NH AG Joins Effort to Delay California Gay Marriage Ruling? Huh?

by: Kathy Sullivan

Fri May 30, 2008 at 22:44:05 PM EDT

N.H., nine other states urge Calif. court to delay marriage ruling
Email|Print|Single Page| Text size - + By Associated Press
May 30, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The attorneys general of 10 states have joined conservative legal groups in urging the California Supreme Court to delay finalizing its ruling to legalize same-sex marriage.

In a friend-of-the-court brief filed late Thursday, they said they have an interest in the case because they would have to determine if their states would recognize the marriages of gay residents who wed in California.

The states involved are Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah. Except for Florida and New Hampshire, all of them have constitutional provisions banning gay marriage.

Why is our state involved in this brief?

Update (Dean): Here's a link to the AP story in the Monitor.

This is the best I could find on short notice for AG contact info; it's the DOJ contact page:

33 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301
Telephone (603) 271-3658
Fax (603) 271-2110
TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964

Normal business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Governor Lynch's Office:

Office of the Governor
State House
25 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301

(603)271-2121
(603)271-7680 (fax)

Poll - Senator most likely to lose in November

by: susanthe

Sat May 24, 2008 at 10:34:58 AM EDT

Ted Stevens is already a nationally known disgrace - voting in this poll can help elevate Sununu to the same national level of awareness. That kind of national grassroots awareness could translate into donations for Jeanne Shaheen.

I voted - did you?  

Iraq and Recession Report outside Sununu's Portsmouth office, April 24

by: TimothyHorrigan

Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 13:05:05 PM EDT

We will present the report to Sen. Sununu (who presumably will not actually be there) at this local office at 1 NH Avenue, in the Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth, NH on Thursday April 24 @ 11am.

New Hampshire Ranks 28th in Pork Barrel Spending

by: sdoyle

Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 13:39:31 PM EDT

Pig Book: New Hampshire ranks 28th in pork barrel spending
By Jamie Klatell
Tags: Pig Book, Judd Gregg, John Sununu

$42,159,826: That's total value of the 72 pork barrel projects secured from the federal government by New Hampshire's Congressional delegation, according to the 2008 Pig Book.

It's a small number compared to the $17.2 billion national total that Citizens Against Government Waste found in FY 2008's 12 appropriation bills.

New Hampshire ranks 28th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, with $32.04 of pork per capita.

You can search the Pig Book database here, but below are some highlights from New Hampshire's elected officials in Washington.

   * Smallest project: $50,000 for the "Town of Epsom (FEMA Predisaster Mitigation)"

   * Largest project: $8,900,000 for the "Wing headquarters operations and training facility, Pease Air National Guard Base (Air National Guard)"

   * Sen. Judd Gregg brought home $93.8 million

   * Sen. John Sununu brought home $69.4 million

http://www.politickernh.com/ja...

Here Is What's The Matter

by: Alexander Lee

Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:44:03 AM EDT

      by Alexander Lee

BILL CLINTON (AKA "WILD BILL" "THE MAN FROM HOPE"): "If a politician doesn't wanna get beat up, he shouldn't run for office. Let's just saddle up and have an argument. What's the matter with that?"

BARACK OBAMA (AKA "THE MAN OF HOPE"): That is a red herring. Nobody is complaining about getting beat up or whining about rough treatment. A robust discussion of the issues would be good and I would happily oblige to your invitation to have an argument on horseback.

GERALDINE FERRARO: I think Wild Bill was throwing his saddle on a mule. A mule is what you get when you breed a horse's ass with a blue elephant trunk. Bill got one for free when Toni made him the first Black President.

TONI MORRISON: That Man from Hope always was a tribute to his race. I mean, any race...particularly his wife's race.

MAYA ANGELOU: The poet in me wants to ask, "Does his wife have a race yet?"

MIKE HUCKABEE: I am from Hope, too. A free mule? Damn, I should have registered for that at Target when I was leaving office. (See http://www.swtimes.com/article... Do you think the Nature Conservancy would allow me 'n Janet to register for forty acres? Then maybe people would know how lucky I am to be The Second Man from Hope. It might give me the advantage I need to beat John McCain. I was so close. Maybe I will get to be the First Second Man from Hope.

