Site Search
Reader comments: 10
Updated, 1:01 p.m. A poll commissioned by the liberal Daily Kos web log shows signs of trouble for Democratic Rep. Paul Hodes at this early stage of the 2010 U.S. Senate campaign, but it also shows that Republican frontrunner Kelly Ayotte is in a competitive race for her party's nomination with Ovide Lamontagne.
Updated, 1:25 p.m. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Ayotte will be endorsed later today by all nine of the state's county sheriffs.
.jpg)
With third quarter federal fundraising reports now public, details are now emerging and charges are flying.
Updated, 3:07 p.m. The congresswoman has $295,957 on hand. Would-be opponents Bob Bestiani and Frank Guinta released their numbers today.
Updated, 2:25 a.m. A new ad from FixItNowNH says it's time for expanded gambling.
Updated, 1:34 p.m. Also, a UNH poll shows that most New Hampshire men aren't pleased with the President.
TUESDAY UPDATE: Nashua Republican Jennifer Horn is expected to run for the 2nd Congressional District seat in 2010.
The moderate Republican represented the 2nd District for six terms until his ouster by Paul Hodes in the Democratic landslide of 2006. Among the big names on his exploratory committee: Tom Rath, Chuck Morse and Scott Hilliard.
►Foster's: Former state Supreme Court justice won't seek U.S. Senate seat
►Gatsas, Roy will debate on October 7 (7)
Reader comments: 21
Updated, 2:19 p.m. The congresswoman says she's under fire from FOX News, Glenn Beck fans and Tea Party protesters.
Laura Van Hove has worked for Bob Dole, Steve Forbes and Rudy Giuliani.
A key senator has high praise for the former attorney general -- but stops short of an endorsement.
Kelly Ayotte already finds herself on the defensive, mostly over her "relationship" with the Washington-based National Republican Senatorial Committee.
The Devine Strategies director says Lamontagne will decide on a U.S. Senate candidacy by the end of the year.
What do they say Charlie Crist, Sarah Palin and Kelly Ayotte have in common?
Outgoing Attorney General Kelly Ayotte continued to attract much political attention in New Hampshire and Washington yesterday.
All of a sudden, Republicans are on the offensive. From Washington to Concord.
Linking state Republican candidates to George W. Bush obviously has been a winning formula for New Hampshire Democrats in the last two election cycles.
Both parties say they are going all out in phone banking and door-to-door efforts to get out the vote on April 21.
Shhh! It's being kept very quiet, but we understand veteran Manchester criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor John Kacavas is in the running.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is a member of a new "Moderate Dems Working Group" of 15 Democratic senators, led by Evan Bayh of Indiana.
John DiStaso's Granite Status: Hodes vs. Shea-Porter? She still isn't saying
Print
Email
Mobile
Reader comments
By JOHN DISTASO
Senior Political Reporter
Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009
 John DiStaso, the New Hampshire Union Leader's senior political writer, began writing "Granite Status" in 1982. His influential reports on behind-the-scenes politics in the first-primary state are must reading every Thursday for insiders from Concord to Washington, D.C. Watch for "Granite Status" updates on UnionLeader.com whenever New Hampshire political news breaks.
|
POLITICAL BASKETBALL. Paul Hodes is getting out in front early, appearing, at least, to be trying to box out Carol Shea-Porter on the suddenly open 2010 U.S. Senate race.
Hodes made it known he was considering running for the Senate back in mid-December, long before the incredible Judd Gregg-to-Commerce developments of the past week.
A source close to the congressman told us on Tuesday, shortly before President Barack Obama's official introduction of Gregg, that Hodes would announce within a week.
HODES
Yesterday, Hodes first told UnionLeader.com and this column he indeed "will run" for the Senate "to keep our state and country moving forward," adding, "Certainly, these recent events have created a different situation than I had anticipated."
Hodes, 57, said he has been "extraordinarily proud to serve the people of New Hampshire, to stand up for them every day, and I want to continue doing that work."
And he promised that while "there will be time for politics" later, he will remain focused on "the work I was sent here to do as the 2nd District congressman.
WHERE'S CAROL? Shea-Porter remains under the radar, still not ruling anything out but still not saying anything even remotely definitive about her plans.
(Thursday afternoon update: Shea-Porter offered no hint in a brief statement today. “I have enjoyed working with Paul Hodes in the House and obviously we talk to one another," she said. "As Paul said, this is a democracy and anyone that wants to run should.”)
