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As you all know, the United States Chamber of Commerce has been running a nasty attack ad against Gov. Jeanne Shaheen recently, which misrepresented her record.
Well, the Greater Manchester and Nashua Chambers of Commerce aren't happy about it. Both chambers have sent out e mails to their members telling them that the US Chamber is not the same as the local chamber. The Union Leader on line quotes from the e mail sent by Robin Comstock to the Manchester Chamber members:
The Manchester chamber, she wrote, is a "non-partisan business advocacy organization" that "serves a very different role and has objectives and strategic goals centered on the needs and interest of the local business community.
"We do not, nor have we ever, endorsed a particular candidate in any political campaign," and, "I do not see that practice changing in the future," Comstock wrote.
Comstock wrote that the Manchester chamber is "not a division, department, or associate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on any level. We are totally independent from them and their program of work; and we are totally removed from their lobbyist and other PAC related efforts."
She said that neither she nor anyone from the chamber office was briefed on the ad "or contributed to its development in any way."
In light of Fergus Cullen's ridiculous statements referring to former three term governor Jeanne Shaheen as a "radical community organizer", I was shocked, shocked to learn by reading the Valley News yesterday that John E. Sununu has people on his staff acting as liaisons to local communities:
A friendly and effective behind-the-scenes player in Upper Valley Republican politics is moving on to a new field. After five years as Sununu's "community liaison" at his Claremont district office, Lebanon resident Melissa Ogle has taken a fundraising/development job at St. Michael's College in Colchester, Vt. Ogle said in an e-mail it will enable her to "pursue my career goal of working in a Catholic academic setting."
I was even more shocked to learn that Sununu's staff has met on at least one occasion with community organizers:
Laura Thibault of Thornton and Beth Richards of Concord are members of MomsRising.org, a national online mother's advocacy group. They came to express their support for the Fair Pay Restoration Act, which has already passed the House and is sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Penn.
"Our main goal was to urge Senator Sununu to consider the issues," said Thibault, who was accompanied by her 4-month-old son, Rhys."
(Fergus also called Jennifer Horn NH's Sarah Palin (and not in a snarky way, as I have), so it looks as if, indeed, the state GOP has completely abandoned the pretense of being serious about anything involving your life. - promoted by Dean Barker)
Yes.
That is, assuming the Duchess ever had a mind to begin with. An assumption which is open to debate.
Today, he referred to former Governor Jeanne Shaheen four times as a - get ready - "radical community organizer".
Now, what was the context of this comment?
Cullen called Shaheen a "radical community organizer" four times while talking to reporters, referring to her time as a member of the Clamshell Alliance, which was a group opposed to the development of the Seabrook nuclear power plant.
Now, let us set aside for now the fact that Jeanne Shaheen was not a member of the Clamshell Alliance - which means Fergus is not only at least one beer short of a sixpack, but that the bottles he does posess apparently make him fib at the drop of a hat. The first time I stumbled across Fergus's penchant for fibbing was when he claimed to have fulfilled New Hampshire's seven year requirement for running for state senate, when in fact he had been voting in Connecticut where he had been living while working for now disgraced and radical law breaker Governor Rowland.
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.
Eric Green, 29, was collecting signatures to support putting a tax-cap petition on Concord's ballot in November when the assault took place, the police said. Green was volunteering for the New Hampshire Advantage Coalition, a group that's coordinating a push for tax caps in several cities. The caps would limit cities' tax increases to the rate of inflation.
"It's unfortunate an alleged incident occurred involving one of our volunteers," Biundo said. "If it did occur, it's not something that would be condoned at all."
According to a police report, Green was collecting signatures from passers-by July 28 in front of City Hall when he became engaged in a "lively debate" with the man, whom the report describes as having a physical disability. The two did not know each other. During the conversation, Green allegedly asked the victim to back away from him. The victim, who uses a cane, backed up and continued talking with Green, the police report said. The victim told the police that Green came closer to him, standing "nose to nose" with him, and told him to back up again. As the victim approached the curbing, Green pushed him, the report said. The victim lost his balance and fell to the ground.
"if it did occur" - that reminds me of something former RNC committeeman Tom Rath said about phone jamming back in the day - "if it happened".
(What? Big Oil not using its profits to increase production? I'm shocked! Sadly, though, this needs to be pointed out again and again in the face of the GOP deceptive "DRILL!" meme. - promoted by Dean Barker)
Back on June 26, in a conference call with reporters, John Sununu spoke about the need, in his opinion, to increase domestic oil production. Sununu has been a proponent of the View To a Drill school of thought - just open up all of the United States to oil drilling, and life will be fine.
However, the reality is, American energy companies aren't that interested in finding more oil or investing in alternative sources of energy.
