YOUR COMMENTS

If a person is to make a sound and educated decision as to a candidate, he must get the facts first. Just because someone has wealth does not necessarily mean that he is out of touch. Are you that unwilling to keep an open mind and listen to both sides? If so, then you do New Hampshire and America a disservice as a voter. Listen to what all the candidates have to say first and then decide before putting the ear plugs in.

JLW, Dover
- Jay Wulfson, Dover

My husband and I have known Bill Binnie for a combined 117 years. Because he is a very private man, very few people are actually familiar with his low key benevolence and generosity. He and other "rich Republicans" built an entire private boys school in Harlem in honor of a lost friend. I don't believe there is a day in his life which doesn't contain some type of unselfishly donated situation. Stop with the labels, folks. Vote for a candidate with a soul!
- Stephanie Lane, Portsmouth, NH

PS to LJC--who will not vote Republican no matter who is nominated--My misgivings (below) on this candidacy are not based on membership in some overpowering social class. I don't know that Mr. Binnie is "out of touch" and question how you do. If we "deserve better" than a rich man, who do we deserve? a bum?

We are getting to the heart of your daily messages against Republicans (echoed today by Barry of Portsmouth). In this nation, with its unprecedented lack of class barriers, you believe that Mr. Binnie's wealth kept you poor--that other people's success caused you to fail. That is why you vote Democratic--to get even with people.

If Mr. Binnie could make inroads against this mindset--for starters, explain how Bill Gates became a billionaire by transforming America to the enormous benefit of everyone--then his candidacy would be awesome. The question, as before, is what he believes, not whom he knows.
- Spike, Brentwood NH

What is more damaging to the State? A rich, out-of-touch Senator, or one that starts out poor and gets rich with the support and aid of corrupt unions? Voters are always between a rock and a hard spot.
- Lynn G, Dover

Is the middle class in NH so gullible as to elect another out-of-touch rich person to the Senate? I hope not. We deserve better.
- LJC, Manchester

With all due respect to Mr Binnie and the very exclusive golf resort and yacht park at the Wentworth; we don't have rich people's problems to solve in the US, we have middle class people's problems. The rich are doing better than they ever have, by any measure.

So why have another Harvard Biz school grad (Bush) in high office? He'll just naturally represent the needs of those, like himself, who are the wealthiest.

It seems to me that to represent the middle class we need someone who's opened a can of beans once in their lives, worn a sock with a hole, or put off a haircut for a couple weeks to save money. Not another members of the millionaire's club.
- Barry, Portsmouth

FYI - The Republican Primary is still ongoing in CT and the Senate race will take place in 2010.

"This year, Binnie contributed $2,400 to Thomas C. Foley, the Connecticut Republican who tried unsuccessfully to oust Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd
- Addison Smith, CT

Mr. Binnie might indeed be able to build a neat golf course. But the Republicans have been decimated in two straight elections. Nominating a country-club Republican--literally, and nothing against country clubs--means they don't get it.
- Spike, Brentwood NH

I have known Bill Binnie for almost twenty years. Worked very closely with him on the development of the Wentworth by the Sea Country Club. Without his vision this tired 100 year old golf course would not have succeeded. This was just one of many business he has rescued and turned into a success story. His ability to look into the future and solve a business problem is incredible. This is the type of smart, visionary person we need in Washington to turn our country around.
- Peter G. Weeks, Rye, NH