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JOHN STEPHEN for U.S. Congress
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www.johnstephen.com
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"Stephen in the 1st: Finally, a fiscal conservative"
The New Hampshire Union Leader, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008
In the 1st Congressional District, there is one clear choice for Republicans and Republican-leaning independents who want a representative in Washington they can trust to vote for lower spending, lower taxes, sound economic policy and a strong defense. His name is John Stephen.
Everyone likes former 1st District Rep. Jeb Bradley, who was beaten in 2006 by newcomer Carol Shea-Porter. We like Bradley, too. But two years after his defeat by a fringe liberal, Bradley still doesn't understand why he lost. He thinks it was only because of Iraq. It was because of spending, too.
During his four years in Washington, Bradley had four opportunities to vote for alternative, fiscally conservative budgets offered by conservative Republican backbenchers who were fed up with their party's embrace of big government. He voted against all of them.
John Stephen offers Republicans the chance to send a true fiscal conservative to Washington. If you want to see John Stephen get excited, ask him about wasteful government spending. He hates it the way most Red Sox fans hate the Yankees -- with a genuine passion. He is the type of Republican who goes out of his way to criticize Republican leaders in Washington, not just Democrats, for their irresponsible use of our tax dollars.
That's the kind of voice the 1st District needs in Congress.
As secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services, Stephen showed his commitment to responsible spending. He consistently sought to do more with less, and he succeeded. He actually returned money legislators tried to give him, saying he would find ways to spend less. How many government department heads have you ever heard of who asked that their budget be cut, not increased? Stephen did that.
Stephen also supports a multi-faceted energy plan that includes drilling in currently restricted areas offshore; winning the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; increasing border security; reforming runaway entitlement programs; and cutting taxes.
In John Stephen, supporters of low taxes and limited government have a candidate they can whole-heartedly support. If they want to send a message to Washington that the Republican Party needs to return to Ronald Reagan conservatism, they should vote for John Stephen in the Republican primary Sept. 9, 2008.
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Readers' COMMENTS:
John Stephen doesn't just stand on some soap box, grand standing issues. He rolls up his sleeves and does the hard work to attain his goals.
In a Congress where it's been go along to get along, spanning control of both Parties, John Stephen has the courage of his conviction, and he has the courage to stand up and make compelling arguments that maximizes the amount of his conviction that becomes implemented.
John Stephen is one of the most promising public servants to run for federal office in a very long time.
- Bob Jean, Northwood, NH
To Rick of Nottingham, in order for you to be correct you have to willfully ignore dozens of examples of fiscal and policy reform that John Stephen acheived while at HHS.
John is clearly the better cadidate to send to Washington. Jeb had his chance but instead became a rubber stamp for the most corrupt and wasteful congress in decades. For that Jeb Bradley was run out of office in 2006.
Anyone who thinks that it is a good idea to send up as our candidate a big spending, anti-drilling former member of the Bush congress is being delusional.
- Dennis Acton, Fremont
Geez, Rick, what lobbying client came out on the short end of a budget bill? Care to elaborate for the rest of us readers?
Personally, I believe the expenditure of taxes in best for taxpayers if control is at the local level.
- Jim DeStefano, Manchester
Republicans aren't "conservatives." They are "corporatists."
Conservatives believe in zero deficits (Bush has the largest ever, most borrowing & poorest tax fairness,) zero foreign intervention unless warranted by national security (ahem... Bush in Iraq is the opposite,) and personal privacy (not domestic surveillance.) So if you want a conservative you should have supported Ron Paul.
The UL is a good local paper for low taxes. It is useless on national issues, where it's pro-corporate and 50's social agendas force it's hand.
- Jo M, Manchester
His tenure at Health and Human Services was one of a rob Peter to pay Paul era. Mr. Stephen did not demonstrate any fiscal conservative traits, only the ability to shift cost from one taxpayer to another.
It is true that Commissioner {not secretary] Stephen reduced some state spending. However he simply shifted the cost of that savings to small businesses and property tax payers.
For instance his solution for the high cost of prescription drugs to the Medicaid program was to cut the reimbursement to small independent pharmacies in NH. He never even attempted to take on the big drug companies. He just shifted the cost of his "savings" to the small businesses. He also shifted other "savings" costs to Counties which get paid by property tax payers.
A taxpayer is a taxpayer, saving us money on state taxes by increasing property taxes is not saving us money. The fact that Mr. Stephen thinks otherwise shows me he is no fiscal conservative.
- Rick Newman, Nottingham
Glad to see the Union Leader is willing to back somebody who takes on other Republicans to fight for conservative ideals. It's the only way that the GOP is going to become a majority party again. They have to remember that it was the fiscal conservatism that won the House and Senate in 1994.
- Glen, Manchester
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JEB BRADLEY for U.S. Congress
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"Bradley: Stephen hiked taxes by shifting costs"
By TOM FAHEY, State House Bureau Chief
August 12, 2008
CONCORD – Congressional candidate Jeb Bradley yesterday accused his Republican rival for the 1st District nomination, John Stephen, of boosting property tax rates by shifting the state's nursing home costs onto them.
Bradley, a former congressman, was surrounded by state lawmakers and county officials as he challenged Stephen's claims to have reduced costs during his four years as commissioner of Health and Human Services.
Bradley argued that although Stephen claimed to have found savings on the cost of Medicaid patients in nursing homes, he really moved costs onto the counties, which cover their costs through property taxes.
Calculations of nursing home payments are one of the more complex issues legislators have to deal with in state budgets. Bradley said the roughly 40 people standing with him understand the issue well.
"All these folks are here today to testify that there wasn't a savings, that in fact it was a simple pass-through, robbing Peter to pay Paul," he said.
A Stephen aide denied Bradley's claims, saying the state increased payments. Spokesman Gregory Moore said that reimbursements to county nursing homes went up by $15 million during Stephen's tenure even though the number of people in nursing homes was falling. Stephen emphasized keeping the elderly in their homes through community care, he said, a move that kept costs from climbing faster.
He said Stephen saved the state $143 million in areas like HHS personnel costs, pharmacy benefits for Medicaid patients, and consulting contracts.
"Jeb Bradley should spend more time doing his homework and getting his facts right," Moore said.
"Over his four years in office, John engaged in significant cost controls and they resulted in significant savings. He's more than happy to put results out there."
Bradley's campaign provided figures the New Hampshire Association of Counties calculated, which show that HHS cuts cost the counties a total of $21 million in 2006 alone.
Lawmakers said they depended on Stephen to provide them with accurate figures about costs, patient numbers and reimbursements. Rep. Fran Wendelboe, R-New Hampton, was one of the committee members who dealt with the budget.
