Saturday, December 15, 2007

Huckabee/Norris Londonderry Event Cancelled

Sunday Event in Londonderry with Governor Mike Huckabee and Chuck Norris has been cancelled to due to severe weather.

Please check our website at www.mikehuckabee.com/nh for future campaign stops

Paul To Visit Dec. 20th-21st

Ron Paul will be in New Hampshire on Wednesday December 19th and Friday December 21st.
Wednesday, December 19th
2:00 PM
Little Timber Bonsai Nature Store; Breaking New Grounds Coffee; Edible Arrangements 5 Congress Street; 14 Market Sq; 90B Fleet Street
Thursday, December 20th
9:00 AM
Concord Radio Interview NHPR
10:00 AM
Concord Chat w/locals Hair Biz Salon, Autism fundraising
7:00 PM
Berlin Town hall Tea Bird's Café and Bistro
Friday, December 21st
9:00am
Jackson Chat with locals J Town Deli and Country Store
9:35 AM
N. Conway Chat with locals Zeb's General Store
9:50 AM
N. Conway Ed Board Conway Daily Sun
10:30 AM
Conway Town hall Majestic Theater
12:00 PM
Madison Chat with locals Madison Community Market and Deli

McCain Campaign Alleges Group Supporting Huckabee Behind Push-Polling

Today John McCain's campaign released a statement alleging that a group supporting Mike Huckabee is conducting push-polls in New Hampshire.

"Similar to previously reported calls in Iowa, the calls were to designed to disparage John McCain in an effort to advance Governor Huckabee's campaign," said Chuck Douglas, McCain's New Hampshire Vice Chair.

The statement calls on Huckabee to "condemn these tactics and urge his supporters to stop this activity attempting to smear John McCain or any other candidate, and allow this campaign to be waged on the issues and each candidate's merits."

The former Arkansas Governor is in the middle of a three-day swing through the Granite State.

Here is the full statement:

"Last night, the McCain campaign received disturbing reports of new push-polling calls in New Hampshire paid for by a group supporting Governor Mike Huckabee for president. Similar to previously reported calls in Iowa, the calls were to designed to disparage John McCain in an effort to advance Governor Huckabee's campaign. Governor Huckabee should immediately condemn these tactics and urge his supporters to stop this activity attempting to smear John McCain or any other candidate, and allow this campaign to be waged on the issues and each candidate's merits.

"The New Hampshire Attorney General's office is currently conducting a full investigation to determine who was behind push-polling activities last month. The McCain campaign initiated the investigation and called on all Republican campaigns to join us as parties to the complaint, and we look forward to the results of the Attorney General's investigation.

"Granite State voters are rightly proud of our state's first-in-the-nation primary and see no place for negative attacks in New Hampshire politics. John McCain is running a positive campaign based on his experience, judgment and positive vision for America's future. All Republican campaigns should join with him and pledge to the voters of New Hampshire that they will conduct their campaigns with the dignity voters deserve."

Dems Want Cullen To Repudiate Comments By Michael Savage

Today the New Hampshire Democratic Party urged Fergus Cullen to condemn comments made be radio talk show host Michael Savage. Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley said in a statement "Michael Savage needs to hear from the Republican presidential candidates that this type of insulting and ignorant attack on our democratic process will not be tolerated. Fergus Cullen should show some leadership here and join me in standing up to protect our first in the nation status."

On Thursday, Savage said the following:

"Why are we still running elections like it's the 19th Century, where New Hampshire determines the election? A bunch of yokels in New Hampshire are going to determine the election as much as my dog is going to determine the election.

"What kind of rubbish is this that New Hampshire -- a bunch of drunks up there -- and Iowa, they're going to determine the outcome of an election? Who came up with that nonsense? That's like believing in Santa Claus. If you believe that a bunch of drunks in New Hampshire and a bunch of stamp collectors in New Hampshire and a bunch of corn farmers in Iowa really are going to predict who the next president is going to be, that is like believing in Santa Claus."

Friday, December 14, 2007

Coming To A Town Near You

On Tuesday, December 18th and Wednesday, December 19th, Senator John Edwards will return to New Hampshire for a two-day trip with special guests Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne.

Tuesday, December 18th

12:00pm
Lebanon Town Hall with John Edwards, featuring Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne
Lebanon Opera House
51 North Park St., Lebanon

4:00pm
Keene Town Hall with John Edwards, featuring Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne
Keene State University, Mabel Brown Room
229 Main St., Keene

7:45pm
Nashua Town Hall with John Edwards, featuring Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne
Daniel Webster College Auditorium
20 University Dr., Nashua.

Wednesday, December 19th

11:45am
Portsmouth Town Hall with John Edwards, featuring Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne
The Frank Jones Center
400 Route 1 Bypass, Portsmouth

4:00pm
Dover Town Hall – This event is only with Senator Edwards and Cate Edwards
Macintosh College, Main Campus
23 Cataract Ave., Dover.

6:45pm
Manchester Town Hall with John Edwards, featuring Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne
The Palace Theater
80 Hanover St., Manchester.

Kucinich To Hold "Defending the Constitution" Forums

Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich announced his plans to be in New Hampshire and take every opportunity possible to talk with voters in all parts of the Granite State.

Sunday, December 16th

1:00 p -2:15
"Defending the Constitution"
A NH style Town Hall Meeting with the People
Franklin Unitarian Universalist Church
206 Central Street
Franklin, NH

3:00 p – 4:00
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony With Kucinich
Grand Opening Kucinich for President Office
33 S. Main Street
Concord, NH

8:00 p - 9:30
Constitutional Convention Initiative
A Focus on The Bill of Rights
MCAM Studios
540 N. Commercial Street
Manchester, NH

Monday, December 17, 2007

9:00 am-10:30
Visit Classes and Speak with Students
Sunapee Middle High School
10 North Road
Sunapee, NH
(closed to the public)

12:30-2:00
"Defending the Constitution"
A NH style Town Hall Meeting with the People
Claremont Community Center
130 Broad Street
Claremont, NH

4:00p -5:15
"Defending the Constitution"
A NH style Town Hall Meeting with the People
Colby Sawyer College, Wheeler Hall, Ware Campus Center
541 Main Street
New London, NH

At 7:30 pm Congressman Kucinich will be attending a private house party in Hillsborough.

Rudy Speaks At Goss International

On Monday, December 17th, Rudy Giuliani will remarks at Goss International Corporation in Dover, New Hampshire.

Obama Visits Next Week

Senator Barack Obama’s New Hampshire campaign announced today that Senator Obama will return to New Hampshire for his 23rd visit on Wednesday and Thursday, December 19 and 20. Obama will make stops throughout the state to continue engaging voters and sharing his vision for positive change.

YouTube Primary Films

Independent documentary filmmaker Darren Garnick, a New Hampshire resident, has complied a "New Hampshire Primary Film Festival for Political Junkies."

"So while you are stewing at home, bitter about not hearing the political ideologies of Chuck Norris (Huckabee), Judge Reinhold (Richardson) and Louie Tiant (Richardson), kick back in front of your computer and enjoy the first ever "NH Primary Film Festival for Snowbound Political Junkies!" Garnick writes.

Vermin Supreme, the radical anarchist who wears a boot on his head, is on the 2008 presidential ballot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMcdkc8ULGk

So is Caroline "The Hemp Lady" Killeen, who arrived in the state last week. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Iqj6wZd9Y

Fox News Poll: Clinton, Romney Leading

A Fox News poll shows Hillary Clinton leading Barack Obama by 9 points. The poll also has Mitt Romney beating John McCain by 13 points.

"Despite Winfrey's attending the Obama campaign event in the Granite State, Clinton still bests Obama among women voters; he has gained a small bit of ground — narrowing Clinton’s advantage from 9 points to 4 points in the current poll.

Younger women break for Obama over Clinton by 23 points; women over age 45 give the edge to Clinton by 12 points," the poll finds.

Dems:
Clinton: 34%
Obama: 25%
Edwards: 15%
Richardson: 6%
Biden: 2%
Kucinich: 2%
Dodd: 1%
Gravel: 1%

GOP:
Romney: 33%
McCain: 20%
Giuliani: 16%
Huckabee: 11%
Paul: 8%
Thompson: 2%
Tancredo: 1%

Edwards GOTV Operation

Below is an excerpt from a field memo on the the strength of John Edwards New Hampshire organization. The memo is from the Edwards national campaign manager, Congressman David Bonior.

