NH-02: Kuster Campaign Status Update

by: Colin Van Ostern

Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 10:51:18 AM EST

MEMORANDUM
TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Colin Van Ostern, Campaign Manager
DATE: January 6, 2009
___________________________________

In 2009, Kuster for Congress demonstrated (1) real, sustained fundraising strength, (2) broad and unparalleled grassroots support across the district and the full political spectrum, and (3) leadership in discussing the issues facing our state and country in the 2010 elections. Ann McLane Kuster's deep ties around the state, her experience, and her knowledge and passion on the issues has allowed us to lay an unusually strong foundation for this campaign as we move into 2010.

Here is a short memo to update you on our progress.

Kuster Endorsed By NARAL & NOW

by: Jack Mitchell

Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 21:39:38 PM EST

This came in an e-mail.

I have some big news to share with you!

I've been humbled in this campaign by the support I've received from all across New Hampshire.  More than 500 voters in our district have declared their public support for our campaign and joined us as members of Grassroots for Kuster.  In every corner of the district, I hear from voters who believe we need leaders in Congress who know how to bring people together and partner with President Obama to move our country forward, past the many mistakes of the Bush years.

Today, the support I've seen and felt across New Hampshire is now being amplified: NARAL Pro Choice America and the National Organization for Women are both announcing today that they are endorsing our campaign!  

"As someone who has worked with Annie, I can attest to her commitment to the values of freedom and privacy that we hold dear in New Hampshire.  We have had many pro-choice successes at all levels in recent years, and Annie has been an integral part of this progress.  Without question, she will become a leader in Congress on issues important to women and their families."
-- Pilar Olivo of Concord, NH
Interim Executive Director
NARAL Pro Choice New Hampshire

Combined, these two groups have more than 1.5 million active members across the country including more than 3,700 here in New Hampshire who will be mobilized to help our campaign in the coming months.

If you are as excited as I am, I hope you will match their support by making a contribution today to our campaign.

As both an adoption attorney and a longtime activist for reproductive rights, I am grateful for these endorsements.  

The fight over the Stupak Amendment in Washington this fall has been a painful reminder that today we have a Democratic House of Representatives but we do not have a pro-choice House of Representatives.  In Congress, I will always fight to ensure that a woman's private health care decisions remain between her and her medical providers, without the interference of politicians.
-snip

Ann McLane Kuster: Statement on President Obama's Speech

by: JonnyBBad

Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 21:34:17 PM EST

http://www.facebook.com/home.p...

My thoughts on President Obama's Afghanistan speech

We are at war with Al Qaeda because they attacked us - and we need to make sure they cannot do it again. I am committed to finding the best ways to keep Americans safe.

I am sure this was a very difficult decision for the President. Unfortunately, the problems in Afghanistan exist in large part because the Bush Administration took its eye off the ball and got us bogged down in an unnecessary war in Iraq.

While I am pleased that the President has decided to set a timetable for drawing down our troops in Afghanistan, I do not agree with the decision to first send 30,000 additional troops. It is not clear that sending more combat troops is the best way to meet the real threat, as Al Qaeda disperses to Pakistan and other countries. This is particularly important as our military has been strained by six years of fighting in Iraq and eight years of fighting in Afghanistan.

I believe we need better cooperation and accountability from the Afghani government and we must demand a commitment from them to root out corruption. Instead of more troops, we should be sending more trainers to help the Afghan military provide better security for its citizens. Rather than a broad counterinsurgency, we need a narrowly focused mission, with clear, measurable goals for success. Our involvement can't be a blank check, and I appreciate the President's attempts to focus our mission.

While I would have made a different choice, I will of course support our troops in their mission. I very much hope that this new strategy will succeed so that we can begin bringing our soldiers home, give them the full support and veterans' assistance they deserve, and focus on the great economic challenges we face here at home.

PS - A month ago, I shared my thoughts on this issue as well.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/...

Making It Official - DeJoie Running for Congress

by: johndejoie

Mon Nov 30, 2009 at 14:00:58 PM EST

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.

Read the Press Release Here

Read Full Text of Announcement Here

See the campaign video
 

KUSTER in SOLID MOMENTUM for NH-2 CONGRESS RACE

by: kdhalloran

Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 04:41:33 AM EDT

Annie has assembled a network of early supporters and contributors that tops over 500 to date, has assembled an experienced and connected staff, and is accelerating an impressive "on-the-ground" campaign of visits with private "house parties" and town committees all across District 2, as well as meetings with Democratic leaders in the state and in Washington.