THE MAN OF HOPE: I am happy to show how my health care plan is more realistic and to demonstrate how my other policies are superior to those of a certain other politician. What I don't want is four years of McCain and a couple more years of Republican stronghold in the Congress. That is a reasonable issue to raise, especially in light of recent polls. You wanna have an argument, Bill? Let's have an argument. Since I am running against your wife, maybe I will send Michelle to debate you...and Hillary and I can get down to brass tacks.

RAY BUCKLEY: It is not good for the Democratic Party if we keep saddling up and having arguments, guys. People on my Town Chair's list are tired of fighting. I am tired of fighting with Carl Levin. This is not how you win elections. We are all Democrats and the Presidential Primary has passed for New Hampshire. Turn off the TV, like Obama says, so that you don't have to hear any of this hullabaloo and you can Focus on the Family. It is time for us to focus on the one fantastic Democratic candidate that we have for US Senate. Let the Pennsylvanians and Harry Reid figure out this other mess. We don't have a pony in this fight any more. Only the candidates should be arguing.

BILL SHAHEEN (AKA "BILLY THE KID"): Thanks, Ray. Jeanne will be so grateful. You are a brilliant strategist.

GOVERNOR LYNCH: Don't forget about me. I, too, am pro-death penalty and anti-progressive tax. I am one of the most popular people in politics anywhere in the country. I love my job as a mini-decider. New Hampshire is the safest state in the nation and since we are 50th (last place) in the Pew Center on the States Report, I really want to keep us focused on safety by pretending that decriminalization of marijuana is gambling with Our Safe Future.

LOU D'ALLESANDRO: Gambling should be legal. "Last Sunday was Easter. It's resurrection time. You never know when, but it'll take place." We need money and this is the best way 400 legislators and 24 senators can figger to get some. For $42,400/year for the entire legislature plus mileage, you get what you pay for.

JAMES CARVILLE (AKA "THE RAGIN' CAJUN"): Now you are talking. Did I mention that I think Obama is a pimp to the Czar of Russia, in addition not being a Judas.

BILL RICHARDSON (AKA "THE OTHER BILL"): Where did you come up with that? What hole did you crawl out of?

DEVAL PATRICK: I think the Ragin' Cajun got that from one of my speeches about John Quincy Adams and I gave him permission. Bet you didn't think I could help Barack duck that sniper's bullet!

BILL CLINTON: Would you all just be quiet and listen to me? I am the one who brought you NAFTA. My VP invented the Internet and wants to save the planet. My Secretary of Energy was, well, I will get back to you on that one. Hillary will tell you, America needs us back in The Black House.

[Enter, stage right, JOHN McCAIN on white horse.]

JOHN McCAIN: I will be coming to New Hampshire to help John E. Sununu, Bob Clegg, and Jeb Bradley. I just want to thank you all for arguing.

ME: There are good ways to fight and bad ways to fight. Let's learn how.

FRANK GIUNTA: I think Alex should resign.

Recommended Title:

Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion
by Jay Heinrichs (Author)

Something's Gone Seriously Wrong

by: Andy Edwards

Mon Feb 25, 2008 at 09:18:32 AM EST

Some really bizarre things have been happening over at CNN, according to Politico, the worst of which being an online poll asking "Does Barack Obama show the proper patriotism for someone who wants to be President of the United States?"

I've got to say, I've never seen a reader poll like this on a mainstream media website (or, to be honest, a right-wing blog)....it's odd to see the mainstream media drive a largely whispered question that none of his main, named critics - Hillary, McCain or the RNC - will touch.

What's alarming is that Politico says this is perhaps even lower than the right wing bloggers would go.  If that's true then something's gone terribly wrong.  

Undoubtedly, a whisper campaign has been going on for months now, adding fuel to this smoldering non-story.  It's origins, however, seem to be not so up front.

Apparently Drudge just got a hold of an email from  a Clinton staffer, sending around a photo of Barack Obama in an African tribal costume.

The photo, taken in 2006, shows Obama dressed as a Somali Elder, during his five-country tour of Africa.

"Wouldn't we be seeing this on the cover of every magazine if it were HRC?" questioned one campaign staffer, in an email obtained by the DRUDGE REPORT.

I'll be quite honest... at this point, I don't see any reason why we shouldn't assume that the Clinton campaign is pushing this junk that's popping up in all the usual media outlets.  

All I know for sure is that something, for someone, somewhere, is not going according to plan because this stuff is pretty out there.