"Our field program by the numbers:

We have 12 field offices up and running in New Hampshire and we are continuing to expand. In advance of GOTV, we are adding 5 new offices in Plymouth, Claremont, Exeter, Salem and Peterborough and expanding the size of offices in Laconia, Rochester and Keene to accommodate the overwhelming numbers of volunteers who have come in to help reach out to their neighbors and friends on behalf of the campaign.

We have nearly 80 paid staff in New Hampshire, the vast majority of whom are organizers. We have continued to add staff in the last few weeks in anticipation of our GOTV effort.

Our paid staff is supplemented by hardworking and dedicated volunteers. Literally thousands of volunteers have come in and worked shifts for the campaign.

Those volunteers, in conjunction with our field staff, have made nearly 1.5 million phone calls to their neighbors and friends in New Hampshire during the campaign and knocked on over 235,000 doors.

We have enormous weekly capacity. Last week alone our team made over 130,000 phone calls to voters and knocked on over 30,000 doors. To put that in perspective, about 220,000 voters voted in the primary in 2004. Through our neighbor-to-neighbor field model, our team is capable of reaching over half of that universe every single week with live phone calls and door knocks."

This Is Wallace Edwards Calling...

Phonebanking with Bobbie and Wallace Edwards

Obama Announces Arts Plan, Endorsement

From The Obama Campaign:

Senator Barack Obama’s New Hampshire campaign announced Senator Obama’s platform to support the arts today. As President, Obama will:

-Invest in arts education to reinvigorate the kind of creativity and innovation that has made America great and that it will take to compete in a global economy
-Support increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts
-Promote cultural diplomacy to encourage American artists, performers, and thinkers to represent our best values and ideals throughout the world
-Ensure that artists have access to health insurance and are treated fairly under the tax code

On the heels of releasing the platform, the campaign also announced the endorsement of New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources Commissioner Van McLeod of Concord.

“Obama’s platform will provide the kind of support for the arts that the Bush administration has neglected,” McLeod said. “But more than that, it reflects some of the core values that attracted me to his candidacy: restoring our global leadership, giving our children every opportunity to succeed in today’s economy, advancing economic fairness, and ensuring healthcare coverage for every American.”

Bringing Back The Straight Talk Express

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that John McCain will return to the Granite State for a Straight Talk Express bus tour beginning Sunday, December 16th through Wednesday, December 19th.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

7:00pm
Town Hall Meeting
Laconia VFW
143 Court Street
Laconia, New Hampshire 03246

Monday, December 17, 2007

7:45am
Town Hall Meeting
American Legion Post 59
538 West Main Street/Route 9
Hillsborough, New Hampshire 03244

9:45am
Lincoln Financial Employee Town Hall Meeting
Lincoln Financial Group Cafeteria
1 Granite Place
Concord, New Hampshire 03301

11:40am
Meet and Greet at The Barley House
The Barley House
132 North Main Street
Concord, New Hampshire 03301

5:30pm
House Party
Home of Marcia Moran
115 School Street
Concord, New Hampshire 03301

7:00pm
Town Hall Meeting
Weare Town Hall
16 North Stark Highway
Weare, New Hampshire 03281

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

11:00am
Address to the Andover Corporation
Andover Corporation
4 Commercial Drive
Salem, New Hampshire 03079

4:15pm
John McCain
Meet and Greet at Hollis Pharmacy
Hollis Pharmacy
6 Ash Street
Hollis, New Hampshire 03049

***The Hollis Event Has Been Canceled**

7:00pm
Town Hall Meeting
Hudson VFW Post 5791
15 Bockes Road
Hudson, New Hampshire 03051

***The Hudson event has been cancelled due to a Senate vote***

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

6:15pm
Town Hall Meeting
Pelham High School Cafeteria
85 Marsh Road
Pelham, New Hampshire 03076

Romney's Tentative Schedule

Governor Romney’s tentative public schedule

Monday, December 17

1:45 p.m.
Insight Technology Tour and Ask Mitt Anything
9 Akira Way
Londonderry, NH

6:30 p.m.
Goffstown Ask Mitt Anything
New Hampshire Institute of Politics
Saint Anselm College
100 Saint Anselm Drive
Goffstown, NH

Poll: Obama Leads Clinton

Today, The Concord Monitor released a poll today that shows Barack Obama leading Hillary Clinton in the Granite State. For most of the year, Obama consistently trailed Clinton, but he has made a comeback over the last month.

"Obama, Clinton and Edwards were the only Democratic candidates to win double-digit support in the poll - 32 percent of likely Democratic primary voters surveyed backed Obama, 31 percent chose Clinton, and 18 percent went with Edwards. Richardson followed with 8 percent support. Dennis Kucinich, Joe Biden and Chris Dodd all placed in the low single digits."

On the Republican side, "According to the poll, Romney would win 31 percent of the vote if the Republican primary were held today. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain, meanwhile, would earn 18 percent and 17 percent respectively. Although Mike Huckabee is leading some Iowa polls, his campaign hasn't surged in New Hampshire: 9 percent of voters back the former Arkansas governor."

The poll also finds that "the Democratic race could hinge on the turnout of undeclared voters, who aren't registered with either political party. Much of Obama's backing comes from undeclared voters, while registered Democrats make up the bulk of Clinton's support."

Clinton Airs Ad Featuring Mother, Daughter

The Clinton campaign today launched a new ad in New Hampshire and Iowa , featuring Hillary, her mother, Dorothy Rodham, and her daughter Chelsea Clinton.

The new 30-second spot, entitled, “Proud,” discusses the relationships and values that Hillary has learned from her family. It is the first spot that Chelsea Clinton appears in on behalf of her mom in her 2008 presidential campaign.

Following is the script for the ad.

Hillary Clinton: “I’m thrilled that I have my mother and my daughter with me tonight. My mother, Dorothy Rodham, my daughter, Chelsea Clinton.

“You know, as I travel around I see so many families who share the same values I was brought up with.

“My mom taught me to stand up for myself and to stand up for those who can’t do it on their own.

“I’m proud to live by those values. But what I’m most proud of is knowing who I’ve passed them on to.

“I’m Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.”

New Hampshire News Links for December 14th, 2007

New Hampshire News Links December 14th, 2007

www.nhnewslinks.com
Now part of The Hotline Political Network!
Visit our blog!

NEWS: NH wants to get tougher on sex predators

PEOPLE/CANDIDATES: Bill Shaheen's Obama comment is not likely to have much impact on wife's US Senate race / Gregg / Sununu, Vailas

POLITICAL COLUMNS: Political Chowder, Portside

NH POLLS: Obama edges Clinton in poll; Romney well ahead in 'Monitor' survey

OP-ED: Lynch to amend, again

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES: Clinton N.H. Official Resigns After Comments on Obama / Shaheen / Clinton / Obama, The Debate, The Field, Biden, Clinton, Gore, Obama, Richardson

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES: Republican Blahs Facing Party in Iowa / The Field, Guiliani, Huckabee, McCain, Paul, Romney

FIRST PRIMARY: These candidates are no lesser opinionated

GENERAL (NATIONAL) CAMPAIGN NEWS: Noonan: The Pulpit and the Potemkin Village: Would Reagan survive in today's GOP? And is Mrs. Clinton in for a fall this winter?

NATIONAL POLLS: More Blacks Lean Toward Obama: Shift in Allegiance From Clinton ould Tighten Primaries in South

WAR: House Passes Bill to Ban CIA's Use of Harsh Interrogation Tactics

OTHER NEWS AND VIEWS: Senate energy bill: first skirmish over US greenhouse-gas regulation

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Rudy Visits on The Dec. 17th

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is scheduled to visit the Granite State on Monday, December 17, 2007.

We're awaiting details.

