SD-3: Is Bush League Bradley Really Going for It?

by: Dean Barker

Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 21:01:53 PM EST

"We welcome both Jeb Bradley and Joe Kenney into the race for State Senate. In November, the voters of District 3 overwhelmingly elected their Democratic opponents, and I am convinced they will do the same this time as well.

"We are also very excited that Bud Martin, our nominee for state senate in 2008, has decided to run again for the seat. Unlike his opponents, Bud has a record of fighting for the families of the Lakes Region.

"Bud outperformed Bradley and Kenney in the last election in District 3, and I am confident that he will come out on top when all the votes are counted later this Spring."

And cryptic, because, while I've seen these names tossed around, I haven't seen anything definitive about a run from either.

I think it goes without saying that an entry by Bush League Bradley would be pretty amazing.  A Hamster offline reminded me that US Senator Gordon Humphrey, having promised to stay for only two terms, decided not to run for a third and instead made a successful bid for state senate.

But Jeb, who lost not once but twice for the US House, to then take a step down and give this a shot seems very different and, well, kinda sad.

However, it would immediately make this race higher-profile than it is right now, which I would actually welcome, as it would a) give us a chance to promote a great candidate, Bud Martin, to a wider audience, and b) give us yet another opportunity to defeat a man who considered this ad to be acceptable campaigning.  

SD-3: Bud's Definitely Running, Fergus Considering

by: Dean Barker

Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 05:54:12 AM EST

Several possible candidates emerged yesterday. Former state GOP chairman Fergus Cullen said he's considering a run. And a spokeswoman for Democrat Bud Martin, who lost to Denley by 500 votes last year, said Martin is "definitely running."

The special election is likely to be set by the EC on April 21, or else that will be the date of a primary if need be, with the election then on May 26.

I met Bud Martin once and thought he was a decent, nice guy. Apparently he was a lifelong Republican from Center Sandwich who changed parties only recently.  This is fascinating to me because I know some other Granite Staters from that town who did exactly that as well.  So to me, he perfectly fits the trend I've been noticing in northern parts of the state of the natives no longer recognizing what the modern Republicans made of their once Grand Party.  

(But the myth-makers should feel free to keep blaming it on Taxachussetts.)

The NH GOP Blame Game

by: Dean Barker

Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 20:19:44 PM EST

Joe Kenney: it's Fergus Cullen's fault.

Peter Sapulding: It's Rick Davis' fault.

John Sununu: It was the leftward tide's fault.

Jeb Bradley: It was Iraq's the economy's fault.

Carol Elliot: It was the brainwashed college kids' fault.

Roundup

by: Dean Barker

Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 21:33:20 PM EST

* The buck stops everywhere except with Joe Kenney.

* I'm not sure either this or this from Jennifer Donahue merits its own diary, because I frankly don't know how to translate gibberish. Suffice it to say that if you chop firewood, Ms. Donahue thinks you will vote to throw the bums out every time.

* Don't miss elwood's post on the Rx law.

* John E. sported a Sprinter-Goatee today in the Senate.  Now you see it - now you don't!

* Worst. President. Ever. As constantly as the sun rises in the east, if it's bad for America and the world, W.'s for it. The two months left of this villain will feel like a long prison term.

* Note to Barack Obama and Tom Daschle: start complaining about health care. Immediately.

* The submissive Senate Democrats could learn a thing or two from the House.

* Peter Burling to Papa Sununu: "Chill. Please!"

Gov. Lynch v. Some Other Person Debate Liveblog

by: Dean Barker

Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 18:58:10 PM EDT

To find out who, here's a link to WMUR that will point you to a livestream.

Have at it.

NH-Gov: Oddly Appropriate

by: Dean Barker

Mon Oct 13, 2008 at 02:00:00 AM EDT

U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) is scheduled to campaign for gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Joe Kenney(R-Wakefield) the same day Gov. Sarah Palin will be in New Hampshire, PolitickerNH.com has learned.

On the flip side, I saw my first ever Kenney for Governor sign today, so there's that.

A Kenney Effect?

by: Dean Barker

Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 20:16:29 PM EDT

It's a pretty funny post, but it's got me wondering.  I hardly ever think about the NH-Gov race, because, well, there's nothing to think about.

But here's the thing: in a year where we might be looking at another tidal wave in-state for Democrats, especially as Obama starts to break free in the polling, what effect does having a non-presence on the Republican side of a leading race mean for the others both up and down the ticket?

I'm thinking this is a really unexpected (from the perspective of the start of the cycle) but happy bonus for us.  And while sometimes the bi-partisan tenor of Lynch's style makes me crazy, this is an area where it could pay off big for other Democrats on election day.

