Scannell Named NHDP Executive Director!

by: Ray Buckley

Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 16:49:52 PM EDT

(Concord) - Today, Ray Buckley, chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party announced his selection of Manchester native David Scannell as Executive Director.

Scannell is a graduate of Colby College and University of Maine Law School.  From 2000-2004, he served as Assistant to the Mayor for Legislative Affairs and Community Relations.  Most recently, Scannell coordinated school and community relations for the Manchester School District.

"I've known David for years" said Buckley. "His diverse legal, managerial, and political experience will be a perfect addition already skillful and energetic team as we work to expand our majorities in the State House, re-elect Gov. Lynch, Reps. Shea-Porter and Hodes, send Jeanne Shaheen to the US Senate and elect a Democratic President in November."

"I am thrilled to join what is a spectacular team here at the Democratic Party," said Scannell.  "I look forward to working with Democrats across the state to continue to strengthen our party and make great strides for New Hampshire.  

Scannell succeeds Jen Kuzma, now senior advisor to the Lynch Committee and will transition over the next few weeks.

###

NH GOP Bucks Nationwide Republican Fundraising Trend

by: Dean Barker

Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 20:30:19 PM EDT

GOP State Parties Outraise Dems

As national Democrats gloat about a massive fundraising advantage the party's House and Senate campaign committees hold over their GOP counterparts, the story on a statewide level is decidedly different, and local Republican parties could provide a key cash advantage in several states, reports filed with the Federal Election Commission show. In the forty three states where parties report their financial situations on a monthly basis, Republicans hold a cash advantage in twenty five, many of them battlegrounds that will feature prominently in both the presidential contest and in down-ballot races on which federal dollars can be spent.

...Republican [state] parties hold a bigger advantage in cash on hand, with $11.7 million in the bank compared with $6.65 million for Democrats. That's an average cash position of about $250,000 for the 47 parties that have reported contribution totals, better than Democrats' $141,000 average, money that can be used to influence voters choosing candidates for Congress or the White House.

Contrary to what the Real Politics article entitled "GOP state Parties Outraise Dems" says, the New Hampshire Democratic Party is having zero problems out raising our opponent. In the 2007 year-end report, the New Hampshire Democratic Party raised $1.3 million with a total of $259,000 cash on hand. In sharp contrast, the New Hampshire GOP raised $291,000 and ended 2007 with $56,634. Interestingly, the state GOP initially reported having $90,573 (which is still significantly less than the New Hampshire Democratic Party) on hand but "forgot" to list its $25,000 phone jamming lawsuit settlement payment to the New Hampshire Democratic Party along with a few other disbursements totaling more than $33,000. It shouldn't be surprising that the NHGOP struggled and continues to struggle to raise money when the first $25,000 in the door goes straight to the New Hampshire Democratic Party. These numbers not only show the strength of the state Democratic Party but also why our successes of 2006 will be repeated again in November 2008!

Moving beyond the money question, this state of affairs, combined with the large number of undeclareds voting for Clinton or Obama in the NH primary versus McCain, speak to a real, ongoing decline in Republican party power in this state.  It would make sense for the NHGOP to realize that the national party's values are completely out of touch with traditional Yankee Republicans, but it's clear they haven't yet figured that out.

Scorched Earth

by: Jack Mitchell

Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 09:00:05 AM EST

This is an open thread

Ive kicked the habit
Shed my skin
This is the new stuff
I go dancing in, we go dancing in
Oh wont you show for me
And I will show for you
Show for me, I will show for you
Yea, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I do mean you
Only you
Youve been coming through
Going to build that power
Build, build up that power, hey
Ive been feeding the rhythm
Ive been feeding the rhythm
Going to feel that power, build in you
Come on, come on, help me do
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you
Ive been feeding the rhythm
Ive been feeding the rhythm
Its what were doing, doing
All day and night

Sledgehammer -Peter Gabriel

Around the table at the 100 Club Dinner... a novice's experience

by: Kelly Nordstrom

Sat Jan 05, 2008 at 00:35:30 AM EST

After a formidable wait outside in the freezing cold, we checked our coats with some "Young Democrats" and found our table. I was quite fortunate to find myself at a table with Jim Demers (NH state co-chair) and the famous Paul Twomey, his wife Barbara and their 2 daughters, all of whom have been working hard.  We had a lot of fun and it was great to meet so many new people. Not being a part of the NH political scene I found it fascinating to take it all in.