Updated Gravel Schedule

Updated Mike Gravel schedule

December 18th

11:30 AM
Talk followed by Q & A and Lunch
Plymouth Regional Senior Center
8 Depot St. Plymouth, NH 03264

4:00 PM
Town Hall Meeting
Colby-Sawyer College
Wheeler Hall (in the Ware Campus Center)
541 Main Street New London, NH 03257

7:00 PM
Speech followed by Q & A with Students & Community Members
Plymouth State University
HUB Multi Purpose Room (Tentative location)
17 High St.Plymouth, NH 03264

December 19th

9:30 AM
Democratic Candidates' "Press Conference"
McKelvie Intermediate School
108 Liberty Hill Rd. Bedford, NH 03110
(Not Open To The Public)

1:30 PM
Speech to Student Assembly followed by Q & A
Concord High School Auditorium
170 Warren St.Concord, NH 03301
(Not Open To The Public)

7:00 PM
A Discussion on Executive Power, hosted by NH Federalist Society
Franklin Pierce Law Center (in the 2nd Floor "Rich Room")
Two White Street Concord, NH 03301

***Events for Dec. 19th have been canceled***

December 20th

10:15 AM
New Hampshire Veterans Home
Talk and Q & A with Residents over morning coffee hour
139 Winter Street Tilton, NH 03276

2:00 - 3:00 PM
Live In-studio interview on "Free Speech" radio program
WKNH Keene 91.3 FM (live stream available @ WKNH.org)

6:00 - 7:30 PM
"Initiatives for Democracy" Democratic Debate*
Broadcast by Manchester Community Access Media (MCAM-TV23)
*(First in a series of 3; subsequent debates to be held Dec 27th and Jan 3rd)

Shaheen Resigns from Clinton's Campaign

Today, Bill Shaheen, Clinton's campaign Co-Chair, has resigned from the campaign.

Here is his full statement:

“I would like to reiterate that I deeply regret my comments yesterday and say again that they were in no way authorized by Senator Clinton or the Clinton campaign. Senator Clinton has been running a positive campaign focused on the issues that matter to America’s families. She is the best qualified to be the next President of the United States because she can lead starting on day one. I made a mistake and in light of what happened, I have made the personal decision that I will step down as the Co-Chair of the Hillary for President campaign. This election is too important and we must all get back to electing the best qualified candidate who has the record of making change happen in this country. That candidate is Hillary Clinton.”

Biden Visits This Monday

Senator Joe Biden will return to New Hampshire this coming Monday December 17th and will appear LIVE on NHPR's "The Exchange". Senator Biden will also attend a house party at the home of Lisa Brown in New Ipswich.

December 17, 2007:

9:00 AM
SEN. BIDEN TO BE GUEST ON NHPR'S "THE EXCHANGE"

2:45 PM
SEN. BIDEN TO ADDRESS LOCAL DEMOCRATS AT HOUSE PARTY IN NEW IPSWICH
Home of Lisa Brown
169 Appleton Rd.
New Ipswich, NH

Gravel To Visit December 17th-20th

Former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel is visiting New Hampshire from December 17th-20th. Here is one event, more will be released later.

December 20th

10:15 AM
New Hampshire Veterans Home
Talk and Q & A with residents during morning coffee hour
139 Winter Street
Tilton, NH 03276

Rudy Airs Immigration TV Ad

The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of a new television ad, entitled "Will." The ad is airing in New Hampshire and Boston.

Script for "Will":

MAYOR GIULIANI: "People are frustrated over immigration because the government has been talking about solving this for twenty or twenty-five years, and it's just gotten worse. What we need here is leadership. Build a fence. Train the border patrol. Have a BorderStat system. Have a tamper-proof ID card. And then if you become a citizen you have to be able to read English, write English, speak English and understand American civics. We can end illegal immigration. The technology exists to do it, the people exist to do it. Now we need the political leadership and will to get it done. I'm Rudy Giuliani and I approve this message."

Draft Gore Organizes Write-In Effort


The group Draft Gore NH is organizing a campaign to write Al Gore's name on the primary ballot.


In a press release Farrell S.Seiler, the group's cordinator, says "A vote for Al Gore in the New Hampshire Primary is a vote for aggressive leadership to stem global warming."

According to the group, "In less than a week, the group has organized steering committees in each New Hampshire county. It already has active volunteers in 36 vote-rich towns and is adding more towns and volunteers daily."

Their website is: http://www.draftgorenh.com/

Updated Huckabee/Norris Schedule

Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee and Hollywood actor Chuck Norris will make the following campaign appearances in New Hampshire during a three-day visit, from December 14 – December 16, 2007:

(NOTE: Subject to change.)

Friday, December 14, 2007

10:00 a.m. ET – Boscawen, NH – Governor Huckabee and Chuck Norris tours Elektrisola and speak with employees. 126 High Street.

12:00 p.m. ET – Tilton, NH – Governor Huckabee and Chuck Norris visit the New Hampshire Veterans Home. 139 Winter Street.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

11:30 a.m. ET – Berlin, NH – Governor Huckabee and Chuck Norris speak at a Town Hall meeting hosted by the Androscoggin Valley Republican Committee. New Hampshire Community Technical College, 2020 Riverside Drive.

3:00 p.m. ET – Littleton, NH – Governor Huckabee and Chuck Norris make a campaign stop at the Topic of the Town, 30 Main Street.

4:00 p.m. ET – Littleton, NH – Governor Huckabee and Chuck Norris speak at a Town Hall meeting hosted by Dr. Deborah Warner. Littleton High School, 159 Oak Hill Avenue.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

11:15 a.m. ET – Londonderry, NH – Governor Huckabee and Chuck Norris speak at “The Season of Giving.” Londonderry Middle School Cafeteria, 313 Mammoth Road.

Salmon Press Endorses McCain

Yesterday, the Salmon Press endorsed John McCain for the Republican nomination.

"U.S. Sen. John McCain has the right stuff to become a statesman, indeed to become among our greatest presidents, but standing in his way is the prickly business of having to get elected," the editorial states.

"Sen. McCain is a man of great depth and character. He has demonstrated an enormous capacity for growth over his political career and his military record is truly heroic -- in stark contrast to those of his opponents," they wrote.

The Salmon Press operates 11 weekly newspapers with a circulation larger than The Union Leader.

Hillary Airs Health care Radio Ads

Today the Clinton campaign began airing two radio ads touting Hillary's health care plan.

"Two new 60-second spots discuss the challenges that Granite Staters and all Americans face when paying health care costs, and the need for a President who will fund children’s health care and guarantee health coverage for everyone. In the ads, Barbara Marzelli of Newbury and Ann Marie Morse of Manchester tell their stories about fighting for health care for their families.," according to a campaign press release.

Listen to the ads here:

“Barbara Marzelli” -- http://www.hillaryclinton.com/files/audio/BarbaraMarzelli2.mp3
“Michelle’s Law” – http://www.hillaryclinton.com/files/audio/Michelle

Following are the scripts for the ad.

“Barbara Marzelli" RADIO :60

Barbara Marzelli: I have a son named Josh, he’s 10 years old. And he’s had four open heart surgeries. He’s going to need a lifetime of care. Right now, he’s insured under the CHIPS program. And so far his health insurance has been there.

ANNCR: Hillary Clinton championed the program that provides health care coverage for Josh,And 6 million other kids.

Barbara Marzelli: My husband and I are not insured. And we can’t afford a private policy to cover us.

ANNCR: Now Hillary has a plan that will guarantee health coverage for every American.

Barbara Marzelli: These programs have got to be there, for Josh, and for so many others.And I know that Senator Clinton can do this. I’ve met her, I’ve read her health care plan. I remember walking up to her and saying, “I would feel a lot more safe if you were President, than I have in many, many years.” She’s going to help me, and she’s going to help my family. I know she’s the one with the strength, and the heart, to stand up for all of us.

ANNCR: Paid for by Hillary Clinton for President

HRC: I’m Hillary Clinton, candidate for President, and I approve this message.

“MICHELLE’S LAW” RADIO :60

ANNCR: Paid for by Hillary Clinton for President

Ann Marie Morse: Back in December of 2003, my twenty year-old daughter Michelle, was complaining of having some pain in her abdomen. So we sent her to the local hospital, and they determined that evening that they were going to have to do emergency surgery. When they finished, they told us that she had advanced colon cancer. So I called the insurance company, and what I found out, is that the minute they’re no longer a fulltime student, the coverage ends. I started to think, she’s not going to be able to go back to school. What are we going to do?