"There was a real problem getting straight numbers out of that department under his leadership," she said.
Former state Sen. Chuck Morse of Salem, former Senate Finance Committee chair, is now chairman of Stephen's campaign. He credited Stephen with producing significant savings for the state.
"The reality is that John is a conservative and he helped me create a balanced budget package," Morse said. "We did have savings, and they were substantial. I honestly believe he knows how to run government," he said.
Frustrations with nursing home costs led the state to pass a budget law in 2007 that put the entire cost of nursing homes and community-based care on the counties, in exchange for assuming all costs associated with juvenile justice and other children's services.
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"Budget Deficit soars to $102.8 Billion in July"
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, The Associated Press
Tuesday, August 12, 2008; 2:05 PM
WASHINGTON -- The government says the federal budget deficit soared in July, pushed higher by economic stimulus payments and $15 billion in outlays to protect depositors at failed banks.
The Treasury Department reported Tuesday that the deficit for July totaled $102.8 billion, nearly triple the $36.4 billion deficit recorded in July 2007.
The deficit beats the $97 billion gap that Wall Street economists had been expecting for July.
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"Budget deficit soars to $102.8B"
The Associated Press
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal budget deficit soared in July, pushed higher by economic stimulus payments and $15 billion in outlays to protect depositors at failed banks.
The Treasury Department reported that the deficit for July totaled $102.8 billion, nearly triple the $36.4 billion deficit recorded in July 2007.
The deficit outstripped the $97 billion gap that Wall Street economists had been expecting for July.
The Treasury said outlays were pushed up by $15 billion because of payments the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. made to depositors at failed banks. The Treasury report did not identify the banks but federal regulators seized the assets of California-based IndyMac Bank, the largest regulated thrift to fail in U.S. history.
The FDIC is expected to be successful in recovering much of its outlays for failed banks, in part by selling the assets of seized institutions. The FDIC has also raised the possibility that it will increase insurance premiums on healthy banks to cover the cost of what are expected to be rising bank failures as the current credit crisis unfolds.
Besides the payouts by the FDIC, government outlays were increased by the final bulk mailings of government stimulus payments in July. The July deficit also looked worse than the July 2007 deficit because last year's figure was artificially deflated by timing issues that shifted about $19 billion in normal outlays into the prior month.
So far this year, the budget deficit totals $371.4 billion, more than double last year's deficit through the same time period of $157.4 billion.
The Bush administration recently revised its forecast for this year's deficit, lowering it from an estimate of $410 billion, down to $389 billion. However, the Congressional Budget Office is more pessimistic, projecting the deficit for this year will total $400 billion when the current budget year wraps up on Sept. 30.
For the 2009 budget year, which begins Oct. 1, the administration is now projecting a deficit of $482 billion, which would be the highest in dollar terms in history, surpassing the old mark of $413 billion set in 2004.
Through July, government revenues total $2.094 trillion, down 1 percent from the same period a year ago. Revenues have been weaker this year, reflecting the sharp slowdown in the overall economy.
Government spending so far this budget year totals $2.466 trillion, 8.5 percent higher than a year ago. That's in part due to the $168 billion stimulus package Congress passed at the beginning of the year in an effort to keep the country out of a deep recession and because of increased spending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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"Guinta backing Stephen in congressional primary"
The New Hampshire Union Leader (Online), August 27, 2008, (posted) 1:30 P.M.
Manchester – Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta today endorsed the congressional candidacy of John Stephen.
Stephen, also of Manchester, is battling with Jeb Bradley for the GOP nomination. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter upset Bradley in 2006.
“I’ve been friends with Jeb Bradley for a long time, so this was a tough decision,” Guinta said in a press release. “However, the recent ad I saw from Jeb went way too far. Suggesting that John Stephen is not a fiscal conservative is absurd."
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"Guinta backs Stephen over his former boss, Jeb Bradley"
By Daniel Trudeau, PolitickerNH.com
Congressional candidate John Stephen got the nod from the mayor of New Hampshire’s biggest city and one of his opponent's former top advisors Wednesday.
Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta -- who worked on former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley's congressional staff from 2003 to 2005 -- released a statement Wednesday saying he is backing Stephen in the 1st Congressional District, calling the former state Health and Human Services director the “true fiscal conservative in this race.”
Stephen is running against Bradley for the chance to take on Democratic incumbent Carol Shea-Porter. On Wednesday Guinta said that, while he considers Bradley a friend, he disagreed with the implications coming out of Bradley’s campaign that Stephen is not a real conservative.
"I've spent a lot of time thinking about this, and I feel that John Stephen is the one candidate who can best protect the taxpayers of Manchester and New Hampshire," said Guinta. "He's the true fiscal conservative in this race. I know that John will do the hard work to keep taxes low and has the discipline to say no to new spending. He also is totally focused on finding solutions, not continuing the bickering we see in Congress. That's just what we need right now in Washington."
In a statement, Stephen lauded Guinta’s record on cutting taxes and welcomed his endorsement as a major development in the race.
"Mayor Guinta has changed the culture in Manchester politics," added Stephen. "He has taken what was an annual discussion about how big the tax increases would be to a focus on ways of cutting spending and bringing efficiency while delivering results. That's the type of approach that I will bring to Washington. I am thrilled to have the Mayor's support and look forward to working with him in Congress."
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"Bradley ‘optimistic’ about race", politickernh.com, By Brian Lawson, September 8, 2008 - 4:11pm
MANCHESTER-- A day before Tuesday's primary, former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) was on the phone rallying voters and asking key supporters for any last-minute assistance they could offer to help him clinch the GOP nomination in the 1st Congressional District.
Bradley also spent the day in Manchester meeting voters at diners and going door-to-door.
"I'm optimistic about tomorrow we're getting a great response," Bradley told PolitickerNH.com.
Bradley is running against former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen (R-Manchester) for the opportunity to face U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester), who Bradley lost to in 2006.
Bradley also reacted to Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta's endorsement of Stephen. Guinta is a former staffer of Bradley's.
"Mayor Guinta is a friend and someone I respect," Bradley said. "I was disappointed but this is America and people can endorse whoever they want to."
Bradley called the primary race "tough" and "feisty" but said that his campaign did not set the primary's negative tone.
"This has been tough it has been feisty but we responded to the tone that was set at the beginning; we did not set the tone."
When asked how voters are reacting to his candidacy, Bradley said, "excellent, excellent and more excellent."
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Send tips to: brian.lawson@politickernh.com
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"Bradley wins race in 1st District"
By DAN TUOHY, NH Union Leader Staff, 9/10/2008
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With 11 precincts still not reporting this morning, Jeb Bradley has 16,923 votes (51%), followed by John Stephen with 15,482 (47%), Geoff Michael with 503 (2%) and Dave Jarvis with 383 (1%).
