Former Gov. Sununu: Lynch NH's 'worst governor'
By GARRY RAYNO
New Hampshire Union Leader Staff
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008
At a Republican gathering, the former governor says the current officeholder has failed to solve problems.
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CONCORD - An attorney for the Executive Council has rejected Liquor Commission chairman Mark Bodi's request that Gov. John Lynch be barred from being part of his removal proceedings.
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YOUR COMMENTS
I was trying to point out that in 2002, the Republican party led by Gov Sununu and then Congressman Sununu corruptly organized a phone jamming scheme against Gov. Shaheen and the Democrats. Fraudulent work perpetrated by an organized crime syndicate. Why didn't John E. ever clear the air over this? Too afraid of the truth?
The Sununus, like Senator Larry Craig, were never prosecuted. Quite frankly Hypocrites.. the whole lot of them. Rep. Foley; Senator Stevens; Senator Thurmond; Senator Vitter; Senator John Edwards; Rep. Barney Frank; Bill Clinton, and then the Sununus. Watch out NH; we may have not seen the end of Johnny BE Incompetent.
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- Justin, Pelham
- Ty, Exeter
Kudos to Governor Sununu. Are there any other former Republican governors or officials who who dare to engage?
Wally Stickney
- wally stickney, north Salem, nh
- Tom H., Madbury
The Golf Club of New England
Peter Heed
Dori Wiggin
Linda Pepin
Angela Blaisdell
- Lyn P., Manchester, NH
We can thank "King" John Sununu for the present approach of tax today and spend today as opposed to tax and save today and spend tomorrow. He was the governor who eliminated the historic NH savings plan by spending all of that year's tax revenues and the prior year's collections in one fiscal year. He also gave us political appointees who double and triple dip (with government approval).
I'd like to see the so-called leaders of NH create a priority list of absolute needs and to then fully fund that absolute list, as required and determined by legislation. Unfortunately, the political leaders prefer to do things backwards by creating the estimated revenue stream and then spending that estimated income. That makes the NH "prime directive" - get someone else to pay because politicians choose not to pay. The second half is - if you cannot find alternate revenue sources, then be cheap because money is going out of your own pocket (instead of the pockets of others).
I agree with Sherry D. of Epsom, NH residents really need to contact their representatives NH's general court and give them a list of priorities. Taking "The Pledge" is NOT an item that should be listed as a priority. Providing services such as improving the transportation infrastructure is one. Another is to fully fund the state's share of public education. Another is to develop a flood management plan that would abate and diminish future flood impacts. Priorities first, then find revenue to pay for those services.
- Gary L. Kerr, Chichester
With the advent of the information age the politics of that past are becoming increasingly obsolete. In years past Mr. Sununu's criticism may have been taken at face value. Now it is quickly seen for what it most likely is: a clumsy attempt to begin positioning a recently defeated relative for a run against the current Governor. It will not be soon forgotten that his son acted as a rubber stamp for President Bush though.
The truth of the matter is that his son did not lose because he happened to be an innocent bystander swept up in the anti-Bush sentiment of the moment. John Sununu Jr. voted in lockstep with George W. Bush 90% of the time. It was only as the 2008 elections approached that he began attempting to put some distance between himself and George Bush. Too little, too late. He lost because he richly deserved it.
George Bush may well be go down as the worst president in the history of the United States, but he could not have done the damage he did to our economy and standing in the world without the support of the Republicans in the House and in the Senate. Dissent was not tolerated and anyone with an opposing viewpoint was quickly labeled unpatriotic or otherwise marginalized.
Until the state and national Republican establishment come to realize that they need to represent a wider swath of America and not just the wealthy they will most likely continue to be marginalized. We need two viable parties in this great country of ours to act as a check and balance against each other and the GOP is not holding up their end of the bargain.
The comments of John Sununu Sr. do nothing to advance the political dialogue or enlighten the electorate.