What do you think?  

Kenney: "Divorcees who Have to Move On"

by: Kathy Sullivan 2

Wed Oct 01, 2008 at 14:54:41 PM EDT

But today I attended the BIA/Lincoln Financial/NHPR/NHPTV/Union Leader debate at the IOP, and on my way out said to several people, I have got to go post about this on Blue Hampshire.

Governor Lynch was excellent, answering every question competently, with specific answers and specific details of programs and policies.  Mr. Kenney was spotty, but with a couple of telling moments that brought home to me even more reasons why we have got to make sure that Governor Lynch is re-elected.  I call the worst one, "the insult women moment."    

NHDP: GOP should reveal ties to secret out of state funders

by: Ray Buckley

Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 12:20:12 PM EDT

(Manchester) - New Hampshire Democrats renewed their calls for GOP leaders to urge the secretive New Hampshire Advantage Coalition to reveal the sources of its funding on the day arguments were being held in Hillsborough County Superior Court to determine whether a NHAC-promoted tax cap question would be placed on the November ballot in Manchester.

Calling the coalition "a front for the Republican Party and its candidates," Kathy Sullivan, a senior adviser to the New Hampshire Democratic Party, said state GOP leaders should admit that NHAC is a partisan political committee and disclose where its money is coming from.  In particular, she called on Sen. Joe Kenney, the Republican gubernatorial nominee who has participated in NHAC-sponsored events, and Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta, the group's most vocal supporter, to demand that the group reveal its funders.

"NHAC is a partisan political organization involved in partisan political activities.  But it claims nonprofit status as if it is a charitable organization in order to hide its donor list," Sullivan said. "What are they hiding? Why won't NHAC admit who is paying the bills? What is the reason for all the secrecy?"  

Sullivan cited media reports that suggest that NHAC openly promoted itself as a political organization before seeking nonprofit status.

The NH Advantage Coalition, according to press reports, was founded to focus on "raising money to support candidates" [Portsmouth Herald, 11/26/06]. In an op-ed authored by Mike Biundo, the organization's chairman, Biundo is described as the "Chairman of the New Hampshire Advantage Coalition, an organization... with the underlying goal of local control, no sales tax, and electing representatives of the people" [NH Insider, 2/15/08]

NH Advantage Coalition was formed as a political action committee, but it has not filed any required financial disclosure with the New Hampshire secretary of state. New Hampshire law requires reporting by political committees that raise or spend more than $500 in support of a political candidate or measure.  NHAC apparently claims that it did not raise or spend more than $500 as a political committee; however, during the four months it existed prior to filing for non-profit status, it employed an executive director, posted a web site, and actively solicited donations, Sullivan said.

After starting as a political action committee, the group quietly filed as a "nonprofit" group. Under IRS regulations, non-profits such as NHAC cannot directly or indirectly promote candidates or their campaigns.  But the group's executive director, Tammy Simmons, and chairman, Mike Biundo, are candidates for the New Hampshire House of Representatives, and the group spends significant time and resources pushing their message and candidacies around the state under its nonprofit label.

Sullivan also accused the group of being "part and parcel of a radical Republican effort out of Washington, DC to influence New Hampshire's election," citing the fact that the group's incorporators were lawyers or employees of a Washington law firm.

"NHAC was incorporated by employees of a Washington law. Not one is a New Hampshire resident. Not one of them has a clue about issues impacting the state's working families," Sullivan said. "Why did a Washington law firm form a secretive group that refuses to disclose its donors, an organization which is trying to influence our New Hampshire elections?"

Kenney Takes Shadow Pledge from Shadow Group

by: Dean Barker

Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 05:38:41 AM EDT

Republican gubernatorial candidate Sen. Joseph Kenney signed a pledge to cap state spending yesterday, and challenged Gov. John Lynch to do the same.

Kenney disavowed any connection with the group sponsoring the pledge, New Hampshire Advantage Coalition.

...Kenney, R-Wakefield, said after signing the pledge, "I have no affiliation or connection with the group, but I support what they're doing." Kenney told reporters, "I'm sure they are abiding by the rules and regulations of the state of New Hampshire."

You really can't make this stuff up.

Though I suppose one good thing to come out of this farce is that GOPer candidates are leery enough about the charges of the complaint to do these kind of absurd mental gymnastics (though not leery enough to avoid NHAC altogether).

Lynch, of course, is a pledger of a different kind, adding a whole outer layer of absurdity to this air bubble episode.