Some Democrats quietly warn that Hodes should be careful not to rile up Shea-Porter, that if she feels she is being pushed aside, she'll be more likely to run. And as we all know now, her grass-roots support should not be underestimated.
But what's Hodes to do? He wants to stake his claim, so why not get out there early with an announcement and then get back to work in the House?
He has some fundraising to do, and no doubt he will get busy. His year-end campaign finance reports showed he had only $56,378 on hand as of Dec. 31. Shea-Porter ended the year with even less, $35,329.
Hodes said he hopes there is no primary. He noted that Gov. John Lynch recently made it clear he will not run.
"It's a democracy," Hodes said. "I've made my decision."
He said he is "very honored to serve with Carol Shea-Porter. Her decision is hers to make."
Sources said Hodes had been polling statewide in recent weeks, even before Gregg's exit.
He would not confirm that yesterday, but said, "I am confident the record I've established and my focus on the interests of the people of New Hampshire will stand me in good stead in the race for this seat, and I've been gratified by the expressions of support by people in both the 1st Congressional District and the 2nd Congressional District."
Hodes may end up with a free ride to the nomination, but we wouldn't bet on it at this point. There are other Democrats "of means" out there who are being urged to run.
Gary Hirshberg, are you listening?
MORE DOMINOES. Gregg's move, Hodes' announcement and the announcement by Lynch Senate appointee Bonnie Newman that she won't run for a full term in 2010 have opened the floodgates for Senate and the 2nd District House seats.
With Newman a lame duck before she even gets to the Senate, Republicans are clearing the way for John E. Sununu to rise again.
"He's everyone's number one draft pick," said former state GOP chair Fergus Cullen, contending Sununu's loss last year "did not have a whole lot to do with him."
"I would think that he has the right of first refusal on the nomination," Culllen said, and others agree.
"I'm wearing my 'Sununu for Senate' sticker right now," said state Rep. Fran Wendelboe.
Sununu's dad, state GOP chair and former Gov. John H., says, "My perception is that former Senator Sununu needs a few months to decompress and get a sense of what he wants to do. It's not the kind of decision you make quickly.
"Fortunately, there is a two- or three- or four-month period of time to go through" before he needs to decide.
"He's been out of the Senate for only about a month, and I'm sure he will be typically thoughtful and analytic."
Sununu had $128,000 left in his campaign account on Dec. 31 after spending $8.7 million in his campaign against Jeanne Shaheen.
WHO ELSE? But if Sununu doesn't make the move, then who?
Attorney and GOP strategist Tom Rath says Sununu "is everybody's first choice. It would be great to get him to run and not have a primary.
But if Sununu did not run, "Sure," said Rath, "I would consider it."
Friends of former Gov. Steve Merrill and former two-time congressional candidate John Stephen are getting calls from people trying to recruit them. BAE Systems executive Rich Ashooh is being mentioned as a potential senator or congressman.
Others continue to long for Attorney General Kelly Ayotte to get into politics.
Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta is getting calls and requests to speak around the state. He has a decision to make soon. Will he run for reelection as mayor?
He did not return our call yesterday but adviser Michael Biundo said Guinta is "'flattered by those who have been speculating about him running for higher office" and has been contacted "by people he respects on both a national and local level to gauge his interest."
Former Rep. Charlie Bass is back and very seriously considering running for the Senate, House or maybe even governor.
"I'm going to talk about this with my family and friends and advisers and supporters over the next few days," he said. "I'm not ruling out a possible run" for any of the major offices.
He noted that he has an existing campaign committee and may form a new committee soon.
FOR THE HOUSE: We reported Tuesday that Katrina Swett is poised to become a candidate for Hodes' seat, rather than get into a Senate primary with Hodes.
The Senate exploratory committee she filed back in 2007, when she was thinking of running for the seat now occupied by Shaheen, had $911,855 on hand at the end of the third quarter of 2008. Year-end reports for Senate committees have not yet been posted by the Federal Election Commission.
But Swett is not the only Democrat looking at the 2nd District seat.
Concord attorney Ann McLane Kuster confirmed she is "seriously considering" running. She didn't say so, but friends say it's unlikely she would run against Senate President Sylvia Larsen or Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli, who are also weighing Senate and/or House options.
