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Just because this lousy "deal" on the American people is likely inevitable does not mean we should sugar coat the failure of message and strategy that preceded it and caused it to happen in the first place.
Nor should we be under any illusion on how the other side views our president now as a result:
Kelly Ayotte: The reported account of her tension with Gov. Sununu written up by a half-time blogger missed the bigger story about what really happened between Ayotte and Sununu. That would be "the phone call" between the two when, as one Republican described it, "Ayotte rolled like Obama" and Paul Young got dropped.
The red team understands they can hold the other 98% hostage to get what the 2% want.
There is no doubt in my mind that electoral realities will cause the Bush (and now Obama) tax giveaways to the richest to extend past 2012. I don't know what we can do at this point to stop that massive and ongoing theft from the commonweal.
But it's the least we can do to push the president in the other direction to make this bad deal a little less bad. There is still time to save Social Security.
"Congratulating a student on their graduation from high school is a crime, but verbal assaults against single mothers, gays, and lesbians [in front of high schoolers] are perfectly fine?"
That would be Harrell Kirstein, perfectly describing the upside down world of the NHGOP these days.
In the wake of the Ayotte Missing Email story, both WMUR and DiStaso fail to mention that just prior, the NHGOP demanded the release of all administration records pertaining to the FRM scandal, but instead dutifully stenograph the NHGOP's silly attempt to change the subject.
The Easter Bunny delivered a basket full of eggs highlighting Democrat's hard work to move New Hampshire forward
Concord - Arriving a few days early, the Easter Bunny delivered a basket full of eggs, each one touting one of the New Hampshire Democrats' major accomplishments, to the Republican Party. Initiatives like the W.A.R.N. Act and New Hampshire Working on the state level, and comprehensive health insurance reform on the national level, are just a few of the many items on the list that have benefited hundreds of thousands of Granite Staters.
"Hopefully seeing all the great things Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Congressman Paul Hodes, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, Governor Lynch and all the Democrats in the state House and Senate did, will serve as inspiration to the Republican Party," said the Easter Bunny.
The recently passed comprehensive health insurance reform legislation will lower insurance premiums for New Hampshire Families by nearly $3,000 over the next six years, immediately provide tax credits of up to 35% of premium costs to small businesses that offer health insurance to their employees, and extend coverage to nearly 150,000 New Hampshire residents who are currently uninsured.
At the state level both the W.A.R.N. Act and New Hampshire working programs have taken effect, protecting Granite Staters who currently have jobs, helping those without them find work, and ensuring that the New Hampshire workforce has the training and skills necessary to compete for the best jobs available.
"The New Hampshire Democratic Party was very busy this year," continued the Easter Bunny. "I have been an admirer of their work for generations, but this year I decided I had to recognize all they have accomplished."
A video of the Easter Bunny delivering his basket to the Republican Party is available here. And a full listing of all the major Democratic accomplishments contained in the eggs is below.
List of Major Democratic Accomplishments:
Implementing New Hampshire Working
Passing the W.A.R.N. ACT
Passing Healthy Kids & Health First
Passing National Health insurance reform
Providing Equality for All Our Citizens
Ending the Education Funding Crisis
Raising the Minimum Wage
Passing a Responsible and Balanced Budget
Cleaning Up the Republican Economic Mess
Making New Hampshire One of the Safest, Well Educated, Best Places to Raise a Family
Ensuring New Hampshire is one of the Lowest Taxed and Most Fiscally Responsible States in the Country
(Posted by Harrell Kirstein, deputy press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party.)
NHGOP calling on Democrats to return contributions after refusing for 7 years to return Abramoff money used to pay for phone jamming
Concord - Today, the New Hampshire Republican Party issued a release calling on Democrats to return campaign contributions from Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-New York). Embarrassingly, they sent out the release without promising to return money they received from Jack Abramoff's Indian casino clients for the phone jamming scandal back in 2002.
"The Republican Party's hypocrisy is astounding," said Derek Richer, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "They have refused to return money from Jack Abramoff, a convicted felon, for 7 years - money they used to illegally jam Democratic phone lines."
