YOUR COMMENTS

What century is this, again??? Good grief!

Susan Lynch's endorsement is her endorsement. And that's it. And good for her.

Governor Lynch would do well to listen to his wise wife, follow her lead, and endorse Hillary, too.

Susan Lynch would make an excellent Surgeon General!
- Bob Jean, Northwood

"C'mon. Even those of you who who still support the corrupt, vascillating, vapid and inept Dame Clinton should be able to see the implications of Dr. Lynch's endorsement. At the very least, one supposes, they discussed this beforehand. At the best, he asked her to not do it and she refused (does anyone seriously believe that?)"

In a word, 'yes'. She's a woman who has carved out an independent professional position. Political thinking that treats her as merely a proxy for her husband went out of style around 1906. I think her endorsement was a very bad idea politically simply because it opened the door for the kind of retarded analysis from sources like the U-L, and if it was a joint decision, it's a poor choice politically for a temperamentally-conservative person like the Governor.

The Governor is too shrewd a player to make a virtual commitment to a candidate precisely when the race is in flux, as it is now. Assume the worst - that he's angling for a position in a Democratic administration. What does he do if Obama wins both Iowa and NH? He won't be getting any return phone calls in the near future. His best bet is to stay on the sidelines, a position he's taken from early on, and a plausible basis for resisting Clinton pressure to endorse.

The only logical explanation is that this was Dr. Lynch's decision alone for better or for worse.
- Archie, Manchester NH

Leslie in Derry when you go to the polls do you vote for your husband as well as for yourself? Did you hear that Curt Shilling is now campainging for John McCain, does that mean the Red sox are all for John McCain? and anyone who doesn't vote for John McCain might as well be a Yankees fan?
- Jeff Comeau, Manchester NH

Who really cares? Endorsements are the most ridiculous waste of ink, pulp, bits and bytes. Any person who wastes their vote on an endorsement of others needs their head examined. If any group of citizens is uniquely unqualified to tell someone else how to vote, it’s those who live in the sheltered, privileged arena of celebrity hood. Thank you Pat Sajak.
- Tabitha, Londonderry

So let me get this straight. Guinta supports Giuliani and it's front page, atta-boy news on the good ol' UL. Lynch's wife supports Hilary and it's a scandal. I realize that the UL is the standard bearer for yellow journalism, but this is a little much even for them.
- Jason, Londonderry

I wish Mrs. Lynch did not make a public declaration for a candidate. It detracts from her role as the First Lady of NH and the important work she does as a physician. She's in the news now for the wrong reasons
- Joy, Bedford

Again, there are responses that claim "this must have been written by a Republican". (Please go back and look into the history of political races and see how BOTH sides use "fear tactics"...or how a certain side often avoids issues...good lord..oh wait..can I say that?). The point is that Hillary has very specific views and for Lynch's wife to endorse her does indeed fall on him as well. It's not a stupid opinion, it's a political reality. I'm sure though had it been the other way around all hell would break loose and all sorts of negative comments would be flying off the handle. This election should be the most interesting...
- Leslie, Derry

The wife obviously knew of his "neutrality", and I'm pretty sure they would have talked about it.

Going for that cabinet post Governor?
- Scott, Enfield

My husband and I don't agree on our candidates. Who an individual in NH supports or doesn't is not important to me.

Mrs. Lynch can support who she wants; it is a free country or at least it used to be.

I can't believe how petty some of the stuff the UL puts in it's editorials. Foster's Daily Democrat is conservative and does a much better job with reality.
- Mayme Trumble, Madbury

Isn't it amazing how frieghtened the Republicans are of a woman in office, albeit one that is married to the biggest nemisis of the Republican party...Bill Clinton. After 8 years of the present leadership, also related to a prior president...Mr. Read My Lips....you would think that after finding No WMD that the Repubs would be willing to give anyone that can string two sentences together a chance at running the show.
- Joe Jackson, Merrimack

Well, on the negative side this article and some of the comments with it are outrageous and discouraging. The fact that people can even think these thoughts (ie: wife's opinion = husband's opinion), let alone print them is down right frightening. The article and the comments are clearly just an opportunity for backwards minded conservatives who live in the 50's mind set to make some kind of pathetic political stab...good job guys.
On a positive note, it is encouraging to see so many enlightened men and women posting with the same outrage, rather than caveman like view.
- Sarah, Manchester

Brian,

You make it sound as if the Republicans are the only ones engaging in a mud-slinging campaign and all Democratic candidates aren't capable of employing such tactics. It appears all you see is a false "angelic nature' in the Democratic candidates. The truth is, using mud-slinging campaign rhetoric is nonpartisan. What dictates whether a political candidate uses the mud slinging tactic in an election campaign is the content of his (or her) character and NOT their political party affiliation. As such, NONE of the candidates on either side of the isle are worth much.
The Dems, (especially Billary), are just as guilty of this despicable display of mankind's greed with respect for political power as any of the Republican candidates.
I think we should have a "None of the Above" box on the ballot. That might shake things up a bit!
- Collin, Manchester