ANNCR: Last year, New Hampshire passed Michelle’s Law which gives all full-time college students in the state access to medical leave. Now Hillary is fighting to make New Hampshire’s law, national law.

Ann Marie Morse: Insurance for everybody, that is one of her big policy changes that she wants to make. As a mom, she’s passionate about what she’s doing. And my motto is, never mess with a mom who’s passionate about a cause.

HRC: I’m Hillary Clinton, candidate for President, and I approve this message.

McCain's Electability Argument

From The McCain Campaign:

Primary day is only 26 days away and new polling confirms a "McCain Surge" in New Hampshire. A 7News/Suffolk University poll, released yesterday, confirms John McCain's second place position here and shows him gaining steam on a deflating Mitt Romney. The poll also shows McCain with a favorable/unfavorable score of 69%/20%, the most positive image of any other Republican candidate.

"With Curt Schilling pitching and The Manchester Union Leader going to bat for him, John McCain is coming off the injured list and may well see action in the games that follow New Hampshire," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center.

On Eve of NH Trip, DNC Labels Huckabee "Habitual Tax Hiker"

On the day before he begins his trip to New Hampshire, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) released a press release labeling Mike Huckabee a "Habitual Tax Hiker."

The release sent to New Hampshire reporters begins, "In case you're covering Mike Huckabee's trip to New Hampshire today (and the speculation that he might skip the Granite State altogether), here is some BACKGROUND on his love of tax hikes."

"Mike Huckabee loves touting fiscal conservatism on the campaign trail. Well, we’ve got to hand it to the Huckster – he has a lot of guts. Huckabee talks about his thrifty habits while brazenly spending almost $500,000 in taxpayer dollars on his plane and repeatedly raising taxes for families in Arkansas. Huckabee’s sales tax increase and new taxes on gas, and cigarettes have drawn the ire of real fiscal conservatives, earning him a D grade on fiscal policy from the CATO Institute and the label of a “habitual tax hiker” from the Club for Growth.," the release states.

The DNC then lists newspaper articles under two categories, "HUCKABEE: A RHETORICAL CONSERVATIVE" and "VERY, VERY TAXING: HUCKABEE HAS A TAX AND SPEND FEVER."


This is the first e-mail I have received from the DNC against Mike Huckabee. Is the DNC now considering Huckabee a threat or in Drudge's words "a glass-jaw"?

The former Arkansas Governor will be touring the Granite State, with Chuck Norris, over the weekend.

Kucinich To Participate In Constiution Panel

From The Kucinich Campaign:

Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich will join a panel of experts and scholars here Sunday evening, December 16, for a televised forum to shed new light on the U.S. Constitution and its relevance and application to current political issues such as the war in Iraq, threatened aggression against Iran, and the Patriot Act, among others.

Sunday night’s session, which is expected to draw a live studio audience of 250 area residents, will be broadcast live from the studios of MCAM television, Channel 23, 540 N. Commercial Street. Manchester. The program will reach MCAM’s 35,000 subscribers and will be made available to other community access stations throughout the state. It will also be simulcast on www.kucinichtv.com. It begins at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Paul's Exchange with NHPR

On Thursday, December 20th, Texas Congressman Ron Paul will appear on NHPR's The Exchange.

This will be Paul's second appearance.

Biden To Appear on The Exchange

Delaware Senator Joe Biden will be appear on NHPR's The Exchange this coming Monday, December 17th.

It's A Win, Win: Vote and Help The Needy

ServeNext is conducting a Presidential Straw Poll to help raise money for the New Hampshire Food Bank.

For more information go here: http://servenext.org/blog/?p=67

The ServeNext Presidential Straw Poll is an initiative of ServeNext.org, a political action organization aimed at expanding National Service. The organization’s membership, which consists mostly of AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni, has been pressing Presidential candidates from both major political parties at house parties and town halls in New Hampshire since the summer.

Huck Nabs Major National Security Endorsement?

Mark Halperin is reporting that Mike Huckbaee was "...overheard on Des Moines streets saying that — weather allowing — he will garner an eye-catching nod in New Hampshire on Friday that will boster his national security cred and will lead to more support."

Clinton Visits Daniel Webster College, Plaistow

On Saturday, Hillary Clinton will visit Daniel Webster College. I'll post more events once they are released.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

2:15 PM
Timberlane High School
36 Greenough Street
Plaistow, NH 03865

4:30 PM
Daniel Webster College
Vagge Gym
20 University Drive
Nashua, NH 03063

Richardson Airs Ad with Iacocca

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has begun airing an television ad featuring Lee Iacocca.

In the ad, the former Ford President and Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca, says he's "looking for a President with experience creating jobs and the guts to lead."

Help Homeless Vets

Beginning in December 2007 and running through February 2008, the president of the Circle of Friends will again lead a circuit of rallies across America to raise support for the homeless veterans on our streets. The rallies will feature a color guard, speakers, an open bar, and recognition of veterans who are in attendance. Invited speakers include 2008 Presidential candidates or their representatives.

According to the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), there are approximately 300,000 homeless veterans on our streets any given night. About 3,000 of the valiant troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are now homeless veterans. The VA only funds 12,000 beds a years for these homeless veterans.

They will hold a rally in Manchester on Friday, January 4th at 7:00pm at The Alpine Club at 175 Putnam Street.

Oprah/Obama Event Video

Here is a video of highlights from the rally with Sen. Obama and Oprah Winfrey from Sunday night.

Bill Shaheen Says GOP Will Attack Obama's Drug History

In an interview with The Washington Post, Hillary Clinton's New Hampshire Co-Chairman questioned Barack Obama's drug history. Bill Shaheen, said "There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It's hard to overcome."

Below are additional comments:

"The Republicans are not going to give up without a fight ... and one of the things they're certainly going to jump on is his drug use," said Shaheen, the husband of former N.H. governor Jeanne Shaheen, who is planning to run for the Senate next year. Billy Shaheen contrasted Obama's openness about his past drug use -- which Obama mentioned again at a recent campaign appearance in New Hampshire -- with the approach taken by George W. Bush in 1999 and 2000, when he ruled out questions about his behavior when he was "young and irresponsible."

Shaheen said Obama's candor on the subject would "open the door" to further questions. "It'll be, 'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?'" Shaheen said. "There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It's hard to overcome."

UPDATE: The Clinton Response: “Senator Clinton is out every day talking about the issues that matter to the American people. These comments were not authorized or condoned by the campaign in any way.”

The Obama Response: “Hillary Clinton said attacking other Democrats is the ‘fun part’ of this campaign, and now she’s moved from Barack Obama’s kindergarten years to his teenage years in an increasingly desperate effort to slow her slide in the polls.

Senator Clinton’s campaign is recycling old news that Barack Obama has been candid about in a book he wrote years ago, and he’s talked about the lessons he’s learned from these mistakes with young people all across the country.

He plans on winning this campaign by focusing on the issues that actually matter to the American people.”

Clinton To Visit This Saturday

The New Hampshire for Hillary campaign today announced that Senator Hillary Clinton will make her 23rd trip to the Granite State Saturday, December 15th.

Additional details of the trip will follow. For information on the New Hampshire for Hillary campaign please visit www.hillaryclinton.com/nh .

On the Anniversary of Bush v. Gore...


The People For the American Way unveiled a billboard yesterday in downtown Manchester. The billboard marks the anniversary of Bush v. Gore.

"The Supreme Court ruling that, as you know, put George W. Bush in the White House," according to the group.

You can see the billboard design here and a photo of the billboard in situ here. The board directs voters to http://www.takebackthecourt.org/.

El Tiante Campaigns for Richardson

From The Richardson Campaign:

Red Sox legend Luis Tiant will hit the campaign trail in New Hampshire this weekend in support of Governor Richardson. The right-handed pitcher with the unmistakable, corkscrew delivery will be the guest of honor at the “Mi Familia Con Richardson” Posada Celebration in Manchester on Sunday evening.

Known as "El Tiante" to the Fenway faithful, Tiant is one of the greatest and most beloved Red Sox players in history.

