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Frustrated by what they see as President Obama's weakness in battling Republicans, "leading Democratic donors and tacticians have begun independently plotting their political recovery -- including building a network of outside fundraising and campaign organizations to compete with those formed this year by Republicans," McClatchy-Tribune reports.
A dozen prominent Democrats -- led by longtime Bill Clinton adviser Harold Ickes and labor leader Andy Stern -- will meet next week "to discuss whether to form a new operation to combat the many outside groups launched this year by Karl Rove and other Republican strategists, according to multiple participants."
"Such a move by Democrats comes despite Obama's long-standing opposition to political spending by outside groups, particularly those that refuse to disclose their donors, and underscores the deep dissatisfaction with the White House's strategy on several fronts."
The New Hampshire Democratic Party announced today that Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer will headline the first annual McIntyre - Shaheen 100 Club Dinner on Thursday, April 29th. The event will celebrate four great Granite State Democrats credited with making the New Hampshire Democratic Party into what it is today.
United States Senator Thomas J. McIntyre first served the people of the Granite State as mayor of Laconia in 1949 before being elected to the United States Senate in 1962. As the only three term Democratic senator in New Hampshire history, Senator McIntyre was a champion of progressive causes and helped establish the foundation for the current Democratic Party in New Hampshire. Senator McIntyre's wife, Myrtle, served many years representing the Granite State on the Democratic National Committee and was a key advisor and strategist for the party and her husband's campaigns. Together, Tom and Myrtle McIntyre served our nation, state and party while nurturing a generation of successful Democratic leaders starting in the 1940s lasting through the 1970s.
United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen - a nationally known campaign manager, former three term governor, and current United States senator - was instrumental in making Democrats the majority party in the Granite State. Senator Shaheen's unwavering commitment to building the Democratic Party and her leadership for progressive values makes her a national role model. In less than two years, Senator Shaheen has established her herself as an articulate, effective and accomplished Senate leader. Senator Shaheen's husband, Bill, has served New Hampshire as a US Attorney, state judge, and was the state chair for Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, and John Kerry's successful presidential primary campaigns. Nearly everyone involved in today's Democratic majority Party has either worked with or for Bill and Jeanne Shaheen at some point from the 1970s to today.
"The first ever McIntyre - Shaheen Dinner is shaping up to be a truly memorable event," said Ray Buckley, chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "Governor Schweitzer is a fantastic Governor, great Democrat, and incredibly dynamic speaker and we are honored to have him as the special guest."
In his five years as governor, Brian Schweitzer has done more to move Montana forward than any other governor in his state's history. He is credited with creating more jobs at higher wages in Montana than ever before, championing major new investments in both K-12 and higher education, and expanding health insurance coverage to more than 3,000 additional children.
But Governor Schweitzer is probably best known for being a tireless advocate of ending our country's dependence on foreign oil. In 2008, he gave a riveting speech at the Democratic National Convention where we he called on America to "declare energy independence" and proclaimed that "the petro-dictators will never own American wind and sunshine."
Governor Schweitzer is also an active member and former chair of the Democratic Governors' Association and the current Chair of the Western Governors' Association.
Event Details:
Who: Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer & New Hampshire Democrats
What: First Annual McIntyre - Shaheen 100 Club Dinner
When: Thursday, April 29th
Where: Grappone Conference Center in Concord NH
Background: The 100 Club Dinner has been the NH Democratic Party's largest annual fundraising event since it was established in 1959. Since then, every Democratic President, Vice President and presidential candidate has spoken at the dinner.
(Posted by Derek Richer, Press Secretary of the New Hampshire Democratic Party)
In her typically quiet but tenacious way, Jeanne Shaheen stood up to the HOUSE and the GOP and fought for fairness not only for the State of New Hampshire who otherwise would have been excluded from additional unemployment benefits (as well as homeowners and small businesses) - but she stood up for all states across the country taking into count not just the pervasiveness of the shrinking job opportunities nationwide, but the personal tragedies that are afflicting families one by one.
(WMUR & AP/Associated Press) The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to provide the jobless with up to 20 weeks in additional unemployment benefits with New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen as one of the leaders behind the legislation.
If the bill passes the House as expected, it will mean thousands of people without jobs can continue to collect unemployment.
