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