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There is less than one week to go before the September 14th Democratic primary, and one candidate has proven herself as the only choice. Katrina Swett is the candidate who can win in November. She is our choice for the 2nd Congressional District, and we hope she will be yours as well.
Here is why Katrina Swett should be your candidate.
Over the past twenty-years Katrina has stood with Democrats in New Hampshire during the good times and during the lean times. She has never wavered in her commitment to progressive ideals, never ceased to fight for expanding health insurance as a right not a privilege, and never backed down from corporate lobbyists and big-moneyed special interests.
It's a relief to learn that Katrina Swett has reversed her position on requiring parental notification for teens seeking abortion. While Ann McLane Kuster clearly has a stronger record on protecting women's health and reproductive rights, it's important to acknowledge that many NH voters who consider themselves pro-choice feel conflicted about upholding the legal right of minors to receive confidential medical treatment.
As usual, hard-core social conservatives and anti-choice politicians have blown the issue of parental notification wildly out of proportion to what happens in the real world.
Kids in Keene are off to school today. My youngest is starts to Kindergarten, joining his sisters who are entering 3rd and 5th grade at Symonds School.
I've been thinking a lot about our Democratic Majority and why it matters. With back-to-school on my mind, let's try to run down some of the things we have accomplished over the past 4 years with our Democratic Majority:
House Bill 1523 will help protect kids from bullying on social networks and the like.
SB180 The final piece of a three-year legislative effort to define, determine the cost and ensure accountability for delivering an adequate education
SB 18 which ensures that all students either graduate from high school or otherwise continue their education until they are 18. This legislation has resulted in a 30% decline in the drop out rate in just one year!
Bolstered by Senate Concurrent Resolution 4, sponsored by Democrat Molly Kelly, Paul Hodes co-sponsored H.R 526 to fully fund the federal portion of Special Education costs a major driver of the cost of education. (Unfortunately it looks like this has died in committee, perhaps Congresswoman Kuster or Swett will take up this cause for us in DC.)
Remember when we were the only state in the nation to not have public kindergarten available for all? How embarrassing was that! Kindergarten is now available to every 5 year old in the state!
These are the things I could remember and find online.
What other improvements to Education are our kids enjoying because of our Democratic Majority?
(Senate President Larsen sent a fundraising email out today looking for help in supporting the Democratic Majority in the Senate Chamber. You can donate via their Act Blue Page.)
Okay this is weird...but why? Because Katrina is attacking herself...a registered lobbyist who took money from Wall St. fat cats... you are entering the no schvitz zone.
When I was a kid I couldn't watch Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez because I was embarrassed at the self deprecation. Somehow this feels similar. Your thoughts ?
This diary is an attempt to create a benchmark. It can be argued, but nothing will really come from it, as it is what it is, as they say.
"The reality is it was a very respectful, very amicable campaign up until about a week ago, and now the campaigning has begun," said Wayne Lesperance, a professor of political science at New England College. "It's taken a more aggressive tone, and it's probably going to get worse."
As the candidates seek to distinguish themselves, each side will attempt to tie its opponent to negative associations, Lesperance said. Among the Democrats of the 2nd District, which stretches from the Canadian border to the Massachusetts border and includes both Concord and the Upper Valley, both pharmaceutical lobbying and the unpopular former president could resonate, he said.
With Kuster leading in endorsements and local support, the Swett campaign may have drawn attention to Kuster's lobbying ties in an attempt to get traction, said political analyst Dean Spiliotes. But once the bouts of criticism have begun, he said, they will likely continue up to the primary.
"At some point you forget who the initial instigator was, and it becomes this tactical back-and-forth between the campaigns," Spiliotes said.
Some will suggest that supporters, from one side or the other, were out there bashing away. But we all know supporters are not the campaigns. I have yet to see either campaign use a notable surrogate to throw bombs.
So there, Swett/Coffman started it!
P.S. I have no inclination to allow a Republican to take this congressional seat. Losing control of the House would politcally cripple the President. That said, in no way am I inferring that there is an equivalency between Kuster and Swett. The distinctions are clear, when you get up close and look under the hood. Any suggestion of equivalency is an effort to lull voters to sleep until primary day, when all they'll have to go by is name recognition.
Of course, in the general election, a looming sense of anti-incumbency forecasts the will of the electorate. And if we end up with a 2002 do-over, independents may just decide that they like the President to be from one party and the Congress to be controlled by the other. (shudder to think) It ain't the 1990s no more.
Not too late to plan a trip to Bow tomorrow night to cool your heels with me...and get an update on where this race is at.( apologies to WS) Katrina Swett and Ann McLane Kuster will participate in an old fashioned Ice Cream Social and 2nd CD Candidate's Forum.
