YOUR COMMENTS

Sununu spoke the truth to the American people and like swines they tripped on his pearls. There is going to be a crises then America will wake up too late. Why should a smart man sacrifice his family time for swines. America it is your responsibility he did all of his leave him alone.
- Cathy Dow, Auburn NH

Tim in Windham it is not the access it is the buying of access mothers against drunk drivers will have the access without buying it and so will the parent effecting legislation but why would we want a Texas oil man buying access to our representative he has his own that he can talk to. And if he has a worthy national issue his representative can advocate his position. His money in NH politics is there for profit motive not for the citizens of NH interest and if he happens to like our representative why is more that a token contribution not enough. We are electing national representation and as such they will be voting at times for the national well being but I still want them doing it from a NH prospective not some financial interest outside of the state and thank you for your response I am looking for solutions and the questions will clarify and refine my ideas.
- Keith, Sandown

Huh? What does your letter have to do with Sununu not running in 2010?????
- Sylvia, Peterborough

Well Sylvia I could ask what Sununu running would have anything to do with being a Republican also.

Tell me has government grown or shrank in your lifetime? Do ou constantly pay higher or lower taxes? Honestly I am less free today than I was as a young ladd. We take two steps towards socaism when the dems get in power and when republicans do we take a quater of a step back.

I'm looking for Republican leadership that believes in the ideals. If I can't see them it's from no lack of looking on my part.
- Deb, Derry

John Sununu has the ability to fight the Democrats and their extreme liberalistic tendencies. He would have made an excellent choice. Republicans cannot concede to Liberalsim. They need to assert there authority, for it is the only way that they will succeed in this recession. The people need to understand that the Democrats and President are struggling. Furthermore, they are jeapodizing this country in all respects. I do not want to live in a society in which everything is uniformal, for this is not America.
- A.T., Laconia

It is unfortunate that former Senator John Sununu is not going to take initiative and fill the seat. Given Sununu's strong credibility, such a wise move would probably help Senate Republicans in New Hampshire. While Democrats have the majority as of right now, I predict that this will change. The Democrats and the President are vulnerable and are failing to bring about feasible change. Therefore, the Republicans must use this vulnerability to reenergize and reassume their role as the party to pass legislation. I feel that former Senator Sununu, would have been one of many, who would have helped to coordinate this effort.
- A.T., Laconia

It's again nice to read serious commentary from the paper's readers (with the usual sprinkling of name-calling from the left).

Deb makes a libertarian statement of Republican principles, and two people criticize that Republicans have several non-libertarian positions. But this libertarian would happily support a Republican who wanted the state to stop paying for abortions or advocating homosexuality--though it is taking a position on personal issues--as an alternative to the full-blown Marxism of the Democrats. Deb's critics hope to put a wedge between her and other Republicans, which her critics are not.

I was proud to have Gordon Humphrey as a US and then a state senator, though in his last campaign, he seemed to have no issue other than "broadband for the north country"--politicians again picking winners and losers for us. But I'd be eager to see him run again. If he's still on his game, he would tower over any of the used-car salesmen the Democrats will run. For the record, I am still not convinced that Judd Gregg is really going to step away from the federal feedbag and stop poisoning the Republican Party.
- Spike, Brentwood NH

Does anyone know how to contact John? I want to hire him to run a company. He's a smart guy and I'm glad he putting family first.
- Bob, Concord

Ham Sandwich (R) will whip Hodes in '10. A.) Hodes is far too liberal for NH. B.) The GOP will hang Pelosi, Sen Stuart Smalley, and Obama around his neck. C.) By Aug of '10, unemployment will be at 15% and it will be a complete landslide for the GOP.
- Jeff, Rochester

Nashua businessman Fred Tausch freely admits he voted for Obama but now admits that was a mistake. Anyone who could not foresee the mistake is not qualified to be a republican senator or rep or dog catcher.
- tony, pembroke

What about Bob Smith?
- Jason, Amherst, NH

Keith... I agree with some of your points, and disagree wtih others. It's not realistic that a person running for federal office will not have to consider issues that affect the US as a whole, not just NH. Hence, if you're concerned about 2nd amendment rights at the Federal level, or federal environmental laws, or US military policies, and you feel so strongly about those issues, I have no problem contributing to that out of state candidate, as their positions, ultimately affect all of us irresepective of what state they were elected. Your broad based definition of "special interest" could imply contributions from "MADD- Mothers Against Drunk Driving", the Red Cross, AARP, etc. Face the facts, every federally elected office holder has to decide on issues that affect not only their respective states, but the country as a whole. Collectively, if you do not agree with the majority of their state and federal positions, don't vote for them in your state. Lastly, I've seen personally where "special interest groups" (ie. parents of kidnapped or missing children) have had a great impact on how appropriate legislation should be crafted / written to avoid past mistakes in other states or at the federal level. (ie. loopholes for sex offenders) Are you then saying such advice / council is inappropriate? Seriously, reconsider your comments and reconcile with reality.
- Tim, Windham