Concord state Rep. John DeJoie has also been making calls, and Nashua attorney Mike Atkins is being mentioned as a potential candidate, both for the House.
Others being recruited include former state Sen. Joe Foster, Lebanon Mayor Karen Liot Hill and Keene state Sen. Molly Kelly.
On the Republican side, former state Sen. Chuck Morse of Salem is thinking about running for the 2nd District seat. Last year's GOP nominee, Jennifer Horn, is being courted, though her campaign had only $2,886 on hand and a campaign debt of $235,000 at the end of 2008.
HOW WILL SHE VOTE? Bonnie Newman soon will be representing New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate but only she knows where she stands on just about anything.
She described herself as a moderate during the Tuesday announcement/news conference at the State House, but was neither asked about, nor volunteered, specifics on any issue.
Her personal assistant told us yesterday that Newman won't be available to talk to the media until next week. So, speculation reigns.
Cullen, who said he has asked Newman for advice at times and knows her fairly well, said she is "clearly not an ideologue and is more of a good government-type."
Former Gov. Sununu, who was her boss for a while in the George H.W. Bush (41) White House said, "The big issues in this two-year period are economic and she's a good Republican on economic issues, so I expect her to be voting with the Republicans pretty solidly."
Wendelboe said she did not know if Newman is pro-life or pro-choice, but said, "I suspect she will pretty much go along with the Republican line on most issues."
Another connected Republican called Newman a "good fiscal hawk," but a key Democrat thinks Newman will mirror Republican moderates Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine and may even be indistinguishable on economic issues from Shaheen.
THE GREGG APPOINTMENT. It remained unclear yesterday when Gregg will go before the Senate Commerce Committee for a hearing.
When he does, there may be a few pointed questions.
Yesterday, an Associated Press report surfaced linking a former top Gregg aide to a former deputy to convicted former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
On another front, The Washington Post reported last week that the George W. Bush appointment of Gregg's friend and former campaign treasurer, Francis L. "Roy" Cramer, as an immigration judge was criticized by the non-partisan Government Accountability Office, which questioned Cramer's experience.
The newspaper wrote that the Cramer appointment could be the subject of tough questioning during his confirmation hearings.
But Gregg was unconcerned when we interviewed him on Tuesday.
He said Cramer is "a good lawyer and a good judge. Basically, you get good people to be these judges."
CULLEN ON CRAIG. For reasons known only to himself, former state GOP chair Cullen unloaded on former Gov. Craig Benson in an interview with National Review Online yesterday.
Cullen said that while he could not defend Bonnie Newman's endorsement of Lynch over Benson in 2004, he would not criticize it, either.
Cullen called Benson a "political screw-up. He was a very wealthy man who had bought both his primary and general elections, and he had no governing experience. I found it extremely frustrating trying to work with him."
"Most of us simply sat on our hands and hoped Benson would decide he was bored with being governor," Cullen told NRO. "Some people would see what (Newman) did as an act of political treason, but others would see it as an act of political conscience. Craig Benson was a screw-up. He was great on policy, but he just couldn't get along with people."
Wow.
QUICK TAKE:
-- In the expanded gambling battle taking shape at the State House, the conservative New Hampshire Advantage Coalition joined the Granite State Coalition Against the Expansion of Gambling this week.
John DiStaso is senior political reporter of the New Hampshire Union Leader.
All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. © 1997-2010.
YOUR COMMENTS
I too believe that Benson was defeated by some in the GOP establishment. He left the state in the black. Because he was somewhat rough around the edges and didn't play politics you sat on your hands?? Thanks for nothing Fergus. I hope John Sununu Sr gets the GOP back on track.
Also --Sununu 2010
- Kevin, Nashua
The NH GOP establishment has dug a huge hole and is wallowing in the bottom of it. Thanks for wasting my money and votes for the last 4 years....
The more I read how Benson was treated combined with the stupidity of our current State and Federal Representation, The NH GOP deserves nothing but a kick in the teeth.
Time for a real third party for real New Hampshire Voters. Both Parties suck and the NH GOP sucks the most!
- Bill, Rye
Thanks Brian. Appreciate the civility. While I don't disagree that Sununu has the necessary tools for the job, he did follow along and, I believe, support wrong policies. But again, thanks for the response and tone of it.