During the 2002 election, the NHGOP received contributions from two of Abramoff's Indian casino clients just days before engaging in illegally jamming phone lines being used by the NHDP and firefighters to get out their vote. Since then, they have repeatedly refused to return the funds.
"Ryan Williams and John H. Sununu should be embarrassed to make such a ridiculous attack," continued Richer. "Are they going to give back the thousands in tainted money they received from Jack Abramoff and Mississippi Indian Casinos?"
(Posted by Harrell Kirstein, deputy press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party)
To distract from half-truths, distortions, and outright lies Sununu resorts to childish taunts
Concord - Today, Chairman of the Republican Party John H. Sununu took his "I Hate NH Tour" to New Hampshire Public Radio's program The Exchange. Within the first 30 seconds of being on the air Sununu lied three times in quick succession.
He began by lying once again about the responsible and balanced budget passed by Democrats this biennium. Sununu claimed that spending was up more than 10% when in fact, Democrats reduced general fund spending. And during Sununu's tenure as governor, he raised spending by an average of 22.25% per biennium, increased taxes, and left the 1983 and 1984 budgets in deficit.
He went on to claim that Democrats implemented 38 to 45 new taxes and fees. But in reality virtually every tax and fee in New Hampshire was implemented and raised by Republicans.
And once again Sununu claimed that New Hampshire is ruined. He has repeated this outrageous attack on the Granite State for months, even though New Hampshire leads the country on virtually every key metric:
* Best Place to Raise a Family: According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation New Hampshire is the single best place to raise a family in the United States.
* Lower Unemployment: The unemployment rate is 30% lower in New Hampshire than it is nationally.
* Low Taxes: New Hampshire has one of the best business tax climates according to the conservative think tank the Tax Foundation.
* Low State Spending: New Hampshire has the 4th lowest per-capita spending of any state in the country.
* Safe: According to the FBI, New Hampshire is the 2nd safest state in the country.
* Well Educated: According to the U.S. census, New Hampshire graduates a greater percentage of its high school students than any state in the north east. And the Department of Education ranks New Hampshire among the top 5 states in key measures of reading and math.
Finally, when the host of The Exchange pointed out to Chairman Sununu that Democrats, including President Obama, have been trying to work in a bipartisan way with Republicans to move our state and country forward Sununu resorted to childish taunts. He accused President Obama of being "Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire."
"Seriously?" asked Derek Richer, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "This is a low point in New Hampshire politics - even for Sununu."
(Posted by Harrell Kirstein, Deputy Press Secretary of the New Hampshire Democratic Party)
NHDP Chair Ray Buckley Calls on Rep. Al Baldasaro to Resign After Saying NH is "Selling Children to Homosexuals for $10,000 each"
Concord - Ray Buckley, Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, released the following statement after Republican state Representative Al Baldasaro (R-Londonderry), while testifying before the NH House Judiciary Committee last Wednesday, stated that "The state of New Hampshire is selling children to homosexuals for $10,000 each."
"Rep. Baldasaro's remarks have no place in New Hampshire and certainly not from a state elected official. He needs to immediately apologize for his outrageous statement. And his Londonderry colleague House Minority Leader Rep. Sherman Packard, as well as Deputy Minority Leader Rep. David Hess of Hooksett and Republican 16th District Senate candidate Rep. David Boutin of Hooksett should denounce these ridiculously hateful remarks and demand his resignation."
"The Granite State is a place where people of different backgrounds are accepted, not discriminated against based on their, race, gender, or sexual orientation. To make such an ignorant comment is an embarrassment to his party, his office, and to our state. Republican legislative leaders should take swift and determined action against Rep. Baldasaro."
###
(Posted by Derek Richer, Press Secretary of the New Hampshire Democratic Party)
In Nascar lingo, the "Silly Season" is the period near the end of the season when the also-ran drivers try to get new rides with the also-ran teams. This traditionally began in September, around the time of the race here in New Hampshire. In recent years, the Silly Season has been happening earlier and earlier.
