run for "higher office" from both parties:  former GOVERNOR WALTER PETERSON, former Gubernatorial candidate JIM RUBINS, former Democratic U.S. Senate nominee JOHN RAUH, former Gubernatorial nominee PAUL McEACHERN and former State Senators CLIF BELOW and RICK TROMBLY, among others.  

In addition, SECRETARY OF STATE BILL GARDNER has been a strong advocate of the legislation and the public funding concept.  A number of other long-time supporters of the Granny D cause who have worked with her for the past decade also contributed to the success of the legislation to this point. Representatives of the League of Women Voters, NH Citizens Alliance, Americans for Campaign Reform, Public Action for Clean Elections, and Veterans for Peace NH have also supported the legislation.

I think the Commission will do its job well, and that it will come up with inventive, innovative ways to implement the concept here "The New Hampshire Way."  

House Bill 794 was cosponsored by Representatives PETER ALLEN, BETTY HALL, DANA HILLIARD, BARBARA RICHARDSON, SENATOR JACKIE CILLEY, and myself.   Several members of the House Election Law Committee worked especially hard on making the bill succeed, including DAVID PIERCE, who prepared the amendment creating the Commission, CLAUDIA CHASE and CHUCK WEED, who were on the Subcommittee which I chaired, along with David Pierce and Betty Hall and went to a number of meetings on the bill, and COMMITTEE CHAIR JANE CLEMONS, who helped in passage on the House Floor.

But this one really is a great victory for Granny D -- who repeatedly would tell us this isn't "about her," it's not even "about us," it's about our children, and our future.  

She's right.
 

Bill Gardner Named "Citizen of the Year" by Union Leader

by: Mike Caulfield

Sun Dec 30, 2007 at 00:46:09 AM EST

Although he's been referred to as the most powerful man in America that no one knows, Bill Gardner seems bereft of ego.

That's one reason the Manchester native and resident is viewed widely -- if not universally -- in the Granite State as the right person for the near-sacred job of protecting the pre-eminence of the first-in-the-nation presidential primary. He's been the right person since 1976.

His talent -- a seemingly perfect mix of stubbornness, quiet savvy and patience -- was never more evident than it was this year.

And so, for his role in standing firm against an unprecedented onslaught trying to derail the primary's impact by the two major national political parties, by powerful officials and influential voices in other states as well as Washington, Secretary of State William M. Gardner of Manchester is the 2007 New Hampshire Union Leader Citizen of the Year.

Some Christmas Gifts And New Year's Wishes

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Mon Dec 24, 2007 at 22:59:32 PM EST

So I decided to give some "gifts" for Christmas and a few New Year's wishes to some people.  Here goes:

To George W. Bush -- Some chat time with his Dad and Mom.  Obviously he didn't listen to them when he was a little guy when they, like all parents, most likely told their son to grow up to be good.

To Carol Shea-Porter -- The continued courage and independence to be a great Congressperson.

To Paul Hodes -- A conservative Republican to run against in 2008, so he can have more fun and win even bigger than last time.

To Jeanne Shaheen -- A united New Hampshire Democratic Party behind her after next September's primary.

To Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani -- Copies of the book "How To Get Along With People Who Are As Messed Up As Me."

To Mike Huckabee -- A copy of "First Grade Reader," so in the future he can read the simple facts about AIDS and other issues.

To all New Hampshire gays and lesbians -- The full right to marry.  Soon.  Not just a Civil Union.  "Marriage," with the word.  In the meantime, Civil Unions are "official" as of 12.01 AM 01.01.08.  Fantastic.  We're getting there.

To the New Hampshire First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary -- The absolutely bestest-ever turnout of voters across all age groups on Tuesday, January 8th.  It's our chance to show the nation we go to the polls in droves, and that's why New Hampshire is important now and in the future.  

To John Lynch -- A new office camera.  Twice now when I arranged for pictures in the Governor's Office their camera didn't work, most recently with some Russian journalist visitors.  Fortunately we brought cameras of our own.  But what gives?  I'm not THAT ugly.

