POTUS Wannabe Watch, Vol. 1

by: Dean Barker

Thu Nov 04, 2010 at 19:13:58 PM EDT

In New Hampshire, 39 percent of Republicans say that Romney is their likely choice in the state's primary, with Palin at 18 percent, Huckabee at 11 percent, Gingrich at eight percent and 19 percent saying they would back another possible contender.

I think Facebook Governor Palin is the presumptive nominee by a mile (despite the awesome job she did costing the GOP the US Senate), rendering New Hampshire Romney's one and only, and thus not terribly important or influential overall.

But then again I was sure Al Gore was running for POTUS in 2008, so what do I know?

Mitt Romney: Advocate for Health Care Reform

by: Dean Barker

Wed Apr 07, 2010 at 20:22:34 PM EDT

Or to put it another way, the GOP's short-sighted 2010 election tactics are not only poor long-term strategy, but also disastrous mid-term strategy.

As I've said before, Mitt Romney's best shot at the nomination is to work early primary states like New Hampshire, who, traditionally, have had Republican and undeclared electorates that don't reward the extremists.

But now we have every major Granite state candidate for higher office running on health care repeal.

If the tent is too small for Mitt Romney here, it's too small for him anywhere.

NH-Primary: Buh-Bye, Mittens

by: Dean Barker

Wed Mar 31, 2010 at 06:13:47 AM EDT

"I think that the Republican Party made a calculated decision, a political decision, that they would not support whatever we did... And I think that's unfortunate because when you actually look at the bill itself, it incorporates all sorts of Republican ideas. I mean, a lot of commentators have said, you know, this is sort of similar to the bill that Mitt Romney passed in Massachusetts."

Oh, and also: REPEAL! is the NHGOP candidate strategy of choice.

And just like that, the presumed NH-Primary GOP frontrunner is no more.

Adding: need more convincing?

"Basically, it's the same thing,'' said Jonathan Gruber, an MIT economist who advised the Romney and Obama administrations on their health insurance programs. A national health overhaul would not have happened if Mitt Romney had not made "the decision in 2005 to go for it. He is in many ways the intellectual father of national health reform.''

QOTD

by: Dean Barker

Wed Mar 24, 2010 at 06:02:07 AM EDT

"Some of my libertarian friends balk at what looks like an individual mandate. But remember, someone has to pay for the health care that must, by law, be provided: Either the individual pays or the taxpayers pay. A free ride on government is not libertarian."

The same guy who gave Jeb Bradley $1000 last year when he ran for state senate.

Still don't know?  Well, I'll let Senator Bradley answer this one:

"He lost a tough race," New Hampshire state Sen. Jeb Bradley, a Republican former member of the U.S. House, told the newspaper. "After that, Mitt could have done anything he wanted with his life: back to the non-profit world or start a new business. But what has he been doing? He's kept at it. He's been busting his butt since losing more than anyone I have ever seen."

Can Romney Now Vote for Himself in the NH-Primary?

by: Dean Barker

Sun Jan 10, 2010 at 08:34:18 AM EST

For Mittens, whom I predict, along with lots of others, has the best shot at the 2012 nomination, state borders are for the little people:

Despite selling his only home in Massachusetts, former Gov. Mitt Romney (R) voted last month in the state's Republican primary to choose a candidate for Sen. Ted Kennedy's seat using his son's address and has already mailed in a ballot for the Jan. 19 special election.

Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said despite selling his home in Belmont last year, Romney never gave up his Massachusetts residency. When he is in the state he stays with his son Tagg.

(Insert winger conspiracy theory snark here about socialists bussed up north by the cartload to vote illegally in our presidential primary.)

I'm surprised this story has received so little traction.  Aren't there, um, laws against voting in a state in which you are not a resident? (Update: Paul, who knows about these things, says not illegal.  Tacky, given maintaining residency at a relative's house while having so many others of his own, but not illegal.)

But then again, Governor Romney already has a history of trouble understanding that there is actually a border between the Granite State and the Commonwealth.

NH-Primary: Whither Those Not Named Mittens?

by: Dean Barker

Fri Jul 17, 2009 at 07:41:19 AM EDT

Romney's PAC has chapters in five important primary states - Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire and South Carolina. In the Granite State this year, Romney's PAC gave $1,000 to state Sen. Jeb Bradley and $10,000 to the state GOP.