Early on in the evening while we were kind of just waiting around, a very nice man came up to me at our table to ask if I had another Obama button.  I did not, (had a few in the car since I had canvassed earlier in the day, but my car was a decent shuttle ride away)... but had my cool glow-in-the-dark "Vote Obama" sticker on and knew I had at least 2 more buttons at home, so said, "Here have mine."  After he put on the button (a little askew), we had a talk about politics, about the exciting win last night in Iowa, and how he came to be an Obama supporter, despite his long history with Bill Clinton.  I knew that he lived on the Seacoast, but that was it, we shook hands and thanked each other for the conversation.

It was when the festivities began, that I saw the same man on the dais, leading all 3,200 of us in the Pledge of Allegiance, that I learned I had given my button to Fred Ross, a retired Chief of the Air Force, decorated veteran, civil rights activist and President of the Seacoast NAACP... wow... I'm glad I gave him my button and was proud to see him wearing it on the dais.

Howard Dean was great.  I didn't know he would be there so it was a surprise.  His speech was all about change; chosing hope over fear, unity over division... and I have a feeling he's quite happy with the results in Iowa last night.

I also met Burt Cohen, Jay Buckey, and was able to reconnect with Karen, Dr. Buckey's campaign manager from Lebanon--- who I had met with earlier this fall at The Round Table with Michelle Obama.  In the bathroom, I met a woman from Goffstown, who like me was out canvassing in our respective home towns all day... Brrr... (Unfortunately, this was also when CSP was speaking, and I was very bummed to miss her)

I was glad to see Ray and Kathy on stage and put faces to the words and opinions I feel I know so well.  I was hoping to find them both after the hoopla, but it was sort of circusy there... so maybe another time!  I felt so proud to be a Democrat tonight.

I also ran in to a few of my favorite Obama staffers and got an enthusiastic hug from SGS--- he's not really as tough as he seems!

All in all, it was an unbelievable night and I'm so fortunate to have been able to gone...  The energy and electricity in the room was palpable...

I'm sure there will be many recaps of the speeches on this site; so I'll save that for others who took better notes.  

Suffice it to say, that after Governor Richardson began to speak, I realized that Barack Obama would be coming on next, and I started getting butterflies in my stomach.  I actually felt so excited and a little bit nervous--- because after last night, I really believe that he will be our next president; and the thought of being there in that room at this moment in history, to hear him speak to us, became very powerful.

Enjoy my slideshow:

Tips for running for delegate

by: Ray Buckley

Fri Nov 23, 2007 at 16:54:13 PM EST

This is essentially the same process the NHDP has used since the 1980 election. I know it seems complicated but it really is about one thing: GOTV. Getting your supporters to the caucus and getting them to vote for you.

1. File. You can't run if you don't file.The deadline is COB December 5th - NO EXCEPTIONS!
2. Find the location of your candidate's caucus in your district.
3. Get every person you know who lives in your congressional district and is not a Republican to attend and vote for you. Any person eligible to vote in the Democratic Primary can vote (Democrats, undeclareds and not-yet registered voters). Don't count on winning over another candidate's family so bring your own!
4. Make sure you tell your supporters to plan on being there for an hour or so. If they leave before they vote...
5. Make sure you tell your supporters they will have to sign a form that they intend on voting for your presidential candidate in the primary.
6.Create a flyer - nothing fancy - that states your name, reasons why you want to be a delegate, what you have done for your candidate and explain who you are as well. Note: people tend to vote for the more interesting/new candidates.
7. Keep in mind that male and female candidates are not running against each other (each person may cast x votes in the female column and x votes in the male column). Note: it helps to team up with someone from the opposite gender (If you have 30 supporters and he or she has 30 supporters and you team up you each get 60 votes!)
8. Have a great 60 second speech ready.
9. If you don't make the list, be nice to those who do win because they get to select more delegates in the spring and you may want their support!
10. Keep in mind you only get to be a delegate if your candidate does well in the primary, so don't go home after the caucus to celebrate. Encourage your group of supporters to volunteer at your candidate's headquarters!

IA/NH: 2 states, 2 weekends

by: Ray Buckley

Thu Nov 22, 2007 at 21:05:23 PM EST

Iowa and New Hampshire have been intertwined for decades now, as the kick off for the nominating process. Experiencing the two states back to back was a great opportunity. I had never been to Iowa before and although caucuses and primaries are totally different, I found much in common with our Iowa cousins.