Event Details:
When: Sunday, December 16th - 6:00 PM
What: “Mi Familia Con Richardson” Posada Celebration
Where: Alpine Club, 175 Putnam St, Manchester

Dems Race Tightening, GOP Fight for Second

Today there were a host of polls released that shows the Democratic race tightening, while the fight for second place in the Republican primary is between Rudy and McCain.

Instead of listing every poll, here are the Real Clear Politics New Hampshire averages:

Dems:
Clinton: 30.8%
Obama: 27.0%
Edwards: 14.8%
Biden: 3.7%

GOP:
Romney: 30.8%
McCain: 17.8%
Giuliani: 17.0%
Huckabee: 10.0%
Paul: 6.0%
Thompson: 3.5%

Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne To Join Edwards for Granite State Tour

On Tuesday, December 18th and Wednesday, December 19th, Senator John Edwards will return to New Hampshire for a two-day trip with special guests Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne. Edwards will take questions from voters about his bold, detailed plans to ensure a better future for the next generation of Americans. Raitt and Browne will perform at Edwards' town halls in Lebanon, Keene, Nashua, Portsmouth and Manchester. More details to follow shortly.

Tuesday, December 18th

12:15pm
Lebanon Town Hall with John Edwards, featuring Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne
Location TBD

4:30pm
Keene Town Hall with John Edwards, featuring Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne
Location TBD

8:00pm
Nashua Town Hall with John Edwards, featuring Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne
Location TBD

Wednesday, December 19th

12:45pm
Portsmouth Town Hall with John Edwards, featuring Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne
Location TBD

7:00pm
Manchester Town Hall with John Edwards, featuring Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne
Location TBD

Rudy Airs "Deliver" Radio Ad

The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of a new radio ad in New Hampshire, entitled "Deliver."

Script and audio link are below.

Script for "Deliver":

AUDIO

RUDY GIULIANI: "There's no question. Taxes go down. Revenues go up."

VOICEOVER: "He cut taxes 23 times by 9 billion. Reduced welfare 640,000. Eliminated 20,000 bureaucrats. And cut real per capita spending. All in a place where people said it was impossible. Now, Rudy Giuliani has a new plan. He'll cut taxes. Lower income taxes. Reduce business taxes. And do away with the marriage penalty and the death tax for good."

RUDY GIULIANI: "We need accountability in the spending of our money so that people have confidence in government again."

VOICEOVER: "Rudy will also rein in runaway federal spending. Do away with earmarks. Make agency heads find 5 to 10 percent savings in every budget. And when nearly half of the federal work force retires over the next 8 years, he'll only replace half of them. Rudy Giuliani. He won't just talk about cutting taxes and reducing government. He'll deliver."

RUDY GIULIANI: "I'm Rudy Giuliani and I approved this message."

VOICEOVER: "Paid for by the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee, Incorporated. JoinRudy2008.com"

New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition Endorses Edwards

From The Edwards Campaign:

The John Edwards for President campaign today announced the endorsements of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition and its executive director, State Rep. Mo Baxley. The group cited Edwards' commitment to equal rights and fighting discrimination in all forms.

"I am proud to announce both our group's endorsement, as well as my personal endorsement, of John Edwards for president," Baxley said. "We took a long look at all of the candidates, we met with many of them, and in our judgment, John Edwards' sincere commitment to battling discrimination and ensuring equal rights for every American is unparalleled. He and his wonderful wife Elizabeth have spent their entire lives fighting for those without a voice and standing up for what is right. John Edwards will be the kind of president we can trust to stand up for everyday Americans."

McCain Airs Economic Ad

John McCain's campaign has begun airing a new television ad. The thirty-second ad, titled "Trust," focuses on McCain's economic record. "One man has a plan to cut taxes for 25 million middle class families," the ad states.

VIEW THE NEW AD HERE: http://www.johnmccain.com/tvads/

Script for "Trust" (:30-TV)

ANNCR: "One man has a plan to cut taxes for 25 million middle class families.

"Bold solutions to our toughest problems.

"A conservative plan to cut your taxes.

"Fight wasteful government spending.

"The economic conservative endorsed by the Union Leader.

"They said John McCain is quote 'The man to lead America.'

"A fiscal conservative who will restore your trust.

"The man to keep our taxes low ... and our economy moving."

JOHN MCCAIN: "I'm John McCain and I approve this message."

Salmon Press Endorses Clinton

Today, The Salmon Press newspapers endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. The Salmon press publishes 11 weekly newspapers in the North Country and the Lakes Region. In 2000 they endorsed Bill Bradley and Howard Dean in 2004.

"She is sincere and passionate about restoring fiscal responsibility, providing health care to all Americans, protecting the environment, keeping the tax burden off the middle class and earning the faith and trust of the American people," their endorsement read.

The 11 Salmon Press newspapers include: the Littleton Courier, Coos County Democrat (Lancaster, NH) and Berlin Reporter, the Granite State News (Wolfeboro, NH), Carroll County Independent (Conway, NH), Meredith News, Record Enterprise (Plymouth, NH), Winnisquam Echo (Tilton, NH), Gilford Steamer, Baysider (Alton, NH), and Mountain Ear (Conway, NH).

McCain Forms Womens Coalition

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today launched the New Hampshire Women for McCain Coalition. The group will work to engage and enlist women to build John McCain's strong grassroots organization in the Granite State.

NEW HAMPSHIRE WOMEN FOR MCCAIN COALITION

Chair
Judith MacDonald, Merrimack

Steering Committee
Maureen Barrows, Exeter
Karen Cervantes, Lebanon
Bobbie Coffin, Hancock
Jaye Dimando, Hampstead
Susan Duprey, Concord
Judy Havenstein, Alton
Joanne Kenyon, Brentwood
Mary Lyons, Portsmouth
Nancy Merrill, Lebanon
Jayne Millerick, Bow
Maureen Mooney, Merrimack
Marcia Moran, Concord
Alison Raymond, Claremont
Marilee Tuomanen, Kensington

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Clinton Supporters Argue Hillary's Electable

Since New Hampshire is considered a "swing state," I thought I would pass this along.

From The Clinton Campaign:

Supporters of Senator Hillary Clinton from red and swing states, including United States Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel of Arkansas today outlined why Senator Clinton is the most electable Democrat in the race for the nomination.

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel: “I simply joined the call because of one critical point, which is that no Democrat has won the White House without carrying Arkansas. And Arkansas has been a critical state in presidential elections. Our six electoral votes were critical in 2000, such that hanging chads in Florida would have been irrelevant had we voted for the Democratic candidate. And there is no candidate that has a stronger and more active organization and energy here in Arkansas than Senator Clinton. That includes Mike Huckabee, our immediate past governor.”

UPDATE: This from the Edwards campaign: "Here's the deal. If we don't have a good person at the top of the ticket - someone who can help stop the hemorrhaging in Missouri, then we'll go red ... It's as simple as that. And it will affect state reps, state senators, treasurers, governors, everybody ... If Hillary comes to a state like Missouri, we can write it off."
- Missouri Democratic Whip Connie Johnson

Judge Reinhold Stumps for Richardson

On December 16, actor Judge Reinhold (best known for his roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Beverly Hills Cop) will be stumping for Democratic presidential candidate Governor Bill Richardson.

He'll be "flying" into the Airport Diner in Manchester with his wife Amy to meet the New Hampshire Young Democrats (NHYD) for a Q&A brunch at 10:00 a.m.

For information about attending the event, please contact nhyoungdems@gmail.com

454 People Running for Democratic Delegates

From The NH Democratic Party:

The filing period to run for delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver closed last week. There are 454 people running for delegate in Saturday's upcoming caucuses. 38%, or 173 people, are from historically under represented groups.

"We are very happy with the high level of interest that New Hampshire voters are showing in this years Delegate selection process," said Raymond Buckley. "It is a great honor to represent New Hampshire at the national convention. With this terrific slate of diverse candidates, I feel very confident that our affirmative action goals will be met."

The full slate of candidates for delegate is available on our website at http://www.nhdp.org/free_details.asp?id=90 as well as Saturday's caucus location sites.

ONE Vote 08 Begins Airing Ads

Beginning Thursday, ONE Vote 08 will begin airing ads in New Hampshire, First Read is reporting.

ONE Vote 08 is a part of Bono's One campaign.

One's volunteers has become a fixture on the primary scene and John McCain often calls on them for the first question.

