Prog Blogs, Orgs & Alumni
Bank Slate
Betsy Devine
birch, finch, beech
Democracy for NH
Live Free or Die
Mike Caulfield
Miscellany Blue
Granite State Progress
Seacoast for Change
Still No Going Back
Susan the Bruce
Tomorrow's Progressives
Politicos & Punditry
The Burt Cohen Show
John Gregg
Krauss
Landrigan
Lawson
Pindell
Primary Monitor
Primary Wire
Scala
Schoenberg
Spiliotes
Welch
Campaigns, Et Alia.
Paul Hodes
Carol Shea-Porter
Ann McLane Kuster
John Lynch
Jennifer Daler
ActBlue Hampshire
NHDP
DCCC
DSCC
DNC
National
Balloon Juice
billmon
Congress Matters
DailyKos
Digby
Hold Fast
Eschaton
FiveThirtyEight
MyDD
The Next Hurrah
Open Left
Senate Guru
Swing State Project
Talking Points Memo
50 State Blog Network
Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Frustrated by what they see as President Obama's weakness in battling Republicans, "leading Democratic donors and tacticians have begun independently plotting their political recovery -- including building a network of outside fundraising and campaign organizations to compete with those formed this year by Republicans," McClatchy-Tribune reports.
A dozen prominent Democrats -- led by longtime Bill Clinton adviser Harold Ickes and labor leader Andy Stern -- will meet next week "to discuss whether to form a new operation to combat the many outside groups launched this year by Karl Rove and other Republican strategists, according to multiple participants."
"Such a move by Democrats comes despite Obama's long-standing opposition to political spending by outside groups, particularly those that refuse to disclose their donors, and underscores the deep dissatisfaction with the White House's strategy on several fronts."
Back during the Watergate era it was illegal. The only difference now is that its "legal"
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10...
"Contributors," he said, "were literally flying into Washington with satchels of cash."
The Committee for the Re-Election of the President (CREEP) was also illegally hauling in many millions of dollars from corporations, many of which felt pressured into making contributions.
The record of donors was so tightly held that it was kept in a locked drawer by Rose Mary Woods, Nixon's secretary. The list - which came to be known as "Rose Mary's Baby" - wasn't released until Mr. Wertheimer forced the issue through a lawsuit. Among those on the list were William Keeler, the chief executive of Phillips Petroleum, who pleaded guilty, during the post-Watergate prosecutions, to making an illegal corporate donation.
Read Tom Fahey's State House dome about Lynch/Stpehen money imbalance after the jump
Some up in my neck of the woods in the Upper Valley say Governor Lynch is not their favorite Democrat. They say he's not liberal enough. They complain he works across the aisle too much.
That's probably true for a lot of people here in Hanover, where Obama won 82% of the vote in 2008 and where Granny D beat Judd Gregg by almost 2:1 in 2004.
Yes, John Lynch works for consenus in Concord. Yes, Governor Lynch works for all the people of New Hampshire, not just the ones who want him to beat up Republicans.
But Governor Lynch has proven himself over and over again to us who believe in Democratic values that we need him to stay in the corner office. Lynch has been the strongest Democrat on the statewide ticket in the last two cycles and his victory in 2010 will be our victory.
Here are my top ten reasons for supporting Governor Lynch's re-election in 2010.
Rather than Spend $9.68 at Pannera this afternoon I'm "Skipping Lunch" and giving it to John Lynch to help counter the $425k in ad the National Organization of (Opposite Sex) Marriage is spending in NH.
If you are interested in skipping your lunch (or Dinner, or Breakfast) I encourage you to make a donation of $9.68 and skip the meal of your choice.
Over on Facebook 20 folks have indicated they are skipping thier lunch will you join us?
Lynch Campaign Asks Attorney General to Clarify Whether
Stephen Campaign Exceeded Legal Contribution Limits
$33,000 in Contributions in Question,
Including $23,000 of Stephen's Doughnut Money
MANCHESTER-New Hampshire for John Lynch '10 today asked the Attorney General's office to clarify whether Friends of John Stephen has exceeded legal contribution limits.