As the article linked below shows, Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips are more interested in spending their huge, record breaking profits on stock buybacks and dividends. According to the (ironically named) James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice, the five biggest international oil companies plowed 55% of the cash they made last year into buybacks and dividends, compared to 1% in 1993. In the first quarter of 2008, Exxon spent 8.8 billion dollars on stock buybacks, while Conoco spent 2.5 billion on stock buybacks.
As Dean has diaried, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena to the Department of "Justice" for production of documents related to a number of actions (or lack thereof) by the Department, including civil rights enforcement, US Attorney firings, and the investigation and prosecution of the phone jamming case. The phone jamming done to help Senator* John E. Sununu win a US Senate seat.
The deadline is July 7 - yes, we have a countdown of less than seven days to see if the DoJ will be accountable for turning itself into a political arm of the Bush White House. The question is, will DoJ stonewall?
(Thanks for the 'Field Report' Kathy - promoted by Mike Hoefer)
This afternoon, I attended the women's roundtable event with Michelle Obama and Jeanne Shaheen. There was a smattering of men in the audience, including BH'ers Douglas Lindner, Paul Twomey and Raymond Buckley (perhaps others - there were a lot of people there). I became a little nostalgic, because it was in the armory at the Center of NH, where Senator Obama spoke for the first time in NH, at our post 2006 election victory event. So much water under the bridge and over the dam since then!
Mrs. Obama and Gov. Shaheen received a standing o when walking in. Michelle Obama spoke first, talking about how fairness for women is an important issue, and the stories she has heard at similar events around the country: women working for less money, women stretched for time and money, military families with too little support from the government.
(I missed the conference call, Kathy, so thanks for posting this here. - promoted by Dean Barker)
The more I read about the Enron Loophole, oil and gas speculation, and John Sununu's refusal to require accountability and transparency from these shadowy investors, the more I realize just how anti-business John E. Sununu has become.
Now, at first blush, you may think that does not make sense, because isn't John Sununu siding with Big Business by refusing to close the Enron loophole? No, he is just siding with a few financial gluttons who are trying to suck as much money out of the financial markets as possible to line their own pockets. His actions actually are hurting the overwhelming majority of American companies, both large and small, because they are getting hammered by skyrocketing energy costs.
This is good news - according to the NY Times, both presidential candidates are refuisng to do any sole network sponsored town hall, in responding to a proposal from ABC and Mayor Bloomberg to do a NY town hall:
As for the New York proposal, both campaigns issued statements Sunday saying that they had agreed that any sessions between the two would not be moderated by an individual network or news organization as a sponsor. They did not dismiss the locale, however.
Bill Burton, a spokesman for the Obama campaign said, "Both campaigns have indicated that any additional appearances will be open to all networks for broadcast on TV or Internet like the presidential commission debates rather than sponsored by a single network or news organization."
Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for the McCain campaign, echoed that sentiment, saying, "Both campaigns agree the town hall meetings will be open to press but not sponsored or moderated by the press."
From NHDP Chariman Raymond Buckley's latest letter:
Time and time again, John Sununu has demonstrated that he will say one thing to assuage the people of New Hampshire and do another thing to please the party bosses in Washington.
The following video illustrates the depths to which he has now sunk. The video depicts his recent visit to a food bank in Manchester. During the visit, he promises to do anything he can to assist the food bank and the people it serves.
Just a few days later, when he could have delivered on that promise, he voted with his Republican colleagues to cut assistance to food banks.
(Wow. If this is true, it's pretty egregious. I'm used to the Sprinter ducking and weaving and using Senate kabuki theatre to help keep alive his radical right-wing voting record, but this is, apparently, blatant dishonesty. - promoted by Dean Barker)
Look who got caught fibbing: the Sprinter! From a NHDP press release:
Berlin, NH) - While attending a Republican Party gathering in Coos County last weekend, Senator John E. Sununu defended his vote against economic development aid for the North Country by claiming to support legislation that he has opposed. As reported by the Berlin Daily Sun, Sununu defended his vote against the Northern Border Economic Development Commission by saying he had "signed onto the legislation," but opposed it being attached to the larger Farm Bill.
The truth is that Sununu has never "signed onto" the stand alone version of the Northern Border Act, despite repeated attempts by members of Congress and elected officials from Coos County to persuade him to support the proposal. He is not a co-sponsor of the legislation, S. 2249, which was introduced by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) more than six months ago.
The House Judiciay Committee held hearings on the phone jamming case this week, with testimony from
Congressman Paul Hodes, Paul Twomey and Allen Raymond. What did John E. Sununu have to say about the investigation into the criminal conspiracy concocted to assist him in his 2002 US Senate bid? According to NHPR:
When asked about the House investigation Sununu said he had no comment.
What a surprise! Silent John sprints from speaking to the press yet again!
According to John DiStaso, another Republicans is being talked about as a potential candidate. This time, it is a fellow named Jim Adams.
With just four weeks left before the opening of the June 4-13 filing period, James "Jim" Adams of Pittsfield has Republican leaders excited.
