NH Progressive Blogs
Betsy Devine
Citizen Keene
Democracy for NH
Equality Press
The Political Climate
Granite State Progress
Chaz Proulx
Susan the Bruce
NH Political Links
Graniteprof
Granite Status
Kevin Landrigan
NH Political Capital
Political Chowder (TV)
Political Chowder (AM)
PolitickerNH
Pollster (NH-Sen)
Portside with Burt Cohen
Bill Siroty
Swing State 2008
Campaigns, Et Alia.
Carol Shea-Porter
Paul Hodes
Jeanne Shaheen
Barack Obama (NH)
ActBlue Hampshire
Stop Sununu
NHDP
DCCC
DSCC
DNC
National
Bob Geiger
DailyKos
Digby
Eschaton
FiveThirtyEight
MyDD
The Next Hurrah
Open Left
Senate Guru
Swing State Project
Talk Left
Talking Points Memo
50 State Blog Network
Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
"The Stonewall Democrats" has for years been a very active nationwide group of gays and lesbians. There's a branch in New Hampshire, and the members of the organization have successfully advocated for important equality issues for the LGBT community, and fought all kinds of discrimination.
There's a similar -- well, that's not quite the word I'm looking for -- organization in the Republican Party. It's called the "Log Cabin Republicans," and from its inception it's been a confused grouping of mostly in-the-closet gay Republicans (their fellow Republicans prefer it that way -- out of sight, out of mind).
Guess what. After supposedly being on the fence for a bit, the Log Cabin Republicans has given its formal endorsement to Senator John McCain, the man who would be President.
And this man who would be President has chosen a Vice Presidential nominee who is opposed to gay marriages, gay civil unions, even equality in the recognition of domestic relationships. She also believes in creationism, and wants to see it taught in schools. Gays and lesbians aren't in any chapter of the creationism textbooks, by the way. No room for us in that view of the Earth.
And this woman who would be Vice President also believes that gays and lesbians can be taught, through prayer, to be "straight."
Oh, and did I mention that the Log Cabin Republicans is still part of a political party that in its official platform advocates a Constitutional Amendment to define "marriage" as only between "one man" and "one woman?" The Log Cabin Republicans are associated with a national party that wants to forever provide discrimination -- and write that discrimination against human beings into our Constitutional. Thank you very much, the Loggies apparently say.
Ohhhh what we're learning about Sarah Palin. And the "real John McCain" is coming out now too -- he's not the maverick he's pretended to be; that's all image and fluff.
The Log Cabin Republicans should be ashamed of themselves. And of their party and their candidates.
This past Tuesday, Will Cowie of Stark, who was running for state rep in Coos Dist, 2 died on a job site where he was electrocuted. He was 44. Will was a proud veteran, both in the Air Force right after high school, and later in the National Guard. He was active in the American Legion, and in nearly every aspect of his community. He was absolutely devoted to his wife, Margaret. Will was a smart, funny, feminist man. He would have been a great addition to the NH House.
My favorite Will story goes back to the NH Commission on Same Sex Marriage. The Commission had a number of hearings around the state in the summer of 2005. The first one was in Littleton, where I believe the thought was that it would be poorly attended, but those in attendance would be outraged, bigoted, redneck hicks.
Over 100 people were in attendance that night, and only six of them testified against marriage equality. Early in the evening, a tall man with a military haircut came in, wearing a suit, and carrying a Bible. Most folks assumed he was there to speak against same gender marriage. Instead, he said he saw no reason that we shouldn't all have the same rights and privileges, and that he didn't see anything in the book he was holding that said any different. That was Will.
Sarah Palin sure has a great bio and obviously was an accomplished mayor of Wasilla, Alaska just 18 months ago.
So, in honor of John McCain's wise choice in undercutting his experience argument, I present to you an exhaustive and extemporaneous diary on GOP women more qualified than Sarah Palin to serve as U.S. Vice President:
I just watched Raymond Buckley announce the votes of New Hampshire's delegates at the Democratic National Convention. He was amazing!
I have known my friend Raymond and worked with him since he was 15 in 1975. We first met during the Jimmy Carter campaign when Raymond was a High school Student and the best volunteer in the Concord Office that I helped staff for Jimmy Carter. Raymond would go door to door everyday in every type of weather he never complained and always come back to do more. I went to the Convention that year as a Jimmy Carter delegate and I remember Raymond talking about watching the convention on television. Even then he knew more about the history of both the Democratic Party and the New Hampshire Democratic Party then anyone else.
I have seen Raymond work for Democrats over the last 33 years. He never gave up, he never lost faith, and his determination has only grown with each year. I was so proud tonight to see him standing at the Democratic National Convention announcing to the world that in New Hampshire "Unity was more than a town" and announce the entire delegation had come together to support Obama.
As I write this I still have tears in my eyes from watching the young man I met 33 years ago display to the entire nation that New Hampshire will lead the way to a better country by electing Obama the next President.
Thank You Raymond for being the person that you are...you will always be one of my heroes.
(Ray breaks the news! I was sorta hoping it would be a secret till the text came out but hard to keep something like that quiet. - promoted by Dean Barker)
When the primary started out, Biden was as far down on my list as, say, Gravel. But, probably, more than any other candidate, Biden became more and more appealing to me as the race went on. I really do hope he has a spot in an Obama Administration.
