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I think it is sad that Governor John Lynch has come out in favor of expanding the death penalty. Killing someone on behalf of "The State," which execution is, is still killing. We're all part of the process when it's done by the state.
When I sponsored the legislation in 2000 abolishing the death penalty, which that year passed both the House and Senate but was vetoed by then-Governor Jeanne Shaheen, I said what I still believe: that the best punishment for someone who does a horrible crime is to lock that person up for the rest of their lives, with no chance of parole.
Every day, they know they're there and never to get out. They wake up behind bars, they go to bed hearing the clanging of the doors, smelling the odors and the sounds of a cell block throughout the night. I've visited prisons in my roles in Rockingham County and State Government, and despite what some people say, they are cold, depressing places. To be there for life, and to know it, is a horror all itself.
But to kill someone on behalf of the state makes us all part of a society that values life less, not more. That gives a terrible message to our kids. By having the death penalty, let alone expanding it, we are in league with China, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Texas. Most of the world has abolished the death penalty, and most religions are against it.
I was primary sponsor of the legislation passed in 2009 that created the just completed 22-member Death Penalty Task Force. They held dozens of meetings and numerous hearings, and learned much about the issue. I attended meetings when I could, and read all they had done.
The vote in that Commission on outright abolition was close, and not everyone was in favor of any expansion. I suggest the Governor read the report in full, and ask himself what message expansion gives to the children of New Hampshire's future.
Today in New Hampshire history Governor John Lynch began an unprecedented fourth term in office. And excerpt from his inaugural address:
The budget makes clear our values. It reflects our core responsibilities and what investments we believe are critical for our state's future success. As we approach this budget, we must remember that behind every decision are people who will be affected. What we choose to do - and choose not to do - will affect the future of our citizens and the economic future of our state.
Full text of Governor Lynch's address below the fold
Kevin Landrigan is reporting in The Lobby that Governor John Lynch's approval rating is at his highest level in over three years. I don't take much stock in picture-of-the-moment polls, but after all that he has been through, it's good to know that New Hampshire people still appreciate John Lynch. The Republicans in the Legislature and on the Governor's Council should take note of that fact as they make their travels around the State House.
The Lobby article says that Lynch has a 64 percent approval rating in the latest American Research Group survey, which nearly matches what he had in June of 2007. Only 12 percent disapprove of the job he is doing.
About 24 percent said they were "undecided," which is fair considering so many matters are in a transitional mode. Last September, the report points out, during the middle of the Lynch/John Stephen campaign, voters were more split, with 40 percent approving and 39 percent disapproving.
Plus the fact that James Pindell on WMUR ranked John Lynch the Best NH Politician of 2010, this is a good way for him to start the New Year. And for Democrats to remind Republicans that they need balance in what they try to do or change. This state doesn't belong to them.
New Hampshire is one of the nation's leaders in reducing high school dropout rates and increasing graduation rates, concludes a national study from Johns Hopkins University's Everyone Graduates Center.
"Building a Grad Nation: Progress and Challenge in Ending the High School Dropout Epidemic," cites the increase in the Granite State's graduation rate from 77.8% in 2002 to 83.4% in 2008. New Hampshire ranked 7th in the nation in reducing dropout rates.
I'm a bit depressed still, as I'm sure all Democrats are. Even though last June I wrote a column with my early-warning projections that we'd have 250 House Republicans and 16 Republicans in the Senate after November 2nd, and called all the other races as they turned out -- and I got blasted by some of my colleagues for saying so -- I was still unprepared for the depth of our losses.
Many good friends, many hard-working Democrats are being replaced by Republicans who have a view of government that most people really don't share -- but people voted for them anyway.
Government should work for people, and there is a role for government in finding solutions to our problems. From the post-election interviews, it's clear that too many of the newly-elected Republicans think government is itself the problem, and they want to use it for their own purposes.
(Frank Guinta continues to hide from voters and their pesky questions. - promoted by Dean Barker)
I am at the Temple Adeth Yeshurun in Manchester for the traditional final debates. Frank Guinta is not showing up, which is pretty rude, since this is his adopted home town where he was mayor and he knows this is a traditional must stop before general election. He is dis'ing the Queen City.
