YOUR COMMENTS

Jack Sullivan,

Ironic the racetrack analogy you provide, considering the fact that Ayotte was extremely vocal in her anti-gambling sentiments.

Despite the overwhelming support of NH citizens for expanded gambling, she defied the wishes of the constituents and we ended up with this abortion of a budget.

She also green-lighted the $110 million theft of the medical malpractice fund for the state budget which is now in court. Big surprise there--only an incompetent fool would think the state had any rights to this money.

Lastly, she was partly responsible for destroying Concord developer Kevin Guay's properties which has brought the state a very public lawsuit of $55 million.

Sorry, folks...three strikes & you're OUT in my book. We need more people in office that actually LISTEN to the people--NOT the opposite!
- Bob, Hooksett

Exciting time for New Hampshire. I can't bring to mind any more qualified person to represent us in Washington. She has already distinguished herself as an outstanding Attorney General.
- Jim Vacca, Nashua, NH

Kelly Ayotte is a quality candidate however Senator-Elect, not going to happen, the Republican wheels will not allow that. The "Good Ole Boys" are not about to give a woman a clean shot at a Senate seat, the so-called party movers and shakers just are not ready to give a woman that kind of prominence especially with a Franco-American name. The only Franco-Americans elected to Congress were in the first district, Alphonse Roy, Oliva Huot, and Norman D'Amours and they were all Democrats.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester

Certainly will be interesting to see how that $110 million "transfer" that AG Ayotte said was legal in order to balance the state budget fares in the courts? Setup for the Democratic Governor and Legislature? Well maybe NH will get the gambling that Kelly is not so fond of after all......
- Joe, Henniker

When I go to the race track I study the
the daily racing form. This tells me what
the horse has done in his past performances. I don't need to study any
form to know how Kelly Ayotte has
performed in the past. Her track record is
outstanding. Kelly break out of the
starting gate running and don't look back.
The finish line is The United States Senate.
- Jack Sullivan, Nashua

The GOP will hold the Senate seat and pick up Shea Porter's seat. The Dems have a 50-50 shot of holding Hodes' seat. You know it's going bad for the Dems when Mass voters would prefer Mitt Romney to Deval Patrick.
- Dwayne, Bedford

Wow look at all of the NH DNC hacks posting here today. Greg Barrett from Manchester are you implying that you support cop killers?
- Alex K., Deering, NH

o great just what we need in washington an other lawer. IT TIME TO ELECT SOME PERSON WITH COMMON SENSE.
- claude brochu, allestown nh

Kelly Ayotte is a liberal's worst nightmare: An articulate, self-made woman who defies their grandiose plans of turning NH and the USA into a socialist "utopia". What is your '60's slogan? Speak your mind, even if your voice may shake. Run, Kelly. Run!!!!
- Spence, Danville

Buckely should knock it off with the 'republicans are not living up to their promises and resposibilities by resigning'. It wasn't that long ago that Crag Benson appointed Lynch to a Board and then he abidicated his reponsibilty to the Board and ran for governor agaisnt the same man that appointed him. Buckley are you so worried about republicans coming back to win that you cannot remember your own parties failings and broken promises?
- joe kelly, manchester

Are people's memories really so short that they forget John Flynch's promise to then Gov. Craig Benson that he would not seek office if Benson appointed him to the UNH Board of Trustees?
- Brian, Nashua

THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!
Both Joe and Kelly are WONDERFUL people!
Both are patriots and honorable public servants.

She clearly understands that she is in a position to make a positive difference for us all. We support her 100%.
- Susan Terzakis, Bedford NH

Mr. Fortin: What did you think when John Lynch 'ran away' from the college students of NH when he changed his mind, resigned his chairmanship of the Board (to which he was only recently re-appointed to by Gov. Benson, and challenged Benson for gov.?
- A E Moore, Rochester, NH

You try to stay out of the fray but comments like Mr. Buckley's pull you back in. Hit the treadmill Ray. Both your character and stomach are starting to show.
- Dave Robert, Manchester

It's like a perfect storm. Of course, Ray Buckley is trying to tie the Palin noose around Ayotte's neck. Problem is, most people see this move as good for the people and not self indulgent. Bob Dole and Mitt Romney among others and did the honorable thing. Meanwhile Democrats are self-indulgent - always trying to keep one foot in the game with their palm out for a paycheck, running from one seat to another. Some examples of these loathsome people include Bill Clinton, John Kerry, Barack Obama and Rhino John McCain. Since we quickly learned that Paul Hodes is really a DNC puppet and reads nothing that he votes for, he has proven to position himself in favor of legislation that is bad for his NH constituents. Time to come home - for good, Mr. Hodes. We know that Ms. Ayotte is a leader, listener, hard worker and understands the core values that demonstrates the stark differences between a statesman (or statesperson in this case) and a politician. We need a statesman rather than the slimy politician that is entangled in the webs Washington favoritism. Let's get back to representation and away from backroom power deals. The least we can do is elect someone who knows how to READ before a vote.
- Robert Sutherland, Keene, NH

Ray Buckley is absolutely out of line.... and apparently he's scared that a republican might hold a seat he can't contol.

