.jpg)
The House Finance Committee has recommended that the state restore $314,394 in funding to the Claremont, Colebrook, Keene and Milford District Courts. Oh, the hypocrisy!
Rep. Chris Nevins, R-Hampton, has introduced a bill to create a state "aeronautical fund" which would finance maintenance and capital improvements at all airports open to the public.
More Editorials >>>
- > Tax cap choice: You can't have one (36)
- > Super blunder: A $2.5 million Census ad (15)
- > Soldier's return: This small state grieves (5)
- > Who's irresponsible? A laughable attack in Concord (7)
- > Boutin for Senate: A real fiscal conservative (2)
- > Swimming in cash: Pursue pool sponsors (20)
- > UNH's big plan: More buildings! (23)
- > A bank scam: More wealth transfers (32)
- > Crunching credit: NH might make it worse (12)
- > Silencing speech: Hodes vs. Madison (65)
- > Tax hikes are good: So say NH Dem leaders (24)
- > Joseph W. McQuaid: Groundhog Day, Obama version (22)
- > Salesman Obama: Nobody's buying it (40)
- > Pare the budget: Pass HB 1643 (8)
- > DWI loopholes: NH has too many (25)
Andrew Cline has been editorial page editor of the New Hampshire Union Leader since October of 2001. His writing has appeared in more than 100 newspapers and magazines, including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and National Review.McCain's appeal: A conservative with character
Print
Email
Mobile
Reader commentsIn the past few weeks we've run into a lot of Republicans and independents who have come around to Sen. John McCain even though they said they could not have seen themselves supporting him a year ago. And yet their support for him is enthusiastic, not reluctant.
We know exactly how they feel.
Regular readers of this page will know that we have our differences with Sen. McCain. Through the years we have been very critical of his positions on campaign finance reform and immigration reform in particular. But the beauty of the New Hampshire primary is that voters -- and editorial writers -- get to meet presidential aspirants in person and judge them not on a checklist of policy positions but on their character, too.
The reason John McCain has won so many newspaper endorsements in New Hampshire is the same reason he's winning over New Hampshire Republicans who disagree with him on some issues. When you meet him in person, his character and integrity are instantly apparent.
When Sen. McCain met with us for two separate one-hour interviews, he never attempted to hide his real position by telling us what we wanted to hear. We cannot say the same for other candidates.
When we found ourselves in disagreement, it was Sen. McCain who immediately acknowledged it and tried to win us over to his position. He does the same on the campaign trail.
Sen. McCain is the only candidate on either side who seeks out voters who disagree with him and gives them first crack at questioning him. If he sees an anti-war protester, he calls on that person first. No other candidate in this race intentionally subjects himself to harsh questions in front of hundreds of undecided voters.
And yet, if his integrity were the only factor, he would not get our endorsement. Sen. Barack Obama has integrity too, after all. But Sen. McCain has integrity and is a genuine conservative.
The voters of New Hampshire are seeing that. They are questioning Sen. McCain and finding him to be a real conservative with real character. That's why he's winning Republicans back. And it's why, as the nominee, he will win the election in November.
All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. © 1997-2010.
YOUR COMMENTS
I lived and voted in New Hampshire for 35 years before moving to Arizona in 2001. Whenever I contacted the NH Congressional Delegation I always received at least a polite form reply. Since moving to Arizona I have written to Senator McCain numerous times and have only received one reply, that being just after he announced his run for the office of president. John McCain is politically arrogant and self centered. The McCain Feingold Campaign Reform Act and his position on the so-called gun show loophole will prevent me from ever voting for him. Let the Democrats give us the next Jimmy Carter and maybe the next Reagan will come forth. The only Republican candidate I could support is Fred Thompson. He may not be flashy but he certainly has more integrity and common sense than the rest of the field.
- Robert A. Suomala, Green Valley, AZ 85614
I am an independent who prides myself on voting for the candidate who has the best credentials to lead this country. The more I listen to John McCain, the more I realize that he would make a great President. He now has my vote.
- Adam Talmadge, Gig Harbor, WA
The Republican Party lost me and several others last June re: illegal immigration amnesty to the Independent column.
Those that I know who are taking a Republican ballot Tuesday are voting for Mitt Romney.
The NH U L made a mistake in supporting McCain - but it is YOUR mnistake - we will not vote for the make believe conservative Tuesday or November.
Obviously the U L is not looking at the same record of McCain that we are.
Niel Young
Laconia
- Niel Young, Laconia
The Republican Party lost me and several others last June re: illegal immigration amnesty to the Independent column.
Those that I know who are taking a Republican ballot Tuesday are voting for Mitt Romney.
The NH U L made a mistake in supporting McCain - but it is YOUR mnistake - we will not vote for the make believe conservative Tuesday or November.
Obviously the U L is not looking at the same record of McCain that we are.
Niel Young
Laconia
- Niel Young, Laconia
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.)