Shea-Porter Endorses Obama

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter of New Hampshire’s First District announced today that she is endorsing Senator Barack Obama’s campaign for change. In her successful race to unseat an incumbent Republican in the 2006 elections, Congresswoman Shea-Porter galvanized voters by demanding a change of course in Iraq and standing up for principles.

“Carol’s exactly the kind of leader we need in Washington,” Senator Obama said. “When she ran in 2006, Carol didn’t care what the polls said. She ran on her convictions—to end this war in Iraq. And because she stood up for what she believed in, the voters of New Hampshire stood with her. That’s how we’re going to win this election, and it’s how we’re going to change Washington.”

Congresswoman Shea-Porter will serve as a national co-chair of the Obama campaign.

Clinton's Year in Review

Today the Clinton campaign released a press release titled "NH FOR HILLARY READY: ONE MONTH TO GO: A YEAR IN REVIEW." Here are two excerpts from the press release.

ON THE TRAIL: Since mid-February of 2007, Hillary Clinton has criss-crossed the state of New Hampshire talking directly to New Hampshire voters about her plans to make real change happen in America. In 22 trips, Senator Clinton has answered questions directly from New Hampshire voters and over 43,000 people have attended campaign events. Her visits have included 11 house parties, 14 Town Hall Meetings, numerous stops to local coffee shops and book stores and three round tables with undecided voters.

ENDORSEMENTS BY THE NUMBERS:
19,300 Member strong NEA-NH and AFT-NH
13,000 Doors knocked in one weekend
7,000 Member strong AFSCME and IUPAT Union Endorsements
527 Veterans and Military Retirees for Hillary
500 NH Educators for Hillary
500 NH Women for Hillary
352 Students Leaders for Hillary
333 Grassroots Activists for Hillary

Jane Swift Campaigns for McCain

Former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift will campaign for John McCain in New Hampshire on Wednesday, December 12, 2007.

Swift will be meeting with McCain's New Hampshire Women Coalition and then speak at the Seacoast Republican Women Holiday Luncheon.

Here's a puzzle: Swift was Paul Cellucci's Lieutenant Governor, Cellucci is now supporting Giuliani, and Paul Cellucci was Bill Weld's Lieutenant Governor, Weld is supporting Mitt Romney. Neither Weld or Cellucci finished their terms.

Shea-Porter Endorses Obama

Saying “the winds of change are in Barack Obama’s sails,” New Hampshire Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter endorsed Barack Obama.

Shea-Porter was elected last year after defeating incumbent Jeb Bradley.

McCain In State From Dec. 16th-19th

Arizona Senator John McCain will be in New Hampshire from Sunday, December 16th through Wednesday, September 19th. Below is his schedule, of course more events might be added later.

Sunday, December 16th

7:00pm
Laconia VFW
147 Court St
Laconia, NH

Monday, December 17th

7:45am
American Legion Post 59
538 W. Main Street/Rt. 9
Hillsborough, NH

7:00pm
Weare Town Hall
16 N. Stark Highway
Weare, NH

Tuesday, December 18th

7:oopm
Hudson Town Hall Meeting
Hudson VFW Post 5791
15 Bockes Road
Hudson, NH

Wednesday, December 19th

6:15pm
Pelham Town Hall Meeting
Pelham High School Cafeteria
85 Marsh Road
Pelham, NH

Can You Really Ask Mitt Anything?

On Monday, December 17th Mitt Romney will be hosting an "Ask Mitt Anything" event at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College.

Monday, December 17th

1:45 p.m
Governor Mitt Romney Tours Insight Technology and Holds a "Strategy for a Stronger America: Strengthening our Military" Ask Mitt Anything
Insight Technology
9 Akira Way
Londonderry, NH

6:30pm
Ask Mitt Anything
Institute of Politics
Saint Anselm College
100 Saint Anselm Drive
Manchester, NH

Updated Edwards Schedule

Today and tomorrow, Senator John Edwards' parents - Wallace and Bobbie Edwards - will host two days of Graniteroots events across the Lakes Region and North Country .

Tuesday, December 11th

2:00pm
Laconia Meet and Greet with Wallace and Bobbie Edwards
The Soda Shoppe
30 Beacon St. E., Laconia

4:15pm
Sandwich Meet and Greet with Wallace and Bobbie Edwards
Mocha Rizing
25 Main Street, Center Sandwich

6:30pm
Jackson Meet and Greet with Wallace and Bobbie Edwards
Home of Dan and Janice Andrews
84 Cameron Dr., Jackson

Wednesday, December 12th

10:45am
Berlin Meet and Greet with Wallace and Bobbie Edwards
Tea Birds Café
101 Main St., Berlin

11:15am
Meet and Greet at North Country Elderly Services with Wallace and Bobbie Edwards
North Country Elderly Services Senior Meal
610 Sullivan Street, Berlin

1:15pm
Franconia Meet and Greet with Wallace and Bobbie Edwards
Home of Jim Forrest and Catherine Miller
344 Iron Foundry Rd., Franconia.

4:00pm
Concord Meet and Greet with Wallace and Bobbie Edwards
Edwards for President Concord Office 12 North Main St., Concord

General Eaton Campaigns for Hillary

Retired Major General Paul Eaton, who served in Iraq and was in charge of training the newly-formed Iraqi military, will travel to Exeter, Concord, and Keene to campaign for Senator Clinton and talk to voters about why he believes she has the right experience and the best plan to end the war in Iraq and rebuild our alliances around the world.

Wednesday, December 12

Conversation with General Paul Eaton
6:00 PM
Loaf and Ladle
9 Water Street
Exeter, NH

Thursday, December 13

Roundtable with undecided voters
9:30 AM
NH Political Library
20 Park Road
Concord, NH

Conversation with General Paul Eaton
12:00 PM
Keene Public Library
Trustees Room
60 Winter Street
Keene, NH

New Hampshire News Links for December 11th, 2007

New Hampshire News Links December 11th, 2007

www.nhnewslinks.com
Now part of The Hotline Political Network!
Visit our blog!

NEWS: Civil union licenses available: Twenty-two couples file on first day

PEOPLE/CANDIDATES: State GOP, Dems at odds over voter information law / Shea-Porter, Toumpas, Coffee, Palumbo

POLITICAL COLUMNS: Meet the New Press

OP-ED: Editorial: 'Live free or die:' The Iranians get it

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES: White House 2008 Rankings: The Democrats / The Field, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Gore, Obama, Richardson

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES: Newt Gingrich Would Consider A Run At Vice President / The Field, Gingrich, Giuliani, Huckabee, McCain, Paul, Romney, Tancredo, Thompson

FIRST PRIMARY: Anuzis-Dingell: The Future Of The Primaries?

GENERAL (NATIONAL) CAMPAIGN NEWS: White House hopefuls strictly American in cars

NATIONAL POLLS: Poll Finds G.O.P. Field Isn't Touching Voters
WAR: Lawyers Cleared Destroying Tapes

OTHER NEWS AND VIEWS: Rothenberg: Another Game of Political Chicken, but With a Twist / Huffington: Democrats Need To Admit They Have A Problem: They Are Addicted to Backing Down

Monday, December 10, 2007

McCain's Next New Hampshire Visit

On Sunday, December 16th, John McCain will return to New Hampshire for a town hall meeting in Laconia. The Arizona Senator just finished a six-day trip through the state.

We're awaiting details of other events.

Sunday, December 16th

7:00pm
Laconia VFW
147 Court St
Laconia, NH

Contact E-mail: NHRSVP@mccain08hq.com, Contact Phone: (603) 369-4945

1.57

It's now crunch time and we've decided to take a step back and tally the total number of visits and days for all the presidential candidates.

The Democratic candidates have been too New Hampshire a total of 146 times over 206 days. While the Republicans have been here 113 times over 201 days. Since January 2007, candidates have totaled 259 visits spanning over 407 days.

That translates into presidential candidates spending, on average, 1.57 days in New Hampshire.

It's Been Awhile...

Tonight we were thinking that it's been awhile since we last saw some candidates appear in New Hampshire. In fact, looking out a schedule we realized no candidate is in the state until Friday...where's the love for New Hampshire!

Below is the number of days since the candidate last visited the Granite State, as of Monday, December 10.

