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It's early, but I look forward to hearing what other www.BlueHampshire.com posters have to say about the potential candidates for offices. Since I'm a fan of both Ann Kuster and Carol Shea-Porter, I see the "action" for 2012 mostly in the Governor's race. Democrats are wealthy in that we have a strong "bench" developing.
Since November, 2012 is just 563 days from now, or just over 80 weeks, it's not too early to consider their strengths or lack thereof. Here are some of my initial thoughts, in no specific order:
1. John Lynch. John Lynch should run for a 5th term. While I didn't support his first race for the nomination -- I supported a lifelong friend, two-time Democratic Gubernatorial nominee Paul McEachern in 2004, Lynch has impressed me greatly. McEachern didn't win in 2004, but I think he made John Lynch a better candidate, who went on to smash then-Governor Craig .... I forget his name.
Last November was John Lynch's toughest election, but he won, and he won well, and he won with class. And thank goodness. Can you imagine today, with this right-wing Legislature, if it was "Governor Stephen" or "Governor Kimball?" John Lynch saved us from all that. And his vetoes of horrible bills during the next few months, and next year too, will protect the lives of real people who would otherwise be hurt by some horrible legislation. By those vetoes, Lynch will feel a renewed spirit of purpose and need. He can win big in November, 2012. Let's draft him.
New Hampshire is the connection to everything good...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03...
"This has never been just about business," said Gary Hirshberg, chief executive of Stonyfield Farm, the maker of organic yogurt. "We are here to change the world. We dreamt for decades of having this moment."
Elections have consequences and Gary continues to lead the way toward healthier and safer food standards. He's meeting with the Secretary of Agriculture and friend Tom Vilsack next week.
Thank you Gary for keeping on keepin' on. Follow the link to article, and look out for the movie, Food, Inc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
http://www.takepart.com/foodinc/
"You'll never look at dinner the same way"
This seat is ripe for a great Democratic Primary. In recent Presidential Primaries NH-02 has shown a slight preference for candidates such as Howard Dean and Barack Obama. Tapping in to that style of leadership and running that sort of a campaign may give newcomers a real shot. NH-02 is a couple of points in the D's favor out of the gate, so no need to be a centrist for centrism's sake.
It's time for the first Blue Hampshire Straw Poll on this race. Nascent campaigns hit your email list and post on your Facebook wall, let your supporters know that they should freep this poll!
This Poll contains names thrown around here that have not otherwise removed themselves from contention. Of course outcomes of this poll are not scientific as they only reflect the views of Blue Hampshire readers who choose to participate. Participation is free and easy (kinda like Sunday Morning) but you do need to be a registered user to play. Accounts in the upper 1800's are now available, get yours today.
The name Gary Hirshberg will ring many a bell with Blue Hampshire readers as he has been a fixture in the this state for years, a strong progressive Democrat who has helped many, many great candidates and causes here. Well, now theStonyfield Farm CE-Yo, and all around good guy has just written a great book that takes head on, and shreds completely, perhaps the single biggest myth about the environment and business - the falsehood that being good to the earth is going to be bad to the bottom line.
Concord Reads, the non-profit community reading project of the Concord Public Library Foundation, invites all members of Blue Hampshire to join us in Concord this fall, as we read and discuss Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed .
For those of you who aren't familiar with this wonderful best-selling book, Barbara Ehrenreich is a journalist who went undercover for many months to see if she could survive as a low-income worker. What she found may not surprise you, but it certainly should appall you and spur you on to greater political engagement.
Our programming includes a general discussion of the book on September 30; a panel discussion, on October 9, which will include Janny Scott, a lead author on the award-winning New York Times series "Class Matters," and David Cay Johnston, the Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist also at the Times who heads up their tax and other economic coverage; then, on October 17, we will have another panel discussion on the relationship between employers and workers, with Gary Hirshberg from Stonyfield, Maureen Beauregard from Families in Transition, and Rosemary Heard from CATCH; and, finally, on November 8, Barbara Ehrenreich herself will join us to read from and talk about her book.