- fred, alton
Fred in Alton-
To answer your question, I do not think the voters in NH did their research. Sununu was cleary the more qualified candidate, but lost his seat because of his party affiliation and because Shaheen's campaign successfully tied him to George Bush. I think that he was robbed because he was incorrectly tied to the most unpopular President in decades. Bush's actions in no way represented Sununu's ability to lead in the Senate, and I think it is really unfortunate.
- Brian, Concord
Let's get the record straight. Cullen should remember that Governor Benson send the legislature a message when he was elected Governor, less spending, less government and tax relief for small businesses. The GOP led House and Senate leadership took his budget and loaded it with excess spending. Benson vetoed that budget. Benson then took crippling attacks for the GOP establishment over keeping his campaign promises. GOP leader's attacks did the job that Democrat Leaders like Burling and Buckley could ever hoped for. The GOP establishment walked away and handed the Governorship to Mr. Lynch by a very narrow margin and the GOP has paid for that dearly! Mr. Cullen needs to remember when you point your finger at someone (in Cullen's case, former Gov. Benson), three fingers point back at you. Mr. Cullen you have shown that you too, sir, are a screw up!
GOP needs to look for fresh faces with compelling stories...Wendleboe, Bettencourt, Dan Hughes, Stephen and Rick Morris could be those voices.
- Gibby, Merrimack, NH
brian from cocord--
Seiously and politely I ask how you think Mr. Sununu was robbed in the last election.
Thanks
- fred, alton
Don from Berlin
You stole my line about Hodes' "backbone"LOL. Your right he needs to go out with the tide.
I hope Carol Shea Porter jumps in the race. I also hope Hodes and Shea Porter raise lots of money from Unions and lawyers and have the "nastiest" most personal primary fight in history. May the winner of this "horrid" primary get clobbered in November.
- Chris, Merrimack
Interesting that there is not a single veteran mentioned on the entire list.
- Jim Warren, New Ipswich NH
Hodes will say anything to get elected, a self promoting backslapper. Funny how he didn't vote for the bail out bill just before his election but he had no problem voting for that pork filled stimulus bill that that passed in congress and is a tax payer waste. His website says he is taking a stand on earmarks, why didn't he object to all the crap in that bill he signed up for, selective ethics is his game. He looks bad for that, the bill is in trouble in the senate as people come to their senses.
- chuck, amherst
I would also like to wholeheartedly endorse John E. Sununu for this seat in 2010. Anyone who follows politics closely knows that this man was robbed, plain and simple.
Plus the entertainment value of him and Shaheen in the Senate together representing NH would be priceless.
- Brian, Concord
Hodes is a joke, and will never get elected as Senator. The politics of 2010 will not be favorable to dem's by then.
- Marc, Weare
Benson = excellent businessman, lousy politician
- Zoot, Derry
Hey Fergus,
Benson left this state with a surplus and if he were still Governor we probably would not be in the mess we are now. You may not have liked his personality but the fact remains he was a very good Governor. He placed his emphasis on actually running the state not petty politics. It's a shame you could not keep your personal comments out of you interview.
Joe Dion (Former Benson Staffer)
- JOE DION, MANCHESTER
I sincerely hope than John Sununu (Jr.) runs for Senate again. He was perhaps the smartest member of the Senate and a good, solid conservatice. He had the misfortune of running for reelection in a bad year for his party. Sen. Sununu warned about the financial crisis on the horizon and tried to get some legislation moving to address it when he first went to the Senate as did President Bush, but they were blocked by the Democrats. Giving people low interest loans with no money down is not sound policy, and is not Republican policy. As for the House 1st District, I'd like to see U.S. Attorney Tom Colantuono run. Mayor Guinta would be Ok as well. Kelly Ayotte would be a good Governor if Lynch ever retires.
- mo, derry
Fergus is gone and now we have the evidence on how the Republican Party in this State works. If you don't play nice you don't get supported. Explain why the State is dominated by Democrats in office. Thanks you morons, just thanks!
Fergus I have something for you to sit on and it is not your hands...
- Bill, Ry
Well I can hardly wait for the fair coverage of all the candidates on our one and only news station along with the tough questions and follow ups. So what will you bribe the voters with to win this seat? Puppies oh that's so nice.
Will we have ACORN scouring the state in their usual unbiased fashion seeking votes? Maybe in this race they will use their unbiased practices to favor Republicans 99 to 1.