Over a month ago I mentioned to Senator Martha Fuller Clark (NHDP 1st Vice Chair) that I had accepted an invitation by Iowa State Chair Scott Brennan to be their guest at the Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson Dinner. Senator Clark decided it sounded like a great time so she went out as well. As NH Co-Chair for the Obama campaign, Martha quickly had a full schedule prepared by the Obama campaign.

Five Years Later: Senate Poll and Roundup

by: Dean Barker

Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 19:43:58 PM EST

Jeanne Shaheen (D): 53
John Sununu (R-inc): 42
Undecided: 5

Jay Buckey (D): 36
John Sununu (R-inc): 49
Undecided: 16

"So, I want to know why was the Justice Department dragging its' feet? Who were they talking to? Were they getting instructions from someone?"

In the civil case, we went as far as we could go with it. As I said, we don't have the right to put people in front of a grand jury, we don't have the right to make people testify to grant them immunity, that's something that Congress can do and the Department of Justice can do. It appears the Department of Justice isn't going to do its job so we're going to rely on Congress and the Congressional Committees to protect the people."

* Quote of the day:

John Sununu is one of the nation's better senators.

...He doesn't believe in funding global warming conspiracy theorists (unlike, say, presidential candidate Mike Huckabee), and he supported drilling in ANWR.

Wednesday Night Miscellany

by: Dean Barker

Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 20:54:36 PM EDT

* HA HA HA HA HA HA! (h/t The Guru):

Jeanne Shaheen is in a strong position to be the next senator from New Hampshire," says Bob Smith, the former senator from New Hampshire.

..."I think she's an excellent politician. I think she is a good person, I know her very well, I like her," he said.

* Jay Buckey responds to Nanny Cullen's latest illogical froth.

* The NHDP has re-launched Stop Sununu.  It's loaded with stuff on John E.'s sorry record.

* Speaking of that sorry record, look for Sununu to do the following more and more: reach out on votes where the Republican position is truly knuckle-dragging, such as today's failed restoration of habeas corpus and the Webb amendment for more rest for soldiers.  But make no mistake: he only does this when he gets a green light from McConnell, provided that there are enough rule of law haters like Judd Gregg to maintain a filibuster.  Or to put it another way, silly season time demands the pretense of interest in our Constitution. My man (and bill author) Chris Dodd speaks out on the unthinkable reality of Republicans blocking of one of the most basic, traditional tenets of law in the western world:

"America's moral standing, and with it the security of the United States, suffered another setback today, atop a pile of setbacks that has accumulated over the past six years. The outcome of this vote is both symbolic and tragic.

Senator Sununu an "Obstacle" to Medical Progress

by: Dean Barker

Sat Jun 16, 2007 at 13:15:52 PM EDT

First, there is the ever-vigilant Americans United for Change.  More recently, the NHDP chimed in with a press conference.  And just yesterday, Hillary Clinton added her voice to the issue, surrounded by doctors and scientists from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.  She correctly labelled John E. an "obstacle."

Of course none of this matters, because he's not going to change his position, even though fully two-thirds of Republicans in this state oppose him on it.  So I thought that in honor of Father's Day I'd highlight instead the consequences of having an MIT educated Senator who doesn't believe in furthering stem cell research, as voiced by a father in a recent LTE:

There is little I dread more than waking to the choking sounds of one of my kids seizing in the night. I have to leap out of bed and give him an emergency injection. Without it, he will go into a coma. Last month, the daughter of a friend of mine almost died because no one was there when she seized.

Both boys know diabetics who are blind. They have seen diabetics who have had both legs amputated. Being teenagers is tough enough without facing this stuff.

...Tanner and Cooper rarely complain, but they would really like to worry more about being teenagers than being diabetics. Sen. Sununu's vote in favor of stem cell research would help them with that.

NHDP Convention - United for 2008

by: Ray Buckley

Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 13:07:49 PM EDT

Anyone questioning whether our party will be ready for November 4, 2008 got their answer at our 2007 state convention last week. It is a resounding YES!

You've read about the great speeches and the huge attendance but if you weren't able to attend you haven't heard the rest of the story.

From the moment the record breaking over 800 delegates and guests walked near the entrance of the school you could sense the convention was going to be something special. The delegates and guests were greeted by a giant union made blue banner saying "Welcome Democrats" and the sounds a wonderful Dixieland jazz band, and yes several hundred sign holding Democrats promoting their candidate or cause.