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Same characters, different plot.
Minutes after winning a rematch with the Democrat who bounced him out of office two years ago, Republican Jeb Bradley fired away at her congressional record.
"Carol Shea-Porter now has a record and her voting record is not at all consistent with our state," he said after defeating John Stephen yesterday in the GOP primary for the 1st District.
"Her votes on taxes. Her votes on spending. Her votes on immigration," Bradley said. "She"s an example of the wrong kind of change for New Hampshire."
Only minutes before blasting his new rival, the congresswoman had called him to congratulate Bradley on his victory and the two had a pleasant chat.
The niceties are over.
New Hampshire cannot afford to send a "Bush congressman" back to Washington, Shea-Porter said in a telephone interview last night. She welcomed the debate and review of her record.
"I have kept my promises," she said. "I said I would speak up for the bottom 99 percent of us who were not represented by the Bush administration and Jeb Bradley.
Shea-Porter said she would continue to work for veterans, job creation, lowering the cost of school loans, and solutions to heating and energy crunches.
The race will be a fight for the middle class, both candidates said.
The GOP race was dominated by fiscal and social conservative issues and riddled by negative campaign ads. Bradley insisted he would make good on the promise he made when he lost Nov. 7, 2006:
"We will be back."
He never really stopped campaigning for the 1st District, which stretches along the eastern half of the state from the entirety of Carroll County in the north to most of Rockingham County in the south.
Stephen conceded the race shortly before 11 p.m.
Shea-Porter, the first woman from New Hampshire elected to Congress, surfed an anti-war swell in upsetting Bradley two years ago. She did not have a primary this year.
Bradley supporters said the 2006 election was an aberration and a result of the unpopularity of the war in Iraq and the Bush administration.
"That was a fluke," said Fred Bramante, a Republican from Durham. "There was a Democratic tide that swept the country and Jeb got caught up in it."
Bradley, 55, ran on a platform of limited government, low taxes and individual liberties. He served the 1st District from 2003 to 2006, in which time he helped defend the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard from a Pentagon closure review.
The Wolfeboro Republican is a former 12-year member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and small businessman.
Stephen, 45, is a former prosecutor and state health commissioner. Republicans Dave Jarvis of Hooksett and Geoff Michael of Merrimack also sought their party"s nomination for the 1st District, which includes Bedford, Derry, Goffstown, Manchester and Merrimack.
Shea-Porter, 55, a former social worker and teacher from Rochester, is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Education and Labor.
Regardless of the GOP primary outcome, Shea-Porter faced a tough fight for the Nov. 4 election, said Dante Scala, a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire.
"Carol Shea-Porter makes the top 10 list of vulnerable Democratic incumbents for the Republican Party," Scala said. "And it happens in a year when Republicans don"t have that many targets to shoot at. Shea-Porter is seen as an anomaly this year in terms of having a vulnerable Democratic incumbent."
Scala said candidates will have a harder time getting voters' attention on the road to Nov. 4 because New Hampshire is shaping up to be another presidential battleground state.
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"GOP holds unity breakfast"
By Brian Lawson, politickernh.com, September 12, 2008 - 12:05pm
MANCHESTER--Republican candidates, and their supporters, who were once rivals gathered to unite under the Republican ticket.
All the candidates stressed the importance of working for the Republican presidential ticket and the Republicans down the ballot.
Former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) paid homage to his primary rival, former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen (R-Manchester).
"I'm here to tell you that we should be saluting his service to the state and I'm sure we'll be hearing from him in the future," Bradley told 200 Republicans at The Yard restaurant.
Mayor Frank Guinta (R-Manchester) threw his full support behind Bradley; Guinta endorsed Stephen during the primary.
"I am unequivocally, 100 percent, behind my friend, our friend Jeb Bradley," Guinta said.
Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass (R-Peterborough) introduced 2nd Congressional District Republican nominee Jennifer Horn (R-Nashua).
"New Hampshire is going to be represented by a female and that female isn't coming from the first district, it's coming from the second," Bass said.
The fiercest speech of the morning came from state Sen. Joe Kenney (R-Wakefield), who is running for governor against Gov. John Lynch (D-Hopkinton).
"You can't run away from this Marine governor," Kenney said. "I'm going after you."
Kenney also said that he will attack Lynch's record on state spending.
"This guy, Joe Kenney, is going to go after you on the budget," Kenney said referring to himself in the third person.
Republicans also heard from former congressional candidates' state Sen. Bob Clegg (R-Hudson) and Grant Bosse (R-Hillsboro). A staffer from Stephen's campaign said Stephen missed the breakfast because he had a family commitment he did not want to break and Jim Steiner (R-Concord) left the breakfast because of work obligations.
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"State GOP candidates hold unity session"
By GARRY RAYNO, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, September 13, 2008
MANCHESTER – A standing-room-only crowd of more than 150 Republicans came together yesterday to mend fences after several bruising primaries.
Party officials and Republican Unity Breakfast organizers praised the crowd's enthusiasm, while several candidates said energy has flowed back into the party since Presidential nominee John McCain tapped Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.
The Republican nominees for major office at the event, including Joe Kenney for governor and the two House of Representatives candidates Jeb Bradley and Jennifer Horn, all predicted significant party gains in the November elections after a staggering defeat two years ago that put Democrats in control of all elected branches of state government.
State Republican Party Chairman Fergus Cullen said after the event, "The energy level is the highest we've seen since 2000." He said Palin can relate to everyday Americans in a way the Democratic nominees and even McCain cannot.
Bradley and others predicted "we're going to take back the Legislature, the state Senate and the Executive Council. Joe Kenney is going to make us proud. We're going to have a Marine in the corner office."
Bradley's opponent, former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen, was not at the event, although several speakers said Stephen wanted to be there but agreed to take his family on vacation after the primary.
Bradley praised Stephen saying, "A lot of people who want to improve our great state were not successful Tuesday, and one of them was John Stephen."
He praised Stephen's passion, commitment and work ethic and said the two agree on one thing: "sending (Democratic incumbent) Carol Shea-Porter on permanent vacation," referring to Congress' vote to go on vacation this summer instead of acting on an energy bill.
In the 2nd Congressional District, losing candidates Bob Clegg, Jim Steiner and Grant Bosse were at the event but left before the event finished.
Introducing Horn, former 2nd District Congressman Charlie Bass compared Horn to Palin as both being mothers of five children who know what the country needs.
Horn blasted Democratic incumbent Paul Hodes for his record in Washington and for failing to live up to the promises he made two years ago when he defeated Bass.
