YOUR COMMENTS

What is the matter with you people who believe that as Mayor, Guinta has done a great job for the city! Open your eyes people, his only interest has been for own political gain. The City of Manchester has lost it's luster since Guinta became Mayor. Now some you are applauding his decision to move on to higher office so that he can wreck more havoc. In my opinion he is just another self-serving political hack. GUNITA GET IN YOUR HOLE! Mollie G.
- Molllie G., Manchester

I believe that, with George Bush gone, CSP doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell. That is it, pure and simple. The woman doesn't have a brain in her head and was elected simply because of the anti-Bush sentiment at the time. Remember, she is nothing more than an anti-war, anti-Bush protester at heart. Without Bush and with conditions improving on the ground in Iraq she is simply nothing. Guinta should have no problem taking the seat from her IF his Party doesn't screw it up too badly.
- Bob Pickett, New Castle

Stuart, he brought one idea, you don't even bother to refute that. Is that the only solution to the budget? Or is that the only one that fits his political agenda? I don't see any evidence that he looked at any other parts of the budget to make the cuts that he said were needed.

Seriously $13.50 per tax bill to keep things level funded? You are being ridiculous.
- Bob V, Manchester

Bah. I wish he was running for NH office. He can't do any good in the swamp that is Washington DC. That city will never change no matter who gets elected.
- Jack, Concord

Drama Queen...
- Cathy, concord

Alderman Frank Guinta made a promise to improve Manchester schools when he ran for Mayor. (UL op letter 10/27/05) At the time three schools were listed as "In Need of Improvement". Now the entire school district is listed as "In Need of Improvement" and 3 schools are on the state's list for "corrective action". He promised that he would keep his word about improving the schools.

It has been almost 3 and 1/2 years since he became mayor and the schools have gone downhill since he has taken over. In Manchester as mayor he is the head of the school board. He professed to have a plan to better the schools during his campaign for mayor. He is a giant FAILURE... and he has hurt the children of this city. It is not just about taxes...this issue is about the the education and future of the children of this city. I will gladly pay more in taxes to improve our schools.

If you want a Great Leader DO NOT VOTE for Frank Guinta. If you want a Great LIAR well.....
- Lisa, Manchester

Jason from Manchester, it is very easy to see. Mayor Guinta has one agenda. Cut cut cut til it hurts. Well, he is a Wieczorek protege and we certainly don't need to go back to the Wieczorek days. We need forward thinking people as elected officials all the way around. Guinta brought unrealistic budgets to the table and then blamed the aldermen for raising taxes. Guinta has not offered one concrete solution for anything. Instead its a cut cut cut mentality. Well, where do you cut? Police, Fire, Education? Where. So it is very easy to see. He can cut all the services he wants but our taxes certainly won't go down so instead, we are paying the same taxes for less services. Wow, that is a great campaign idea. This isn't about partisanship as much as it is abotu realism and Guinta is not a realist.
- Jeff, Manchester

Bob V.
Have you read the budget address? You are horribly out of touch as you assert that the Mayor brought one idea, a furlough to the city budget. Even if that were the case, would it not be better than the layoffs of 200 city employees including first responders?

The structure of the city budget states that the mayor delivers his budget proposal, it is then deliberated on by the board of aldermen. He has delivered, and delivered big in my opinion. No tax increase and no layoffs...whats your better idea? Now its in the aldermen's lap to jack the tax rate and pander to the unions.
- Stuart Dunmeyer, Manchester

Yeah, Frank Guinta, our hero. He brought ONE idea to the budget debate this year, a furlough, and has offered NOTHING since. Now THAT'S leadership! We obviously don't pay him enough for all that he gives us.
- Bob V, Manchester

Jack Alex wrote, "With the current state of the Republican party in NH its going to be tough fight. To be honest they blew the election, maybe the didn't have the best ticket in the world but it seems that there was no effort to push it when it came to voting time."

Well Jack, what you say is ABSOLUTELY true of the days of the Fergus Cullen-led NHGOP lost in the wilderness. It is a new day, and a new Republican Party. We watched it first-hand up here in the District 3 Senate special election race. Governor Sununu leads a great staff that has thus far demonstrated they can and will engage the opposition while maintaining a structure that doesn't forget the basics of good campaigning. Of course, it helps when you have good candidates. Guinta is a GREAT candidate. Sayeth Mayor Guinta: "We are not here to fleece the taxpayers." Amen!
- Doug Lambert, Gilford

I'm kind of confused at how someone can accuse Mayor Guinta for not being strong on issues and changing his political beleifs as the winds change. Explain to me how you come to this conclusion? He is one of the very few individuals on the board of mayor and aldermen who stands alone fighting for tax cuts every year. Even though Lynch is popular, he has openly criticized him when he is wrong regardless of political ramifications. On the other hand, he has also worked together with Democrats in this state for the betterment of Manchester as well.