To Bill Gardner -- Another chance to set the date of yet another Presidential Primary, in 2012.

To The Union Leader -- A giant bag of coffee so the reporters will be alert enough to keep a sharp eye on all those wayward national and statewide Republican candidates who are switching all around and attacking one another about things they never said.  My are they confused.  

To Democrats everywhere and everywhere -- A fantastic year in 2008 on the national and state levels.  The only way we can lose this one is if we don't let Democrats be Democrats.  

To our troops in Iraq -- Withdrawal from that ill-planned, unnecessary war, and a commitment never to again put them in harms-way unless necessary.  

To "Granny D" -- Success on her effort to have New Hampshire join the dozen other states with public financing of campaigns and real campaign reform.  She's great!

To Hillary Clinton -- A new campaign manager.  I don't even know who the current one is, but I do know she could use a new one.  This woman rocks and will make a great President, but her campaign continues to be off-based from what I can see.  She still has time, but those who are on the top of her national campaign could serve her better.

To my wonderful kitty cat "RayToo" -- Pleasant dreams of chasing mice, and another year of good health.  I need your "greetings" every day I return home.

And to my very special friend D.P. -- Successful surgery in three weeks, because I don't want to lose another good friend, and the world needs all the wonderful people it has.  You can make it!

Well, that's it for this year.  I can't afford to be any more generous.  How about other gifts from readers?  

Take January 15th Off Your Calendar

by: Dean Barker

Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 00:17:38 AM EST

Conventional wisdom still has it that Gardner will decide to hold the primary on Tuesday, Jan. 8. Gardner said in an interview that no matter what Michigan does he will not hold the presidential primary on Jan .15 because four days later South Carolina Republicans will hold their primary.
New Hampshire law says no "similar contest" can take place seven days before or after the presidential primary. South Carolina, he said, would be a similar contest.
As for when he will make a decision, Gardner said to look early next week.

The New Hampshire Presidential Primary Dilemma Of 2007/2008 - Putting The Puzzle Together

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Wed Oct 17, 2007 at 18:20:56 PM EDT

WHY BILL GARDNER?  Since I have been so close to the cause of preserving New Hampshire's First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary, dating back to the early 1970s even before Bill Gardner became Secretary of State, I've often been asked why he and he alone has the power to set our primary date.  It is a lot of power, and he uses it with care and class.

That "one-call" authority goes back to the first bill about the primary that I introduced in 1975.  Initially, I was thinking that a committee to select the primary date would be a good idea.  I considered having the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and the State Democratic and Republican Party Chairs do it together -- set the New Hampshire date a week ahead of other primaries, and do it jointly by consensus or a vote.

I discussed that concept with then-Governor Meldrim Thomson, and he asked me whether that would remove politics from the decision, or make it worse.  That was his somewhat diplomatic way of telling me, "don't be crazy."  I gather he had some experience getting people to agree by consensus on things.  There's a longer story to it all, but his question got me thinking that indeed if we did create a committee, as some people today would like to do, we'd have a lot of politics involved in the process.  Setting the date of our primary shouldn't be based on which party might benefit or not, or which presidential candidate would have an advantage over another.  Our Secretary of State cannot make a deal with any party, candidate, or state as he sets our primary date.  And that's a good thing.

I decided on giving the sole authority to the Secretary of State, without even talking with the man then holding that job about taking it -- yes, in a galaxy long, long ago we did have a Secretary of State before Bill Gardner.  Fact is, that process of a "one-call" primary date has worked very well since 1980 when Bill Gardner first used his authority.  He sets our date by using his combination of patience, intelligence, great human skills, and did I mention patience?

A lot of pressure is on Bill Gardner right now.  But can you just imagine what would happen if the decision was by a committee of individuals who would negotiate with the candidates they endorse and the powers-who-be of the national parties and other states?  What a nightmare.  Bill is handling the job well, although at times I bet he does have some nightmares of his own.