"Paul Hodes promised to take a backbone to Washington, but he must of left his in his suitcase," Horn said.
Kenney told the crowd, "My job at the top of the ticket is to work hard for the party by going after (Democratic Gov.) John Lynch. I will not let you down."
He criticized Lynch and the Democratic-controlled Legislature for repealing the state's parental notification law, for joining the regional greenhouse gas initiative and for passing the "evergreen law" that allows public labor contract provisions to remain in place after the contract expires.
Kenney particularly focused on the state budget and increased spending during the last two years. "You can't run away from this Marine governor, because I'm coming after you," he said.
Just before the event began, state Democratic Party executive director David Scannell was asked to leave as he set up a video camera. Scannell said he was going to film the event for his MCAM (Manchester Community Access Media) show, but when they found out he worked for the Democratic Party, they asked him to leave.
"When they said I could leave on my own or they could move me out, I decided to leave on my own," he said.
Rockingham County Republican chair Greg Carson said Scannell was removed because he did not tell the truth about filming for his MCAM show instead of the state party. Carson said two other trackers video taping the event for the Jeanne Shaheen campaign and for the National Democratic Committee were allowed to stay because they admitted their affiliations.
Scannell said he wasn't surprised by the Republicans' prediction of success in November, but noted, "Looking at the energy, initiative and what we see on the ground, we have a formidable effort going on out there. We're pretty sure in November, we'll be in the position we want to be in."
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READERS' COMMENTS:
John Stephen's no show at the unity breakfast shows him clearly to be a sore loser plain and simple.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester
Governor Palin is a true person of passion. After watching her interviews on Nightline I became interested in hearing more on the very same topics we here in New Hampshire are concerned about. As for Mr. Scannel, he's a nice guy and has a good demeanor. One thing does make me wonder though? Why does he have a office at MCAM where other producers may not? Guess it doesn't matter. Maybe Mr. Scannel should of asked for permission to tape the breakfast or better still, just let the Republicans celebrate and get ready for defeat in November. It's time to return the state government back to the people of New Hampshire.
Robert M Tarr
Candidate for State Representative
District 12, Ward 5, Manchester
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
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"Ex-congressman endorsed for NH Senate seat"
By TRAVIS ANDERSEN, Associated Press Writer
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- Former Congressman Jeb Bradley isn't saying yet whether he plans to run in a special election to fill a vacant state Senate seat, but on Friday he was endorsed by two fellow Republicans who had considered running.
Joe Kenney said he isn't running for the seat he once held because he will be deployed to Afghanistan next week. Kenney has served in both Iraq wars with the Marines. He said at a news conference that Bradley could bring a strong voice to the Senate.
"(Republicans) need to get behind one person," Kenney said. "If that person is Jeb Bradley I will support him."
Bradley attended the news conference but did not declare his candidacy. He said he'll make an announcement soon.
"Today is Joe Kenney's day, as far as I'm concerned," Bradley said.
Afterward, former state GOP chairman Fergus Cullen said he will defer to Bradley.
"Jeb is well-known, is obviously qualified to serve, and has an existing organization and fundraising base," Cullen said. "I think Jeb is our best candidate in this special election, and I support him."
Bradley served two terms in the U.S. House before losing to Democrat Carol Shea-Porter in 2006. He lost a rematch with Shea-Porter in November.
Kenney spent 14 years in the Legislature, serving four terms in the House and three in the Senate. He decided not to run for re-election to the Senate last year and ran for governor instead, but lost to incumbent John Lynch.
Whoever wins the special election will replace first-term Republican William Denley, who resigned last month after his third drunken driving arrest. The vacancy gives Democrats a 14-9 majority.
The special election for the District 3 seat will be held April 21 if only one candidate from each party files nominating papers with the state. If multiple candidates file, a primary election will take place April 21 and a general election May 26. Candidates can file between March 9 and March 16.
Raymond Buckley, chair of the state Democratic Party, said Bud Martin will announce his candidacy next week. Martin, a Democrat and retired judge, lost to Denley by about 500 votes in November.
Buckley said he likes Martin's chances this time around.
"I don't think the people of District 3 have any interest in sending somebody (to Concord) who spent four years in Washington voting for the Bush economy, the Bush war and the Bush deficit," Buckley said.
Kenney said last year's Democratic-controlled Legislature deserved some of the blame for New Hampshire's budget woes.
"This is an important time for our state, which is feeling the results both of the economy and the overspending that took place last year," he said.
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"Bradley for Senate: This Bud's not for you"
The New Hampshire Union Leader Online, Editorial, Tuesday, April 14, 2009
No wonder Democratic state Senate candidate Willard "Bud" Martin was so reluctant to reveal his political views. They're radical in the extreme.
Martin is the Democrats' nominee in a special election to fill the vacant seat in state Senate District 3, which covers Strafford and Carroll counties from Conway to Center Sandwich to Farmington. For weeks, he refused to tell voters what he thought about hot-button topics such as same-sex marriage, taxes, transgender rights, state spending, a seatbelt mandate and the death penalty. These are issues he probably would have to vote on right away if elected.
After criticism from Republicans, Martin finally started talking.
Oops.
Turns out Martin is for same-sex marriage, higher state spending, a seatbelt mandate and allowing transgendered people and cross-dressers to have legal protections based on those specific traits and behaviors. He's against the death penalty, and he says the state needs to consider revamping its entire revenue system. That's liberal code for "I want a sales or income tax -- or both."
Thankfully for voters in District 3 and residents statewide, Martin is running against former Republican U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley. On all of the issues mentioned above, Bradley and Martin disagree. Bradley is for cutting spending, keeping taxes in check and executing our worst murderers. He is against same-sex marriage, a needless seatbelt mandate, letting spending dictate tax rates and granting legal protections to men who dress in drag.
Jeb Bradley is a good fit for District 3. Voters would do themselves and the rest of us a favor by picking Bradley over Martin next Tuesday, April 21.
READERS' COMMENTS:
Dick from Gilmanton, if you think that it will only be $200k+ earners paying more and more in the coming years, think again. You have drank to much of the Kool Aid!!!!
- Jim, Londonderry
Okay Brent and you keep laying your liberties down to the all mighty savior, government. Oh and Brent, will it be cool when homeless people are allowed to legally squat in your Bedford home? Got a few extra bedrooms there buddy?
You make a good point, I guess we shouldn't stand up for anything, or have any beliefs or convictions.
Sorry Brent, I'd rather not be an automaton slave, but hey thanks anyway!
Oh and real quick, you know Brent, every time the topic of gay marriage (since you used that one as an example) comes up for the people, voters, to decide it gets voted down by a large margin. But you probably already knew that.