People like Jeff from Manchester should try and open their eyes for once and look beyond political parties. I consider myself a Conservative Democrat too, which is why I had enough with Bob Baines and voted for Frank Guinta. Likewise, I have had enough with Carol Shea Porter and will certainly vote for Frank Guinta in 2010 for similar reasons.
- Jason Freeman, Manchester, New Hampshire

Guints has been a very prominent supporter of fiscal conservatism in Manchester and we need his abilities in Washington now more than ever. If he runs, he will have my support in the primary and in the election against Carol Shea Porter hands down.
- Greg Sullivan, Goffstown, NH

Jeff you are just a partisan Democrat. Record as mayor? Guinta has a great bipartisan record as mayor. He has led this city strongly with an iron fist on fiscal issues and has been a tough fighter against crime throughout his tenure.

Jeff, how about you move to Massachusettes and maybe the liberal policies of their politicians will suit you better...after 6 years of tax increases and fiscal policies run crazy under Bob Baines, it has been a breath of fresh air having a mayor who will fight for the taxpayer rather than the union bosses.
- Kyle Collins, Manchester, NH

Well writen, and thank you, Mr Vallincourt.

Yes, I am a Democrat who is also "Conservative." A wing of the party that has been pushed aside and silenced...and why the Dem majority presently in Concord will be ushered out of Concord in the next election cycle. They've pushed too fast and too hard, especially with their 'social' agenda.

I am not a fan of Shea-Porter. However, if it is indeed this mayor who gets the GOP nomination in a run against her, I will not vote for him. In fact, I suspect she will thump him good.

There are more qualified GOP candidates than this mayor. Same with the Democrats.
- Jack, Manchester

I would like to see some additional Republican candidates come forward...please.
- Mike, Raymond

Without getting into a dispute over whether Guinta is a good candidate or stands a chance, I feel the need to say that Manchester is in fact a conservative city. It's Democratic but conservative Democrat. Just look at how often Manchester Dem Representatives go against their party. Just look at how two of the three Dem Senators on the hook to vote against gay marriage are from Manch--Lou and Betsi. Look back to the Mel Thompson margins in Manchester. Look at the liberal Fernald getting clobbered while conservative Dem like Lynch does well. Look at an historical analysis of the Manchester vote vs. other cities. An impartial person can reach no other conclusion than that Manchester is more conservative the state on average. Just look at the internals of Andy Smith's UNH poll last week which covered five social topics. I've seen the internals--Manchester is more conservative. Thus, Victoria Bonney, who I assume is well paid as a consummate spinmeister, happens to be correct in this assessment.

Steve
- steve vaillancourt, manchester

ok James, so by your thinking, isn't shea porter a New York City-native political carpet-bagger???
- Roger Hanford, Hooksett

I love how these pollsters already have Guinta at 34%. That is until his record as Mayor hits the news state wide at which point his percentages will drop even more. This guy has done absolutely nothing here in Manchester yet he thinks he can do a better job in either the house or senate? Ok. That just makes me want to vote for Carol Shea Porter even more. At least we know what we get from her. With Guinta, it is the finger in the wind trick...which direction will I go today?

Good luck Guinta. Have a great campaign and enjoy the lessons of defeat.
- Jeff, Manchester

James it is called a National RECESSION! That is why downtown development has slowed. However, even in these tough times, Guinta has brought the biggest development in Manchester since the Mall of NH to frution; the Elliot at the River's Edge development. You just sound like a tax happy liberal who thinks taxation is the solution to every problem. Guinta has absolutely made Manchester a safer place by adding dozens of new police officers after Baines neglected the police department and public safety for years. Guinta had the guts to get the dangerous night clubs kicked out (the same ones that Baines let ruin our city for years).

It will be sad to see Guinta leave City Hall, however I certainly believe that he will have a greater impact for Manchester working on behalf of the city on a national level. I hope you will run against Rep. Shea Porter because as an Independent voter, I am tired of her extremly liberal views.
- Fred, Manchester

As a Manchester resident I'm thrilled that the New Jersey-native political carpet-bagger Guinta is moving on. I think he'd be great in Congress, where he can do way less to impact regular people. Perhaps when he runs for higher office someone will finally put a bright spotlight on his record in this city. Let's talk about how crime, potholes, economic stagnation, and political gridlock have all expanded during his tenure. Our schools underperform because (see Kelleigh Murphy) anyone who can escapes to the suburbs.