The fund-raising numbers come as a new Gallup poll shows Romney jumping ahead of Palin in the race for the 2012 GOP nomination.

Twenty-six percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents favored Romney to 21 percent for Palin.

But here's the thing: in 2008 New Hampshire essentially delivered the nomination to McCain, but the rest of the country's GOPers, especially its most ideologically leading area, the deep south, got buyer's remorse.  Romney seems an easy fit for our state's Rs.  But will the rest of the country go along this time?

It is true that the distance to the Manchester airport from FOX News studios in NYC is much closer than the distance from Anchorage. So Sarah will have that going for her soon.  Though, truth to tell, it's not as close as the Mittens' vacation home on the lake. Though again, on the other hand, I have a friend who won a spot on the moose hunt lottery. Maybe she could tag along?

Mass. Invasion - Stopped.

by: Dean Barker

Sun May 31, 2009 at 22:41:32 PM EDT

"No, my residence is still in Massachusetts. That is my home. That's where I vote. And I'm going to continue to be a Massachusetts resident - I can't tell you how many years that's the case - but for the indefinite future," Romney told "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace.

STOP THE MASS. INVASION!!!

by: Dean Barker

Wed May 06, 2009 at 20:53:09 PM EDT

No word yet on how the family dog will be transported to the new digs.

And does this mean he will no longer have access to the Massachusetts police as his personal lakefront security?

Romney out

by: JimC

Thu Feb 07, 2008 at 12:44:10 PM EST

What a short expensive trip it was.

Update (Dean): This picture

finally makes sense!

If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.

Daring To Dream Of Possible Democrat and Republican Dream Tickets!

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 20:20:24 PM EST

On the Democratic side, we're seeing that we have two fantastic candidates. Incredible, really.  I'm an unabashed Hillary Clinton supporter, but I'm more than pleased to see this "battle" go to Super Tuesday, and perhaps beyond.  Every day that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are on the campaign trail, more Democrats -- and Independents and Never-Cared-Before-But-Do-Nows -- are energized.  

The New Hampshire Primary this year served the role that it should:  we evaluated the candidates, had our time with them for the past year or so, and made our choices.  And that we didn't serve a knock-out punch to more than just one, who withdrew after New Hampshire, was a good thing.  Our role did include "saving" Hillary Clinton from the double-loss of Iowa/NH.  Our role also propelled John McCain, giving him his important first victory of 2008, and look at him now.  No one can underestimate the New Hampshire Primary -- a former New York City Mayor tried to, and look at HIM now.  

So, what about dream tickets?  I'm one of those pulling for a Clinton-Obama, or Obama-Clinton ticket.  I'd prefer the former, but would also get excited about the latter.  BOTH of these great leaders should be in the Presidential Inaugural Parade of January, 2009.

On the Republican side, my dream ticket would be McCain-Huckabee.  They'd be easiest to defeat, I think.  McCain wants The Iraq One Hundred Year War, and Americans do not.  Huckabee wants the U.S. Constitution rewritten with his preacher's touch, and Americans do not.

I doubt it would ever be McCain-Giuliani -- that would be too much to dream for, but even if it's McCain-Romney, we'll have fun.  Each of them has switched so often I can visualize an ad titled "McCain-Romney Weathervane North/South/East/West Compass Which-Way-Is-Up-Or-Down Or Left Or Right?" Of course, there are many other possibilities for the Republicans, but hopefully they won't figure that out.

I'm dreaming to win.  And I think it's going to be more than just a dream.

What have you been dreaming of lately?  

McCained in Mittchigan

by: Dean Barker

Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 05:54:14 AM EST

In an open primary.

I agree with many that McCain may be the hardest to beat in the general. But I'm not sure the GOoPers are going to let him get there in the first place.

Or to put it another way, New Hampshire 'aint a whole lot like the rest of America, even on the Republican side.

Open Thread: Mittchigan Edition

by: Dean Barker

Tue Jan 15, 2008 at 05:41:22 AM EST

C'mon, Mitt, you can do it!  What would this race be without your millions spent on negative ads?