The NH Republican Party is starting its silly season very early this year. The new legislative session is three weeks old and Daytona is almost a month away. The NH GOP released two very bizarre press releases this week, both triggered by a meeting between Revenue Administration chief Kevin Clougherty and various leading State House Democrats, including Speaker Terie Norelli. Understandably, the Republicans felt excluded, but did they simply choose to invite Clougherty to meet with members of their caucus? No, not really...
Many Granite Staters who aren't trudging through the rain and snow on the ground are manning phones here at home. For the past few days, phone banks for Coakley and Brown have been buzzing at both New Hampshire Democratic and Republican headquarters in Concord. Hundreds of other activists have been making calls from their own homes.
Massachusetts activists "have helped us over the years in New Hampshire when we've had competitive races, especially presidential races," Republican state Rep. D.J. Bettencourt of Salem said yesterday from Andover, Mass. "So we're down here returning the favor and seeing old friends. Of course, it doesn't hurt that it's so exciting."
When Bay Staters go to the polls today, New Hampshire activists will be phone-banking, going door-to-door and holding signs on street corners and at polling places.
Yesterday, many New Hampshire Republicans were working out of Brown headquarters in Andover, along with a large group from Michigan. State Democrats were working out of Lowell, led by U.S. Rep. Nikki Tsongas.
Republicans need to explain why they oppose covering 140K+ Granite Staters, reining in abusive insurance industry practices, and addressing ever increasing costs
Concord - Today, Republicans held yet another press conference attacking efforts to make sure more Americans have access to health care and once again, they've failed to offer any real ideas on how to address the serious challenges facing New Hampshire and the country.
"Republicans need to explain to the people of New Hampshire why they refuse to offer any ideas on how to cover the 140 thousand Granite State citizens that are without health insurance," said Derek Richer, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party.
"They also need to explain to the voters why they don't have a plan to deal with health care costs that continue to spiral out of control, or why they oppose the efforts in this legislation to lower prescription drug costs, make sure seniors can afford their prescription drugs, or prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to anyone with a pre-existing condition like breast cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma."
"Republicans are happy to issue partisan, political attacks. But their silence on any real solutions is deafening," Richer added.
The federal health insurance reform being debated would dramatically improve health care both in New Hampshire and across the country. In addition to covering 140 thousand uninsured citizens and dealing with ever rising health care costs, the legislation includes a number of provisions that would directly benefit the people of the Granite State including: prohibiting insurance companies from dropping coverage when individuals get sick, banning lifetime limits on coverage, and giving individuals the right to appeal unfair insurance company decisions to an independent party.
The legislation would also establish affordable options in insurance exchanges - a new marketplace where individuals and small businesses can compare cost and quality and pay for the plan that is right for them. These exchanges would include a guaranteed package of benefits, including free preventive care.
"Health insurance reform is complex, but critically important," said Richer. "And if the Republicans really wanted to help the people of the Granite State they would offer real solutions instead of constant partisan attacks. At the very least, they need to answer why they oppose many of these key provisions in the reform package that would dramatically improve our health care system and help rein in costs."
(Posted by Derek Richer, Press Secretary of the New Hampshire Democratic Party)
Do you think that the 200 billion dollars left over from the bank bailout should be used for a stimulus package to create jobs or should it go to reduce the federal budget deficit?
Radical Republican proposal would slash Healthy Kids Silver program, bill would make health care less affordable, accessible to low income NH families
New Hampshire House Republicans have introduced legislation (HB 1283) to dramatically curtail access to the state's Healthy Kids Silver program. The proposal would cut more than 1500 children from a health care plan that provides low income families with access to affordable health insurance.
"The radical House Republican proposal would be devastating for New Hampshire families," said Derek Richer, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "People are struggling and reducing access to affordable health care for children from low income families is completely irresponsible."
"Kicking 1500 children off of their health insurance would be a disaster," continued Richer. "House Republicans should stop trying to rewrite the budget with reckless cuts that target the state's most vulnerable citizens."