- Craig D, Manchester
Richard, you're joking right? How many elections does Jeb Bradley have to lose before he gets the message and goes out to find a job in the private sector?
- Bob V, Manchester
I'd love to meet this ignorant editorial writer who is trying to protray the transgendered population (who are deserving of eual rights like every other citizen in the great country) as men who dress in drag. There is a huge difference between the two and it is ignorant writers like this who stigmatize minority groups such as this who face a lifetime of discrimination where ever they go. If the Union Leader has any intergrity, it would not allow people to go off on ignorant tirades that influence real political challenges/decisions our state is faced with.
- Matt, Manchester
Robert of Deerfield and his radical leftist wife from Massachusetts who is now a NH state rep have moved their brand of cultural suicide north of the border. Let's hope the good people of Deerfield come to their senses next year and remove her from office. Vote smart people.....vote ! Or this is the type of government we are going to get.
- Jay Collins, Laconia
I love it when conservatives refer to increasingly mainstream things (like gay marriage ) as "radical" or "extreme". I'm not saying you should stop. Keep yelling those unpopular opinions and you'll see your party get pushed further and further out of the mainstream.
- Brent Fisher, Bedford, NH
Robert, Deerfield: How can you even say that with a strait face after the massive spending increase that the Obama administration and democrats have signed into law - something like a total of $5+ trillion dollars in 3 months! No doubt about Bush's out control spending as well, but those in glass houses shouldn't be throwing stones.
Dan, Manchester: Apparently you're person who cares to throw stone in glass houses. Where is your liberal outrage over the Obama administration continuing the Bush era warrantless wiretapping of Americans? Wasn't that one of Obama's central campaign themes, to gut the unconstitutional Patriot Act?
And notice your buddy Barry is supporting the Real ID Act as well.
Or what about the recent report leaked about how the Department of Homeland Security under the Obama administration has been become an instrument of oppression of opposing points of view. So, if you disagree with Obama on amnesty for illegals or stand up for the Second Amendment, you are branded a "rightwing extremist" by the Department of Homeland Security and become the subject of scrutiny by some 850,000 local and state law enforcement personnel. Most disgusting of all, it targets veterans for increased law enforcement scrutiny.
- Mac Wade, Newmarket
But Mike from Manchester aren't the Democrats seeking to establish a new moral code? Pull your head out of the sand. For those who value the tradtions of this great country of ours preserving stability and structure to the traditional family and protecting this class of citizens ousting the liberal morality mindset is of utmost importance.
- Cathy, Manchester
I am continuously appalled at how the republicans in the "Live Free or Die" state can support the suppression of civil liberties for minorities.
Fiscal conservatism is an admirable platform but until republicans stop legislating morality they will continue to be marginalized in this state and in this country.
We tossed Jeb Bradley out for a reason. I hope he stays on the street and out of our government.
- Mike, Manchester
The cut and paste neo-marxist Robert is at it again! Like Bud Martins past rulings, I guess Robert supports the actions of sex criminals.
- Alex K., Deering, NH
Bradley should ge the same route as Smith. Leave for Florida.
- Bill, Tuftonboro
Bob V. If Jeb Bradley is a retread what would you call Bud Martin? Didn't he run for this office before and lose? I would say that if I were still a resident of that district I would put my money on a retread that has layed his cards right out there for all to see and Jeb had done that Bud Martin has tried to use stealth method of running and the voters of that district will not buy his slinking in unoticed.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester
Robert from Deerfield's posts always amuse me. He & his wife (an extremely liberal NH State legislator) escape north from Mass just a handful of years ago, and are now trying to do everything possible to make NH the mirror image of the State they couldn't live in anymore! But back to the subject at hand, has anyone recommended poor Bud to a decent barber? If not, perhaps I should send him a bag a cheap combs!
- Thomas Thorpe, Portsmouth, NH
Since assuming the majority in 2006 the NH Democrats have been very busy serving their own quasi-religious agenda: killing any hope of energy independence for NH, ending the death penalty, stealing parental rights, fixing elections by allowing out of state students to vote, pushing gay marraige, mandating "transgendered bathrooms", higher spending, higher taxes on retirees and citizens, and oh yes, don't forget, passing resolutions to gut the US military. Strap yourself into your government mandated seatbelt, fellow NH taxpayers, you're being taken for a ride.
- Mae, Plaistow
Funny to see the Union Leader try to paint Bud Martin's positions as "radical in the extreme."
Oppose the death penalty??? You're as radical and extreme 14 states and the rest of the civilized world!
Support equal marriage rights??? You're as radical and extreme as the rest of New England! You're even as radical and extreme as Iowa!
Support seat belt mandates??? You're as radical and extreme as the other 49 states in America!
Oppose discrimination based on gender identity??? You're as radical and extreme as 13 states and countless American businesses!
Support the spending and policy decisions of the Bush Administration??? You're as radical and extreme as Jeb Bradley!
- Dan, Manchester
Bud Martin is a joke. He went on WMUR and thought he could get away without telling the public where he stood on any important issues. The UL is right.....he should have kept his mouth shut. He's a typical liberal that Sullivan & Buckley can control if he gets to Concord.
- Jay collins, Laconia
What a surprise, the UL would pick Retread Jeb! Where in the world is the republican new blood?
- Bob V, Manchester
If you liked the four trillion that Bush added to the national debt and all the trillions that we are now going to have to spend to encourage fat cats to go back to getting money for nothing through no bid contracts, wars, deficit spending - Bradley is your man, or any one's who is willing to spend enough. If you want someone who will protect you from government interference in your life as much as is possible, will help get jobs back to New Hampshire, take part in regulating what has become a Republican gift horse to the rich, try Bud Martin. What a change to have people in government who are actually your friends, can speak in complete sentences, have worked for a living, made good decisions. Or you can vote to go back to the smoke filled rooms and hidden party manipulations. Your choice, unless you have Diebold voting machines.
- Robert, Deerfield
The sad fact is, it is Bardley who will have an uphill battle with his record. NH has taken a hard turn to the left in two short years....without even so much as a peep from the Republican party. This is not my Father's NH anymore.
- Jay Tiffany, Warner NH
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BRADLEY
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"Jeb Bradley wins state Senate contest"
By MARK HAYWARD, New Hampshire Union Leader, 4/22/2009
Former Republican congressman Jeb Bradley revived his political career yesterday by winning an open seat to the New Hampshire Senate in a special election.
The victory also provided a morale boost for Republicans, who campaigned hard to keep the seat in the Republican column and grab a win after last year's defeat in state and national elections.
Bradley, a Wolfeboro resident, defeated retired Judge Bud Martin 61 to 39 percent, according to numbers supplied by state Republicans.