Primary Eve's Eve Open Thread: Willard "Change" Romney Edition

by: Dean Barker

Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 19:55:00 PM EST

I don't have the stomach to watch Sarge, Wrinkles, Oily, Beagle Eyes, and Carrot Face debate two nights in a row (sans Bunny Ears), but if you have the intestinal fortitude,  let us know what's going on.

This is an Open Thread.

We're All Barack Osama Now

by: Dean Barker

Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 18:45:08 PM EST

So we can talk about issues.  But the biggest difference I think -- and it's going to be true for me and others who talk about it -- is that this is a time when America wants change.  

...They want change. Barack Obama looked at several senators steeped in long history in the Senate and completely blew them away in the Iowa caucus.

It's a message of change.

... I brought change to company after company.  In the Olympics, it was in trouble.  I brought change. In Massachusetts, I brought change.  I have done it.  I have changed things, and that experience is what America is looking for."

And in case you believe Mitt's excuse that he didn't know what was on the sign in South Carolina, take a look at the magnificent Jerid's work here in New Hampshire last summer, as well as the key follow-up.

Fifteen Lessons From The Iowa Caucus?

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Fri Jan 04, 2008 at 19:59:57 PM EST

1.  Don't Washington-Speak.   Long-time United States Senators or people who hang around government for too long seem to forget that message.  Most of us don't live there.  Talk our language.  But don't dummy-down to us.  We can tell when you do that.   Joe Biden and Chris Dodd didn't do well in Iowa for that reason.  Hillary Clinton often sounded like she had been hanging around people in power for two decades.  I wondered where the "conversation" that she started her campaign went.   Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee sounded "fresh."  Even "refreshing."  

2.  Don't Be Marshmallow Fluff.  Have some courage to be yourself.  Let yourself be you.  Put your bell-curve focus group-driven, poll-tested politically-correct answers and cute sayings aside.  It's obvious who did that well.  And who didn't.

3.  Be Bold And Challenge Us With A Vision.  We don't want to vote for you just because you're wonderful or you have a fantastic resume.  We want to know what you'll do in the future and what you want us to do for our future.  In Iowa, those who talked more about "us" than themselves did quite well.  Those who talked more about "me" than "you" didn't.  And show some passion.  Maybe even some anger -- there is reason to be angry about what has been happening in this world.  John Edwards did that well in Iowa.  

4.  If You're A Democrat -- Be Strong Against Iraq.  Don't play games with us.  Are you for getting out?  When?  How?  Be clear.  We have to know.

5.  Use The Internet As An Interactive Resource.  Stop asking for contributions in every E-Mail message.  We just turn that out.  Use the Internet to involve us, learn from us, solicit opinions.   When people write in, write back.  And be informative -- not just the flash and puff.    We can see through that.  Best WEBSITE:  Barack Obama.  Tells us something.

6.  Involve The Young.  After all, they're the ones who are going to outlive us all.  And they DO vote.  Barack Obama is more than a "fad" for some reason.  He connects.  Young people in Iowa supported him in droves.

7.  Welcome The Independents.  In Iowa, the Democrats won over the Independents.  That's great for Democrats in November.  We need them here in New Hampshire.  Barack Obama gets lots of them, as does John McCain.  To win, Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney have to discover them.

8.  Be For REAL Change, And Mean It.  But if you're going to do things differently with out-of-the-box thinking, explain what you mean.  Barack Obama did that well in Iowa.  Hillary Clinton just seemed to be copying his messages about change.  If she's going to turn this around, she has to explain her own brand of "change."  .

9.  Be Non-Establishment.  People have seen a lot of establishment-types in recent years and they've skid us into a war.  We're looking for non-establishment types.  Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama were considered non-establishment in Iowa.  How Mitt Romney, John Edwards, or Hillary Clinton deal with that in New Hampshire might dictate how they do.

10.  Seek To Become A Voice.  Most of us as citizens feel we have little or no voice in Washington, or in government in general, especially if we have little money and don't contribute to candidates.  We're looking for "one of us."  In Iowa, Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama seemed more like us than Hillary Clinton (White House "experience") or Mitt Romney (so rich he could buy all the McDonald's restaurants in Iowa).  If you're not like one of us, at least try to relate to us more.   Tell us how you're going to empower us and respect us.

