YOUR COMMENTS

Kelly has to raise lots of money to compete in what I expect will be a hard fought primary and then general election - it requires lots and lots of money.
I am sure that there will be more affordable get togethers for folks in NH to meet her too.
- Kevin, Nashua

"Ayotte Raising Money on Capital Hill" is a standing headline. She's the candidate of the big government republicans who grew the government 2-3 times inflation every year they and George W. Bush were in charge.
- jack langley, hollis

Hey Albert, do you mind when the liberals get millions from Hollywood, George Soros, Move-on.org, ACORN????

To counter the massive influx of dollars from the liberal-do as we say , screw the Constitution groups, she's gonna have to get it from anywhere she can.

If the Repubs put up Mickey Mouse, he'd get my vote just to keep Hodes out.
- Mike, Nottingham

If Kelly is going to run a competitive campaign against Hodes she will need money, and lots of it. Why would anyone care where that money came from? Do you think Hodes is focusing his fundraising efforts in NH? Get real people. Not only was Kelly Ayotte an excellent AG, she would certainly represent her constituents if elected. It takes millions to successfully fund a campaign, you can't make millions at a BBQ.
- Bill, Peterborough

PS--Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and the National Republican Senatorial Committee he chairs seem to favor "electable" candidates over those who believe in things. A Sep. 10 article by Aaron Blake in The Hill repeats this charge, made by Chuck Devore in California after the NRSC backed Carly Fiorina. Devore accuses the NRSC of backing "non-conservative" candidates and having a poor track record.

Ayotte's extreme slowness in defining a MESSAGE, a reason why we should vote for her, is certainly why better-defined conservatives and even private citizens are contemplating the race. What is she doing? focus-group-testing her identity? What we need to know NOW is that she will provide principled, well-explained opposition to Obama's rush toward big government, not a candidate who is acceptable to Judd Gregg.
- Spike, Brentwood NH

Kelly Ayotte has been a horrible AG. She opposed the Castle Doctrine bill and wants to require people to show ID just to buy cough syrup. In other words, she supports big government. She won't get my vote.
- SHJ, Lebanon

Ken, if I have a big bank account rather than a union phone bank, why does my right to petition my government for redress of grievances under the 1st Amendment require that I give up my right to be secure in my "papers and effects" under the 4th?

Full disclosure (instantly, and by Internet) is the position of the Republican Party (whose leaders are anxious for us to know that they do have computers) but this position once again concedes that there is something wrong with unconditional individual rights.

Phil Gramm came into NH, decades ago, with buckets of cash--and couldn't sell his message. So what is so dirty about money? Do we have any evidence that campaigns are better when America's achievers are impeded from using their earnings to influence them?
- Spike, Brentwood NH

Looks like Nh will have the best bought candidate ever in this person. Sad to say it appears she is busy selling out to outside pressure groups but is at least getting good high prices for what she might offer. Good old Yankee way of doing it , even Daniel Webster reminded a backer, he would be less favorable to the banks interest unless a retainer was not continued.
- albert, northwood

I mind that fundraising is taking place in Washington, D.C. for a candidate that is supposed to be representing New Hampshire. Lobbyist-hosted? Of course! That's the way the game is played. Too much time connecting with people who are not your constituents. The citizens of your state are your clients - your only clients - treat us as such. If we take our business elsewhere, you're out of business.

I like the spaghetti dinner suggestion, but how about $15/plate - that's about what it'd cost for a night out.
- Jay, Nashua

I am okay with a person being allowed to contribute more than a million dollars to a candidate if disclosure takes place.

I am okay with a person being allowed to contribute more than a million dollars each to several candidates if disclosure takes place.

Little known candidates may be better able to run against well known candidates.

The issues may be discussed better.

New parties may be more formed and their candidates may be more competitive with Republicans and Democrats.

It bothers me when fundraisers take place that require people to pay $500 to meet a candidate.
- Ken Stremsky, Manchester, NH

I hope they will decide to have some fundraisers that are $25 or less per person.

They might want to have some barbecues, spaghetti dinners, and brunches.

It bothers me when fundraisers take place that require people to pay $500 to meet a candidate. I think it is a good way to lose voters. I think many people feel that if they do not have money they are not going to be listened to.

I hope many Democrats, Republicans, and others are going to be running for Governor, United States House of Representatives, and United States Senate. I hope they will discuss their views in great detail before the primary election. I hope candidates will be able to ask each other questions during the debates.
- Ken Stremsky, Manchester, NH