And, of course, the best Joe Biden YouTube of all time:
More: Reaction from Republican Senators, via the BO campaign:
Sen. Chuck Hagel: U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel issued the following statement today following Senator Barack Obama's selection of Senator Joe Biden as the presumptive Democratic Vice Presidential nominee: "Joe Biden is the right partner for Barack Obama. His many years of distinguished service to America, his seasoned judgment and his vast experience in foreign policy and national security will match up well with the unique challenges of the 21st Century. An Obama-Biden ticket is a very impressive and strong team. Biden's selection is good news for Obama and America," Hagel said.
Sen. Richard Lugar: Tbilisi, Georgia - U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar made the following statement today en route to Tbilisi. "I congratulate Senator Barack Obama on his selection of my friend, Senator Joe Biden, to be his vice-presidential running mate. I have enjoyed for many years the opportunity to work with Joe Biden to bring strong bipartisan support to United States foreign policy..." LINK
Sen. Arlen Specter: Pennsylvania's Arlen Specter, a Republican who serves on the Judiciary Committee with Biden and often rides Amtrak with him to Washington, also offered praise. "No one on the Democratic side knows more about foreign policy than Sen. Biden," Specter said. "He's been an articulate spokesman on the subject. He also knows about domestic policy. He's been a leader on crime control." LINK
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.
The smiling faces of the local volunteers were everywhere at the airport. Each person eagerly scouting out a potential conventioneer and helping them get to their hotel. It is clear the entire city is proud and prepared to host the convention.
Rep. David Pierce of Hanover and I travelled out early to attend the National Stonewall Democrats Convention, the LGBT Democrats' organization. David and I were met with dozens of friends from across the nation that had arrived today as well. Walking to a nearby restaurant for lunch I noticed a road side tent chocked full of Obama and convention tshirts, buttons, flags, posters and everything else you could imagine. Within minutes of stopping by to take a peak at the merchandise, more and more people joined us. The exictement is filling the air everywhere.
Later on at the welcome party, we joined a couple hundred local LGBT Dems, convention delegates and Stonewall leaders. Although a high percentage of those in attendance were orignally Hillary supporters, like Pierce, each of them were comparing how much work they have already done for the Obama campaign. As I said, it is so exciting. A group of us went out to dinner to a neat restaurant (Steuben's)and were joined other friends working on the convention.
Everywhere we go we are met with smiles and a hello. Although a few of my friends were amazed at how much I am on the phone or on my blackberry each of them are eager to hear the updates of the Shaheen race and the entire transformation of NH.
Off to bed, I got up at 4AM and I have a early meeting.
Recently Comcast pulled MSNBC from their analog cable package here in NH (about 30% of their subscribers), at least in Pittsburgh and most likely throughout the country. I just found it unbelievable that they would only "feature" MSNBC on their digital package while Fox "News" remains on their analog package three months before the election.
There are numerous reasons for Comcast to push back against the progressive community, a couple of the most outrageous...
- Their recent purchasing of immunity.
- Their fight against net neutrality net neutrality.
I'm sure this is just a programing realignment intended to transition subscribers to their digital package....
Just heard from Roberto Fuentes, the leader of the Young Democrats in Nashua, that $400 was raised for Young Democratic candidates at the BBQ last week.
Thanks to Roberto as well as the Mangipudis for all their hard work.
My criterion (yours may differ): The band's identity (or individual's identity) is political. That doesn't mean every song, but it also excludes bands that may do one or two political songs. I reserve the right, as should you, to add honorable mentions of songs as the thread grows.
Of course, the usual rap against political music is that when politics comes to the fore, the music suffers. I say: bollocks.
Last week, in a ruling on the issue of internet neutrality, the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau released an order to Comcast directing that it "end discriminatory network management practices".
The "trial" of Salim Hamdan, who is described as Osama bin Laden's driver, is over. He was cleared of conspiracy charges but found guilty of "providing material support for terrorism."
Hamdan was captured in 2001. Congress created the law he was convicted of violating in 2006.
This is known as an ex post facto, or "after the fact," law. The prohibition against governments using this goes back to the Magna Carta. Examples of "arrest now, think up charges later" are typically used to highlight just how repressive and corrupt a regime is - think Louis in Nazi-occupied Casablanca.
The Bush regime may get away with this because Hamdan is a foreign national. Where many civil liberties are recognized because they help maintain a healthy state - e.g., free speech being essential to citizens participating in government - the ex post facto prohibition is "simpler." There is really no good reason for ever using this totalitarian tool against anyone.
The U.S. is now in the business of conducting Soviet-style show trials.
My proposal is simple. When Barack Obama accepts the nomination of the Democratic Party, the campaign will have multiple events across NH to celebrate the moment.
I propose that this community lead the way and hold a Blue Hampshire Bash.
Many pragmatic goals can be woven into this celebration. With the talent level and enthusiasm that comes with this crowd, we should expect great things to come from such an event.
Here's one idea: we can liveblog with Laura & Mike, as they report back to Blue Hampshire from Denver. Maybe a little video feed via Skype?
Granite State Progress has issued a call for a public apology from both Executive Director Tammy Simmons and the NH Advantage Coalition. Tammy's inappropriate use of Blue Hampshire aside (although still a serious offense), what is really troublesome is that Tammy is not just an ordinary staffer. She's the Executive Director, which means that she should be held to a higher degree of accountability. Instead, she used insults and deception to try to sway people to her opinion.
Do we really want her messing with our local budget policies? No.
Below the fold, you can read Granite State Progress' press release calling for a public apology - and for Tammy to step down or be removed from her position with the NH Advantage Coalition.
Blue Hampshire RSS