"Governor Lynch and legislative Democrats worked hard to balance the budget while protecting essential services like these. Republicans should come to the table and work with Democrats on real solutions that both address the economic challenges we face and protect working families," Richer added.
House Republicans have introduced a series of measures that slash access to medical care in New Hampshire. In addition to HB 1283 that rolls back the Healthy Kids Silver program, House Republicans have also introduced legislation to slash Medicaid. This proposal (HB 1587) would eliminate access to a wide range of essential services for poor seniors, the mentally disabled, and handicapped individuals including funding for prescription drug coverage, wheelchair vans and mental health care, among other services.
The legislation (HB1587) would also eliminate the state's home-and-community-based care program, forcing seniors out of their homes into more expensive nursing homes. And it would eliminate funding for home-based programs for people with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries, forcing them into more expensive care.
"The drastic health care cuts proposed by House Republicans just goes to show how truly out of touch they are with the people of New Hampshire," continued Richer. "While legislative Democrats are working hard to improve the lives of everyone in the New Hampshire, Republicans want to return the state to the Dark Ages."
(Posted by Derek Richer, Press Secretary of the New Hampshire Democratic Party)
Perhaps to deflect attention off the friendly fire Frank Guinta's campaign received yesterday, the NHGOP got the "flip-flop" vapors today over this:
"I have not been in agreement with this. I used to be until I went to Afghanistan myself and certainly have talked to many people who are involved in Afghanistan. At this point I have been holding my comments. I am deeply concerned about where this country is right now and our own deficits and our own problems and the fact is we still don't have these countries stepping up like I think they should," [Shea-Porter] said.
More succinctly she said later in the interview that on she wouldn't support Obama's proposed plan: ""For this build up my inclination is no, but I am going to listen very carefully."
Note how Carol goes out of her way in her remarks to point you to the fact that her view on Afghanistan was shaped as a result of her trip there seven months ago:
Afghanistan simply needs more help than the United States alone can provide and the country is engulfed in chaos with no obvious end, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter said after a recent trip to the war-torn nation.
"It's been seven years now, and really to fix Afghanistan would require an effort that I don't see happening," Shea-Porter said by phone from Washington.
The United States has by far the most troops and money invested there, Shea-Porter said, and fixing Afghanistan would require huge amounts of money and manpower from Europe as well, a political prospect that seems unlikely at best.
I don't know why the NHGOP doesn't read the Union Leader, but there it is - Carol's view on Afghanistan, consistent with today's interview, from as far back as last May.
The following Op-Ed from Executive Director Mike Brunelle was published in Fosters Daily Democrat on Saturday. I thought the BH folks might appreciate it:
Former state party chair is too late; GOP has already been overrun by the fringe
Fergus Cullen, the former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, published an Op-Ed last week denouncing the hateful remarks made by right wing political activist and radio show host Doug Lambert. Enough has been said about Mr. Lambert's shocking comments that I won't recount them here.
But in the piece, Cullen also warned the state Republican Party of the political perils of pandering to its most fringe members. While I applaud his efforts, they are too little, too late.
Recently we have seen all the Republican candidates for higher office clamoring to get endorsements from the far right wing of the party. For example, they have been actively courting the radical conservative group, Club for Growth, and seeking endorsements from the extremist Republican Senator Jim DeMint.
In fact, the New Hampshire Republican Party has effectively purged its ranks of middle-of-the-road Republicans. Over the last decades, they have "purified" their party, driving out moderates like Hillary Cleveland, Lou D'Allesandro, Ralph Hough, Dave Nixon, Frank Davis, Jim Mackay, the late Susan and Malcolm McLane and hundreds of other former top NH Republicans.
And recently, the state party has taken the final step - ousting Cullen as chairman and replacing him with failed former Governor John H. Sununu. Now, Chairman Sununu is doing everything he can to spread anger and hate to rile up the base.
Sununu recently outlined exactly this strategy in an interview with Foster's Daily Democrat. His goal: to make the Republican Party as angry possible.