"The John Stephen campaign has accepted $33,058 in contributions - including $23,000 from the Dunkin' Donuts franchises in Massachusetts and Connecticut - that appear to be exceed those allowed under state finance law and previous interpretation of that law," said Pamela Walsh, campaign manager for NH for John Lynch.
"We are asking the Attorney General to quickly clarify whether these contributions are acceptable under New Hampshire law, or whether they exceed legal contribution limits and should be returned," Walsh said.
About 13 percent of John Stephen's campaign funds - $124,000 - come from a series of businesses that share two addresses in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Lynch campaign has called on Stephen to come clean about the donors, including their interests in New Hampshire, and about whether there are any New Hampshire businesses or citizens who are invested in these companies.
About $23,000 of Stephen's doughnut contributions appear to be greater than those allowed under previous interpretations of New Hampshire law. In addition, another $10,058 in contributions seem to exceed legal limits as previously interpreted by the Attorney General.
Based on RSA 664:4-V and previous Attorney General opinions, previous candidates for governor - and New Hampshire for John Lynch - have operated on the understanding that if candidates have officially file for office and opted not to voluntarily limit their expenditures, their campaigns thereafter are subject to contribution limits of $1,000 for the primary and $1,000 for the general election.
The Attorney General has made clear that this contribution limitation does not apply to a campaign prior to a candidate's filing for office (pre-declaration). However, under RSA 664, any contributions, whether received pre- or post-declaration, must be attributed to either the primary or the general elections.
John Stephen's campaign, which elected not to abide by the voluntary spending cap, does not appear to be counting its pre-declaration contributions toward either its primary election limit or its general election limit.
In at least five instances, John Stephen's campaign accepted $5,000 from donors pre-declaration and an additional $2,000 from the donors post-declaration.
In addition, Stephen accepted $26,000 in additional contributions toward the primary from people who had already given more than $1,000 in the pre-declaration period.
A copy of the letter to the Attorney General is attached.
# # #
Lynch Campaign Calls on Stephen
To Come Clean About Doughnut Donations
Stephen Must Tell New Hampshire More About
the People Funding 13 Percent of His Campaign
MANCHESTER - John Stephen must come clean about his doughnut donations and tell New Hampshire more about who is funding nearly 13 percent of his campaign budget, Pamela Walsh, campaign manager for Governor John Lynch, said today.
"Contributions from just two addresses in Massachusetts and Connecticut are funding 13 percent of John Stephen's campaign," Walsh said. "It's time for John Stephen to come clean with the people of New Hampshire about his doughnut money, and about who is behind it."
John Stephen received $104,000 in contributions from 30 LLCs at two addresses - one in Massachusetts and one in Connecticut. All of the contributions were made on three days: June 7 and 8th, and August 18th.
The LLCs list four individuals - who donated an additional $20,000 - as their principals.
On Friday, Stephen campaign spokesman Greg Moore said the campaign had nothing to hide about these donations.
"These companies are funding 13 percent of John Stephen's campaign. If the Stephen campaign has nothing to hide, than John Stephen should come clean and answer basic questions about these donors: Who are these individuals? What is their interest in New Hampshire? And are there any other partners or investors in these businesses that have connections to New Hampshire?" Walsh said.
The Boston Globe reports that Governor Lynch--a Democrat--is pressuring Democratic US Senate candidate Paul Hodes to cut out criticizing Republican senate candidate Kelly Ayotte for her possible role in the FRM Ponzi scheme that hurt so many citizens.
Say what?
It is reported that Lynch at first tried very hard to squelch any discussion of the matter, then got AG Delaney to try to deflect any responsibility on the part of his predecessor AG Ayotte to instead blame the securities division at the secretary of state's office, which of course didn't stick.
A friend invited me to go with her to this year's dinner, held at the Grappone Center in Concord.
I was very impressed with Governor Lynch's speech. His main theme was the lies spread by an out of state hate group that is heady with its successes in California and Maine. The governor is really standing by his decision to sign the marriage equality bill. He said he did it because it was the right thing to do, which got him a standing ovation.