Walking through the doors everyone quickly discovered there wasn't a waiting line more than two minutes long - for the entire day. And of course, the registration was reduced as well, this year the pre-registration fee including all meals and materials was $10 for delegates and for guests it was $20, which is down from $65 last year. Each delegate and guest was given a handsome union made tote bag with items inside. In the bag was a union made "Stop Sununu 2008" button, a union made larger full color button with the pictures of our governor and members of congress and read "New Hampshire Democrats" "Hope. Leadership. Results." a union printed program that included the agenda, directions for ten county caucuses, five issues discussion sessions, five skills training sessions and nine just created constituency caucuses. On another page in the program all the constituency caucus co-chairs and their contact information was listed along with names of the state party officers, staff, the convention organizing committee and the convention officers and all the sponsors. The bag also included the proposed convention rules, a school floor plan (yes everything was all on one floor and 100% accessible) and the bag also included a welcome letter from me.

The NBC Copyright on Democracy

by: Nicholas Gunn

Thu May 03, 2007 at 23:26:19 PM EDT

Did you come here hoping to find some clips of the best or most horrifying moments? 

So sorry, I can't help you.  NBC news has put out a lovely set of rules concerning the airing and use of materials from the candidate debates:

USAGE RULES FOR USE OF AUDIO OR VIDEO OF MSNBC MATERIAL RULES FOR "THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES DEBATE" FROM MSNBC:

(The following rules apply to all media organizations that are not part of NBC)
News organizations, including radio, network television, cable television and local television may use excerpts of "The South Carolina Democratic Candidates Debate" subject to the following restrictions (internet use is not permitted):

What follows is a list of conditions that must be followed to show clips of the program on television.  None of that matters, however, because internet use is not permitted.  Of course, the law is on their side.  They own the copyright on the material and therefore have a right to say how it can be used.

But is it right?

Should the viewing rights for the debates of those seeking to be the next President of the United States be restricted?  Does NBC own the democratic process in this country?

KargoX over at the Daily Kos is calling on the DNC to demand that all of the `DNC sanctioned debates' become freely viewable in the public domain after their original airing.  But what about our upcoming New Hampshire debates?  What if they aren't `DNC sanctioned'?

I'm calling on the NHDP to take a leadership role in this fight.  Demand that our upcoming New Hampshire Democratic Debates are freely viewable to the public on the internet after they air.  This way voters from New Hampshire,  and from around the country, will be able to more easily learn about our candidates.  Show the rest of the country that New Hampshire Democrats like open, honest campaigns where the candidates are thoroughly vexed by every voter.

If you agree with me, why don't you contact NHDP Chair Ray Buckley.  His email, which he posted on this site, is as follows:

Ray Buckley
RayBuckleyNH@aol.com

The New NHDP Website!

by: Evan Carlson

Thu Apr 12, 2007 at 10:11:08 AM EDT

Check out the details after the break.

Needle in haystack (or not) set phone-jammer free?

by: Dean Barker

Fri Mar 23, 2007 at 07:20:49 AM EDT

On March 21, 2007 the US Appeals Court overturned phone-jamming conspirator James Tobin's conviction for his role in the 2002 Election Day GOP scandal.

The court's 20-page opinion turns on narrow legalism, clearly rejecting the idea that Tobin was innocent:

That Tobin assisted in the substantive crime is patent; his call to Raymond was integral to the accomplishment of the scheme. ...We think it fair to add that despite the unattractive conduct, this statute is not a close fit for what Tobin did.

One tiny claim hidden by RNC lawyers inside a "haystack" of other claims. bought this surprise ending...

Tobin Cleared Just as Prosecutor Purge Scandal Reaches Phonejamming Case

by: Dean Barker

Wed Mar 21, 2007 at 19:06:19 PM EDT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston ruled that the statute under which Tobin was convicted "is not a close fit" for what Tobin did and questioned whether the government showed that Tobin showed an intent or purpose to harass.

I wouldn't make light of it if this didn't come right on the heels of the NHDP pressing for a new investigation into why it took sooo long for the Justice Dept. to pursue indicting Tobin:

"Why did it take so long for the indictment against Mr. Tobin to be brought?" she asked. "His name was apparently out there and known to the Department of Justice for several months and yet nothing was done with him until after the 2004 election."

Sullivan said a request to the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, should go out in a day or two.

This stinks to high heaven, folks.  It's obvious that something is rotten here, and it is poisoning justice in our state.  This needs to be addressed by Congress NOW.