This is the state's largest, most diverse city, with the greatest resources -- but Concord, Portsmouth, Dover, Keene, and even Nashua all offer far superior quality of life. Is there even a plan on the drawing board right now for the continued revitalization of downtown? It does not seem that way. All of Manchester's momentum has evaporated. I hope this city can manage to elect a leader with some vision this time around.
- James, Manchester

This Victoria Bonnie woman from the NH Democrat Party better learn a little more about New Hampshire before making comments to the state's largest paper- either that or she is just a great spin doctor. Manchester is ABSOLUTELY NOT a conservative city. It is a moderate city, but I think it is even arguable that it leans to the left politically. Her comment also doesn't make any sense. It is obviously expected that Guinta wouldn't have high name recognition ouside of the Greater Manchester area. People in the nothern parts of the district don't even know him yet and those in the south only get bits and pieces of Manchester news.

If I were a Democrat, I would be pretty worried that a candidate who hasn't even built up his name recognition in most of the district is within 11 points of beating a two term represetative.
- Shane Biledo, Manch

LOL the Dems are trying the make it sound like Guinta should have higher poll numbers??? He polled pretty darn well (only 11 points behind with other Republicans on the ticket as well) considering he hasn't been a politician outside of Manchester and most of the ditsrict doesn't even know who he is yet.

Shea Porter's days are numbered. She can't even break 50% and she has been a congresswoman for two terms?! I am tired of Shea Porter voting lock step with the Democrat Party and a majority of voters in this district will feel the same way.

Also, LOL did the Dems really call Manchester a conservative city? That's one heck of a stretch! It really couldn't be more obvious that the Dems are trying to spin these numbers as best as possible because they are VERY scared by what this poll shows.
- Cindy, Manchester, New Hampshire

Good for the mayor. Carol Shea Porter recently said that she votes 100% in like with the Democrat party because she agrees with them 100% of the time. That certainly is not the congresswoman that the independently minded New Hampshire should be sending to represent the first district.

By the sounds of the Democrat interviewed in this article and the worrisome tone of the Democrats about Caol Shea Porter in general shows that even they recognize that she is in trouble (as she should be). Guinta has done a great job as mayor and he would absolutely (and happily) have my support in a race against Carol Shea Porter!
- Jacob Rumney, Manchester, NH

Shea-Porter's numbers are deplorably low and she should be very worried. Her marching in lock step with Obama/Pelosi and her reliance on out-of-state money will weigh her down even more. This seat is ripe for the picking if the Republicans pick a strong candidate.
- Tom, Campton

Will always predictable pork spending ACORN loving Porter-Pelosi-puppet be running against "failed Bush policies" again??? Or will she finally have to answer for her own votes?
- Mae, Plaistow

I am very interested in seeing Carol Shea-Porter booted out on her ear but not replaced by that do nothing back stabber Frank Guinta. There are better Republicans who can win. If he should run and win the nomination I will definitely vote against him. Why send a do-nothing Mayor to be a do-nothing Congressman, we already have Carol Shea-Porter doing exactly that.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester

Great! Now that the mayor has destroyed Manchester, he can turn the rest of the state into a giant ghetto!
- JJ, Manchester

CSP can be beaten. It will take a higher level of commitment than has been done in the past. Guinta would have to convince a lot of people to vote for him not so much against Shea Porter.
- Chris, Merrimack

While I wish Mayor Guinta luck, I will miss him as Mayor. He is going to face a huge upward hill battle moving from a city elected official to reperesenting a wide geographic area beyond just Manchester. He will need to make sure he has the proper exposure to people who may never have heard of him before. With the current state of the Republican party in NH its going to be tough fight. To be honest they blew the election, maybe the didn't have the best ticket in the world but it seems that there was no effort to push it when it came to voting time.
- Jack Alex, Manchester

Guinta obviously is going to run against CSP, but I do not think he can pull it off. Her numbers are worrisome for an incumbent, as is her fundraising, yet Guinta may have appeal issues outside Manchester. It makes sense for him to make the leap, but even without coattails, CSP will probably hang on.
- Justin, Moultonboro

It looks like Frank Guinta has received the generic support any Republican would get against Shea-Porter. Congrats, Mr. Mayor, you have a pulse!
- Glen, Manchester, NH