What a dilemma, even as we know who Blue Hampshire has endorsed, we have an embarrassment of riches in the 2nd CD, two fantastic primary opponents facing off. Only one can win on September 14th, and then we will coalesce behind the Candidate to trounce Charlie Bass.
http://www.unionleader.com/art...
DEMOCRATIC FORUM. Bow's Democratic Town Committee has scheduled a forum featuring 2nd District U.S. House candidates Katrina Swett and Ann McLane Kuster next Thursday, July 15, at the Old Town Hall.
The event, also dubbed as an "ice cream social," will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be moderated by long-time Bow Selectman Thomas Fagan.
Democratic candidates for the state Senate and New Hampshire House will also appear, according to town Democratic chair Jon Bresler.
(From the candidate himself. - promoted by Jennifer Daler)
I want to take this opportunity to offically announce that I am running for Congress in NH-02. While I am sure that this does not come as a surprise to those of you on Blue Hampshire, it seemed like the right time to make this official.
I have been listening to people across the district for the past several months. Their message has been clear; if they have jobs, they are worried about keeping them. If they don't have jobs, they are worried about providing for their families. Everyone is worried about healthcare; what Congress will pass and how it will change their lives.
I am running for Congress because I share these fears, and I know what it takes to be the voice that working families need.
I have been fighting these fights in the New Hampshire House for the past 4 terms (7+ years). In fact, I have been fighting for working families my entire adult life: as a social worker, a firefigher and a State Representative.
As a State Representative, I have been successful in passing legislation both as a member of the minority and the majority. More than 30% of the bills I have submitted have been signed into law. I have been involved with several important pieces of healthcare legislation including Michelle's Law and the NH Rx Advantage, that I co-sponsored with Senator Larsen.
I share the growing concerns that Americans have about our involvement in Afghanistan.
The one thing that you will find about me is that I am not afraid to take a clear stance on the issues. Some will agree with me, some will disagree, but I look forward to a full discussion of the issues that are on the minds of voters across the district.
I will not reprint my enire statement here, but I invite you to read the press release and my full statement.
Hodes gave a really good talk about Congress, his role as President of the freshman class which entails getting coffee for their Tuesday morning meetings, got serious on the War, and his recent trip to Israel. Steve Marchand alone of the Senate Candidates came, with Dick Swett speaking for Katrina, and Kren Liot Hill for Jay Buckey. Bill Richardson is the main speaker so look for Ms laura to fill you in, because she is there to hear Richardson. Peace from Paul Hodes Our Democratic Party Staff hard at work Bush Library fund rec'd lots of contributions
Who would you vote for ? This 100% arbitrary selection of candidates was based solely on prejudices...they are either Declared,Undeclared,Drafted,Rumored,
... or I want them for my Fantasy Team.
First off, in real life I am a Steve Marchand supporter, and endorsed him publicly. After reading about the 'Draft Jeannie" effort by former Chair Kathy Sullivan, I got to thinking. If elect-ability is what this is about, then what about John Lynch for Senate ? Who cares if he has not declared, there are some quite close to him who (rumor has it) think he should do it. Let me be clear again. John Lynch is not among them. But hey can we tawk ??
Who won the Governor's race with 76% of the vote ?
Who has been the most popular politician ever, of either party in New Hamsphire ?
Who did not support a Sales Tax ?
Who has not lost an election to Johnnie E. ?
Okay Judy don't get apoplectic...I am talking theoretical here... I didn't think he would ever run, or even consider it until yesterday. But in politics you've got to know when it's your time, and Lynch has generally had an exquisite sense of timing. I have always supported him, as I did Jeannie, with my effort, time, and available cash. They are both more cautious, and more successful in politics than I'll ever be. But I can't help wondering about this. My gut says Jeannie would not have a cakewalk, that Marchand can do it, Katrina might be a good Senator but she's not a good candidate, and Buckey is too new to judge.
In my virtual election, Lynch would flatten Sununu, and get us a very important Senate seat, and Marchand could run for Governor...But again I am Blue Skying it here, cuz he ain't running.
New Hampshire presents a structural problem for statewide candidates. There are no steppingstones, there is no ladder of advancement. Massachusetts and Vermont have Lieutenant Governors, Attorneys General, and Secretaries of State elected statewide. This gives political figures a chance to gain statewide exposure by running for, and maybe winning, a position that doesn't demand as big a campaign budget, and arguably is easier to attain, than Governor or Senator. The lower-level campaign provides statewide exposure.
New Hampshire has no such offices. As a result, our statewide candidates are frequently wealthy people with minimal electoral experience.
Peace from Paul Hodes 
Our Democratic Party Staff hard at work 
Bush Library fund rec'd lots of contributions 