Update: Betsy Devine's got a top rec'd diary on dKos on the second part of this story, but with lots more info.

Update #2: Here's a link via TPM Muckraker to the ten page letter the NHDP sent to Leahy and Hodes.

Update #3 Kathy Sullivan's statement on the overturned conviction below the fold.

Update #4: Here's a thought: so is this why Sununu was the first to call for Gonzo's head?  Getting out ahead of this early before it utterly ruins his re-election chances?

Update #5: The amazing Betsy Devine (clearly the local go-to person on this) not only predicted this overturned conviction back in January but has a text file of today's court decision.

Proud to be a Democrat Today

by: Dean Barker

Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 19:26:16 PM EDT

I have been thinking about Pompeia and Caesar's dictum all day; a story like this on the heels of the Ides makes it almost inevitable (and how I marvelled to see Laura bring it up; I didn't know it was known outside of the nerdy parameters of Classicists).

There is crime, and there is also suspicion.  In most avocations the former is forbidden; forbidden as well is the latter for a few.  As a teacher, one of those few professions, I can say from personal experience that this is true and unjust alike.

According to the current evidence at hand for us and according to the law, Ray Buckley has committed no crime.  Nor has he done anything that I would deem suspicious.  But the stinking and rotten farrago put together by Ray's personal enemies and made viral on YouTube will have, and has already had, a negative effect.

The degree of success of the scoundrels Vaillancourt's and Levasseur's work depends directly on how much mud they can fling.  Ray unwittingly gave them some, and that, as Laura argues, speaks to choices and judgment. Which in turn, speaks to liability.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Ray briefly for the first time two Fridays ago. He struck me as magnanimous, charismatic, nimble of tongue and manner.  I immediately got the sense that this would be a man who would chair an aggressive and creative NHDP, a person who would be tireless in his quest to ensure that Democrats get the best possible platform and a fair shake before the people on election day.  If this business prevents him from that journey, it would be unjust.

But neither, in my opinion, is Congressman Hodes in any way to be blamed for his decision to drop Buckley.  Hodes is a freshman incumbent; he is on the front lines of the war to restore sanity to our government (as we saw vividly just yesterday).  He requires a party free of suspicion to help him maintain as strong a presence in Congress as possible.  If this story continues to distract our time and energy for getting things done, then Hodes' decision is wise.

If I discovered that I might in some way be a real stumbling block to getting Sununu defeated, even if I had done nothing wrong and was the victim of a cruel attack, I know what I would have to do.  The men and women in uniform who are serving in a war that never should have been demand nothing less.  An earth free of the consequences of climate change for our children demands nothing less.  Though Ray's attackers be almost unfathomably ignoble, that does not lessen our just cause.

And what would be far worse than the inequity already being done to Buckley?  If this sordid episode managed not only to tar one man, but also divided our unity and our sense of purpose.

No one here should feel censure for either supporting or not supporting Ray for chair.  We must each do as we must, but what we cannot do is let these half-men, these creatures Vaillancourt and Levasseur, get between us and our mission to bring our country back from the brink.

Whatever the outcome for Buckley, one thing is dead certain for me.  Because of this foul business I am now even more committed than before to defeating Republicans.  Why?  Because that once Grand Old Party, home to fine ideas such as conservation, liberty, privacy, and fiscal restraint, has become a den of thieves, malcontents, the corrupt, the insecure, and the hubristic.  Taking out of context snippets of decades old video and putting up suggestive screen shots inidicative of nothing but false association?  Congratulations, Vaillancourt and Levasseur, you have created a work worthy of a third-rate Turdblossom.  You should call Karl up; I hear he might need some help next week.

I think we need a third party, because it's really no fun going up against people who represent the gutter.  How proud I am to be a Democrat in New Hampshire today.

The Buckley Imbroglio

by: Dean Barker

Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 09:28:14 AM EDT

* Republican and Vaillancourt ally Joe Kelly Levasseur put up a YouTube (you can find it yourself; I won't link to it) attacking Ray Buckley.

* The piece chiefly contains two elements: 1) edited shots of home video that have already been submitted as part of the earlier police investigation, and 2) screen shots of a MySpace group page to which Ray belongs.

* Last night, Congressman Hodes dropped his support for Buckley as chair based on the YouTube piece.

* Buckley has stated that he will continue to seek the chairmanship.

* The Union Leader actually has a pretty fair rundown of the situation so far.