Kelly Ayotte is not showing up either, which also shows a certain tone deafness, but at least she isn't from Manchester.
So, we will hear from both CSP and Paul, and see the final debate between Governor Lynch and Johnny Stephen.
And ask, why is Frank afraid to face the hometown crowd?
Adding (Dean):
GOTV! GOTV! GOTV! GOTV! GOTV! GOTV! GOTV!
Call NHDP at 603-225-6899 to find out how to help.
Call the Shea-Porter campaign at 603-531-9653 to find out how to help. ALL HANDS ON DECK: WE CAN WIN THIS RACE!
In case you hadn't noticed, John Lynch took it to John Stephen last night. His viz was stellar. Stephen had bullies with bullhorns, shouting ignorant and hateful lies with great vigor and venom. Team Lynch was in uniform, under control and passionate as well.
The governor was crisp, his answers on point. Even the stingy grading Professor Pindell gave him an A.
The campaign he has run since day one, has shown a sharp, clear understanding of the stakes, the playing field, and the strategy of the opposition. Make no mistake, Johnny Stephen is no stumbling Guinta or bumbling Bass. He made a deal with the devil, a.k.a., the Roves, Murdochs, Smiths and Carneys of the world, and has had from some estimates 4-8 times the money to spend on TV, than Lynch. His out of state hidden donors had a willing recipient of their ownership. He will do their bidding. They bid up the cost of airtime and tried to drown Lynch out. Not gonna happen.
Are there enough donuts in Massachusetts to make up for this sweep? (No, of course the UL doesn't count.)
UPDATE: And here comes the Laconia Citizen!
Lynch has succeeded in steering this state through treacherous waters these past two years. He has managed to accomplish this without resorting to a sales or income tax. Moreover, he has not yielded to the enticements of those who push for expanded gambling.
Meeting this challenge has not been easy and, yes, there have been missteps. But Lynch has remained focused and sensible. He has been even-handed and serious. And, most importantly, he is someone who is widely respected, both in government and in the private sector.
Senate Bill 500 (SB 500) reforms New Hampshire's prison parole and probation guidelines, emphasizing community supervision of inmates leaving prison. John Stephen and his supporters have made it the centerpiece of a vicious, negative campaign, calling it, "John Lynch's sex offender release bill.”
Over at Front Door Politics, Michael McCord and Hilary Niles separate fact from fiction in a dispassionate, week-long series on the new law. The series begins with a look back at the legislation’s background.
Before it became an election season issue for New Hampshire, Senate Bill 500 was hailed by Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike as an innovation in criminal justice. It would deal with the state’s problem of recidivism, fueled largely by parole and probation violations. It would reduce incarceration rates. It would improve public safety and save money along the way.
The series continues by fact-checking the SB 500 campaign ads. Upcoming articles promise to compare New Hampshire's new law with similar initiatives from other states and provide perspective from candidates and residents alike to determine what the new law really means for New Hampshire.
Followers of Stephen have exploited [SB 500] irresponsibly, including one mail piece that depicts photos of Lynch and several sex offenders and calling the group "Team Lynch."
We've seen negative campaigning aplenty, but this attack by Cornerstone Action was particularly troubling and shameful.
...But of all of Stephen's claims, his allegation that Lynch is not a leader rings the most hollow. Lynch is a populist. It's hard to imagine a hand in this state he hasn't shaken in his nearly six years of leading New Hampshire.
There were many reasons for the Telegraph to endorse Lynch. But in my fantasy version, it was Cornerstone's disgusting act which was the deciding factor.
Will any paper outside of the Union Leader go for the donut guy?
Even through difficult economic times, New Hampshire has fared well under Democratic Gov. John Lynch. He has earned re-election to a fourth two-year term.
Under Lynch, job growth has occurred at the second fastest rate in the nation, second only to Kentucky. Unemployment has been moderate, with the seasonally adjusted rate for September at just 5.5 percent, well below the national average of 9.6 percent for the same month.
Lynch has tackled the recession head-on with an innovative programs to limit job losses and get people back to work.
