YOUR COMMENTS

I have my doubts on the Republican Party simply because they are now the party always willing to compromise to the socialists rather than standing behind the principals the party was founded on because too many Republicans seem to be closer to Democrat ideology than what Lincoln laid out as their goals. They also have trouble fighting Democrat name calling tactics and down right lies and rather than fight back with zeal, they sit there trying to be the nice guy and loose.

Even Democrats would vote for anyone willing to lower taxes, shrink government and create jobs at the moment. But that won't happen if the party always compromises their so called ideals. Do as the democrats do and promise everything but rather than tax us cut them. You won't see a tea party rally demanding you raise our taxes.
- Deb, Derry

If you don't want N.H. becoming Ma. North stop voting for Democrats at every level. They all move here from Ma. and don't get it. They bring with them the Ma. liberal agenda. That program is failing there and it making a mess of N.H. The Republicans need strong candidates that do the right thing and forget the party lines. Bty, anyone who thinks Sheehan is helping us needs to wake up. She follows the Democrats party line and is only out for herself. She will get voted out next time.
- Tom, Manchester

I hope he's right!
- Harry, Atkinson

"Slowly Improving economy" Yea right. I guess Art from Portsmouth is getting his talking points straight from SEA headquarters.

With $3.5 trillion in spending, phony GDP statistics to go along with phony stimulus "jobs" created or saved. Dems has spent all the money we can print, and its only gotten worse. Close to 11% unemployed in less than a year and a state that has to seize private insurance funds in order to offset the budget deficit the people in charge, (ie, the Dems) will get blamed and deservedly so.
- George, Londonderry

If the Republicans do retake control it would be with high hope that they actually do something with it. The taxpayers are as disgusted with the Republicans as they are with the Democrats. We are fed up with the waste. We are fed up with the fraud and lies spouted from politicians. We want real change in the way Government, Federal and State, operates. You people work for us and you damn well better remember it. We want transparency and real ethics reform. No more lip service from you people.
- John D., Danbury

Not a chance.

After a full year of the economy slowly improving to come and another year of Republicans doing absolutely nothing and stonewalling everything, the Party of No will remain out of power.
- Art, Portsmouth

This life long reistered Republican is not buying Peter Bragdon's optimism, coming close in an election is not worth a hill of beans you have to win to have any effect. If we are to win control of the Senate we have to present credible candidates that can win not come close. all his comments are just smoke and mirrors until our party presents candidates that can win.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester

James:

The liberal spending in NH has more than doubled in the past 8 years. Significantly more than the Federal increases. Ironically change the name of the legislation and the overall issues are the same in both the State and Federal arenas. Massive emphasis on social and environmental issues, Government control over focusing on job creation, economic development (which ironically would create an expansion of taxation without raising takes, so you'd think the liberals would embrace it...) and making a smaller government.

So yes the issues are completely intertwined. But as a State and Federal taxpayer, the increased taxation and over regulation has become more intrusive at the State level, not the National level. That is the reason we should be putting more focus on State races over Federal ones. There will be significantly more positive from the Republicans taking back NH first
- Thomas J, Loudon

Someone should tell Mr. Bragdon that the troubles Americans have with Mr. Obama's spending have nothing to do with local issues that will be important in state senate races. Running shallow campaigns devoid of issues or real solutions, won't win the GOP any seats in the senate, or the House.

The Democrats have raised taxes through the roof, but running on a "low tax" pledge isn't going to be enough, either.
- James T., Manchester

Gail:

Wait. you mean the Shaheen who tried to institute an income tax, created the largest tax increases in New Hampshire history, the one who destroyed our NH health insurance by reducing the number of providers from 26 to 2, the one that supports mandatory unions in NH, the one who claims the earth is warming even though we have just seen 13 years of cooling.... I can go on and on...

That one?

Wow, do you belong to Acorn?

Thankfully we can take back NH, then work on the National stuff
- Thomas J, Loudon

NOT SO FAST. I like Shaheen. She is doing a lot more for this state then any other politician from the past. People should be grateful for the hard work she is putting in. She is actually doing the job for her NH constituents. Jeb Bradley, Sunnunu, Greg have nothing worth mentioning only to go back and reverse what was good. I want someone to be proud of to represent ALL of us, not just the people with money.
- Gail L., Manchester

I agree that the Republicans will take back the NH Legislature next year. People like me voted Dem because we were disgusted with Bush. We didn't bargain for double digit increases in spending, reckless state deficits and attacks on our liberties (after all, that's what we disliked about Bush). For all the Washington GOP's faults, I still think the NH GOP is much better equipped to govern NH so I'll be switching my vote to GOP next year...at least on the state and local level.
- CDR, Lebanon

No question that these Ultra Liberals currently running the State have and continue to just destroy our way of life in New Hampshire. For the sake of our State we need to remove them from office.

I applaud Senator Bragdon for showing transparency in outlining the Republican agenda last week, to help return our State to it's traditional roots of personal responsibility, individual freedom and working to get the State out of people's pockets.

I feel that we have punished the Republican party sufficiently in its historical march of thinking like Liberals in raising our taxes and cost of living. This new crop of candidates appear to be true fiscal conservatives and pledge to make a smaller, more responsive Government.

Time to vote for Republicans again

We can't afford not to
- Thomas J, Loudon