Dems:

Dodd: 37 days (last visit: 11/2-3)
Richardson: 20 days (last visit: 11/19-20)
Kucinich: 11 days (last visit: 11/20-29)
Biden: 11 days (last visit: 11/28-29)
Clinton: 4 days (last visit: 12/6)
Edwards: 2 days (last visit: 12/7-8)
Obama: 1 day (last visit 12/9) **If you exclude the Oprah stop it would be 13 days, his last trip was (11/25-27)

GOP:

Hunter: 79 days (last visit: 9/23)
Thompson: 17 days (last visit: 11/23)
Tancredo: 10 days (last visit: 11/29-1/30)
Huckabee: 8 days (last visit: 11/30-12/2)
Giuliani: 8 days (last visit: 12/1-2)
Paul: 7 days (last visit: 12/1-3)
Romney: 6 days (last visit: 12/3-4)
McCain: 2 days (last visit: 12/3-8)

Updated Huckabee/Norris Schedule

Updated Huckabee schedule:

Friday, December 14

10:00 a.m. ET
Governor Huckabee tours Elektrisola and speaks with employees.
126 High Street.
Boscawen, NH

12:00 p.m. ET
Governor Huckabee visits the New Hampshire Veterans Home.
139 Winter Street.
Tilton, NH

Saturday, December 15

11:30 a.m. ET
Governor Huckabee and Chuck Norris speak at a Town Hall meeting hosted by the Androscoggin Valley Republican Committee.
New Hampshire Community Technical College
2020 Riverside Drive.
Berlin, NH

3:00 p.m. ET
Governor Huckabee and Chuck Norris make a campaign stop at the Topic of the Town
30 Main Street.
Littleton, NH

4:00 p.m. ET
Governor Huckabee and Chuck Norris speak at a Town Hall meeting hosted by Dr. Deborah Warner.
Littleton High School
159 Oak Hill Avenue
Littleton, NH

Sunday, December 16

11:15 a.m. ET
Governor Huckabee and Chuck Norris speak at "The Season of Giving"
Londonderry Middle School Cafeteria
313 Mammoth Road.
Londonderry, NH

Shea-Porter Endorses Obama

The Union Leader is reporting that "U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter has decided to endorse Barack Obama for President."

Congresswoman Shea-Porter attended the Obama/Oprah event last night in Manchester.

New Hampshire Congressman Paul Hodes is Obama's national campaign co-chairman.

Shea-Porter defeated incumbent Jeb Bradley in 2006.

Kucinich To Visit Colby-Sawyer College

Colby-Sawyer College will host a town-hall session for Democratic presidential candidate Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.

The event will take place Monday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m. in Wheeler Hall at the Ware Campus Center at 541 Main Street in New London, NH 03257.

Mr. Kucinich will discuss his presidential campaign “Strength through Peace” and answer questions from audience members.

NH GOP Accuses NH Dems of Corruption

The New Hampshire Republicans have announced that "Last week, the New Hampshire Republican Party filed as an intervener in the case initially pursued by the Libertarian Party, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, challenging access to the list. New Hampshire Republicans argue that the state Democratic Party is profiting from the sale of a list based on a law that has since been declared unconstitutional."

In a press release, the Republicans allege "A review of public records reveals that: 1) The Democratic Party purchased the statewide voter file for $450 and then resold it multiple times to Democratic presidential campaigns; 2) They were negotiating to re-sell the list even while legislation allowing them to purchase it was being steered through the Democrat-controlled legislature; 3) The Democratic Party also sold the list to commercial list brokers, which may be a violation of state law."

In bold letters, in the middle of the e-mail, it states "WHILE DEMOCRATS SHEPHERDED THE BILL THROUGH THE DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE, THE NH DEMOCRATIC PARTY WAS ALREADY NEGOTIATING TO RESELL THE LIST TO PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS."

This From New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley: “Another day, another phony press release from Fergus Cullen. This is clearly a sign of desperation from the NH GOP. Our voter file is much more comprehensive than the Secretary of State’s list. We have spent years building and amending it and would have sold it, as we have for the last 20 years, no matter the outcome of this law. I can state with 100% certainty that our decisions and actions have been consistently above the law. This is a baseless allegation and NH voters deserve an apology. I know Fergus is new to the political scene but any professional in the industry knows that this practice is common around the country on both sides of the isle.”

Restoring Checks and Balances

On Wednesday, New York University's Brennan Center for Justice and the League of Women Voters are holding "A Special Town Hall Conversation: Restoring Checks and Balances."

According to a press release "On the eve of the New Hampshire primary, the League of Women Voters and the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law are cosponsoring this important discussion. The event coincides with the release of the Brennan Center’s report 12 Steps to Restore Checks and Balances - a set of reforms to realign the three branches of government consistent with the Framers’ intent - written by Aziz Huq, Director of Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Project."

Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 6:30pm
Franklin Pierce Law School, 2 White Street, Concord, NH
The Event is free and open to the public.

Richardson To Hold "Making Ends Meet" Town Hall Meetings

Bill Richardson will return to the Granite State this Friday with kitchen table issues on his mind. Governor Richardson will hold six "Making Ends Meet" Town Hall Meetings across the state focusing on jobs, rising gas prices and health care costs and the real pocketbook issues confronting New Hampshire families.

Governor Richardson will also attend the AARP Candidate Forum in Concord and highlight the "New Hampshire Sportsmen for Richardson" Wild Game Potluck Supper in Berlin.

Friday, December 14th

8:00 AM
AARP Candidate Forum*
Courtyard by Marriott, 70 Constitution Ave, Concord
*RSVP required. Email dmckenna@richardsonforpresident.com to attend.

12:15 PM (Doors Open at 11:45 AM)
"Making Ends Meet" Town Hall Meeting
Keene High School, 43 Arch St, Keene

3:30 PM (Doors Open at 3:00 PM)
"Making Ends Meet" Town Hall Meeting
Earl M. Bourdon Centre, 67 Maple Ave, Claremont

5:30 PM (Doors Open at 5:00 PM)
Hanover "Presidential Job Interview"*
Kendal at Hanover Retirement Community, 80 Lyme Road, Hanover
*RSVP required for non-Hanover Retirement Community residents. Email mmurov@richardsonforpresident.com to attend.

7:00 PM (Doors Open at 6:30 PM)
"Making Ends Meet" Town Hall Meeting
Lebanon High School, 193 Hanover Street, Lebanon

Saturday, December 15th

9:00 AM
Tilt'n Diner Drop-In
61 Laconia Rd, Tilton

10:00 AM (Doors Open at 9:30 AM)
"Making Ends Meet" Town Hall Meeting
Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant, 233 Daniel Webster Hwy, Meredith

12:30 PM (Doors Open at 12:00 PM)
"Making Ends Meet" Town Hall Meeting
Community House Annex, 141 Main St, Littleton

3:45 PM (Doors Open at 3:15 PM)
"Making Ends Meet" Town Hall Meeting
Kennett High School, 409 Eagles Way, Conway

6:00 PM (Doors Open at 5:30 PM)
"New Hampshire Sportsmen for Richardson" Wild Game Potluck Supper
Cook House, Northern Forest Heritage Park, 961 Main Street, Berlin

Obama Supporter: "Right Candidate For These Times"

The following campaign summary was submitted by Londonderry's Stacy Hinkley. Hinkley is an Obama supporter.

I was able to experience the most amazing night last night, and was most grateful to be able to bring my daughter with me. We attended the rally here in Manchester with Barack and Michelle Obama. The special guest of the evening was none other than Oprah Winfrey! I found the experience powerful and know in my heart my daughter had an experience, she will never forget.
Oprah spoke of why she is supporting this great man and how she feels now is the time, and this is the right candidate for these times we are now in. I share with Oprah these same feelings, and that is why this is the first election I have become involved in. I feel the urgency of now and see at the same time the right candidate for these times is Barack Obama.

I really feel blessed for being in New Hampshire and also the great honor of being able to vote for Obama in the primary. I became aware that for as strongly as I feel about this, that I had to do more. I feel the need to volunteer for the first time to a campaign, only because I have such a strong belief in my candidate. This election in my mind is so critical, it is not the time to be passive and think it will be ok. I became involved this time because we have in front of us a uniquely qualified man who I believe will bring us back together as a nation. We are in a critical moment in time and it will take a person with good judgment, a clear vision, and the life experience to lead us as a united country into a better future.