He aggressively countered the lies of the out of state hate group as well as the other lies spread by the opposition. It was an important message and one we have to keep pushing. We can't let the other side define us. And we have to go beyond tagging them as the party of "no" and counter their policies, may of which would create a repeat of the economic collapse keeping us in a perpetual one and take basic rights away from women, gays, and others.
Keynote speaker Brian Schweitzer of Montana told many interesting stories. The one that stands out in my mind is the one he told of an Irish girl who came to America in the early part of the last century using her sister's passport and visa. This girl could not find work in New York, so she took up an offer to go to Montana in a boxcar and homestead 350 acres. She did this on her own. Eventually she married another Irish immigrant and raised a family. This "illegal alien" was Governor Schweitzer's grandmother, and he wondered whether he should be deported for this. He asked how many of our ancestors had proper papers. Good question.
We also heard from Congressman and US Senate candidate Paul Hodes, CD-02 candidates DeJoie, Kuster and Swett, and Speaker Norelli and Senate President Larsen.
The bottom line is that we have to work harder than we did in '06 to keep New Hampshire blue at the state and federal level. Change always produces backlash. We cannot allow this to happen and lose the gains we have made. Get involved at whatever level and in whatever way you can. It is crucial.
In my dysfunctional family, there use to be a mindset that I could call my brother an asshole, but if someone from the outside called him one, it was on. Well a member of my other D family - the Democrats is pissing me off today.
There is a lovely article in the Nashua Telegraph (with pictures!) which features Governor Lynch helping a single mom and her son carry a turkey from the Food Bank to their apartment complex in Manchester.
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com...
This morning a bunch of members of the State Employees' Association, SEIU Local 1984, put food baskets together for the state workers who were (unnecessarily) laid off a few weeks ago. These were the Governor's employees. He was their boss. Sorry to say Lynch didn't show up to help these folks get their turkeys home. He didn't contribute to our Benevolent fund, which helps with the utility bills, rent, gasoline, etc, for these folks.
I understand that times are tough all over and that that mother and her son are also his constituents, but try to imagine how a laid off employee felt upon seeing that picture. I was there this morning and talked to a few people who were disheartened that Lynch hasn't once reached out to them and shown sympathy. He didn't go into the Employment Security office and come out with their checks.
He can do something.
For the first time ever, Operation Santa Claus, an SEA institution for over 40 years, has wish lists for the children of our own members rather than just the lists we get from DHHS offices.
I would like to challenge Governor and Dr. Lynch (and any other Democratic legislator for that matter) to ask for a wish list and shop for one of these children. This is a hell of a time of year to be out of work. The kids shouldn't have to go without holiday gifts and warm winter clothes.
Now, if any Republican has anything to say about this.. it's on like Donkey Kong!
The vote to override Lynch's veto
is next Thursday October 28th.
While the numbers look good in the House, we've been short two (for the two thirds required) in the Senate.
Betsi DeVries, who voted against medical marijuana, has been hearing from constituents. that effort must continue.
But there is reason to believe that Senator Deb Reynolds of Plymouth, who voted the right, compassionate way on the senate floor, is now being pressured by the governor to vote against the over-ride.
Reynolds and DeVries need to hear from you. And if you know people in their districts, that means the most, have them call.
The senators need to know their vote to override will cost them no votes in 2010; every poll shows a solid majority favors this compassionate legislation. Instead, by voting to over-ride they'll gain active supporters.
They need to know the momentum is real, especially after US Attorney General Holder and NH's US Attorney Kacavas say that if a state has a medical marijuana bill, patients will not be prosecuted. But there needs to be that state law in place!
Now is the time to call or email DeVries and Reynolds. Senator Reynolds is at 536-5553, Deborah.Reynolds@leg.state,nh.us, DeVries can be emailed at Besti.devries@leg.state.nh.us.
It is too bad the governor chose not to meet with patients. There are so many cases where this makes the difference between healing and dying.