I think the real point is not republican versus democrat. Both parties care only about re-election first, contributors second, party third and maybe the people they represent fourth. They do not care what the people think. They think they know what is best for us. It has to stop!
They are hired to represent us, not think for us or take care of us. Stop being children and think for your selves.
Take a look at Shaheen's web site she uses the amount of money she gets from the government as a score board. It is no longer about right and wrong or ethics. She is trying to by peoples votes with their on tax money.
- Paul Croteau, Derry

Sununu is a smart man. There's no way he's getting on a sinking ship like the Republican party. The Dems are stinking it up now but the only thing worse would be a repub in office.
- Jake, Manchester

We all see how money has corrupted politics. Campaign cash is spread around by special interest to the point we have bills that are often written by lobbyist. We also know that we will not get laws to stop it the politicians will not vote to change it and we know the courts consider it free speech and maybe they should so no limits there. What I propose is that NH, the state of broad base tax pledge, we get our politicians to pledge to take only campaign contributions from the people of NH to prove to us that their votes are representing NH and not wall street or PMA or the unions or Emily’s list or other politicians all these groups give cash. To me this money influences their vote more than my call to their offices. So what do you think NH can we get the people that run for office in NH to take a new pledge “I _______ running for US Senate/representative in NH pledge to only take contributions from people in NH/my district and I will only take token contributions from outside of the state/district in the amount of 100/50 or less. I do this to prove to the people of NH that I will be representing them.” What do you think NH do we get politicians to take this pledge to show they represent NH and not the special interest. What do you think NH is this a good idea or should we let special interest continue to write our laws that are not read before they are voted on?
- Keith, Sandown

I'm not surprised that Sununu chose not to go back to the insane asylum. It is unfortunate because he was one of the few "real" old guard Republican's - and he could have made a big difference in helping guide the "Dem-lite" crowd back to where the party should be. And Buckley's snide remarks aside, he would have beaten Hodes handily.
I enjoyed corresponding with Sen. Sununu when he was in the Senate. He always responded and it was always on a personal note. He was against illegal immigration and amnesty. (He also voted against the first TARP.) He called Barney Frank out on the floor over the Fannie/Freddie mortgage disaster in the making three years ago but got shouted down by Pelosi and company.
But then, you guys decided Jeannie Shaheen was better because of her incredibly competent and intelligent campaign against Bush.
I am hoping he will consider a run for Governor. We need a fiscal conservative and we need someone who can say NO. I only hope it isn't too late.
- Sandy, Thornton

Deb of Derry is (as usual) right on.

When you detractors commenting here use the past errors (sins? crimes?) of certain Republican leaders (esp. at the national level) you are helping her case and mine. The GOP, especially at the national level, is woefully wishy-washy and most often misguided at best. They walk on eggshells so afraid of doing/saying "controversial" things that they say/do nothing meaningful....so I yawn at them. (Yeah, I acknowledge the secular media often surpresses their best messages).

I conclude leaders like Pat Buchanan and Alan Keyes were the last seen firebrands from the Republican Wing of the Republican Party, the former of which beat out a sitting, boring, US President in the NH Primary. Now we get milquetoast leaders (Haley Barbour and Michael Steele are perfect examples) with no apparent genuinely conservative fire in their belly. Another example: Newt Version 2.0 is a sad parody of the great Newt Version 1.0.

What does this have to do with the likes of young John Sununu, Steve Merrill, and Judd Gregg? I conclude they all *used* to have reasonably good principled and focused fire in their bellies, like Newt, and did a great many good-to-great things (albeit a few errors too) in the good old days, but nothing appealing recently. I fear our current national leaders have more focus on the organizational machinery of Republicanism than on what Republicanism is supposed to do in the first place! I venture Deb would concur.

Maybe Washington (and Concord!) burns out and ruins most True Believer GOP leaders. Consequently, GOPers like me are glad Sununu/Merrill/Gregg are not re-runnning, and we hope the vacuum allows principled, honorable, motivated, fresh blood from the Republican Wing of the Republican Party to rise up and run. Ideally, they won't get betrayed by Republicans who think such new faces are "too" conservative, like what happened to Alan Keyes in Illinois (where the Messiah could have been stopped cold) or Sarah Palin. Too many Republicans shrugged off the "too" conservative Keyes and Palin, which combined together to allow the current "Change" we are all enduring.

That's the view from this soapbox!
- Ed Holdgate, Live Free or Die Sandown, NH

A nice set of straw men set up by our liberal friends, but the effort is futile.

The fact is, the 2010/2012 elections will be a referendum on Obama. To this point he has been a catastrophic failure as president: he has destroyed 3.5 million jobs, run up trillions in debt, sucked up to tyrants, and abandoned those fighting for democracy. His economic and foreign policies are in ashes, and with a supermajority in the Senate he has no one to blame but himself.