"At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet, we gave those families some help to keep fighting," Shaheen said.
She is an outstanding leader with real feeling for working people and without grand standing, she focused to get this needed legislation done that even GOP Senator Judd Gregg voted for - along with the 96 other Senators who voted 98-0. That's effective leadership, period.
Good news from Kevin Landrigan's column: The folks in Washington, DC are saying that New Hampshire has been very effective in its use of federal stimulus dollars. Projects around the state include an addition for Nashua Community College, a commuter bus station in Nashua, improvements to Hampton Beach, and construction at the University of New Hampshire. I've seen a few signs in my area telling travelers that stimulus funds are being used for repaving.
Lauren Dorgan opens with a report on the astroturf protest at the town hall meeting that wasn't.
So, right-wing groups like the New Hampshire Tea Party Coalition (which is linked to Americans for Prosperity, a group founded by an oil-and-gas tycoon sometimes called the richest man in New York) urged folks who oppose the health-care reform bill now percolating in the Senate to attend the ordinary office hours held by Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's staffers in towns including Grafton.
The man Dorgan refers to is David Koch, who, along with his brother, funds most of the right wing activities in the US despite legal and other troubles.
(Because it's worth reminding everyone all the time that Jeanne Shaheen vote to keep climate change action in the budget reconciliation process - promoted by Dean Barker)
Today a group of Organizing for America (OFA) volunteers from New Hampshire met with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen. We did so to express our gratitude for her support of President Barack Obama's agenda, specifically her votes supporting his budget and plan for economic recovery. It went VERY well. CLICK HERE to see photos.
Most of us volunteered for both the Obama and Shaheen campaigns, which she acknowledged at the beginning of the meeting.
We had a lovely exchange with her regarding the need for accessible, affordable health care for all, as well as for a clean environment. She's a strong advocate for both of those issues, as well as for fiscal responsibility and education. Those four points are the key components of President Barack Obama's budget priorities.
I've given this brouhaha over Senator Shaheen much consideration. The angst expressed by some over the centrist senatorial caucus has some merit. Progressives have worked hard at overcoming many impediments to implementing policy initiatives that would move our country forward. Many of these obstacles have been self-inflicted by the Democratic Party - health care could have been handled better in the early 90s, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" created a wedge, Bill Clinton's personal choices - ugh -, not to mention that some perceived that we rolled over in 2000, and were far too agreeable to Bush, not only on Iraq, but NCLB and tax cuts (granted some of the tax cuts were rammed through with reconciliation.)
(I can't wait for this election to be over, and the slime merchants have crawled back into their holes. - promoted by Dean Barker)
This weekend we got an anti-Shaheen/pro-Sprinter flyer containing some very confusing language regarding the Employee Free Choice Act, which itself is already the subject of widespread confusion among many thoughtful folks and I do not pretend to understand it at this point (I'm working on it, OK?).
This item is sponsored by the Employee Freedom Action Committee, a decidedly anti-union group.
The mailing is most remarkable in its visual message, since it links the image of Jeanne Shaheen with that of actor Vincent Curatola (who played mob boss Johnny Sack on The Sopranos), whom we are to presume represents union bosses "looking over your shoulder" while you vote on unionization.
I know this is silly season, but this is way beyond silly, and far into outrageous.
I wonder if Mr. Curatola truly understands how his image and talent are being used? I am sure he is also a member of SAG and/or AFTRA, and I wonder how they feel about it? Apparently this same campaign is being used against candidates around the country, including in Maine, against Tom Allen. A video ad (again with Johnny Sack) can be seen here, I am choosing not to embed such nonsense on these pages.
Update: Laura has a diary on this issue from last year that helped me to fill in the gaps a bit.
(I tried so hard not to promote this, I really did, but the spread is so shocking (and the fourth one now, for POTUS, in four days) that I can't resist. - promoted by Dean Barker)
There's a new SUSA Senate poll out today: Shaheen 48%, Sununu 40%.
They also have a state Presidential poll: Obama 53%, McCain 40%.
They see Obama headed to the biggest Dem win here since Johnson in 1964.