World's newest poverty-stricken Muslim-dominated country loves America.

by: Douglas E. Lindner

Tue Feb 19, 2008 at 17:25:27 PM EST

I'm not going to recap the story of what the Clinton Administration did (with the cooperation of NATO and the eventual consent of the UN) in Kosovo ten years ago, you all remember it.

The other day, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia, the successor state to Yugoslavia.  This has maddened Serbia (which, upon our recognition of Kosovo's independence, recalled its Ambassador from the United States--the ultimate diplomatic snub) and Russia, which has its own secession movements to oppress.

Kosovo is an oppressed, war-torn, Muslim-dominated, poverty-stricken, country ravaged by centuries of imperialism with a 60% unemployment rate.  And when they took to the streets to celebrate their independence, they did so chanting "Thank you USA" and "God bless America", holding large pictures of President Clinton (and not burning them in effigy).

I'm not going to pretend there aren't negative consequences of this for us, but one thing is clear: we did the right thing, and in a country that fits the profile of a bastion of anti-Americanism, the people are taking to the streets to proclaim, in part, their love for America.  This is what our foreign policy should look like.  This is why we need a Democrat in office.  I'm not posting this to bolster either Hillary or Obama, and I certainly hope this thread doesn't turn into a fight between their supporters.  The point I'm trying to make here, and I think we can all agree, is that this is a great vindication for post-Cold War big-D Democratic foreign polciy.  It doesn't all have to be military; soft power is extremely vital as well.  The important thing is that we need a President who recognizes that it does matter, very much, what the rest of the world thinks of us, what the average person in any country thinks of us.

Win hearts and minds and, in the long term, you'll never have to fight a war.

Public Hearing to Petition Congress for Impeachment

by: rambler american

Sun Feb 17, 2008 at 07:50:20 AM EST

N.H. State Representative Betty Hall Announces Public Hearing to Petition Congress for Impeachment

New Hampshire Representative Betty Hall Announces Expert Witnesses to testify at Legislative Hearing for House Resolution 24 to Commence Impeachment Procedures in the US Congress.

Representative Hall's focus on House Resolution 24 begins the process of Impeachment for the President and the Vice President at the State level. In the State of New Hampshire, the procedure then goes to committee for a public hearing. Rep. Hall welcomes the public to attend and comment at a rally and a hearing:

Rally: 12 Noon Tuesday, February 19 at the State House Plaza.

Hearing: 1:00 pm Tuesday, February 19 at the State Legislative Office Building, Rooms 305 and 307.

More Info: http://afterdowningstreet.org/nh
Flyer: http://afterdowningstreet.org/...

Anyone interested in attending and needing a ride from Lebanon and south let me know by comment.

yes we can

by: JonnyBBad

Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 12:52:18 PM EST

According to will.i.am, founding member and frontman of Black Eyed Peas, the "Yes We Can Song" was inspired by Senator Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and especially the speech Obama gave following the New Hampshire primary. He states, "It made me reflect on the freedoms I have, going to school where I went to school, and the people that came before Obama like Martin Luther King, presidents like Abraham Lincoln that paved the way for me. . . ." Dylan says, "The speech was inspiring about making change in America and I believe what it says and I hope everybody votes."

The music video includes excerpts from Obama's speech and appearances from several celebrities: Scarlett Johansson, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, Kate Walsh, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Adam Rodriquez, Kelly Hu, Adam Rodriquez, Amber Valetta, and Nick Cannon. "I'm blown away by how many people wanted to come and be a part of it in a short amount of time. It was all out of love and hope for change and really representing America and looking at the world," will.i.am said.

Democrats Vs. Republicans: Contrasting "Values" And "Priorities" In The NH State Senate

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:36:55 AM EST

The first bill is sponsored by a longtime Republican State Senator.  It deals with getting people to talk all the same way.  I guess "accent" doesn't matter in his bill -- I hope not, because some people I talk with don't quite get my accent and I'd have to work on that if his bill passes.

The other bill is sponsored by several good Democratic State Senators.  It deals with allowing people to be able to afford a place to live in this day and age when it gets more expensive to do that.  

Yes, a difference in priorities.  A difference in values.

Thoughts?

SB 388 - AS INTRODUCED

2008 SESSION

08-2684 - 03/09

SENATE BILL 388

AN ACT relative to commercial driver license qualifications.