Good news from Kevin Landrigan's column: The folks in Washington, DC are saying that New Hampshire has been very effective in its use of federal stimulus dollars. Projects around the state include an addition for Nashua Community College, a commuter bus station in Nashua, improvements to Hampton Beach, and construction at the University of New Hampshire. I've seen a few signs in my area telling travelers that stimulus funds are being used for repaving.
Lauren Dorgan opens with a report on the astroturf protest at the town hall meeting that wasn't.
So, right-wing groups like the New Hampshire Tea Party Coalition (which is linked to Americans for Prosperity, a group founded by an oil-and-gas tycoon sometimes called the richest man in New York) urged folks who oppose the health-care reform bill now percolating in the Senate to attend the ordinary office hours held by Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's staffers in towns including Grafton.
The man Dorgan refers to is David Koch, who, along with his brother, funds most of the right wing activities in the US despite legal and other troubles.
(Civil Rights Leader Kevin Smith is at it again. - promoted by Dean Barker)
Notorious anti-civil rights crusader Kevin Smith of Cornerstone Policy Research (and sadly, a member of the NH Advisory Board to the US Civil Rights Commission) did his best Glenn Beck impersonation this week when he issued a press release wondering if Governor Lynch intended to take all the money held by non-profit organizations in this state, and asking the Governor to pinky-promise he wouldn't it. Seriously.
Both the Governor and Speaker's comments raise a significant concern that they each believe that if an organization has a tax-exempt status, the state has the right to 'steal' any surplus balance that they own. This belief would be of concern to any tax-exempt non-profit, such as a church or charitable organization with "excess" money in the bank.
The reasoning behind notorious anti-civil rights crusader Smith's "concern" is purportedly the Governor's statement about the court decision on the JUA malpractice insurance issue. The Governor's remarks to which Smith takes umbrage were:
These surplus funds belong to the citizens of New Hampshire, who created the Joint Underwriting Association and gave it tax-exempt status.
Obviously the battle for medical marijuana has just begun.
Many people are worried about one Democrat in a senate leadership position, who did vote for the medical marijuana but is disinclined to vote that way again.
I share the concern that one who voted for it may switch vote to "protect' the governor.
I want to maintain confidence in this senator who has long been a good friend.
I do not know why any may be so inclined.
Doesn't it bug you when elected officials place perceptions of their own political interest above what they know in their hearts and minds is the obvious right thing?
Senators who voted to allow NH citizens to get the healing they need from serious illnesses can easily see that Lynch's opposition is based on pure baloney and political gamesmanship and clearly is not based on the facts at all. He knows it and senators know it.
Blue Hampshire folks need to know we can not lose one senator; that person may be the vote that causes the over ride to fail.
The votes are there in the House and I have good reason to believe that with a little steady effort, the votes can also be there in the Senate. We must hold each and every one of the 14
senators who voted for compassion in this very tight bill. Make NH the 14th state to say patients are not criminals!
OK fellow BHers, we have had our 24 hours to express our disappointment, anger and frustration with Governor Lynch's unacceptable veto of the medical marijuana bill.
Now is the time to take action!
The legislature won't return for at least two months before they return for "veto day" when votes will be taken to over ride the governor's vetoes.
So let's get to work!
Step One: Contact each House and Senate member, Democrat AND Republican, and get them to promise to vote to override and commit to attending session that day (whenever it is).
Step Two: Assess the members of the House and Senate and determine who are the likely members we can convince to override the veto.
Step Three: Determine a plan to reach out to each one of those members and obtain a promise for the vote.
Step Four: Reach out to individuals, organizations and the media (yes, the Union Leader too) to join us in the essential effort to override.
Step Five: Keep contacting all members of the legislature regularly to hold our votes and convince the others to join us.
Step Six: On veto day rally a thousand folks at the State House to show them the public is with them.
Step Seven: Nail down 16 votes in the senate and 267 votes in the House on the veto day and it becomes law.
Todays's columns by Fahey and Dorgan have a hodge-podge of information about the budget, candidates and wanna-be candidates, the usual New Hampshire mash-up. I'm noticing even when it's quiet , it's not quiet in New Hampshire politics. Although the rumblings in Alaska and the bumblings in South Carolina give us a run for our money.