- Mike Lane, Manchester
- Jay Collins, Laconia
- corey d., manchester, nh
- Frank, York Me
Where do we begin? Well, first off, you would think that the older Sununu would be at least corgial and professional is some regard, given the fact that the Nation, not just NH, threw the Republicans completely out of office. Why even John McCain had the class and the dignity to make peace offerings across the aisle to Senator Obama. Sununus' on the other hand, have shown nothing but disdain for the working class, the poor, the sick and the elderly. Geez Gov, correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you thrown out as Chief of Staff under GHW Bush because 1) you were considered elitist and arrogant? 2) You were using government assets and airplanes as if you were as rich as Gov. Benson? Bottom line, NH has moderated, appropriately so. Your kind, along with the likes of sonny boy Sununu and Benson belong in Idaho in the land of "wide stances."
If you don't have anything nice to say, then get off stage.
- Justin, Pelham
We're getting nothing but ugly Big Box sprawl out of some mistaken idea of "that will bring more taxes".
That means less and less high-paying white collar jobs, more low-paying service jobs.
Tell me this is good management of the state.
- Mike R., Bedford
I have to say that Lynch won with 74% because of all the Mass people that have moved into the state. They do not like living in Mass because everything is screwed up so they move to NH. What do they do? They elect the same type of people they are running from. I should not say it is the just the Mass people. We have some Vt people and with the other hardcore Dems that already lived in NH, they are now the ruling party.
SO once they ruin this state which state are they going to run to next?
- Mike, Nashua Nh
- Todd, Concord
If Gov John Lynch is doing such a wonderful job why does NH face a possible $800M-$1 BILLION deficit? Why did he raise taxes 25 times? Never any specifics from you or anyone.
The best recent Governor was Craig Benson. Again you say he was so out of touch but you give no specifics. I'd say balancing the budget and cutting the fat were not 'out of touch'. Please spare us the cliches.
Your "wonderful" Democrats are the ones who have MADE this mess both in NH and nationally with the mortgage crisis. Most thinking people understand this. It is breathtakingly mendacious of you to blame the last governor who left NH fiscally healthy, for what Lynch, worst since Shaheen, has done to ruin the financial status of NH.
You can lie about it all you want, but those are the facts, NH is in a DEMOCRAT DEFICIT.
- Jane Aitken, Bedford NH
- LJC, Manchester
Hows that deficit? The national economy may have a little to do with our budget woes, but this train wreck has been coming for a long time. Now, Lynch is asking state agencies to make even more drastic cuts in budgets that had already been cut and stretched to the max. I guess no one will notice until our streets aren't getting plowed, the police take an hour to get to you because they have such few officers to spread around, school bus service is stopped, etc....
But, what do you expect from a state that has gone from bright red to purple, to navy BLUE!
My vote will go to Kelly Ayott if she ever runs.......
- J, Concord
- Leon, Manchester
- Jay, Concord
Jeanne Shaheen was by far and away the WORST gov that NH has ever had... and a completely embarrasing Senator!!!
- Marc, Weare
- Joni, Manchester
- Tom, Dover-Foxcroft, Me.
- Bob, Bedford
- Mark, Concord
- Spike, Brentwood NH
- Charles Whitenhower, Manchester NH
- Chris, Merrimack
Unlike Plumer, Lynch doesn't want to secede from the US.
- Moses Burnshaw, Keene, NH
Would I vote for a governor that would do what it takes to eliminate our $250,000,000+ state deficit, even if it means shredding the dickens out of our state government - regardless of the pain that it might cause me emotionally and possibly to my wallet?
Now that former Governor Benson has had a term to learn that government cannot be run by an autocrat - if he ran again to do the same job as he did last time (only better), would I vote for him?
The answer to both questions is: "In a heart beat."
I am not much of a fan of Governor Benson - but two years from now when Governor Lynch fails to make a measurable dent in the state's deficit, Mr. Benson is the only person that I see on the horizon who already has the experience and the capability of getting the job done.