Adding: We're all a little busy right now with the election right on us, but after Lynch wins a historic fourth term, I think I am going to spend a fair amount of time on Cornerstone for their Karl Rove/Lee Atwater mailer. It is easily the sleaziest, most shameful ad I've ever seen in New Hampshire politics. And considering some of the slime that has passed through the pipes from the GOP or pro-GOP groups in recent years, that is really saying something. John Stephen deserves to lose solely on the basis of not publicly rebuking that ad. Here's hoping WMUR's Josh, who has really been a great debate panelist these past two nights, brings it up tomorrow.
In 1998, Karl Rove’s mentor, Lee Atwater, masterminded an infamous political ad that played on racial fears and portrayed Gov. Michael Dukakis as soft on crime. The Willie Horton ad featured the menacing mug shot of Horton, an African-American convicted of assault, armed robbery, and rape while out on a prison furlough. The ad was roundly condemned as racist and Atwater eventually issued a deathbed apology to Dukakis.
Histoy repeats itself in a direct mail piece attacking Gov. John Lynch. The mailer from Cornerstone Action attacks Lynch for his support of SB 500, the prison parole reform bill Cornerstone describes as "John Lynch's sex offender release bill." The mailer features Lynch in a line-up with four sex offenders, including two African-Americans and a Latino.
Why hasn't John Stephen denounced this mailer? Where's the outrage?
(It will be very interesting to see if any paper stoops low enough to justify endorsing Mystery Money man. - promoted by Dean Barker)
In today's edition, the Portsmouth Herald endorses John Lynch and Carol Shea-Porter! Here are the links:
http://www.seacoastonline.com/...
http://www.seacoastonline.com/...
More (Dean): Money quote:
The rich and powerful in this country can buy all the people they need to work for them. The other 99 percent of voters in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District are lucky to have Carol Shea-Porter working for us.
(How ironic that a group with alleged Christian values is basically, and falsely, equating John Lynch to a sex offender. John Lynch, who has been more successful than any other governor in keeping poverty at bay for his citizens. Disgusting. NB: both links are in .pdf format. - promoted by Dean Barker)
ACTION ALERT: MAKE SURE YOUR NEIGHBORS KNOW THE TRUTH!
A vile, outrageous and false attack from the National Organization of Marriage/Cornerstone Action arrived in many of mailboxes across New Hampshire this week. We need your help to make sure your neighbors know the truth!
The mail piece, which you can see here, continues John Stephen and company's false attacks on Gov. Lynch's strong record of public safety.
Here's how you can help. Print out this flyer and distribute it your neighbors so that they know the truth: John Stephen's attacks are what the Portsmouth Herald has called "a cheap political trick."
The UNH Survey Center results for the gubernatorial race are in. Nothing terribly surprising, given that we've already seen the crazy demographics in the house and senate polls. Giant registration edge given to Republicans (particularly in the 1st), dramatic undersample of 18-34, no cellphones, an implausibly large number of Tea Party supporters.
And even with all the edges that Andy Smith can manufacture, John Stephen still can't break 40%.
(Funny - even FOX's favorite pollster can't help Stephen. FOX, which gave a million to the RGA, which is filling our airwaves with attack ads against Lynch. - promoted by Dean Barker)
Imagine you are John Stephen. Imagine that you have entered into another dimension, a dimension where tons of cash from Craig Benson, Benson's buddies, mysterious donut store operators, and other sources are showered upon you for reasons unrelated to your talents or abilities. A dimension where shadowy secretive out of state groups like NOM, AJS and the like run ads for you, and against your opponent. A dimension where the only state wide newspaper runs daily stories attacking John Lynch. It seems that you have unlocked the door to a future of unlimited possibilities - but there is one problem,
Despite the ads, despite the money, your poll numbers are going down, down, down. Even Rasmussen has you down by ten points - after showing you in statistical tie just a few weeks ago.
You are slipping into the Twilight Zone.
Golden Earring video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Governor Lynch had some good news to announce for a change today: the state actually ran a budget surplus of $70 million in Fiscal year 2010 (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010). This is not a structural surplus: the next budget will still start out several hundred million dollars in the hole. But nevertheless the state government actually has positive cash flow.
$20 million of the surplus comes from larger than expected lapses: the last budget anticipated $23.6M in lapses, but there were $44M. Lapses are money which is appropriated but not spent when (for example) a worker leaves his or her job and the state doesn't have to pay the salary while a replacement is being recruited.