In this morning's Concord Monitor, SHIRA SCHOENBERG laid out where the expected contenders for the District 2 Democratic nomination stand to date - and it is clear that KUSTER has out-hustled the field in terms of new early supporters, organization, fundraising and scheduling:

The 2nd Congressional District campaign is just getting started. The only candidate who appears to have a serious fundraising effort under way is Ann McLane Kuster, who brought in $180,300 this quarter from 543 donors (404 in New Hampshire). That gives her $260,000 left to spend, and she has already spent $68,000. Supporters include some well-known Democrats - Rep. Susan Almy, chairwoman of the House Ways and Means committee; Sen. Harold Janeway and Stonyfield Farms CEO Gary Hirshberg.

Democrat John DeJoie took in $17,200 this quarter and spent some of it, leaving him just $8,500. DeJoie said his goal is simply to raise enough seed money now to put a campaign structure in place and hire staff. He has some well-known supporters from Concord, with contributions from Rep. Mary Stuart Gile and Merrimack County Attorney Katherine Rogers.

Democrat Katrina Swett has not yet filed with the FEC, though if she does decide to run, she had $880,000 left in the bank from her previous exploratory Senate campaign.

Republicans Charlie Bass (with $36,000 on hand) and Jennifer Horn (still owing almost a quarter million from her failed 2008 campaign) have yet to kick start their campaigns and fundraising.

Ann McLane Kuster seems to be making all the right moves on a broad front, and early --- and the foundational momentum she has built bodes well to compound early gains she has achieved to date.  Scheduled events announced a few days ago include visits as follows:

Looking forward to a busy fall: Concord 10/20, Jaffrey 10/20, Salem 10/23, Whitefield 10/24, Grantham, 10/25, Hopkinton 11/4, Lebanon 11/6, Holderness, 11/8, Bedford 11/9, Hanover 11/11, Harrisville 11/12, Elkins 11/16, Concord 11/20, New Castle 12/4..., Lancaster, Randolph, and Bethlehem 12/6 . . . and more!  ... details at info@kusterforcongress.com.

The holidays ahead may complicate fundraising in this troubled economy in the 4th quarter. We shall see the impact across the field moments after years end.

(Keith Halloran is an independent political analyst and blogger not employed nor directed by any organization, campaign or party.)

NHDP attracts 800+ for Jefferson Jackson Dinner Dec 2 with President Bill Clinton

by: kdhalloran

Sun Oct 11, 2009 at 04:31:09 AM EDT

ALSO: Merrimack County Democrats are holding a meet-and-greet with Kuster, Dejoie and Swett on Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at state party headquarters. Sponsorships cost $100. Afterward, the Democrats will vote on a new chair and co-chair. Interim Chairman Eric Tolbert is running for chair, and Kris Schultz for vice-chair.  

REPUBLICANS for KUSTER

by: kdhalloran

Sun Oct 11, 2009 at 04:14:00 AM EDT

"Speaking of Republican support, Democratic 2nd District congressional candidate Ann McLane Kuster has lined up some of her own. Among Kuster's supporters: Concord Republican Liz Hager, who spent 26 years as a state legislator; New London independent Hilary Cleveland, the wife of the late nine-term Republican Congressman Jim Cleveland; and Concord independent John Weeks, former owner and CEO of Weeks Dairy and former GOP lawmaker. All formerly supported Bass, whom Kuster could face in the general election, if both win their primaries.

Much of the support comes from Kuster's personal connections. Her mother, Susan, was a Republican legislator for more than 25 years and ironically competed against Bass in a Republican primary for Congress in 1980 (both lost to now-U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg). Kuster's father, Malcolm, was a Concord mayor and Republican executive councilor. Hager ran Susan McLane's 1980 campaign. Cleveland, a former Republican, said, "I knew Annie since she was born." Both women said they liked Kuster personally and politically. "She has high energy, high intellect and she really cares about what she does," Hager said.

... While Republican support is unlikely to affect Kuster in the primary, it could help her make a case for electability in the general election."

ANN McLANE KUSTER's Strong Congress Race recognized by EMILY's LIST

by: kdhalloran

Wed Oct 07, 2009 at 14:02:13 PM EDT

Emily's List reports "The Nashua Telegraph recently reported that "Democratic congressional candidate Ann McLane Kuster is on a roll." And NH Political Report has had similar words of praise, saying she's proving herself in this campaign and giving her two "up arrows" in a row. Not a bad beginning for this up-and-comer running for a critical open seat."

A Democratic State Should Have A Democratic Attorney General - And Some Possible Candidates

by: measurestaken

Sat Feb 28, 2009 at 13:45:20 PM EST