- David R, Manchester
- Dawn Gagnon, Manchester
- gr chase, Exeter
- rm, nashua
- Shawna, Manchester
- Sherry D, Epsom
- Eileen, Hooksett
I wonder how you're all going to feel when our now liberal state government increases the gas tax now that gas tax revenue is dropping so that the governor and his liberal cronies can keep the cost of government growing.
I also wonder if you'll keep singing the praises of the governor.
- DW, Merrimack, NH
- Mike, Temple
The worst recent Governor was Craig Benson. He was so out of touch and a Republican who was only elected to one term.
Sununu's are done with politics. time to move on.
Our wonderful Democrats will have to straighten out this mess caused by the Republicans. Thanks a lot!
- Fred Norris, Bedford NH
And don't forget This Recession was brought to you by a Republican!
Sununu is a sore looser!
- Ben Stern, Manchester
- Rick, Manchester nh
Sununu has always come off to me as an uncaring, bloodless Machiavellian figure. Do you think he realizes no one is listening, and his bitterness about his sons loss is quite obvious? Back to obscurity dear Elder, we didn't ask for your advice or opinion...
- Jon, Atkinson
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester
- Tom, Dover-Foxcroft, Me.
- Michael, Manchester
- John, Londonderry
If people have followed Sen. Sununu's career in Washington, they would know that he has been a very strident force in protecting our rights and security. Often he has been cited as one of the brightest minds in Congress. I agree.
Governor Sununu has been speaking out about New Hampshire government and fiscal responsibility since he left the White House. He sticks to his principles, which many of us share. His comments are honest talk. Most people don't like to hear the stark truth.
Ray in Northwood
- Raymond E. Pinard, Northwood
- Dave, Manchester
- Dan, Manchester
- Paul, Nashua
- Daniel Kern, Greenland
- Sherry, Concord, NH
However, the NH GOP has not been much better on these issues and only has itself to blame for it's election losses. For far too long, the Party has been run by out of touch, liberal, country club types who make decisions from behind the closed doors of their ivory towers.
Conservatives and libertarians who are fed up with the GOP leadership have even formed a new coalition at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhrvc whose goal is to help elect articulate and principled Reagan style Republicans in NH.
- Kevin, Salem, NH
- Charles Therriault, Barrington, NH
- Mike, bedford
- John, Londonderry
- Frank Smith, Manchester
1.) “now is not the time for partisan attacks”??? That’s all Democrats did for the past 8 years. It was all Bush’s fault. Don’t you remember?? Now it is entirely your fault.
2.) The state budget issues are NOT a result of the national economic situation. Governor Lynch and the Democratic legislature RAISED the budget 17.5 % when they knew that revenue would only increase between 4-5%. It was a designed deficit.
3.) How much is the legislature going to increase the budget this coming year? How many more “hacks” are going to be put on the payroll? You can’t even get out of Concord around 4:30pm without getting caught in the onslaught of state employees rushing for the door.
Don’t even think about turning to the Federal Government to bail you out. Take your out-of-state hacks and your Napoleonic complex back to whatever hole it is you crawled out of.
- Tim Moore, Gilmanton Iron Works
- Betty, Salem
I admire John H. but this last election was the time for him or others who had the financing to oppose Lynch. I would have worked hard for him.
Buckley and I were there for the $63 million that Steve Merrill would not fund.
No matter how much the state guarantees in "education funbding" it will never be enough for the NH NEA.
School choice for all parents and you will see the government schools decline in enrollment.
bnyoung@metrocast.net
- Niel Young, Laconia
- Dick Roux, Bedford NH
- John Hattan, Concord NH
- John LInville, Wolfeboro
Hey Johnny-Boy...why not go after Senator Judd 'Powerball' Gregg in the September, 2010 Republican primary? That worked for you against Senator Bob Smith so why not try that route again?
- Walter, Meredith, NH
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