I am glad to see Sununu is not running; the GOP needs new blood, and whomever they run will have the anti-Obama advantage over Hodes.
- Tom, Campton

Unlike the editorial board of this newspaper, perhaps Sununu and Merrill can read the writing on the wall.
- Tom, Manchester

I think former U.S. Sen. Gordon Humphrey should come out of retirement. New Hampshire and the nation would benefit from his conservative, limited-government philosophy.
- Cathy, Concord

Deb... I know what you are saying and
agree with you.. Who is going to step to the plate for the working people.
So we can keep some of our money and stop the big hand outs. And Lets tax , tax , tax. frame of mind that is taking place now.
Who has the @#% to take on the Demo's . not Sununu.
- Pete, Deerfield

It looks as though the GOP sees the handwriting on the wall: Democratic sweep in 2010!
- LJC, Manchester

Bummer, Merrill won't run well Ovide your next please don't let Judas Gregg call the shots on his replacement, knowing him he will pick someone who is less qualified than him and that would mean that we should leave the seat vacant and get better representation. The GOP had better pock someone who can win or we will have two Democrat U.S. Senators in Washington.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester

Deb,

Huh? What does your letter have to do with Sununu not running in 2010?????
- Sylvia, Peterborough

Deb: "Freedom is not government control of every aspect of our lives." Like a woman's right to choose.
Or are you talking about how Republicans want to determine who can marry whom? Or allow spying on U.S. citizens without warrants. Face it, the Republican party is no more about limited, less intrusive government than Democrats. You claim the Democratic party resorts to name calling and other childish behavior.
Better to point the finger than look inward. The Republican platform can be reduced to limited govt, which is obviously a joke, strong family values, and low taxes. As for the family values, all credibility is lost (sanford, ensign, etc...) The low tax argument is also a joke. You can keep taxes low like Bush did by simply not adding 2 wars to the nation's balance sheet. Th
The major Republican problem is hypocrisy, they function the same as Dems but espouse some moral authority and fiscal restraint. Spare us.
- Chip, Wilton

Lobbying in Washington for special interests pays a lot better.Next stop,K street.Pathetic system we have
- jerry, Claremont

If Republicans really believed "freedom is not government control of every aspect of our lives" they wouldn't be in favor of government controlling family and patient/doctor relationships.

By opposing the right of gays to marry and the right of doctors to prescribe marijuana to terminally ill patients who need it, Republicans have shown that they want government to control some very intimate aspects of people's lives.

"Opposition to government control" isn't a black and white issue. On some issues it's Republicans and on others it's Democrats who come down on the side of personal freedom.
- Dan, Manchester

Why the party lacks anyone willing to stand up and fight the insanity of the far left with logic and passion is beyond me. At this point in time putting forward the obvious arguments should not be that hard. All it takes is a faith and belief in what you are saying to the people. Let the left use name calling such as bigot to do something about the illegal immigration issue or homophobe against believing a traditional family is best for all and the nation. But most of all tell the people you feel they know best how to care for themselves and they don't need government to tell them what to eat or drink and that if they need a service it is an opportunity for private sector business to fill the gap, create jobs that are not dependent on stealing taxes from the people. Instead if they want the service they can FREELY choose to pay for it in a competitive market.

Freedom is not government control of every aspect of our lives. It is the right to choose for oneself and accepting the consequences of that choice right or wrong. At some point this nation will not sit as some seek handouts as their means of survival while others labor for theirs. Compassion can be achieved through charity but when that charity is driven away by government it then becomes corrupt and rather than freely given it becomes something that is taken. Maybe if we did not pay people not to work we would still have our own factories producing the goods we use and those working in them would have the dignity of earning their own way and those who don't will simply go without or seek the basic needs charity will provide such as food. As it is now those we pay not to work use their money for such things as cell phones, televisions and video games, and some drugs and alcohol paid for by those who strive to succeed on their own. It is no longer government charity but considered their right and we only have the far left to thank for that view that is about as close to communism as one can get.

It should not be so hard to simply say the obvious to the people. All that is needed is a faith and belief in your views, the willingness to fight and stand up for them, and to put the facts plainly in the face of the people to decide on. All I see in the Republican Party today are those afraid of name calling and other childish tactics of the far left. Republicans could also do society a favor by ensuring their views are also included in the public schools while encouraging the kids to question both sides. The way it is now they get one view and are not encouraged to question that view. So Republicans either grow a spine of dissolve the party because I don’t even recognize it any more.
- Deb, Derry

This is quite surprising....I thought that some of the backlash from Lynch budget, and the dwindling adoration for the liberal "politics as usual" in DC might have opened a door for Sununu stick his foot back in.
- Bob, Hampstead

I'm a little surprised by this since Sununu would have beat old "cap & trade" Hodes who is a joke. In any case I suspect former governor Merrill will be running for the seat.
- Jay Collins, Laconia