That's good news for those of us who just love this kind of thing...
The word has come down: the governor plans to veto the medical marijuana bill.
After making the committee jump through hoops and crafting an airtight bill, meeting each and every one of the eight stated concerns, Lynch has come up with a new one.
Never mind that 13 other states have much looser medical marijuana access laws, our governor says that federal law conflicts with the proposed compassion centers. Somehow the other states haven't had a problem.
The House and Senate will pass the greatly amended HB 648 tomorrow, and if there are enough votes to override, perhaps the governor will think twice.
Patients are not criminals! Don't force police to go into people's homes to arrest them when they can't even leave their homes!
Call your rep and senator in Concord Wednesday June 24th. The vote is today!
NH gov takes gaming off table in budget debate (Norma Love, AP)
CONCORD, N.H.-Gov. John Lynch is taking video slots off the table in hopes of wooing support from New Hampshire lawmakers disappointed gaming wasn't in the budget package they will vote on Wednesday. Lynch told reporters Tuesday he will appoint a commission to study gaming, but he won't support expanding gambling in New Hampshire this year.
The vote tomorrow is expected to be very close. Everyone knows Governor Lynch has been doing the rain dance the last few days to get the needed votes to pass the bill. On the other side of the issue is the State Employees Association/SEIU Local 1984, which held a press conference today calling for the budget to be sent back to the conference of committee.
SEA President Gary Smith:
"We are gathered here today to ask our State Legislators to reconsider the proposed State Budget. This budget doesn't work. It doesn't solve the real problem of providing adequate funding for public services. It fails because it adds taxes and fees onto residents who can least afford them. It fails because it adds to the burden of property taxpayers by downloading state obligations. It fails because it hurts people who need help during this tough time."
The governor told legislators he had eight specific concerns with HB 648, the medical marijuana bill.
So the committee of conference worked hard and hammered out a new amended bill which answers each and every one of those concerns.
What they've come up with is the tightest medical marijuana bill of any state in the nation.
The vote on HB 648 is Wednesday June 24th.
Even though all his stated concerns have been answered, it is still not known what the governor will do.
The votes are there to pass both houses, and what's really needed now is for the governor to see veto-proof majorities. You can help.
Please call your senator and representative!
And thank House and Senate leadership for signing the Committee of Conference report and for their more-essential-than-ever support.
Just read this report by Tom Fahey at the UL. It seems the House side of the committee of conference voted down expanded gambling. The votes aren't there, for one thing, and Finance Committee Chair Marjorie Smith (D-Durham) does not believe it is a long term solution.
"I have no problems with gambling. What I do have a problem with is that I do not believe that gambling is a reliable funding source," Smith said, adding that her preference is an income tax.
Representative Dan Eaton (D-Stoddard) confirmed the votes in the House are not there.
I cannot count to 201," he said, praising D'Allesandro's dedication.
For their part, the Senate refused to allow the estate tax and the capital gains tax to move forward.
According to Fahey, the state will tap into the "Rainy Day Fund" and then still have to close a $30 million hole in the present budget.
Plans waiting in the wings when talks resume today would close a key business tax loophole, set a new tax on mortgage refinancing, boost the Rooms and Meals tax rate and possibly create a tax on entertainment.
If you feel strongly about the refinancing tax, call the Governor and your State Senator and Reps and register your opinion. Once it's put in, it will be very difficult to change down the road.
The subject of the week is the state budget, which has to be approved by the end of the month. The House and Senate Conference Committee is set to meet this week to come up with a final plan. The shortfall is $150 million and there are a few ideas on the table to bridge that gap.
Republicans are yelling cut! cut! cut! To Lynch's credit, this quote from the article about the refinancing tax, shows his thinking on that:
Lynch said he does not support an across-the-board spending cut as a solution. He called that option "simplistic and poor financial management." He said he will consider specific cuts but said he and lawmakers have already made deep cuts, which will result in about 200 layoffs.
Reducing state services, particularly to the needy, would simply redirect them to communities and their welfare offices, Lynch said.
