NH-Gov Straw Poll #3

by: Mike Hoefer

Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 08:58:20 AM EDT

Offering An Assessment Of Possible Gubernatorial Candidates

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sat Apr 23, 2011 at 11:21:21 AM EDT

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.

Connolly Will Not Run, Supports Hodes

by: Jennifer Daler

Tue Jun 08, 2010 at 09:03:24 AM EDT

For the past few days I have talked with  friends, family-and friends new to me- about the idea of running for the Senate. I have  decided not to do so and will support Paul Hodes. Let me say that everyone has been respectful to the process and no one at any time suggested it was wrong and no one told me what to do. The input was revealing and helpful.

First, for me, it is best to stay the course in terms of helping those harmed by the Financial Resource Mortgage fiasco. The time is ripe for meaningful regulatory reform in this state, and I have long advocated that we need to diminish the influence of those who do not believe in active regulation. The days of a regulatory-lite culture in New Hampshire are over.  I understand the issues at hand here and while am tempted to put my long-standing work with regulators in other states to continue to  help fix a Wall Street mindset of financial exploitation, the first step really begins at home, and I feel this is the time to make it happen here. Now.

Second,  I support Congressman Hodes because he is best positioned to take on all the issues that are important to Democrats. He has paid his dues to run. Bill Binnie has not, and I just believe it wrong to attempt to spend one's way to Washington. That is part of the problem and meaningful campaign finance reform is long overdue. Kelly Ayotte has received a lot of money from special interest sources, like the oil and gas industry-- interests who do not represent what is best for New Hampshire or our nation. She also talks about transparency and action, but her tenure as Attorney General oversaw regulatory matters that went unaddressed, and the management of that office resulted in important matters having been missed.

Thank you for taking the time to let me know your thoughts, and I thank all those who reached out to say, "let's take on Washington." Paul Hodes is best able to do that now. Not me.  Over the past few days, I have had the opportunity to talk about issues with people like Jay Surdukowski and Dave Allen. These young people are our future-energetic, honest  and thoughtful-and who will  continue to make a difference and are a huge part of the reason why this country still has brighter days ahead.  Happy Birthday, Jay, you have the pragmatic idealism of JFK and the impish smile of Hugh Gallen. And  a special thanks to Ray Buckley, who leads a great state party and has long advocated a robust and open dialogue. It is now time to close ranks. Thanks for listening.  Mark        

NH-Sen: Mark Connolly Considers a Run

by: Dean Barker

Sat Jun 05, 2010 at 07:19:04 AM EDT

He even admits he is unlikely to do it, but former state Securities Chief Mark Connolly said that for the past week he has been "seriously considering" a run for the U.S. Senate, a move that would put this New Castle Democrat squarely in a primary against Congressman Paul Hodes for the open seat of retiring Judd Gregg.

In an interview Connolly said that he understands that the candidate filing period ends in a week and that the primary is just a little over 3 months away and that he has raised zero dollars. But beginning last weekend he began to get more "frustrated" about "the close relationship between industry and regulators" he believes led to the BP oil spill and he has been closely following securities reform legislation now underway in the Senate.

And in general, I like primaries.  Part of my frustration this cycle has been how every time Jim Bender sneezes, e.g., because the sneeze is in the same room as Bill Binnie, or one of the others, it merits a news article.  The four-way race on the GOPer side has generated a lot of media oxygen our side hasn't.

But from a pragmatic standpoint, I don't really get it.  It's June 2010, we have a candidate with a lot of institutional support, a terrific record of accomplishment as a congressman, viable fundraising, a campaign that has been going full steam ahead for many months now, and, most of all, a progressive policy platform that would be a much needed infusion in the US Senate.

Nor, from the standpoint of the ponzi scheme narrative, is there any guarantee that either Ayotte will be the GOP nominee or that FRM will be on anyone's minds in September or November.

So, I don't really get it.

The Ultimate Lesson Of The FRM Ponzi Scheme?

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sun May 16, 2010 at 22:57:40 PM EDT

There was a dark cloud over our government for many of those years I've been there, with some glimpses of sunlight now and then with Governors like Walter Peterson, Hugh Gallen, and Jeanne Shaheen. These past five years, with Governor John Lynch, and Democratic majories in the House, Senate, and Governor's Council, the sunrise has come, and especially these past few months show why that is important to us all.  

My take on the current review of the Financial Resources Mortgage Ponzi scheme is government working at its best.  And despite some of the news media, Democrats should feel especially proud of some of the activities at the State House in recent weeks.  

Years of information and records concerning FRM have been uncovered and released publicly, and those who have been hurt by the greed of a business are seeing that sunlight and openness has been brought to the process.  That is a good thing.  

Yes, some mistakes and oversights have been identified by agencies that should have prevented the Ponzi scheme of FRM from going on for so long.  Mistakes occur in government as well as business.  No process is perfect, and years -- decades really -- of cutting staff and making fewer and fewer state employees assume larger and larger volumes of work is bound to result in oversight not always being as good as it should be, or in follow-up action being limited.  Employees can only do so much with the machinery and the personnel they have.

When you look at what was done and what was missed through the years, the fact appears to be that the Department of Banking did do most of the audits it was required to do and wrote the reports it should have.  The Department of Securities did what it interpreted that under the law it had the authority to do, and took most of the follow-up action it should have done.  

And the Attorney General's Office fulfilled most of the functions on those matters where it believed it had an enforcement role.  From my detached point of view, it's not so much a matter of assigning blame for the past as it is clarifying responsibility for the future.  We need better process, specific procedures, and clearer policies.