The tally was 5,996 to 3,789, with Martin only winning two towns: Tamworth and his hometown of Sandwich. Bradley proved a strong contender. In Chatham, Freedom, Moultonborough, Tuftonboro, Wakefield and his hometown of Wolfeboro, Bradley won by a 2-to-1 margin or more.
"The people are saying enough is enough," Bradley said. "They've seen the new spending, they've seen the new taxes, they've seen the extraordinary lurch to the left and said enough's enough."
He said the House-backed increase in the rooms and meals tax would hurt Conway and other towns dependent on the hospitality industry.
In a statement read to a reporter, the Martin campaign said the candidate was proud of the positive campaign he waged and the support he drew. The campaign "started a meaningful dialogue about how to turn the economy around," the Martin campaign said.
Bradley was ousted from Congress in 2006 and lost a bid to regain his seat last year. Supported by state Republicans, he ran a campaign that initially focused on taxes and the state budget but veered into social issues such as gay marriage and the transgender discrimination bill.
Democrat Martin, of Sandwich, supported deep but targeted spending cuts, but said the state cannot balance the budget on the backs of its neediest residents. He said he supported gay marriage but indicated that he opposed the transgender bill as written.
State Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley said the seat has always been held by a Republican, and just a few years ago, Democrats didn't even run a candidate for the seat.
"I don't think it's a referendum on anything, other than his (Bradley's) greater name recognition," Buckley said.
The election does not change the makeup of the Senate; Democrats continue to hold 14 of the 24 Senate seats. Bradley said he hopes to be sworn in today.
The election is the first test for former Gov. John H. Sununu, who took over control of the state GOP earlier this year. He said the race energized Republicans. Activists from across the state volunteered on the campaign.
"As nice as the win was, the campaign was even better," Sununu said.
Sununu agreed that the results can't be seen as referendum, noting the Republican tilt of the district.
He said Bradley's election actually helps Democratic Gov. John Lynch. Bradley could be counted on to sustain a Lynch veto of the gay marriage and transgender discrimination legislation, "if he (Lynch) finds the strength to veto that garbage," Sununu said.
Buckley said it's "silly talk" to suggest what bills Lynch will veto.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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MARTIN
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READERS' COMMENTS:
Eh. Take your victories where you can get them. At least Bathroom Bud didn't get in.
- Rowland, Fremont
LJC
You don't understand many things...and some of us don't understand why people vote to give money to people who can work and don't. What's the reason for that? Oh wait...they're poor or poverty stricken right? Nope..sorry, not all of them. And its the ones who aren't that are reaping all the benefits and the middle class struggles even more due to it.
- L.A., Derry
I gotta love (or laugh at) those statements that we somehow take money from the middle class to give to the "very wealthy". Maybe if you take your nose out of the Pelosi Handbook of Things To Say for a couple minutes and used the time to read a newspaper, you might notice that the wealthy aren't being handed over gobs of hard-earned middle class cash.
Taxpayers in the group that includes only the top 1% of adjusted gross income filers pay 39.9% of the income taxes paid by all individual taxpayers and taxpayers in the top 5% pay 60.1% of the income taxes paid by all individual taxpayers.
Those "very wealthy" are helping float your boat, Bucko. The latest numbers I could find (that's called "research") show that in 2007, the federal gov't spent $2.8 trillion. There were 138 million individual taxpayers back then. If you use a nifty thing I like to call "arithmetic" that averages to a little over $20,000 per taxpayer. Did *you* pay $20K in taxes? I sure didn't, and I have an upper-range, but hardly wealthy, salary. If not, then somebody paid the rest. And outside of individual taxes, things like corporate taxes, estate, gift, etc. are usually paid by those "very wealthy".
Or maybe you're referring to the recent corporate bailouts, where some truly wealthy people got some truly healthy bonuses. In that case, I agree that it's just wrong to take my hard-earned taxes to pay for some failed executive's penthouse condo.
*** However, which is the party that's been handing out this cash and promising more to come? ***
- Marc, Derry
Congrats to Jeb. If NH Democrats had governed these past several years like traditional conservtive NH Democrats of the past they might have had a chance of staying in power......there is no chance of that now. They will be slaughtered in 2010. This is the largest collection of fools, radicals, and clueless people I have ever seen in government. Someone out here pointed out that most of these people never thought they would get elected in the first place, and only got to Concord on the Bush backlash. What a toxix mix this crew is, and then you add in someone like Ray Buckley and you have a clown-show in Concord.
- Jay Collins, Laconia
My last post on this subject. But where is Ray Buckley and his acid tongue today? How many times has he poked his head into these discussion boards to either gloat or demonize the Republican party? Sory Ray, reality is but a cold slap in the face, isn't it?
- Thomas Thorpe, Portsmouth, NH
hey LJC from Manchester!
you just can't understand why people would vote for a party that 'takes' money from middle class and gives it to the rich? i don't know how it works where you live but alot of people are looking for work right now and i don't see any poor people hiring. i don't say give the bank away but trickle down from the rich is the only way it has ever worked. bubble up from the poor just don't cut it.
john
- john, bow
Regardless of party affiliation, Jeb is a great guy and is not a lawyer, but a businessman! That is enough for me!
- Gary Hoffman, Bedford
Congratulations Jeb from all of us in Nottingham! Great Job!
- Brian S., Nottingham
No one heard of Bud Martin?
If they haven't heard of Bud Martin then they shouldn't be voting. I've heard of him and I'm not even in his district.
No one initially heard of Barack Obama, John Lynch, or several elected House Representives either, and they won, as Democrats. So I'm not buying the arguement that Martin didn't win b/c of name recognition.
Quit making excuses.
- Tim, Amherst
Bud Martin not only did not take the taxpayer Pledge but I read that he never even responded to the group who keeps track of that stuff. So much for accessibility. Plus I guess people don't want the focus to be on any more 'silly' legislation while spending is going out of control so they voted for someone with fiscal common sense. Let's hope this is a pattern all over NH as people realize they have been burned by the Democrats.
Americans are being looted at every turn and have been burned by the new president. A $400 tax cut is not going to make up for the horrendously expensive policies of this administration and one can't help but realize that Obama is likely bankrupting the country on purpose on behalf of his foreign banker backers. During the presidential campaign Obama said his energy policies would cause energy prices to skyrocket and would bankrupt coal plants. And idiots still voted for him. Cap and trade, based on phony 'climate change' is about to come down on us... after that there are draconian laws to control food and medicine and the control of the sheep in this country will be complete.
- Sue, Manchester
Good month for the NH GOP. First Lynch sides with them on the definition of marraige, and now Jeb Bradley.