Adams, the recently retired former New Hampshire/Vermont district manager for the U.S. Postal Service, said yesterday he is seriously thinking of running because he's upset by what he views as excessive spending in Concord.
Adams said he will make a final decision before the filling period opens and is currently trying to raise money. He says he's been encouraged by state party leaders.
I don't know anything about Mr. Adams, other than what I read in today's paper, but he is about the 57th candidate about whom NH Republican leaders have been excited.
According to ABC News, Al Gore had some words for us all to chew over on NPR, including endorsements, seating Michigan and Florida, and not being a party elder:
Appearing Tuesday on National Public Radio's "Fresh Air," the former vice president held out the possibility of making an endorsement in the race -- but predicted that superdelegates will tip the race to either Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., or Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-NY, before the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August.
He said he does not anticipate having to help broker a solution to the Democrats' stand-off.
"I'm not anxious to be playing the role of party elder," he said. "I just turned 60 -- which is the new 59. So I'm just a voter and recovering politician."
"My purpose is not endorsing a candidate is not elaborate. I'm simply watching and listening to the campaign," he added. "As a delegate to the convention I will cast my vote at the proper time. I haven't ruled out making an endorsement prior to that time, but I haven't been moved to do so. . . . I have respect for both candidates, and they both have strengths, and I'm simply listening and watching like a lot of people."
Gore said the Democratic Party's system of awarding votes to superdelegates "probably . . . should be examined," and said he's confident that the disputed delegations from Florida and Michigan will be seated at the convention, though he didn't say how.
On the possibility of a split Democratic Party this Fall, he said: "I would not underestimate the healing power" of the desire to win.
I hate that Al Gore was not sworn is as president after his election!
John DiStaso's column this morning showed a sharp contrast between the Republican and Democratic Parties. While reviewing the list of Republican delegates to their national convention, I counted six women - out of 24 delegate slots. Six women, 18 men. What is with that?
Now, don't get me wrong. I am very happy to see that New Hampshire Republicans continue to be, shall we say, tone deaf when it comes to the fact that women make up a little over half the population, that we did win the right to vote sometime ago, and that women can actually run and win elective office, not to mention work and raise families. But I am stunned to see that no one who looked at the list didn't wake up and say, uh, guys, we may have a problem here?
(Great news regarding the Shaheen Campaign. There are miles to go before we sleep, but this is a great step towards our first Democratic Senator since 1980. - promoted by Mike Hoefer)
Jeanne Shaheen's senate campaign continues to pick up a lot of support. The campaign has announced that in this last quarter, it had nearly 4,000 first time donors to the campaign! The campaign has raised nearly $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2008.
"I am humbled by the overwhelming amount of support that we've seen from people who are looking for real change in Washington," Shaheen said. "The vast majority of donations to our campaign this quarter came from individuals giving small dollar amounts to show their desire to take our country in a new direction. I am particularly proud that this quarter we were able to bring nearly 4,000 new people into our campaign for change."
(Good news! Let's hope it is a "one-sided" affair. - promoted by Mike Hoefer)
Breaking news from the Union Leader on the RNC Rules committee meeting:
A key panel of national Republicans has backed a leadoff role for the New Hampshire presidential primary in 2012.
The rules committee of the Republican National Committee voted 28-12 today to endorse a primary-caucus calendar plan for 2012 that allows only Iowa to hold its caucuses before the New Hampshire primary.
It's a stark contrast from the present GOP rule, which allows no special exception for New Hampshire.
(The gift that keeps on giving. - promoted by Mike Hoefer)
John Distaso has just posted a story at the Union Leader web site stating that the Department of Justice is appealing the acquittal of Jim Tobin. As I am sure you all remember, Tobin was convicted of conspiring to jam Democratic and Manchester firefighter phone lines in an effort to help John Sununu defeat Jeanne Shaheen in the 2002 US Senate race.
Coincidentally, John Distaso's Granite Status column today mentioned that Mike Dennehy, John McCain's guy here in NH, would like McCain's NH co-chair Jayne Millerick to run for governor, if his preferred choice does not do so. Somehow it slipped by me that Jayne Millerick, nee' Marcucci, who was the NHGOP chair when the party failed to cooperate with the DoJ during the phone jamming invesitgation, was co-chairing McCain's campaign. Now, isn't that special?
In fact, under Jayne's leadership, the NHGOP's failure to turn over its investigatory file to the DoJ nearly got the party indicted.
Someone recently posted a diary claiming that Hillary Clinton was not truthful with respect to her role in the Irish peace process. Below is an unedited story from the Irish Times with a more complete and objective story.
Since Ireland is somewhat near and dear to my heart, and since the Clintons did a lot to help in bringing about peace in the old country, I thought it would be appropriate, five days before the celebration of St. Patrick's Day, to provide a more complete picture. Enjoy with objectivity! And have a most excellent St. Patrick's Day next Monday.
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