Over the summer, we saw this strategy in action. The New Hampshire Tea Party Coalition, a group of local Republicans and radical activists, used scare tactics to try to stop progress on providing affordable, quality health insurance to all Americans. This was not a peaceful protest - they regularly used threats and intimidation tactics that were reprehensible.
And there is no line between the leadership of the New Hampshire Republican Party and the "Tea Party" crowd. Jack Kimball, currently the Republican candidate for governor, is one of the movement's lead organizers.
Kimball is so out of touch with New Hampshire values he declared that there had been a "communist and socialist" takeover of America. In order to protect himself from the "serious things coming," he then purchased large amounts of ammunition for his assault weapons. He even started a new group aimed at "keeping an eye on the president." And in response to the government's efforts to help struggling homeowners, Kimball actually urged individuals to stop paying their mortgages.
Chairman Sununu and the state Republican Party should be ashamed. Their strategy of inciting anger and spreading hate - instead of offering ideas - is bad for our state, and the people of New Hampshire deserve better.
Cullen is right when he says that campaigning to the fringe of the Republican Party is no way to win elections. Unfortunately, his colleagues beg to differ. This type of mentality runs counter to New Hampshire values, and ultimately is the reason why the GOP will remain the minority party in 2010.
Mike Brunelle is a former state representative and the current executive director of the New Hampshire Democratic Party
(Posted by Derek Richer, Press Secretary of the New Hampshire Democratic Party)
Ray Buckley, chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, released the following statement on the so called spending summit being held today by the New Hampshire Republican Party.
"The Republican Party needs to stop playing politics with the state budget.
"Where were the Republicans when we were passing the budget? Unlike Democrats, who passed a budget that made significant cuts to spending, Republicans sat on the sidelines throughout the process.
"Their only involvement came at the 11th hour, when they offered a reckless proposal that would have lead to the highest property tax increase in the history of New Hampshire.
"The time for being a part of the budget process was last spring. This so-called spending summit is just a laughable attempt to score cheap political points.
"Someone should remind Republicans that under their leadership spending increased by double digits every biennium. And the biggest spender of all has been John H Sununu. During his tenure, spending increased an astounding 22% per biennium.
"When it comes to passing responsible, balanced budgets, Republicans do not have any credibility.
Democrats deliver mop and a message to State Republican Party, call on Judd Gregg and John H. Sununu to help clean up the mess created by Republicans
Picking up on President Obama's call, the New Hampshire Democratic Party delivered a mop and a message to the New Hampshire Republican Party, asking them to help clean up the mess created by years of failed Republican leadership.
See the video here
Recognizing that we're all in this together, President Obama and the Democratic Party have been working hard to create jobs, ensure accessible and affordable insurance, and better secure the country. But these efforts have been met with Republican knee-jerk opposition and partisan obstruction to every new idea.
Last week, the President suggested that rather than simply saying "NO" to efforts to help put the country back on the right track, the GOP should "grab a mop" and help clean up the mess we're in to move the country forward.
"Not unlike Republicans at the national level, the only thing Judd Gregg, John H. Sununu, and the state Republican Party has offered are the failed policies of the past," said Mike Brunelle, executive director of the New Hampshire Democratic Party.
"Today, we delivered a mop to the New Hampshire Republican Party with the message that they should stop being the party of no and start helping clean up the mess they created," Brunelle continued. "As President Obama said, the Republicans need to grab a mop and let's all get to work."
(Posted by Derek Richer, Press Secretary of the New Hampshire Democratic Party)
"I'm still trying to find the first American who's in favor of the public option, other than a member of Congress or the administration."
-- House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), quoted by the Middletown Journal.
DiStaso:
The New Hampshire Republican Party will host U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner at a fund-raiser next month.
...State Republican Party spokesman Ryan Williams said the Boehner fund-raiser will be in Manchester or Concord, with the precise venue yet to be determined.
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
This is a perfect opportunity to wake John Boehner up and out of his laughable talking point.