Working to take back the House and then working with a moderate Lynch is a good step for NH.
Now if we can only get the Obama Administration to pay their taxes we'll be all set. Like Joe Biden says, it's the Patriotic thing to do.
- Mark, Manchester
I love the excuses being made by the partisan left on here. If the district hs never won by a Democrat and you insinuate that name recognition never gave the Democrat candidate a chance....
... then why even vote? Why wasn't anyone saying this leading up to the election? Have you no faith in the electoral process?
Anyway, the district went back to a GOP candidate and that is significant in a cycle that was HUGELY anti-GOP for alot of good reasons. However, many are begining to switch back.
Bradely won fair and square on being the better candidate. This is not Minnesota where Al Franken's campaign supervisors magically finds more ballots in a voting machine 1-month later or finds ballots in the trunk of his car 2- months after the election. It's a convincing and legit victory.
The GOP won this race, and congrats to them. Their efforts beat the Democrats, and fundraising on local, state, and federal levels is beating the Democrats. A storm could be brewing...
...now back to the future.
- Ben, Concord, NH
Martin was very well known in the district. Aside from being the Democratic nominee and almost winning in 2008 he was a judge for many years and a community activist. He is a good person who everyone knew.
- Nick, Wolfeboro
Thomas Thorpe: we liberals don't "dumb down" the electorate when Republicans win. But I for one do not understand why middle class people would vote for a party dedicated to taking their money and giving it to the very wealthy. It just makes no sense.
- LJC, Manchester
"Peggy Gilmour (D), proceeded to spend about 12 of her 15 minutes telling all the 4th graders that 13 out of 24 Senators are female, and isn't that great, how much fun they have, and we really run the place now"
I am so glad to hear us women are out of the kitchen. One day I hope my daughters can be whom ever they want to be. Thanks to Peggy Gilmour leading the path for them! Peggy your running the place into the ground! Peggy needs to go!
Tommy from Hollis , how did you keep a serious face during that pep talk of hers?!
- EV, Hillsborough
Buckley can't spin this one away, it was a spanking. By a man written off for dead by Democrats and some Republicans, too. You can't keep a good man down.
There'll be a lot more where that came from. Congratulations to Bradley and new GOP leader, Governor Sununu.
- Steve, Manch
Wait a minute "Jack" from Somersworth and the rest of you liberals crying in your granola this morning. What is this claim that Jeb won because no one knew his opponent? Martin just came off running for the same seat in a previous election just a matter of months ago. Of course people know who Bud Martin is, that's why his losses continue to get deeper with each election! Why, when you liberals lose, do you always have to dumb down the voters?
- Thomas Thorpe, Portsmouth, NH
Republican candidate heavily promoted by the Union Leader wins in a heavily Republican district against a virtual unknown. Yawn.
- LJC, Manchester
Big congrats! It's wonderful to see that common sense won out over a well-funded smear campaign. Hopefully this will be the beginning of something much bigger!
- Margo, Moultonborough
You're right, Tommy... totally tangential.
Congrats, Jeb. Now play nice.
- Mathias, Manchester
I deal with politicians on both sides of the aisle. Only one, sitting, United States Congressmen ever handed me a business card with a phone number that he, himself answered: Jeb Bradley (it was his cell).
Jeb is a salt-of-the-Earth guy who cares deeply, about the great state of New Hampshire. We need more of those. Congrats Jeb.
-Jude
- Jude Augusta, Hampton Falls, NH
There was no loud and clear message here! Only a little more than 10% of the voters in the district voted for Bradley.
The only message here was of voter apathy and voters being sick and tired of outside sources getting involved on both side of the isle.
Had this been a local election with true local grassroots efforts you would have seen a bigger turn out and would have a better idea of what the voters are thinking.
I would like to call on both Chairman to stay out of local races like this in the future. My friends who live in the district were very turned off by the mudslinging on both sides and I know many voters did not vote because of it.
So Congrats to Mr. Bradley. We can only hope that we see the Jeb Bradley of his early days in the NH House before he got the Washington Bug. Please stand up to your party and vote how you feel, not how Papa Sununu tells you to.
Oh, by the way, the joke will be on you who did think Jeb had any interest in being your State Senator. This race was a stepping stone and he will be working on his race for Gov, US Senator, or US Congressman and will quickly lose interest in the people of District 3.
You could tell that from his signs. If he had any interest at all in being a State Senator he would have made signs that did not include the date of the Special Election.
Judge Martin however was very serious about being a State Senator and his signs proved it, they did not have any special wording on them, so like the Frugal Yankee he is, they could have been used next year, too bad Mr Bradley will only be a place holder and not a serious Senator!
- Robert, Dover, NH
I wonder what the outcome would have been if the Dems ran someone who people had heard of before?
- Jack, Somersworth
Way to go, Jeb!! Congratulations
- Jayne, Goffstown
Here is a bit of tangential evidence why Jeb Bradley was successful.
Last week I chaperoned a 4th grade visit to the State House. Naturally the schedule was tight with only about 15 minutes spent our elected officials in the House and Senate Chambers. Peggy Gilmour (D), proceeded to spend about 12 of her 15 minutes telling all the 4th graders that 13 out of 24 Senators are female, and isn't that great, how much fun they have, and we really run the place now.
I felt bad for my Son, and embarrassed for her. At least she didn't talk about how great the "Bathroom" bill is!
- Tommy A, Hollis
Jeb's win reflects voter sentiment in his District that he is capable and hard working and cares very much about the future of our state. Congratulations!
- Mike, Newmarket
Congratulations Senator Bradley. Now, get to work!!
- gr chase, Exeter
"State Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley said the seat has always been held by a Republican, and just a few years ago, Democrats didn't even run a candidate for the seat."
Buckley may want to revisit this statement. He seems to have forgotten about George Cleveland who came within 500 votes of winning.
- Mark Hounsell, Conway
Welcome back, Jeb. Congratulations! We know you will do a great job for us all.
- Jackie Atkinson, Litchfield, NH
Nice. The people in this district clearly are impressed with the Democrats idea of "change", so they go back to the tried-and-true. More to come.
- Tom, Campton
The good news is this District has been Republican for years and tonight it remains in the Republican column.
The Democrat was definitely a LIBERAL and that is where the GOP needs to go with future victories.
Obama will lose his popularity as the electorate learn more about where the Democrats want to take us.
The NH Liberal Democrats need to be replaced with principled conservatives.
Take the fight right to the Democrats - beginning with Ray Buckley who is just down right insulting to the good people of NH!