SPONSORS: Sen. Barnes, Dist 17

COMMITTEE: Transportation and Interstate Cooperation

ANALYSIS

This bill requires that commercial driver license applicants demonstrate English language skills.

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight

AN ACT relative to commercial driver license qualifications.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Paragraph; Commercial Driver License Qualification Standards; English Language Skills. Amend RSA 263:87 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:

III. The department shall require all applicants for commercial driver licenses to demonstrate English language skills sufficient to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

SB 421-LOCAL - AS INTRODUCED

2008 SESSION

08-2785 - 06/10

SENATE BILL 421-LOCAL

AN ACT requiring municipal land use regulation to provide reasonable opportunities for the creation of workforce housing.

SPONSORS: Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 24; Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Sen. Reynolds, Dist 2; Sen. Burling, Dist 5; Sen. DeVries, Dist 18; Sen. Foster, Dist 13; Sen. Hassan, Dist 23; Sen. Cilley, Dist 6

COMMITTEE: Public and Municipal Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill declares it to be the policy of planning and zoning regulation in the state that:

I. Municipalities have an obligation to provide reasonable and realistic opportunities for the development of workforce housing.

II. Such obligation extends to regional as well as local needs.

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight

AN ACT requiring municipal land use regulation to provide reasonable opportunities for the creation of workforce housing.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Workforce Housing. Amend RSA 672:1, III-e to read as follows:

III-e.(a) All citizens of the state benefit from a balanced supply of housing which is affordable to persons and families of low and moderate income. Establishment of housing which is decent, safe, sanitary and affordable to low and moderate income persons and families is in the best interests of each community and the state of New Hampshire, and serves a vital public need. Opportunity for development of such housing, including so-called cluster development and the development of multi-family structures, should not be prohibited or discouraged by use of municipal planning and zoning powers or by unreasonable interpretation of such powers;

(b) The state of New Hampshire has experienced a shortage of housing which is affordable to working households. The shortage of housing affordable to working households poses a threat to the state's continued economic growth. This housing shortage presents a serious barrier to the expansion of the state's labor force, undermines state efforts to foster a productive and self-reliant workforce, and adversely affects the ability of many communities to host new businesses. Achieving a balanced supply of housing requires increasing the supply of workforce housing, serves a statewide public interest, and constitutes an urgent and compelling public policy goal. Municipalities should meet regional as well as local needs in providing reasonable and realistic opportunities for the development of workforce housing.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

On Recount Results and Election Integrity

by: elwood

Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 18:20:14 PM EST

Key results so far:

1. The raw miscount rate - that is, changes between the election night total and the recount total - is 857 votes.
2. There are an additional 70 hand-counted write-in votes originally lumped together as 'scatter' that were reallocated to obscure candidates, accounting for another 140 changes in total.
3. The raw miscount rate was 1.08%.
4. The miscount rate in scanner precincts was 1%.
5. The miscount rate in hand count towns was 2.6%.
6. Of the 857 miscounts, 401 from both scanner and hand count precincts are known to be or clearly appear to be simple human error.*
7. Subtracting the human errors, the maximum error attributable to the scanners is 0.57%.

Commentary below the fold.

My experience in Nevada

by: Ray Buckley

Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 19:35:38 PM EST

Yesterday I arrived in Las Vegas to help the Nevada Democratic Party conduct their caucuses. I, along with Democratic leaders across the country converged to help Nevada out with their freshman caucus.  Other State Chairs, DNC members and staff from across the country are here to help administrate the caucuses.

After spending yesterday in the massive "command central" at the Cashman Center, I had to arrive back there at 6 AM this morning for my caucus assignment. We arrived at Luxor by 7am and started setting up and preparing. Nearly 500 voters preregistered for this site but we were prepared for 4,000. The team included former Iowa staffers of Dodd and Biden, the Iowa Democrats, Senator Harkin, the Nevada Party and Senator Reid. It was a great bunch of young people.

Last night I went to a Human Rights Campaign LGBT rally and saw a lot of people who were out in NH. I spoke with Kucinich, Obama, Edwards and Clinton workers that recognized me and were having a great time.

This morning, I read the 24 page caucus rules over five times and did my best to memorize them. The caucus went without a hitch!