It's a great series of programs on a very important book, and we urge all NH progressives to join us in Concord this fall to show that poverty, health care, and economic issues in general are important issues for NH this primary season and beyond.
Stonyfield Farms CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg originally endorsed Gov. Vilsack for President, and had not endorsed any other candidate following Vilsack's withdrawal.
This afternoon he came forward to endorse Barack Obama. He made several points in his endorsement:
In an increasingly polarized nation, Obama seems (to Hirshberg) unusually capable of bringing people together
He believes Obama has much greater "crossover" appeal to Republicans than our other "fine candidates"
While he doesn't agree with Obama on every issue, he has been impressed by Obama's ability to listen, learn, and change his position when appropriate.
Just in, but I'm afraid it's all I've got. There will be a press conference at 11:00 in Concord, and I will update/modify this diary accordingly as the media chime in.
I'm glad I didn't do that endorsement analysis yet, because this changes the game significantly for the Portsmouth Mayor. That's a powerful duo there, and I have to admit, I was pretty fond of the endorser as a potential candidate before he stepped aside. I wonder also if this means Hirshberg will issue a Shermanesque statement about his own plans.
Update: James Pindell, as usual, is fast on the scene:
Gary Hirshberg, CEO of Stonyfield Yogurt and a nationally prominent Democratic Party fund-raiser, had said he would consider running. His endorsement of Marchand is the most significant development in the campaign so far.
The campaign confirmed the endorsement after the Boston Globe learned of a meeting Tuesday at Stonyfield Yogurt in Londonderry involving Marchand and a group of 15 environmental policy experts.
John E. Sununu, from today's aptly titled article "Sununu doesn't know enough about warming":
"I have always said that the average temperature is increasing and that there is a human component to that," he said. "I think that's very clear, and I'm sure there are always going to be people out there who are trying to score partisan points that are going to be misrepresenting my statements."
I admit, at first I thought he was talking about me. But now I see he is referring to some guy named John E. Sununu (from a recent constituent letter):
While average global temperatures have increased by one degree over the last century, it is difficult to determine how much of this increase is due to human influence.
"Very clear" indeed. Gary Hirshberg nails it: "He's such a parser."
This came late last night. I have to admit, I was hoping he would run as I saw him as a strong challenger and a strong advocate for organic food and the environment (good thing we already have a phenomenal candidate in Steve Marchand who has more than what it takes to beat Sununu). A snippet:
I have spent much of the last year seriously considering whether to join the 2008 race for the US Senate seat currently occupied by John Sununu. I believe deeply that NH deserves better representation in Washington, DC. Mr. Sununu's continuing support for the ill-advised and poorly executed war in Iraq, and his lack of leadership and initiative on national energy security and related climate issues are among the many reasons why I believe he must be replaced. I believe that our state, our nation and our planet face grave risks from our dependence on fossil fuel burning in general and on Middle East oil in particular. I am certain that future generations will wonder why we did not act in the face of such clear threats to our national security and to our environment. I have proven in my business career that energy conservation, renewable fuels and environmental protection are completely compatible with job creation and economic development. As a father, I know that we need to do more to give our children the same opportunities and bounty that we have enjoyed. And as a NH native, I am deeply and passionately committed to environmentally sustainable economic development. But without bold leadership from our nation's capital, our citizens and our children will only see us mortgaging our future to big oil, coal and nuclear interests.
I would be deeply honored to serve my state and my country, and I believe that I could mount an ethical, creative and formidable campaign based on a serious debate about the issues. However, I have also had to realistically and soberly consider the implications of abandoning my current position as the Chairman of three companies and particularly as the CEO of Stonyfield Farm and the 400 employees and families that depend upon me.
I have concluded that I cannot enter this race at this time. I have not yet found a way to responsibly transition leadership of my businesses, and I know that a campaign would make it impossible for me to give this matter the serious attention it requires. Accordingly, I am taking myself out of consideration for the present, in the hopes that another qualified candidate can successfully challenge this incumbent.