I'm thinking OfA, NHDP, Granite State Progress, Blue Hamsters, and everybody and anybody of the 65% of Americans who support a public option ought to show up outside this venue with signs even Boehner's status quo tunnel vision can see.
Below is a press release the NHDP issued today on Sununu's recent interview with Foster's Daily Democrat where he talks about Louis XIV.
Rip Van Sununu's 2010 Strategy: Taking a Page Out of Louis XIV's Playbook
Disgruntled former governor and state party chairman embraces angering the radical right
Foster's Daily Democrat provided further confirmation today that John "Rip Van" Sununu is living in the past and is completely disconnected with reality.
In an interview with the paper's editorial board, the Republican state committee chairman and former governor said the inspiration for the GOP's 2010 strategy is Louis XIV. The goal: to make the extreme right wing of the republican party as angry possible.
When asked if his strategy would backfire, Sununu actually said,
"You know, I think one of the last things Louis XIV kept telling his people was that the anger of the people will turn the people toward us."
"John H. Sununu has completely lost touch with reality," said Derek Richer press secretary of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "You don't win elections by angering voters; you do it by offering ideas. At this point, all we've heard from John H. Sununu is that he hates New Hampshire."
Not only has John H. Sununu embraced this "Louis XIV" strategy, but many of the candidates he has recruited to run for office in 2010 have as well. In fact, the GOP's candidate for Governor, Jack Kimball, is a leader of the "Tea Party" protesters - a group that has been angrily disrupting town hall meetings across the state.
But John H. Sununu isn't just out of touch, he needs a history lesson. King Louis XIV is known for bankrupting the state of France, raising taxes, and oppressing the people.
"It's crazy that Sununu is talking about 18th century France instead of the challenges facing New Hampshire," continued Richer. "But then again, when he was governor, Sununu virtually bankrupted our state - just like Louis the XIV did in France. Under Sununu's watch, spending was completely out of control, taxes were increased, and our budget was left in deficit."
(Posted by Derek Richer, Press Secretary of the New Hampshire Democratic Party)
Below is a press release I received today from the NHDP. Why does Sununu continue to trash the Granite State? To me, that strategy seems likely to fail...
PORTSMOUTH HERALD: John H Sununu Continues His "I hate N.H. tour" Republican State Chair & former governor continues to ignore reality, insult the Granite State
Concord-Republican State Committee Chairman and former Governor John H Sununu continued his "I hate NH tour" yesterday. Despite a long record of raising taxes, deficit spending, and fiscal irresponsibility as governor, Sununu continued his reckless and duplicitous rhetoric on the responsible and balanced budget recently passed by the Democrats.
"John H Sununu should stop playing politics with the state budget," said Mike Brunelle, executive director of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "When he was governor, spending increased by an average of 22% per biennium. He raised taxes, left our budgets in deficit, and used one-time money on several occasions to cover for his fiscal irresponsibility.
"When it comes to passing responsible, transparent, and balanced budgets, John H Sununu has no credibility," continued Brunelle.
In fact, the balanced budget recently passed by Democrats made significant cuts, including unfunding 200 state positions, continuing the freeze on purchases, and closing five court houses and the Laconia state prison. And the Democrats, under Governor John Lynch's leadership, did so while keeping taxes low. According to the Tax Foundation, the tax burden in New Hampshire is actually the 4th lowest in the nation.
Given Sununu's hypocritical comments on the budget and record of raising taxes, it's no surprise that the only plan the Republican Party has offered is a back door property tax that would have led to the largest increase in local taxes in the history of New Hampshire. Over 40% of the budget is aid to cities and towns. Under the GOP proposal, state assistance would have been cut by 13%, robbing municipalities of over 200 million dollars that is used to fund schools and invest in first responders.
"Saddling property owners with the burden of balancing the state budget when they are hurting the most is not only irresponsible it's just plain wrong," said Brunelle. "Sununu and the Republicans in the state house should say what they want to cut, instead of just launching attacks from the sidelines."