At the Luxor a total of 373 attended with Obama 211 votes and Hillary 162.

It did go to a second round because there were five who went to "uncommitted" and three to Edwards. They were given time to decide where to go after not making the threshold. The split about evenly between Hillary and Obama in the next round.

They were allotted 77 delegates. With 43 for Obama and 34 for Hillary.

It was inspiring. Everyone was in a great mood and so excited that they were participating. I registered to vote about 70 new Democrats at the door! Some of them were in their 60s or older but had never voted before! As I said, very inspiring.

When I was introduced to kick off the caucus.I think they misunderstood because they cheered entirely too loud.

Nevada's support for NH's primary was crucial to us and I am glad I agreed to come out to help them out.

I predict Nevada goes blue in November!

Taking Back Our Future and Our Freedom: A Policy Proposal

by: jaybuckey

Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 20:50:48 PM EST

As you all know, our country is facing tremendous challenges.

Today, men and women from New Hampshire are risking their lives for us in Iraq. They are fighting to protect America's interests in the Mideast, and to protect our access to foreign oil.

Today, our nation's economy is being hard hit by oil prices, which have more than doubled since 2003, but our fight for energy independence is woefully under-funded.

Today, we are all living in a world where the polar ice caps are melting.

We need leadership in Washington that will address these challenges. I am running for the Senate because I believe we must protect America by going on the offensive and taking positive action to protect our nation's security -- and our future.  

Civil Union in Hart's Location

by: susanthe

Tue Jan 01, 2008 at 14:39:44 PM EST

Hart's Location is about 20 minutes away. The inn is on the side of a mountain - and there is no light pollution - nothing but a few scattered homes for miles around. The inn is beautifully lit. I walk toward it, hearing the river to my right, through the stark white birches and the pines. The stars are so bright. It is perfect, so still, and so beautiful.

Inside, there's a fire in the fireplace, and the inn is decorated for the holidays. A reporter from NH Public Television is there - as surprised to see me as I am to see him. He didn't know that I live in the area, or that the owners of the inn are my friends. I didn't know he'd be taping the ceremony. We laugh.

I meet Neil and Jeff, the happy couple - and they are happy. There are no jitters - they are ready for this. We chat for a few minutes, and Neil tells me I look familiar - then he remembers, and asks, "weren't you at that hearing of the marriage commission in Littleton? Didn't you testify? You said you were the kind of heterosexual who gives marriage a bad name?" I hung my head and admitted that was me - and he threw his arms around me and said "We love you - that was so great!"

We all gather in the small living room, by the Christmas tree. Richard (from NHPTV) has the cameras set up. Neil and Jeff have a niece and a friend with them, and a few of the inn's guests trickle in to observe. Everyone is poised - and we begin the countdown to midnight. The new civil union law takes effect on January 1. I'm the timekeeper. As I coundown to midnight, everyone joins me - and after a quick cheer of "Happy New Year, " Ed begins the ceremony.

It is moving, and a little awkward - this is uncharted linguistic territory. There's a brief stumble over pronouns. It doesn't matter - we chuckle and move on. Jeff and Neil are radiantly happy. I forget that Richard is there with a camera. It's a very sweet, warm, and funny service. Ed pronounces them legally joined. They kiss. We all applaud - and we all hug one another.

There is champagne, and toasts, and cake - all of the things one would expect at a wedding. This isn't legally a wedding - but that doesn't change the way it feels. This feels like a wedding - only more joyous.

Civil unions are brand new (2 hrs and 15 minutes old as I write this) in NH. We don't know yet what this will mean for our state. Will this derail marriage equality? What are the legal differences between civil union and marrriage in NH? Will this have an impact on other states?

It's too soon to tell. What I know tonight is this - two people who love each other made a serious commitment to one another in front of friends, family, a handful of strangers, and two Burmese Mountain dogs. That it was two men didn't feel strange at all

A Challenge For The Candidates: Insist All The Candidates Be In The Debates!

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 19:57:20 PM EST

The news media already "create" candidates and their "who's-on-first" standing by running their own polls, managing minutes of coverage for each, selecting the questions they'll throw at them on the campaign trail, doing long stories about how much money candidates have received (while ignoring where they got all that money), and even setting up focus groups with hand-held dials to have a second-by-second, word-by-word bell-curve on-screen display of instant reaction to answers in debates.