I have been paying very close attention to all the candidates, and have watched most of the debates for both parties. The more I pay attention, the stronger I feel about my candidate being the right one. I do believe this time we need someone with unique qualities, and for me that person is Barack Obama.

Obama Privately Meets With New Hampshire Freedom to Marry group

After speaking before a crowd 8,500 people, Barack Obama privately met with 25 people from the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry group.

The group has previously met with Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards.

While Obama spoke on stage with Oprah the group was seated in an empty Sam Adams bar, where they were given position papers on gay and lesbian issues and a chart comparing all the candidates, both Democratic and Republican. The group was joined by a national Obama staffer and a New Hampshire staffer.

After the Obama/Oprah rally, the group was taken to a private room in the basement of the Verizon Wireless Arena. Within minutes a jacketless Obama arrived accompanied by two secret service members.

According to the notes of someone who was there, "He believed that couples in civil unions should have the same rights that heterosexual married couples have. He would not push for same-sex marriage because the country was not ready for it and that the issue would be the lightning rod (source's words) that Republicans would use to rally opposition to his campaign. Martin Luther King was attacked by some black people because he was not pushing for an end to miscegenation first. King felt that equal voting rights was more important and that he did not want an end to miscegenation to cause the defeat of the rest of the civil rights agenda."

Obama also told the group, "you guys have been supplanted by the Hispanics," by the Republicans as the new evil group.

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Vice-President Oprah?

Combine a culture superstar and a rising Democratic presidential candidate and you get 8, 500 Granite Staters filling the Verizon Wireless Arena.

On Sunday night, television icon Oprah Winfrey urged New Hampshire voters to vote for Barack Obama.

“This is the first time I’ve stood-up for a candidate I belief can change America,” Oprah said.

Oprah defended Obama’s four years in the Senate by comparing the time a politician spends in Washington to the amount of time someone spends with their children. Oprah told the crowd “It’s not about the time you spent with them, it’s about the quality of that time.”

Oprah’s appearance drew rock-star applause and many audience members reacted with chants and yells.

One Obama volunteer remarked, “God I want to be Oprah.” Later, her friend said, “I think Oprah should be Vice-President.”

New Hampshire Governor John Lynch introduced Michelle Obama and said he admired Obama because “of his commitment to the New Hampshire primary.”

Congressman Paul Hodes and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter were also in audience. Hodes is an Obama national co-chairman, while Shea-Porter has remained neutral.

Huckabee To Campaign on Thursday

Kevin Landrigan reports today that "Huckabee, a Republican, will return to the state late Wednesday night and will campaign on his own Thursday."

We're awaiting details of the trip.

Huck's New Hampshire Ad

Tomorrow morning, Mike Huckabee will launch his first New Hampshire ad. The ad is part of a $36,600 ad buy on WMUR.

The thirty-second ad, titled "A Better America," features Huckabee discussing his childhood and shows newspaper headlines detailing his accomplishments has Governor of Arkansas.

"Families are where people learn what the basic rules of life are," Huckabee says at the beginning of the ad.

The ad ends with the words "Authentic Conservative" scrolled across the screen.

"A Better America" will also air in Iowa and South Carolina.

Here's the ad:

8,500 Attend Oprah, Obama Rally

From The Obama Campaign:

More than 8,500 Granite Staters from across New Hampshire descended on the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester for a rally with Senator Obama, Michelle Obama, and special guest Oprah Winfrey.

"This is an incredible opportunity for me to speak to thousands of New Hampshire voters who might not otherwise come out to a political event, and to energize the thousands of volunteers and supporters already working for change around the state." Obama said before the event. "Americans are looking for a fundamental change in Washington—change they can believe in—and the tremendous crowds we're seeing at these events are a testament to the strength of that desire."

The event added a boost of momentum and organizational strength to a campaign that is quickly gaining ground in New Hampshire and the other early states. In the week preceding the event:

-More than 650 new volunteers signed up to help the campaign
-More than 500 supporters volunteered in the lead-up to the rally
-More than 250 volunteers worked on-site at the event
-More than 2,300 new New Hampshire supporters joined the campaign

Edwards Parents To Campaign In Lakes Region, North Country

On Tuesday, December 11th and Wednesday, December 12th, Senator John Edwards' parents - Wallace and Bobbi Edwards - will campaign for two days in the Lakes Region and in the North Country.

On the campaign trail, Edwards often cites his parents has one reason he is running for president.

Tuesday, December 11th

2:00pm
Laconia Meet and Greet with Wallace and Bobbi Edwards
The Soda Shoppe
30 Beacon St. E., Laconia

4:15pm
Sandwich Meet and Greet with Wallace and Bobbi Edwards
Mocha Rizing
25 Main Street, Center Sandwich

6:30pm
Jackson Meet and Greet with Wallace and Bobbi Edwards
Home of Dan and Janice Andrews
84 Cameron Dr., Jackson

Wednesday, December 12th

10:45am
Berlin Meet and Greet with Wallace and Bobbi Edwards
Tea Birds Café
101 Main St., Berlin

1:15pm
Franconia Meet and Greet with Wallace and Bobbi Edwards
Home of Jim Forrest and Catherine Miller
344 Iron Foundry Rd., Franconia .

4:00pm
Concord Meet and Greet with Wallace and Bobbi Edwards
Location TBD

Hillary's "New Beginning"

Today Hillary Clinton's campaign released a new television ad. The sixty-second ad, titled "New Beginning," features clips from Clinton speaking at various campaign rallies. According to a campaign press release, "The ad emphasizes Clinton’s 35 year record of fighting for and producing results for American families."

Script for "New Beginning"

CLINTON: I'm Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.

CLINTON: It is time for America to set and reach big goals again.

CLINTON: To restore our standing in the world.

CLINTON: To rebuild the middle class dream and to reclaim the future for our children.

CLINTON: We need a new beginning on health care. We need to provide health care for every single man, woman and child at a price that people can afford.

CLINTON: We need a new beginning on education. We need to end the unfunded mandate known as No Child Left Behind which has been so difficult for so many.

CLINTON: We need a new beginning in our foreign policy. If the President won't end this war before he leaves office, when I am President I will.

CLINTON: It takes strength and experience to bring about change. I have a very clear record of 35 years fighting for children and families, fighting for working people, fighting for our future.

CLINTON: I will stand up for you every single day in the White House.

Poll: Dems Race Tightening, Romney Continues To Lead

A newly released MSNBC/McClatchy/Mason-Dixon New Hampshire polls shows the Democratic race tightening and Mike Huckabee in double-digits.

On the Republican side, the poll finds "Independents' support stands out here. McCain does not lead among them. In fact, he's essentially tied with Rudy and trails Romney by double digits. Notably, Romney leads by a wider margin among indies than he does among Republicans. "

While on the Democratic side, the poll concludes "Like Iowa, Hillary leads among women, but a quarter of women are undecided. Can Oprah make a difference for Obama here? Obama's support is overwhelmingly among independents and those under 50."

Dems:
Clinton: 30%
Obama: 27%
Edwards: 10%

GOP:
Romney: 25%
Giuliani: 17%
McCain: 16%
Huckabee: 11%

Kucinich Praises Groundwater Protest

From The Kucinich Campaign:

The citizen protest over the corporate extraction of local groundwater along the New Hampshire/Maine border is a good example of a "grassroots movement of people working to protect water from privatization," according to Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich.

Kucinich, long an advocate for public administration of the public water supply, is chairman the Domestic Policy Committee, a subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee. The committee will take testimony next week at a hearing "Assessing the Environmental Risks of the Water Bottling Industry's Extraction of Groundwater."

The protest, set for Saturday at 1 p.m. in Fryeburg, Maine, has been dubbed the "Fryeburg Tea Party." It is being organized by Howard Dearborn, 89, of Fryeburg, a local business owner who is concerned about potential damage to Lovewell Pond from the continued extraction of groundwater by the Nestle/Poland Spring bottling operation. Lovewell Pond, located near Fryeburg Village, is spring-fed by the Fryeburg aquifer.