I'm witholding my interpretation of this situation until I learn more, but considering the scope of this news I thought it best to put something up.

FOX News' Carl Cameron a Primary Panelist?

by: Dean Barker

Tue Mar 13, 2007 at 12:01:15 PM EDT

Let me be clear: I think it's fantastic the the New Hampshire Democratic party is holding a panel series on the First in the Nation Primary.  I also think it's great that they are striving to be balanced in their choice of panelists (Ovide LaMontagne with Bill Shaheen, e.g.).

But why oh why are they allowing FOX News' Carl Cameron anywhere near the building?  He is nothing other than the tool of a media channel constructed exclusively to denigrate Democrats.

I know the event is tomorrow, but I urge the New Hampshire Democratic Party leadership to reconsider their choice of Cameron based on the endless parade of smears (MediaMatters has 133 of them documented) against Democrats he's made in his time at FOX.

Follow me below the fold for just a small taste of Cameron's work:

My Dinner With Hillary -- and 1000 Other People

by: Pericles

Mon Mar 12, 2007 at 13:35:17 PM EDT

All those times when I've sardined myself into a packed bookstore or high school gym to hear a candidate for free, I've wondered: Do you get what you pay for? If I shelled out some bucks and went to one of those high-roller fund-raisers, could I get serious face time with a big-name Democrat like Hillary Clinton?

Here's what I learned Saturday night at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's annual 100 Club dinner:

• $100 doesn't make you a high roller.
• Even the people who spent $500 for the pre-dinner reception looked pretty jammed together.
• Hillary Clinton gives a good speech.
• If you have a choice, go to a free rally.

NHDP Elections Thread

by: Nicholas Gunn

Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 11:58:10 AM EST

As I understand it, aside from the race for party chair there are two other competitive races this year for party office:

NHDP Treasurer: Alex Lee vs. Rick Trombly

Alex Lee:

Lee has been a strong force in the New Hampshire Democratic Party (NHDP) since quitting his job as assistant to the commissioners at the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission to work on the Dean for America campaign in 2003. In 2004, he ran a nearly successful state senate campaign for Chesterfield State Representative McKim Mitchell, when McKim decided to take on then-Senate President Tom Eaton. He chairs the Concord City Democrats and is an at-large member of the Merrimack County Democratic Executive Committee.

Rick Trombly:
A former State Senator from Merrimack Country, and former DNC member from NH.  Rick is also involved with the NH NEA.

2nd Vice Chair: Peter Glenshaw vs Jane Clemons

Peter Glenshaw:

Peter recently started a blog and his first post happens to be about why he's running for 2nd Vice Chair.

I'm running for 2nd Vice Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party because I can do a better job managing the Resolutions Committe at the State Convention, which is the one specific responsibility assigned to this position.

I think anyone who attended the 2006 Convention will remember how the resolutions were handled that day.

It was noisy and almost impossible to hear anyone debating the resolutions.  The microphones did not work well and there no loudspeakers in the back of the room.  Because vendors and candidates rented tables adjacent to where the Convention delegates sat and debated the resolutions, their conversations spilled onto the Convention floor, making it almost impossible for any delegate in the back to hear.

Jane Clemons:
A long time Representitive from Nashua's 6th ward, and chair of the Nashua City Democrats.  Jane iswas the Deputy Democratic leader in the NH House, and the current  2nd Vice Chair of the NHDP.

Use this thread to discuss these races, as well as any other issues to be discussed at the upcoming State Committee meeting.

BREAKING - Buckley's Back

by: transplanted

Tue Mar 06, 2007 at 16:21:51 PM EST

Cleared of child pornography allegations, Democrat Ray Buckley jumped back into the race for state party chairman Tuesday.

"I'm in to win," Buckley said minutes after the man picked to replace him bowed out.

...Craig said Buckley, currently the party's vice chairman, should be allowed to resume his candidacy now that he's been cleared."

...Lynch endorsed Craig after Buckley dropped out. Tuesday, Lynch said he is supporting Buckley.  The filing period for the March 24 party elections have closed. But Lynch spokesman Colin Manning said the governor supports a rules change that will let Buckley run as a write-in candidate.

Things to ponder:
Did John Lynch do the right thing in reporting Buckley, endorsing Craig, and now re-endorsing Buckley?

What happens if the NHDP State Committee rejects the rules changes and Betty Hall is the only candidate on the ballot?

What happens to Steve Vaillancourt when all this is done?

What does Jim Craig do next?