NOW the media wants to limit the candidates who have been invited to virtually all the Democratic and Republican debates in the past many months based on the results of some party meetings in Iowa this coming Thursday?!

The news media should play no role in limiting official candidates who have already participated in previous debates.  Nor should an educational organization. That's not what the New Hampshire First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary is about.

Further, I could strongly suggest that the Iowa Caucus is NOT a real election -- it is a statewide collection of political party meetings where members publicly support their candidates of choice.  That's not what we do in November, when Americans go into the privacy of their voting booths to exercise their right to vote in our democracy.  New Hampshire's Primary is a real election.  Party members in Iowa should not be determining who may or may not debate the issues in New Hampshire.

I would give any of the candidates who are "chosen" to participate in Saturday's upcoming St. Anselm College debate a bow of respect if they stand up, as Ronald Reagan did, and insist that the others join them on the stage.  That would be leadership of the first order.  In fact, they should be challenged to do that:  to stand up and fight for the right of legitimate candidates to speak and be heard.  

In the interest of full Blogging disclosure, I've often mentioned in my posts that I'm supporting Hillary Clinton.  She'll make a great President.  And I fully expect she will be among those insisting that all the nationally-recognized candidates participate in the Democratic debate.  I'd be disappointed if she doesn't.  

This election isn't a TV show.  It's about democracy.  It's about our future.  It's an important reality show for all of us, and the news media shouldn't be selecting the cast of stars in it.

Reading Material in Dodd Campaign Iowa HQ

by: Matt Browner Hamlin

Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 13:52:31 PM EST

I took this picture inside our phone banking room in the Des Moines HQ. Amidst copies of the Des Moines Register, call logs, talking points, fact sheets of Chris Dodd's record of results and lots of empty coffee cups, I saw a print out of Blue Hampshire co-founder Mike Caulfield's endorsement post.

People often ask what the value of blogger endorsements is and I think this is evidence of it. Mike's argument in support of Chris Dodd, like that made by many other bloggers, is a thoughtful presentation of why Democrats should support Dodd's candidacy. It's exactly the sort of thing that volunteers and field staff find useful when talking to voters here in Iowa. Beyond that, it's great to have the encouragement of someone writing outside the campaign to pick you up in the midst of a long phone banking session.

Today, I'm heading on the road to cover Senator Dodd's events in Waterloo at one of my favorite restaurants in all of Iowa, Steamboat Gardens. From there, I'll head with the Senator to Dubuque for our campaign's New Year's Eve event.

I'll be staying on the road on New Year's Day to cover events in Cedar Rapids and a few other stops. I'll be posting videos and pictures from the road, as well as writing about the events as the Dodd campaign heads into the new year and towards the Iowa caucus on January 3rd.

Stay tuned for more updates from Iowa on the Dodd Blog.

To The Hillary Clinton Campaign: PLEASE Let Hillary Be Hillary

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 21:40:25 PM EST

I got some criticism about my observations a few weeks ago.  I received a few calls and E-Mails from my fellow Clinton supporters, even some suggesting I was being disloyal by offering even a bit of public criticism.  We have to all be "cheerleaders," I was told.  But I'm never going to ask Hillary for a job if she wins.  In fact, it's me who's trying to get HER a job, with my vote.  I don't need to please the campaign bosses.  And Hillary Clinton doesn't either.

Of course, perhaps my observations about her campaign aren't accurate.  I can accept that.  Maybe I'm wrong and it's perfect.  But I just think something's wrong with her campaign right now.  I've been involved at one level or another in every NH Primary since 1960, when I distributed flyers as a little pup for John F. Kennedy, and I've seen and participated in lots of good, and poor, campaigns -- as well as good campaigns that just fell apart because of some poor tactical choices during the closing weeks.  It happens.  

Either way, in a hope that my chosen candidate will run up to a smashing successful finish during the next and final 26 days to January 8th, I again encourage Hillary Clinton to reinvent her campaign and show us who she really is and not just what her consultants and handlers from Washington media firms want us to think she is.  I urge her to listen to more of her experienced New Hampshire campaign advisors.  And I ask her to present her ideas in her own words, without the buzz phrases that might rate "80%" on the electronically-generated curve in some focus group session.