I don't see the point of this article. My wife is not going to vote for Hillary or Lynch. I am going to follow my wife on this one.
- John Franzen, Manchester, NH

It must have been a Republican that wrote this Editorial. Rather then accept the fact that people have a choice of their own to make and speak of. They believe that the voice of one speaks for the voice both. This is the typical mud slinging that comes from the Republican side of Politics. Rather than stick to the issues they go for the fear tactic.
- Brian, Lancaster

This editorial must have been written by an unmarried man. Husbands have NEVER been able to control their wives' speech. As Shakespeare wrote around 1600 in A Winter's Tale (Act II, Scene 3):

KING LEONTES:
A gross hag
And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang'd,
That wilt not stay her tongue.

ANTIGONUS:
Hang all the husbands
That cannot do that feat, you'll leave yourself
Hardly one subject.

Cut the poor governor some slack, eh?
- Dave, Ipswich, MA

C'mon. Even those of you who who still support the corrupt, vascillating, vapid and inept Dame Clinton should be able to see the implications of Dr. Lynch's endorsement. At the very least, one supposes, they discussed this beforehand. At the best, he asked her to not do it and she refused (does anyone seriously believe that?) At the worst, this is another example of Governor Sunshine and no Substance playing both sides against the middle. Any other supposition is simply bewildering in its simplicity.
- Bill Simpson, Concord, NH

I believe there was a technical glitch on this page. Under the headline it says "9 hours, 33 minutes ago" I believe that should read "90 years and 33 days ago".
- Jeff Comeau, Manchester NH

I have to wonder why on one hand we hear the cry"she is a n independent woman and does not follow her husbands view" while Ms.Clinton is doing the reverse of that attmepting to use her time as first lady as experience for the job. Can't have it both ways. I could care less who Mrs.Lynch supports because all it does is confirm how much she and her husband are out of touch with the same ones they claim to care about. Thankfully it seems that some are starting to wake up to the real Hillary. I just hope she is not doing like many and voting for her "because she is a woman".For those who say that you deserve what you get. Because otherwise how can you support someone who really has no real ideas or solutions to anything. She is a bigger flip flop artist than John Kerry ever thought of being.As for the governor I think the state is seeing his true colors now, and maybe after this next election we won't care who he or his wife support.
- Bill B., Pelham

"The reality is Mrs. Lynch is the governor's wife." How does this in ANY way reflect the Governor's neutrality? Since when do wives' (political wives OR otherwise) endorsements automatically only reflect their husband's political choices? 1950? I assure you the candidate that I endorse in no way reflects my husband's choice. Let's respect Dr. Lynch as an independant, capable minded person please! I would say the same about Laura Bush. This is truly the most unbelievable editorial I have read in a long time.
- J. Downing, Keene

People have the right to endorse whoever they feel is the most qualify candidate to lead our Nation.
Mrs. Lynch is an intelligent person and she has the ability to make decisions for herself.
Please we have passed the age when wives must always align themselves with their husbands political beliefs.
Mrs. Lynch has made an independent decision to support Hillary Clinton who is a very capable and quality candidate to lead our nation.
Mrs. Lynch's endorsement of Hillary Clinton does not tarnish the neutrality stance of Governor John Lynch.
If some Republicans could have their ways they would forbid Mothers, Wives and Females from the electorate process because they assume the views of their males companions surpass and outweigh the views of females.
Carry on Hillary Clinton and Mrs. Lynch, it about time your ladies makes us men realize that Women are independent entities that are separated from their husbands or their male counterparts.
- JD Williams, Manchester NH

I will say that comparing todays Union Leader to the one I began reading in the 1970's you are making progress when it comes to civil and social issues. However, this editorial shows that you still have not quite shaken your sexist views regarding the role of women.

I do not recall the Union Leader being critical of Republican Governor's when they endorsed a Primary candidate. A UL favorite Governor Sununu was way out front in the Bush I campaign. Yet you criticize Governor Lynch who is neutral for an endorsement his wife made. Come on guys, try thinking outside the old boys club box once in a while.
- Rick Newman, Nottingham

This stealth endorsement is "gutless" at best. Lynch in effect is "hiding behind his wife's skirt" to make this endorsement. What is he afraid of, losing Republican support in the next election. He has already done that. Come on Governor come out of the shadows and tell us who you really are. Tell us your a "liberal who supports Hillary." Lynch or his wife didn't have to make any endorsement until after the primary.
- Chris, Merrimack

Well, if that doesn't beat it all. Should have seen that coming. Lynch lacks any real substance and should fit right in with the Clinton's.
- Jim, Laconia