Back to the setting of the date for the 2008 election, a couple of weeks ago when I introduced the thought of a primary date on or about December 11th, I did so with the intention of encouraging some discussion about our options and alternatives.  In that way, it sure has, and that's a good thing.

That thinking and discussion has to continue just a little longer, because right now New Hampshire is in quite a box, but we have the opportunity to get out of the box.

Here is "The New Hampshire Primary Dilemma Of 2007/2008:" 

THE BOX WE'RE IN:  If I had my preference, I'd like to see the NH Presidential Primary held in March, a week or more ahead of other states.  Then the primaries and caucuses could go through to June or so.  But that's not going to happen. It's a new world.

Other than looking at a December option, we're really limited to Tuesday, January 8th, Wednesday, January 9th, and Thursday, January 10th as the only possible dates that I can see.  I'd like to hear alternatives, but really -- what are they? 

Right now, we're looking at a "33 Day National Primary."  There will essentially be a one month national primary and caucus system.  Through no doing of our own, we are starting the process on January 3rd in Iowa, and ending it on February 5th in a bundle of states.  It will start, and stop, within a time period of just 33 days.  That's just about 800 hours, give or take a couple.  Not good.  Our primaries and caucuses used to be a "season" that began in February or March, and continued through June.  Not this time.

"Backloading" remains a role that New Hampshire can fill if the Secretary of State moves into December.  Consider that as a real reason for looking at a December option.  Only he right now can add three weeks to the process -- making the election season from December 11th or so to February 5th, instead of January 3rd to February 5th.  It should scare all of us to know that the national parties are trying to get this over so quickly.

THE PRIMARY/CAUCUS SCHEDULE:  One cannot consider the need of a December option for New Hampshire without seeing the big picture of what is happening in January.  Fortunately at the moment, part of the potential schedule of state primaries and caucuses is still in flux, so New Hampshire doesn't need to move into December unless forced to.  All the tea leaves aren't sorted quite yet. 

But here's the problem:  As things have shaped up or shaken out, the Iowa Republicans have chosen a date of Thursday, January 3rd for their caucuses.  Iowa Democrats are leaning toward that date or Saturday, January 5th, and may be considering Monday, January 14th.  A lot of logistics have to be planned for a caucus so they require more lead-time than New Hampshire does.  If Iowa Democrats go to Thursday, January 3rd with their Republican neighbors, and Michigan remains on Tuesday, January 15th, we end up having a good possibility of going to Tuesday, January 8th.  Not an ideal situation, but not bad either.

But if Iowa Democrats go to Saturday, January 5th, that gives Democrat Presidential candidates just Sunday and Monday to campaign here if New Hampshire's Primary is on Tuesday, January 8th.  And, we still don't know for sure what Michigan is planning.  U.S. Senator Carl Levin of that state says he is committed to reducing New Hampshire's role in this process.  I first met him in November of 1999 at a Washington meeting at the National Democratic Headquarters when he spoke against New Hampshire's status.  I don't think he likes us much, but I bet he'd love our foliage this time of year.

...more... That December Option & Getting To "Yes" On January ...more...

Bill Gardner Sets Date For The NH Presidential Primary...Filing

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 21:46:43 PM EDT

In past years, the filing period for candidates entering the NH Presidential Primary was set by law to begin on the first Monday of November, for a period of three weeks.

Last year, looking toward the possibility that the date of our Primary for the 2008 election might well need to be set for early January, or even for December, I wrote a bill to allow the Secretary of State to accept filings of candidates anytime he felt was necessary.  This year he's using that new law.

The real "PLEDGE" we need from the candidates is that they run here, and by getting Republican and Democratic candidates for file their candidacies and allow us to put their names on the Primary ballot guarantees they'll be running here, despite any blackmail either the Republican or Democratic National Committee may try.  That was a purpose behind the bill I sponsored last year, which passed the House and Senate and was signed by Governor John Lynch.