11.  Focus On People And Ideas, Not Endorsements.  Endorsements help, but the emphasis should be on "regular-folk."  Too many of these candidates have their political endorsers at every rally, up front and center behind them on-stage.  In most cases, it seemed like the backdrops in Iowa at events where Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama were speaking were just regular folk.  Well, with the exception of Chuck Norris standing with Mike Huckabee like a lifeguard.  But that's a bit different.

12.  Have A Message, And Stick To It.  It's not just about money and running millions of dollars of ads full of clutter and fluff.  In Iowa, the candidates who had regular repetitive messages and somewhat of a theme, and stuck to them for more than just a couple of weeks, did well.  The ones who were all over the place with their messages and had  advertisements full of quick bites of messages didn't do well.  They need to learn from that.  The "corporate greed" vs. "corporate responsibility" messages of Barack Obama and John Edwards paid off in Iowa.  Many of us understand that kind of message.  But what does "Ready To Lead" mean?  Ready to lead what?  And where?  And where to?  The difference is rather specific vs. very generic.  The difference is what relates to us vs. what is meaningless.

13.  Be Straight-Talking.  Barack Obama usually answered questions in a sentence or two.  Hillary Clinton went on for a minute or two.  Bill Clinton when he'd speak for Hillary would answer questions in five minutes or so.  Mike Huckabee seemed to have clear answers.  Mitt Romney had to explain himself at length.  Joe Biden couldn't answer questions without Washington-speak.  Iowa people were listening carefully, and made their choices based on what they heard.  We will here too.  

14.  Be Authentic And Look Us In The Eye.   Voters can see through phoniness.  When a candidate is calculating or cautious in answering questions, we can tell.  There's something genuine about Mike Huckabee -- what you see is what you get.  Same with Barack Obama.  I think there's a lot of WYSIWYG with Hillary Clinton too, but her managers and handlers haven't let us see that yet.  And eye-to-eye contact on the campaign trail is vital.  C-Span is great for noticing that in the candidates as they walk around before and after speeches and greet voters..  Mike Huckabee was great at that in Iowa.  Mitt Romney didn't seem to do it well.  Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama each have good people skills, but there's just a special warmth about Obama that Clinton needs to develop.  One of the more amazing things about Bill Clinton is that if you have just ten seconds with him, for those ten seconds you feel as if you're the most important person in the world to him for that time.  Hillary Clinton needs a lesson -- she always seems to want to go onto the next handshake.  

15.  Be Consistent.  "Flip-flopping" isn't the problem that most candidates have.  It's not being able to answer a question the same way with some consistency, or being clear about a position without trying to cover all the bases and make everyone happy.  Mitt Romney seemed to take several positions on some issues -- it's not that he's changed his positions, it's that you just don't know where he stands now.  Barack Obama gives a lot of rhetoric, but has consistent messages.  Hillary Clinton's messages in speeches and television advertisements changed a lot in Iowa.  That can't happen these next few days in New Hampshire.  
 

SC Voters Get Fake Romney Xmas Card -- Citing Book of Mormon

by: Mike Caulfield

Sun Dec 30, 2007 at 11:13:24 AM EST

From CBS:

The card contains passages that underscore some differences between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and those of denominations that are prevalent in South Carolina.

"We have now clearly shown that God the Father had a plurality of wives, one or more being in eternity by whom He begat our spirits as well as the spirit of Jesus His first born, and another being upon the earth by whom he begat the tabernacle of Jesus, as his only begotten in this world," reads one passage from Orson Pratt, cited on the card as an "original member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles."

The card also cites a passage on Mary's virgin birth that underscores her race. "And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white." On the card, "fair and white" are in a bolder, larger font and on a separate line.

What is it about South Carolina?  

Mitt Romney's Phony Resurrection Story

by: Mike Caulfield

Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 12:56:46 PM EST

Yeah, I probably am.

But first a few words about the crash. Regardless of the small details I will cite here, it must have been a profound experience for the 21 year old Romney. One moment, he and his fellow missionaries were driving in the French countryside, and the next he was waking up in a hospital, and a woman in the car he had been driving was dead. All of this unfolds in a foreign country during what is often a formative experience for Mormons.

That's really quite enough tragedy for a "turning point" story, unembellished.

