The NHDP, 2012, Ray, Kathy, Terie, Etc.

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Thu Nov 11, 2010 at 00:05:37 AM EST

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.
 

Statement from NHDP Executive Director Mike Brunelle in Response to John Stephen's Tax Day Tirade

by: DRicher

Thu Apr 15, 2010 at 14:34:36 PM EDT

"John Stephen lecturing about fiscal management is like Tiger Woods lecturing about fidelity.  Stephen is not a fiscal conservative, he is a fiscal incompetent."

"As Health and Human Services Commissioner, John Stephen consistently asked for double-digit increases in his budget. In fact, he even double-counted money creating a $70 million hole in the state budget. Now, federal auditors are demanding that Health and Human Services repay nearly $35 million federal funds spent during his tenure.

"When it comes to being fiscally responsible, John Stephen has no credibility."

(Posted by Derek Richer, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party.)

Brunelle, Smith, Sullivan, Bosse

by: Dean Barker

Sun Sep 20, 2009 at 18:42:42 PM EDT

(And on a related note, watching the first clip reaffirmed to me that those who do not want to live in of the shadow of Mel Thompson do not have a leading voice to represent them in either major party in New Hampshire.)

WMUR CloseUp: Mike Brunelle vs. Kevin Smith

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sun Sep 20, 2009 at 10:25:50 AM EDT

I'm talking about Sunday's WMUR Close Up with New Hampshire Democratic Party Executive Director Mike Brunelle and Kevin Smith, who is director of some non-think-tank that is best known for its failed attempts to continue discrimination in our state by fighting Civil Unions two years ago and marriage equality this year.  

The topic was taxes, government, budgets, and baloney.  Smith was out-witted, out-spoke, out-gunned and out-maneuvered by Mike Brunelle.  Mike gave no quarter to Smith as the latter tried to make political hay out of the upcoming discussion that will be held in October by the House Ways and Means Committee.  

Mike pointed out that the discussion isn't about creating a new income or sales tax but is rather about how to make sure that our taxation policies are fair, equitable, and benefits small businesses and doesn't burden our citizens.  How we create jobs and expand our economy and keep jobs here is worth discussing.  Smith would rather play politics for 2010.  Mike Brunelle obviously wants to make the state better.  Smith talked baloney.  Brunelle made him eat his words.

I've been on radio and television programs opposite Kevin Smith.  I don't deny he can be effective for his constituency, and therein lies his value for those who share his point of view.  It's fun to see when he is put in a corner and can't wiggle out.  Mike Brunelle did that to him.  It was all sort of a combination of Jay Leno,  Dancing With The Stars, and America's Got Talent.  A couple of laughs, some twists and turns, and a talented Democrat winning the day.

If Kevin Smith does decide to run for something in a few years, perhaps on Sunday's show we saw an opponent who will be able to smash him at the polls.    

Sununu Fails Upwards in the Senate

by: Dean Barker

Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 21:01:44 PM EST

Well, if you're John E. Sununu, you fail upwards.

Mitch "I never met a filibuster threat I didn't like" McConnell, no doubt peeved that the Senate outlook this year almost guarantees the word "Minority" next to his "Leader" title, has decided to move Sununu to the front of the class, despite the tradition of seniority that governs committee assignments.

McConnell is using a new rule to pass over ready and willing veteran lawmaker Michael Enzi to replace Lott's seat on the Finance Committee, and is giving it to first-termer Sununu:

A seat on the Finance Committee "certainly won't hurt his campaign," one GOP leadership aide said of Sununu. The panel's broad jurisdiction over taxes, trade, Medicare and other big-dollar issues makes it the most powerful panel in the Senate.

Sununu played down his re-election challenge as a reason for his appointment, saying it was his leadership in blocking Internet access taxes that got him the job. "I don't think most voters pay a great deal of attention to committee assignments," Sununu said. "They pay attention to the legislation."

So, thanks to the fact that John E.'s electoral chances are dim, we are treated to a radical free marketeer and Social Security privatizer on the Finance Committee, just when our economy is tanking.  Great.

It's ironic that Sununu would get this post a day after a devastating press conference and release was held about his horrible performance on economic issues from Americans United for Change.  I urge you to click the link - it's chock-a-block full of detailed voting record information on how John Sunoco puts the needs of New Hampshire's working families last.  Here's a snippet:

"Senator Sununu's record in Congress is one of an anti-Robin Hood: someone who votes to give huge tax breaks to the people that need them least, while at the same time voting against any meaningful efforts in Congress that would help struggling low and middle class workers a chance to get ahead," said Rep. Mike Brunelle of Manchester.  "Whether it was opposing the first boost to minimum wage in a decade, or providing home heating assistance, or legislation to fix the broken system for forming unions so that more Americans can bargain for better pay, better benefits and retirement security -- Senator Sununu has stood with President Bush over struggling middle class families at every turn.