By Bill Gardner opening the date for filings in mid-October, he may be messaging that he expects that the New Hampshire Primary date may well be very early in January, or even into December.  That might allow Iowa to set their Caucuses a full eight-days-or-more before New Hampshire's Primary, AND guarantee that we will be "...7 days or more..." before another similar election, as our own state law requires. 

He might even figure out a way now to set the New Hampshire Primary at least a week before any other event -- including South Carolina, Michigan, and Nevada, AND still allow plenty of time for Iowa to be eight days or more before us. 

He's an innovative guy, with out-of-the-box thinking, and through our state law we've given him the tools he's needed to do what needs to be done to keep New Hampshire first-and-relevant to the Presidential selection process every four years.

New Hampshire first by a week or more, with Iowa not on our back.  Wouldn't that be an interesting win-win that would make New Hampshire's Primary more relevant than anyone would have expected a couple of years ago when the Democratic National Committee began playing with the calendar? 

It will be fascinating to see how all this develops in the next few weeks. 

Go to it, Bill!

Preserving NH's "First-In-The-Nation" Status Is An Evolutionary Process

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Wed Aug 22, 2007 at 22:50:16 PM EDT

Throughout the years that I've worked on this cause -- dating back to even before the 1980 election cycle when Secretary of State Bill Gardner set his first primary date according to our state law -- I've learned that it's an evolutionary process.

Our "lead-off" position doesn't happen automatically, and it needs a lot of maneuvering.  We've given Bill Gardner the tools he has needed in the laws we have passed dating to 1975 and updated several times since -- but he's the carpenter and he uses those tools very well.

The 2008 Presidential Election cycle has probably been his greatest challenge yet.  During the past two years he and I have had the fun, if it can be said to be so, of meeting and talking dozens of times and many dozens of hours about the strategies to keep New Hampshire "seven days or more" ahead of any other primary.

When the Democratic National Committee began its games a couple of years ago to set Nevada ahead of New Hampshire and in other ways dilute New Hampshire's influence and relevance to the presidential selection process, both he and I said we'd be okay, that New Hampshire would indeed be first, and that the predictions of some pundits that we were about to lose our status were a lot off-base.

Update: Supporters Drop SB 91, The Anti-Disclosure Bill. Plus Bill Gardner's Op Ed

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Mon Jun 25, 2007 at 21:37:25 PM EDT

This legislation will come up Wednesday in the House and Senate, and would allow contributions to political candidates and office holders directly from the treasuries of corporations, partnerships, and unions, without disclosure required by them.  It would open the floodgates for much more money into the political system of our state, without disclosure by those making contributions.

The good news is that after a week of hard work by opponents of SB 91, and citing "an inadvertent error," members of the Committee of Conference that had worked to pass the  bill are pulling their support and are now saying they will recommend the legislation be killed. 

That "inadvertent error" was among some of the parts of this legislation that required us to work hard to stop this bill.  It looks like that part of our job has been accomplished, and I thank those who made that decision to pull their support. 

But the News Conference is still needed because there is other legislation we will address that is pending that attacks some of our long-held election traditions that have guaranteed the people's right to have a say in their government, and which affects disclosure of contributions to political candidates. 

Leaf Peepers? Yes. Primary Peepers? Not So Much.

by: Dean Barker

Fri May 11, 2007 at 09:28:46 AM EDT

A plan to promote the New Hampshire primary as a tourist attraction has been all but abandoned after the primary's fiercest protector raised concerns about tarnishing the state's political tradition.

"The Presidential primary was not created for an economic benefit for this state," Secretary of State Bill Gardner said Thursday. "People can come take a look at our leaves - that can be encouraged - but the primary is not the same."

Until he got a call from a reporter, Gardner was unaware of the marketing campaign the state Division of Travel and Tourism had planned to roll out early next month. Imagining ads beckoning visitors to come do their tax-free holiday shopping while they checked out the candidates, he quickly arranged to meet tourism official Vicki Cimino to lay out his objections.

"I was pretty blunt with her," he said.