There has already been a couple of diaries posted about how the sample size of the UNH Survey Center poll skewed Republican, and that it is likely that McCain's number is artificially inflated as a result. Consequently, we should expect the poll numbers for the US Senate and congressional races to show the same sort of skewing. It won't surprise me if it shows the senate race to be a statistical dead heat, because of the undersampling of Democratic voters.
The sample size in this polls was:
24% D
41% U
31% R
For a net +7 GOP registration. By way of comparison, in April his poll had a -1 GOP reg advantage, in July it had a +1 GOP reg advantage.
Today it has a +7 GOP reg advantage. The April poll, with the -1 GOP registration, had McCain up by 6 points, so I am guessing that if the poll had accurately sampled Democrats, the numbers would look different.
In any event, we are going to hear a lot of hooey about the poll numbers in the senate race and the congresional races, as well, so before we do, everyone take a deep breath, remember that we have six weeks to go, and we all need to work harder!!
Jeanne Shaheen's economic plan is making headlines in the local newspapers. A quick sampling of the news coverage her economic plan received around the state of New Hampshire -- and remember, these are just the headlines and lead paragraphs from the papers:
Seacoast Online: 'A New Direction' - Shaheen stumps in Hampton, backed by firemen
HAMPTON - Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen enjoyed a little chili Thursday afternoon, Sept. 18 before tearing into her opponent on why he's the wrong man to send back to Washington.
WMUR: Shaheen Attacks Sununu on Turbulent Economy
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The economic situation is playing out in New Hampshire's U.S. Senate race, with Democratic challenger Jeanne Shaheen attacking Republican incumbent Sen. John Sununu. Shaheen is laying the blame for a jittery stock market and shaky economy at the feet of Republicans in Washington.
Concord Monitor: Economy slides into campaign rhetoricWith Wall Street institutions foundering this week, New Hampshire Democrats emphasized Sen. John Sununu's credentials as a free market conservative, saying the anti-regulation tack of Sununu's Republican Party allowed the financial industry to elude oversight on risky deals.
Interview dates just a bit before the Obama momentum shifted...
2008 President
McCain 48% (+3 over August)
Obama 45% (-1 over August)
Other 1%
Undecided 6%
Interview dates: September 13-15, Sample size: 600 likely voters MOE: ±4%
So another month of pins and needles for the Obama camp in NH. Rasummusen should be out in the next day or two with their monthly... perhaps we will see some Obama Mo there?
Much better news for Shaheen
2008 US Senate
Shaheen 52%
Sununu 40%
Undecided 8%
Interview dates: September 13-15, Sample size: 600 likely voters, MOE: ±4%
The bipartisan Shaheen Truth Team has issued a press release pointing out the differences between John E. "Walker" Sununu's current rhetoric and the reality of his record (if anyone doesn't understand the "Walker" reference, please see Sununu's commercial in which he tries to turn a casual stroll down the street into a symbol of MANLY VIGOR - it is pretty funny). Kudos to Senator Peter Burling and former Senator Rick Russman for telling the truth about John E. Walker's distortions:
TRUTH TEAM: UPDATED SUNUNU WEBSITE DISTORTS SUNUNU RECORD ON ISSUES CRITICAL TO NEW HAMPSHIRE FAMILIES, TRIES TO MASK LOYALTY TO FAILED BUSH AGENDA
Bipartisan group sheds light on Sununu's real record of voting with George W. Bush 90% of the time
(Manchester, NH) - Today, members of the bipartisan Truth Team exposed the distortion and misleading rhetoric John Sununu's campaign has posted on his website. After months of sitting idle, John Sununu's campaign finally updated its website last week with new information for New Hampshire voters. The problem is, Sununu's team has tried to mask his record of walking in lockstep with George Bush on a failed agenda by distorting his positions and omitting some of his most critical votes.
"George Bush and John Sununu have dug our economy into a hole," said State Senator Pete Burling. "When Bush has needed John Sununu's vote, he's been right there beside him, standing up for the special interests and putting their corporate allies before New Hampshire families. Now he's using his website to try to mislead New Hampshire voters about his real record, but it won't work. New Hampshire families desperately need a new direction and that means we need a new Senator.