- Ross, Derry
It would be a shame to judge Benson on his actual record and not his personality. He didn't kiss peoples behinds; lacked the gregarious gene; and he cut spending and left the state with a budget surplus. I'd be happy if we could find another screw up like him. Bonnie Newman is nothing but a fraud and she should be ashamed that she helped deliver Lynch to New Hampshire. Glad you're gone Fergus...I have a barn for you to paint this summer....
- Todd, North Hampton
It looks like Gregg was hoodwinked. He will not be running the Census, and with Hodes' announcement it is clear that Gregg was chosen to be a token Republican and to free up Gregg's Senate seat. Gregg will have no influence in the Obama administration.
- Tom, Campton
If Sununu doesn't run for Senate I am supporting Sean Mahoney!
- Jack, Barrington
Great...he wants to go from a position where Pelosi tells him what to vote for the one where Reid tells him what to vote for.
I can do that, so I therefore am announcing my candidacy for Senate in 2016....can never announce too early apparently!
- Steve, Derry
So instead of focusing on the job he was elected to do he'll spend the next year and a half campaigning and fund raising for a "better" job. Can we have a recall vote now for dereliction of duty? Another openly avaricious career politician with no shame.
- Lou, Bedford
Great job Fergus. Showing the NH GOP establishment for what it really is-PHONEY! Just because Benson wasn't the inside pick and acted like a leader should-by taking control. all the traitors are left off the hook. NH GOP rule 1-If you are an insider ($$$) you can do whatever you want. AMAZING how no one is calling the Newman appointment for what it is-a sham. Want to know why you lost GOP?Because the majority (like me) stayed home!! Keep running insiders and we will stay home again!!
- Frank, Hampton
Would Hodes bring his proverbial backbone to the Senate - doubtful. He rode into Congress on the Bush-hating wave and now needs to go out with the tide.
- Don, Berlin
1. If Sununu were to run for senate his father would need to step down from state chair. Have dad as the chair during a primary and it will get messy.
2. Who are these Republicans who are longing for Kelly Ayotte, not only have I never heard this from a credible Republican, I hear the opposite. Think of her inactions on voter fraud, illegal immigrants, and her leftist feminist leanings.
3. Frank Guinta needs to worry about maybe getting a couple of Republican aldermen elected before he should be considering higher office. The idea of Mayor Lopez or O’Neil will scare many republicans in Manchester from supporting Frank.
- Andrew, Manchester
I hope NH elects more Independents and boots out the jerks known as Dems and Reps. They both have been very good at staying in power with an 'Us vs. Them' mentality. It's a hell of a game they are playing and we are to blame for falling for it election after election. I feel they are one and the same party, except for a few social issues that I could care less about.
- DM, Hampton
Wow, Mr. Hodes certainly moves fast. But I suppose that in this day and age, an early declaration of candidacy is required in such campaigns.
- Nicholl, Manchester
Benson = spine
Cullen, Newman, "Scam"man= no spine
- Michael Bodruk, mbodruk@comcast.net
Can someone please explain why conservative Republican Judd Gregg is leaving the Senate to be in the administration of a liberal Democrat president? I haven't heard any reason that makes sense yet.
- adam, salem
Fergus Cullen is the screw up. He does not speak for "most of us" Republicans. Can the media just stop going to him for comments. No one really wants to continue to hear from him.
- Carrie, Manchester
Could the UL have possibly found a worse picture of Hodes? Wow....
- Brian, Concord
Hodes is a perfect example of your typical left winger with communist ideals who has consistantly been in lock step with his selfish party. Just the same as Shame-Porter. They both support this pork filled useless "stimulus package." Let him try, so he'll be knocked out of both Congress and the Senate.
- D. Williamson, Nashua
Fergus has it right: Craig Benson WAS bored as governor.
My sense is that he did not really want re-election. I do not think he made a conscious decision to self-sabotage. However, he pulled back on the throttle just enough to let Lynch take the job away from him.
He should have stepped aside and should have let someone more enthusiastic run.
He did not, much to the party's detriment.
- Larry Gillis, Cape Coral FL
Sununu for Senate, 2010.
There is no one else........
- Harry, Wolfeboro
NOTE: If you have visited this page before, newer comments may be hidden. Press F5, or hold down the Ctrl key while reloading or refreshing the page. (Another option for Firefox users is the Clear Cache add-on.)