Evening Update: Our winner is the ever keen Elwood! But the quiz may be malfunctional; as I type this, it's 8:15pm and no word on whether Stonyfield Farm CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg will run against Sununu. Pindell is first on the scene with.. really no news at all:
Self-deadline passes and potential US Senate candidate hasn't announced decision
Stonyfield Yogurt CEO and Concord resident Gary Hirshberg still has not announced whether he will run in one of the most highly watched US Senate race in 2008.
Hirshberg, a Democrat, said he will make up his mind by today, March 5. None of his associates were aware of any decision and he did not return a phone call to the Globe.
Of course, the night is still young... perhaps he's come to a decision as he said he would, but he will announce it later?End Update
What's happens on March 5th?
Hint: it ain't Town Meetin' Day, but that's soon enough...
While you ponder, also ask: If John Sununu was present at CPAC, did he laugh and applaud along with everyone else when Ann Coulter called John Edwards a naughty word?
The Dartmouth [College Republican] students met Brownback face-to-face at dinner, talked policy with New Hampshire Sen. John Sununu and posed for a photo op with straw poll winner Romney. They also visited the exhibition fair, where they received free "PETA killed Me" stuffed puppies, referring to the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Yesterday I mentioned that Sununu's vote to end debate on Iraq might just have cost him his seat.
Today that dream of a New Hampshire without Bush enablers just came a little closer to being realized. Gary Hirshberg may still be deciding whether to run or not, but this press release just made my day. Johnny will not survive a strong, clear opposition, and this is just the sort of message I want to hear from Sununu's eventual challenger. Some highlights (emphases mine):
"Pure and pathetic political posturing" is how New Hampshire businessman Gary Hirshberg describes New Hampshire Senators Sununu's and Gregg's blockage of yesterday's attempted nonbinding Iraq resolution.
"New Hampshire citizens should be outraged that our two senators cannot do the one job that they have been elected to perform, namely to take a position," says Hirshberg, President and CEO of Stonyfield Farm, Inc.
..."Every time I start to get comfortable with the idea that I should not run, Senator Sununu does something else that makes my blood boil," says Hirshberg.
"From his cowardly declaration that there is zero chance of enacting health care reform -- and surely there is no chance as long as we have that type of surrender mentality in our Senate -- to his continued lack of leadership on climate change and renewable energy reform -- even after an overwhelming consensus of the world's scientists have, for the nth time declared this to be a certainty -- to ducking his responsibility to the voters of NH and our country to tell us where he stands on the war, surely it is time for Senator Sununu to return to the real world and make way for capable and effective leadership."
Sununu may be the "fastest senator", but he can't run from his record, and from those who would call him on it.
Full press release below the fold. Click on There's More.
I noted earlier that the Republican plan to kill the minimum wage bill in the Senate was to introduce an unending number of amendments to it. Well, even though he was unable to stop the bill, it looks like our Johnny Sununu got what he wanted:
Senator John Sununu has added Portsmouth (New Hampshire)'s Women's Business Center to the proposed minimum wage bill in Congress. Sununu's amendment maintains funding for the programs, which were set to expire.
And it looks like he got more than he wanted, too:
The Women's Business Center in Portsmouth is offering scholarships to a "boot camp" for entrepreneurs next month at the School of Community Economic Development at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester.
...Guest speakers include Gary Hirshberg, chief executive of Stonyfield Farm yogurt.
This one's short, but it's important, because it shows the stark contrast between a politician like Johnny Sununu, who spends his agenda reducing as many restraints to greed for the rich as possible, and the rare non-politician like Gary Hirshberg who understands that with great success comes great responsibility.
Turns out our local yogurt baron has just donated $250,000 to UNH's organic dairy farm. Now, I personally know some people who have gone to UNH for dairy farming, and it is a terrific program. Pumping money into it for fostering their organic milk effort will only encourage local farmers to turn more and more towards organic dairy farming, which will in turn mean milk for our kids that is, wonderfully, just milk.
Says Gary of the cutting edge program:
"The project will not only help propel organic dairy further into the mainstream of economic viability, but provide organic dairy farmers with what they need most: a formal support system of education, research, and resources similar to that now only available to their conventional counterparts."
Oh, and it's on top of another $200k he gave to them a bit earlier. Yo, baby!