Of course, variations abound. Per The Atlantic where he is thrown from the car and found on the side of the road:

Some Christmas Gifts And New Year's Wishes

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Mon Dec 24, 2007 at 22:59:32 PM EST

So I decided to give some "gifts" for Christmas and a few New Year's wishes to some people.  Here goes:

To George W. Bush -- Some chat time with his Dad and Mom.  Obviously he didn't listen to them when he was a little guy when they, like all parents, most likely told their son to grow up to be good.

To Carol Shea-Porter -- The continued courage and independence to be a great Congressperson.

To Paul Hodes -- A conservative Republican to run against in 2008, so he can have more fun and win even bigger than last time.

To Jeanne Shaheen -- A united New Hampshire Democratic Party behind her after next September's primary.

To Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani -- Copies of the book "How To Get Along With People Who Are As Messed Up As Me."

To Mike Huckabee -- A copy of "First Grade Reader," so in the future he can read the simple facts about AIDS and other issues.

To all New Hampshire gays and lesbians -- The full right to marry.  Soon.  Not just a Civil Union.  "Marriage," with the word.  In the meantime, Civil Unions are "official" as of 12.01 AM 01.01.08.  Fantastic.  We're getting there.

To the New Hampshire First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary -- The absolutely bestest-ever turnout of voters across all age groups on Tuesday, January 8th.  It's our chance to show the nation we go to the polls in droves, and that's why New Hampshire is important now and in the future.  

To John Lynch -- A new office camera.  Twice now when I arranged for pictures in the Governor's Office their camera didn't work, most recently with some Russian journalist visitors.  Fortunately we brought cameras of our own.  But what gives?  I'm not THAT ugly.

To Bill Gardner -- Another chance to set the date of yet another Presidential Primary, in 2012.

To The Union Leader -- A giant bag of coffee so the reporters will be alert enough to keep a sharp eye on all those wayward national and statewide Republican candidates who are switching all around and attacking one another about things they never said.  My are they confused.  

To Democrats everywhere and everywhere -- A fantastic year in 2008 on the national and state levels.  The only way we can lose this one is if we don't let Democrats be Democrats.  

To our troops in Iraq -- Withdrawal from that ill-planned, unnecessary war, and a commitment never to again put them in harms-way unless necessary.  

To "Granny D" -- Success on her effort to have New Hampshire join the dozen other states with public financing of campaigns and real campaign reform.  She's great!

To Hillary Clinton -- A new campaign manager.  I don't even know who the current one is, but I do know she could use a new one.  This woman rocks and will make a great President, but her campaign continues to be off-based from what I can see.  She still has time, but those who are on the top of her national campaign could serve her better.

To my wonderful kitty cat "RayToo" -- Pleasant dreams of chasing mice, and another year of good health.  I need your "greetings" every day I return home.

And to my very special friend D.P. -- Successful surgery in three weeks, because I don't want to lose another good friend, and the world needs all the wonderful people it has.  You can make it!

Well, that's it for this year.  I can't afford to be any more generous.  How about other gifts from readers?  

Concord Monitor Serves Anti-Endorsement to "Phony" Romney

by: Dean Barker

Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 22:09:37 PM EST

In the 2008 campaign for president, there are numerous issues on which Romney has no record, and so voters must take him at his word. On these issues, those words are often chilling. While other candidates of both parties speak of restoring America's moral leadership in the world, Romney has said he'd like to "double" the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, where inmates have been held for years without formal charge or access to the courts. He dodges the issue of torture - unable to say, simply, that waterboarding is torture and America won't do it.

When New Hampshire partisans are asked to defend the state's first-in-the-nation primary, we talk about our ability to see the candidates up close, ask tough questions and see through the baloney. If a candidate is a phony, we assure ourselves and the rest of the world, we'll know it.

Mitt Romney is such a candidate. New Hampshire Republicans and independents must vote no.

Romney can count on one Granite Stater, at least:

"The one endorsement I'm most proud of is Sen. Judd Gregg. I'll take Sen. Gregg and his organization and his followers any day," Romney said.

I Saw the Patriots Win the World Series

by: Dean Barker

Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 06:45:14 AM EST

How do I know all this?  I'm an English Literature major.