"On issues from housing to energy to health care to Iraq, Senator Sununu is talking out both sides of his mouth," said Republican former state Senator Rick Russman. "Now that it's an election year, Sununu is trying to run from his own record and insist that he has been a leading voice on alternative and renewable energy development when in fact he has voted time and again to stand with Bush and protect billions in subsidies to Big Oil rather than invest that money in new energy development. We need a Senator who will put progress before party and stand with the families of New Hampshire."
After the jump, see specifics of John E. Walker's rhetoric v. the reality.
There are strikingly disimilar approaches toward their party conventions on the part of US Senate candidates Jeanne Shaheen and John Sununu.
Jeanne Shaheen not only is attending the convention in Denver, she is being showcased as a speaker. From the Globe:
Democratic challengers for US Senate seats in Maine and New Hampshire will speak next Wednesday on the third night of the national convention, organizers announced tonight.
Jeanne Shaheen, the former Granite State governor who is trying to oust Republican John Sununu, is on the speaker list, as is Tom Allen, who is trying to unseat Susan Collins. They will precede the vice presidential nominee.
After promoting the Sox ticket raffle on this site I was very surprised to receive a call on Saturday, July 19th from Dan Swislow telling me I had won the tickets.
I accused him of yanking my chain and a few other things I can't repeat then went nuts planning for my visit to the shrine on top of Fenway.
Thank you Dan. Thank you Shaheen campaign for a once in a life time evening with my son. The memories will be with us forever.
I took a Shaheen yard sign with me and used the reverse side for my welcome back Big Papi sign that got on NESN. I still haven't watched the whole game on TIVO but if I find a video of me holding the Shaheen side up, I will post it.
It strikes me as we hear the names Shaheen and Sununu everyday in the Senate race, that no one suggests they are unpatriotic, or expresses sentiments that they are Muslim leaners, because of their names. Barack Hussein Obama, well you see where I'm going don't you ? He's been called Halfrican American by Rush the blowhard, many still think he's Muslim, or secretly so. Why not the others ? Is it because they appear white ? Please suggest what is wrong with this picture ? Am I barking up the wrong family tree ? I think it is blatant, perhaps subconscious, but blatant none the less.
(Good to see Jeanne Shaheen going strong with fundraising, and especially focusing on small donors - promoted by Laura Clawson)
If ever you needed a good reason to donate to the campaign, I think 2 seats on the Green Monster are a pretty good tickler. Now I could hope that I'm the only one donating thus increasing my odds of winning but my real goal is to increase the odds of my being able to shake the hand of Senator Shaheen.
Green has long been a theme of this campaign. Our campaign color is green. Our logo is green. Governor Shaheen often speaks about the need for 21st Century green jobs and a new energy policy. Now, we have a new addition to Green for Shaheen: The Green Monster.
Next Saturday, July 19th, we're going to choose one lucky winner to receive two prime seats on the Green Monster to watch the Red Sox play the Yankees at Fenway Park on Friday, July 25th.
A contribution of $25 automatically enters you into a drawing for the tickets. Each additional $25 you contribute will earn one additional entry. For example, $75 is equivalent to three entries. The contest ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, July 18th.
Go here to donate and enter the raffle. Enter early and often.
The other day Kathy Sullivan mentioned in a comment on another diary Nick Clemons' fantastic track record this year with Hillary Clinton, and I woke up this morning thinking Nick deserves a stand-alone diary.
After Nick successfully ran Hillary's campaign in New Hampshire, he was tapped to run New Jersey, Texas, Pennsylvania and South Dakota, all tough states, all wins.
Nick is not a self-promoter, so he doesn't get the credit he deserves for being one of the best political operatives in the business today.
In addition to being an expert on field and getting out the vote, Nick's developed into a darn good stategist. And he's a leader.
I saw his leadership abilities first hand in 2003 when he was the field director for John Kerry's New Hampshire primary campaign. In the very dark months of August through November 2003, when the outside world thought Kerry's candidacy was doomed, Nick kept his young field staff motivated to press on.
I first met Nick in early 1997 when he began working as a constituent services staffer in Jeanne Shaheen's Governor's office. Being able to see Nick develop his skills and advance these last 12 years has been one of the pleasures in this very tough and often heart-breaking business.
I'm really proud to be able to say I knew Nick when he was just starting out.