Give it up Ray, your days are numbered.
- Kevin Coates, Keene

Kathy Sullivan must be very happy with the Attorney Generals decision. Last week she penned an Op-Ed in the Union Leader expressing dismay with GOP Chief John Sununu, saying that Sununu would try and block women like Kelly Ayotte from running for his former sons seat. Well, that did not happen, John E. will saty out of the race and now Ayotte is in. Wonder when the biggest mouth in NH is going to hand over a donation to Senate-Elect Ayotte?
- joe kelly, manchester

I was impressed that Kelly Ayotte could serve as our AG under both Republican and Democratic governors. She has the respect of people from many political persuasions. It will be interesting to see if she speaks her own mind on the issues or just be a puppet voice for the Republican platform.
- Gary Way, Bedford

Good luck, Ms. Ayotte. Thank you for your service as Attorney General, and may you have an excellent future as our newest Senator!
- John Dodge, Stratham

This resignation statement is rational, purposeful, and courteous. The only thing I would have done differently is waited another week to avoid the inevitable comparisons to Palin's shrieky bout of sloganeering and guilt trips.
- Spike, Brentwood NH

Kelly Ayotte is pulling a Sarah Palin, ducking out of a responsibility she freely accepted. She will not get the nomination the NHGOP is not ready for a woman at the top of the ticket anyway and on top of that her French name will make it hard for the "Good Ole Boys" to swallow. If she gets the nomination I will vote for her but she won't. I just wonder if she did get elected would she run away at the least difficult crisis she would face? Most Likely. There are more electable candidates than her in the wings.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester

Awesome! You socialist lib-dems-and-rinos better flee because now there are two pit bulls with lipstick off the leash, and plenty more rising up to fix your messes!
- Ed Holdgate, Live Free or Die Sandown, NH

Chris I agree with your post. Someone should have told Obama to complete his first term as a US Senator before running for President.
- Don, Exeter, NH

Greg Barrett,
Your stance that human criminals should be valued and protected from the death penalty seems highly contradicory with your stance that human gamblers should be exposed to predation by more casinos. Why do murdererd matter more to you than gamblers with addictive personalities?
- Jim, Manchester

Still a few wacked out liberals out there eh??? Steve, Daniel, Greg...

Run, Kelly, Run... you will be great.

Republican landslides in 2010 and 2012... with NH back as the good conservative state it once was...
- Marc, Weare

GOOD RIDDANCE!

She instructed her office to take a position AGAINST the Castle Doctrine legislation this past year, taking away rights of average citizens and empowering criminals, and stepped far outside of her bounds when she lobbied AGAINST medical marijuana. Not to mention her opposition to expanded gaming here in NH, which a majority of people are for and would be overwhelmingly beneficial to our economy.

She's not the kind of person I want representing New Hampshire Republicans! Just what we need, another ant-gun, drug warrior statist. NO THANKS!
- Andy Demers, Manchester

I am pleased to hear that Kelly Ayotte will be running for the Senate. I think she did a great job as Atty General and would be an asset to political office. Too bad she's not finishing out her term as AG, but surely Governor Lynch (of all people!) can understand how someone might change their mind about something at the very last minute,..
- Julie Roberge, Bedford NH

I do not have to agree with AG Ayotte on everything to know that she has been an outstanding AG. She is smart and tough and people should respect the fact that she served NH in a way we can all be proud of. She deserves our thanks and appreciation.
- Rick Newman, Nottingham

Why is it common practice for officer holders to resign from a position to run for another? It seems as if they should finish out their current term that they took on first. That should be their primary responsibility.
- Chris, Laconia

I think its great news. Normally the Republicans parade out the same old names each election time.I think Kelly Ayotte will be a very competent and capable US Senator representing New Hampshire
- Bill Whalen, Sanbornton

Good luck with fundraising! That's pretty much the most important element nowadays.
- Paul B, Manchester

John Lynch seems to have a strong pulse on the political scene. Was it 24 hours ago he said Ms Ayotte will not run?

Maybe she should run for Gov.?
- James, manchester

THIS IS THE BEST POSSIBLE NEWS. OH HAPPY DAY! We are rid of the person who has already cost the NH taxpayers millions and would have costs us millions more to execute another human life. And we are rid of a person who contributed to NH taxpayers paying more in taxes due to her stance against voluntary taxation through expanded gaming. AND DID I MENTION "OH HAPPY DAY!"

Greg Barrett
- Greg Barrett, Manchester

Glad to see her go... it's about time her partisanship and politics were out of the AG's office. Hopefully, Lynch will make a better choice with her replacement.
- Daniel Kern, Greenland

Great, now she can go on a crusade and make all gambling illegal throughout the country and take away jobs and point her finger at people and tell them "I know what's better for you". I can't wait for the election so I can vote against her.
- Steve, Manchester