Marchand opposes the war in Iraq and said voters will hold Sununu accountable for his early support. "That's been a failed policy from the beginning and this latest idea of another surge won't work. The cold, hard reality is the war in Iraq and the war against terrorism are two separate conversations," Marchand began.
"What happened to our pursuit of al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden?"
Gary Hirshberg:
"Any thinking person who cares about the future of our state and country has to be very dismayed by Senator Sununu's nearly unanimous lockstep votes in support of the Bush administration's failed policies," Hirshberg said in a statement.
"Certainly his failure to face the facts about climate change and his complete lack of leadership on any initiative to reduce our dependency on polluting energy sources are among many reasons that it is time for us to seek new representation for a state that deserves better," he said.
Katrina Swett:
"I do think John Sununu is going to be tremendously vulnerable," she said. "This is somebody in the mold of Rick Santorum, and that puts him in a tough spot."
Portsmouth's youngest mayor, who knows the working class because he is from them. A progressive, possibly self-funding environmental and economic success story. And a seasoned campaigner with name recognition. This is getting interesting. New Hampshire is moving away from "I'm the son and heir of someone who once ruled over you" politicians.
One of the things I love about the netroots is that we have a chance to influence the thought process and decision-making of the state and national Democratic parties. I know a lot of the higher-ups read these to get a sense of what the Democrats are thinking. It looks like one of the candidates that has generated a lot of the discussion on the blogs is now seriously considering a run against John Sununu. Todays Union Leader confirms that Gary Hirshberg, CEO of Stonyfield Farms in Londonderry, will make a decision sometime this month:
DiStaso reports that Stonyfield Farm CEO Gary Hirshberg is considering a run for the Senate against Sununu.
Stonyfield Farms got into blogging as a marketing outreach tool after being inspired by the Dean campaign.
Gary hosted Tom Vilsack earlier this year.
We may have a fairly crowded Senate primary: Marchand and Gottesman are publicly considering a run, Shaheen is being coy, and many of us believe Peter Burling is fairly well positioned. As I've observed repeatedly, New Hampshire lacks statewide "steppingstone" elective offices such Lieutenant Governor or Attorney General; as a result our political leaders cannot build solid bases from which to launch a campaign for Governor or Senator. We've had a long history of wealthy people "coming out of nowhere" to win statewide: Mel Thomson, Gordon Humphrey, John Lynch.
My first diary-thanks to NH bloggers for starting this!!
I am an elections junkie. From early 2005, I felt that Paul Hodes could beat Charlie Bass with a combination of good fundraising, national party support, and grassroots activism. All three came to fruition and we won by 8%!! I have rarely felt more satisfied than Tuesday, November 7th.
I know we can replicate this effort in 2008 to unseat John Sununu. As Democratic activists, I want your opinion. Who do you want to see challenge John Sununu in 2008?
1) Jeanne Shaheen-the obvious first choice with John Lynch out of the race. Is she a strong candidate? Will being out of the state the last two years hurt her?
2) Bill Shaheen-her husband, prominent judge and Democratic activist. Not sure if he'd be interested in running for office.
3) Gary Hirshberg-President and CEO of Stonyfield Farm in Londonderry, as well as major Dem donor.I have NO idea if he's interested, but someone suggested him today and I was really intrigued. He is a very intelligent guy and has a great background. I read he has three teenage children, though, and he's probably a big longshot to run.
4) State Senators Peter Burling, Maggie Hassan, Joe Foster, or Sylvia Larsen-Honestly, none of them intrigue me at all.
5) Portsmouth mayor Steve Marchand-young guy (33?) with a bright future. Supposedly Lynch wants him to run to build up his name recognition and political capital for a future run. Personally, I want a candidate who can win the FIRST time. I also think Marchand would be viewed as a lightweight.
6) Mike Atkins-Heard good things about this attorney and leading Democratic activist. Speculation is that he'll run for major office soon.
7) Dick Swett-former US rep. Also heard he may be looking to run for office again in 2008.
I purposely left off John Lynch, as well as Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter. Hodes and Shea-Porter would be making a big mistake if they ran for Senate already.