As I said last Spring shortly after she formally announced, Hillary Clinton could lose this one.  Put another way, it's her's to lose, or win.  As a very early endorser, dating back to a Blog post I wrote on December 5, 2006, even before her announcement of January 20th six weeks later, I began to get concerned about the direction of her campaign after she made her first few visits here.

What I've seen these past few months isn't the Hillary Clinton I remember from her campaign visits here in 1991, when I first met her, or her several visits since and prior to this year.  Where has the "conversation" gone that she said she wanted to start with her announcement last January?  It seems as if she is talking "to" or "at" us, even "down" to us.  She needs to talk "with" us -- in fact, one of the strengths of the NH Primary is that candidates indeed have that chance, to get away from the podiums and look us in the eye, face-to-face, not talking over our heads.

Where are her courageous stands?  It seems like so many of her "positions" are indeed that -- positions that are the result of focus groups and consultant message massaging that simply makes it difficult to figure out exactly what she will do about Iraq, corporate corruption, campaign finance reform, and even health care.  I just can't figure it out.

"Let Hillary Be Hillary" should be her personal motto during the next three-plus weeks in Iowa and New Hampshire.  THAT WAY, she'll win this thing  Otherwise, I'm worried that we will lose the opportunity to have a great President elected in 2008.  .

To Hillary, I'll repeat my advice from a few weeks ago for what it's worth:  Put your pollsters aside.  Forget the focus groups. Resist the "politically correct" answers where you sound like you're trying to satisfy everyone and every interest group.  Tell your managers you don't want to be managed.  Leave your speech writers' missives at their offices.  Forget the cute one-liners that don't tell us much.  Don't be overly cautious or calculating.  Show your courage, we've seen that before.  Be yourself.  Just yourself.  We'll like what we see.  

Challenge us.  Talk with us about America's possibilities and our opportunities.  Give us your vision. I think we'll like you even more for that.  And you'll become President.

Great White Father Speaks With Forked Tongue

by: Jon Bresler

Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 09:53:42 AM EST

Season of Service

by: Matt Browner Hamlin

Mon Nov 12, 2007 at 16:15:10 PM EST

As Thanksgiving approaches, Senator Chris Dodd today announced that his campaign will kick off a statewide initiative called the "Season of Service." Dodd is asking the people of New Hampshire to donate items in an effort to give back to the community and to help those in need. The Dodd campaign will collect non-perishable food items such as canned goods, as well as clothing, books, and other items at their office in Manchester through December 12. The campaign will then donate the goods to a local nonprofit organization for distribution.

"The people of New Hampshire have a strong tradition of looking out for their neighbors and coming together as a community. Jackie and I want to do everything we can to help in that effort. Whether it's a warm winter coat or a truckload of groceries, every can counts toward making a difference in the lives of others. I hope that people across the state will join us in thinking of those in need this holiday season."

A former Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic, Dodd has introduced a comprehensive national service plan called the American Service Initiative. More information about the plan is available at http://chrisdodd.com/issues/national_service.

Donations can be dropped off at:

New Hampshire for Chris Dodd
379 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101

Ten Reasons Why the NH GOP Should be Crying in Their Cereal

by: Ray Buckley

Fri Nov 09, 2007 at 14:01:31 PM EST

1. Of the 11 mayoral races statewide, there was no net change in party affiliation. Democrats still hold 4 seats, Republicans still hold 4 seats and Undeclareds still hold 3 seats.

2. Since the 2006 election, Republicans have been predicting that they will seek retribution in the 2007 municipal elections. That attempt failed.

3. In the Keene Mayors race, Bill Beauregard (R) still lost, despite having the help of convicted phone jammer Chuck McGee and out spending the Democrat, Dale Pregent (D), by a margin of at least 12:1.

4. After Tuesday's elections, Democrats now hold a majority on the Nashua City Council.

5. On Monday, the Manchester Republicans had 5 elected officials, they now have 6 and Democrats have 24. Not exactly the sweeping victory they were predicting.

6. Manchester Democrats won 80% of the seats up for election.

7. A one-term Manchester Mayor has only been defeated once in the last 50 years and Tom Donovan came closer than most challengers.

8. The Republican Party is in such shambles that they tried to take credit for the election of a Democratic Mayor in Concord.

9. Democrats gained two more seats on the Concord City Council increasing their majority to 7.

10. Frank Guinta was obviously desperate for help because the Union Leader endorsed him twice.