Chairman Ray and Obama have a very low opinion of any who differ with them.
bnyoung@metrocast.net
- Niel Young, Laconia
Hey Bill in Amherst - didn't we proud NH folk tell you to move to Mass a few days ago???
Congrats to Bradley!
Democrats - your chairman seems oblivious to the obvious - the Conservative Revolution has started and will not stop until the White House is back in sane hands in 2012!
- Marc, Weare
Hooray Bradley won!!!
A commment for the editor--if you are really wondering why your readership is down please read this story over again and ask yourself where is the news? The first two paragraphs are just plain negative. Revived his political career? Gimmee it a break, it wasn't dead just because he lost close elections.
Moral Boost? Maybe but this piece reads like it is for Dems to enjoy even though they lost.
According to numbers supplied by the Republicans? Gimme another break...I bet the Dems had the numbers too if you couldn't get your own people out there to gather the numbers. Are you trying to cast doubt?
Try hiring a few reporters who aren't Dem activists.
- Annie, Henniker
This is just the start. People realize they got hood winked by the Democrats. They made big promises and dekivered nothing. Buckley is a "silly" man who is helping the Republicans every time he is opening his mouth.
- Ted, Mnachester
Well done! The time is right in New Hampshire for political leaders with a fiscal moral compass. JEB's election is a step in the right direction. Expect to see him stand firm against the rising tide of irresponsible spending schemes that are the bread and butter of those who currently have Concord in a hammer lock.
- Wes Shuler, East Kingston, NH
No big deal? Then I assume all the money that the Democrats spent on this race just to see their 2008 candidate loss by 22 points was just for the heck of it. Spin this all you want, this was a bad loss for Bud Martin and the Democrats.
- Ryan, Hooksett
Bill In Amherst it is news for many reasons. There has been a democratic shift in this state going on for a few years. The democrats spent a lot of money and used any tactic they could to get their guy elected. The news is that hopefully the voters are waking up and seeing the reality of what is happening now in our state government. One can only hope this is only a stepping stone to get those who do not vote for the residents of this state, those who propose useless legislation when none is needed out of office. Time to take our state out of the hands of those who are there for special interests and not for those that elected them!
- Bill B., Pelham
Congratulations to Jeb Bradley for his election as a State Senator, he really put it to the Democrats and it's nice to see him politically active again. The Voters of his district chose wisely, I only wished I had been living in his district and had cast a vote for him but what the heck I will celebrate anyway from afar.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester
Bill, Amherst,
The district did vote democratic in November. It does not take too long for people to realize the direction dems will take in NH.
Bathroom bill, genderless marriage, etc . . .
This has to stop.
- Rich R, Farmington
If Jeb Bradley's election was such a slam dunk for Republicans, per John and Bill,
then why did the Democrat leadership spent so much time and money... and
get so vicious in their attacks? Their actions before the election don't match their comments after the election. Today they sound like sour losers.
- Sally Humphries, Hooksett
I wonder how much Ray Buckley is going to have to pay George W Bush to come up here and campaign for Republicans. I bet it won't be cheap.
- Chris, Merrimack
"Revived his political career" with a NH senate seat? Not exactly.
- Ann Hebert, Dover
The first of many Republican wins.
People have come to realize that the big-government Democrats are destroying the country.
- Bill Howard, Exeter
So, Ray Buckley just wants to sweep this one under the rug. Sorry Ray, after the tens of thousands of dollars and countless last minute attack ads you launched on Jeb, you don't simply get a pass on you or your party's despicable conduct. I do hope you have enjoyed the ride. It has always been known in NH that in the end, Democrats do not know how to handle power. The tide is turning. A bright new day dawned this morning for those who believe in fiscal responsibility and moral common sense. Thank you Jeb & your supporters for helping this party, the true party of the people, turn an important corner!
- Thomas Thorpe, Portsmouth, NH
It's a referendum on what voter's think of the garbage that the Democrats are presenting as legislation!
- Bill, Whitefield
Congratulations to Mr. Bradley.
The fact that a former US Congressman winning a state senate election in a solid Republican district is a "morale boost" for the GOP speaks volumes.
And before anyone crowns Bradley as the watch dog of spending remember he voted in favor of the Medicare Modernization Act (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2003-669).
You know, the bill that cost 100 billion more in the first year alone than was stated. And also the same bill that created more than $10 trillion in unfunded liabilities.
Anyone care to defend his support of that bill?
- John R, Keene
A former 2 term Republican Congressman with much greater name recognition than the Democratic candidate wins in a district that has NEVER voted for a Democrat. This is not news!
- Bill, Amherst
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Jeb Bradley: "Let's table same-sex marriage and fix our state budget"
NH Union Leader, Op-Ed, By JEB BRADLEY, May 29, 2009
American icon Yogi Berra once said, "it's like deja vu all over again." For New Hampshire legislators and voters overwhelmed with the ongoing debate over same-sex marriage, Yogi's words ring true.
Two years ago, New Hampshire approved civil unions, which were designed to ensure that same-sex couples had the same rights and obligations as heterosexual couples under New Hampshire law. Supporters of civil unions (the ardent proponents of same-sex marriage today) claimed then that civil unions would resolve discrimination issues for same-sex couples. Fast forward to this legislative session.
Same-sex marriage legislation was introduced in the House, and initially defeated by one vote, then reconsidered and passed by seven votes. In the Senate, the Judiciary Committee recommended killing the bill. But after an amendment was introduced at the last minute, a senator changed position, and suddenly it passed 13-11. Had the vote been 12-12 as expected, same-sex marriage would have failed. For the record, I voted in opposition to same-sex marriage.
Nail-biting votes are only the beginning of this legislation's problems. Now the actual wording has become a huge issue. First, an amendment was added (without a public hearing) to unrelated legislation to protect religious institutions unwilling to marry same-sex couples from lawsuits claiming discrimination. That did not satisfy Gov. John Lynch. He proposed further language to protect individuals associated with those religious institutions. That language was added to yet a third piece of legislation, again without a public hearing. This sailed through the Senate 14-10, but faltered in the House, losing by two votes, 186-188.
Even veteran observers in Concord are shaking their heads about this chaotic and unprecedented legislative process. Get a block away from the State House and people's heads are spinning over legislative maneuvering, endless votes and the Legislature hijacked by one issue.
Meanwhile, for most New Hampshire citizens, Rome is burning. I recently had an extensive conversation with voters during the special election in my Senate district. Whether in their yards, on their back porches or seated at their kitchen tables, voters told me repeatedly they lay awake at night worried about finding a job, keeping a job, providing for their families and paying their mortgages.
They are further terrified about budget deficits -- deficits of trillions of dollars as far as the eye can see in Washington and hundreds of millions of dollars in Concord. And people are fearful that with these budget deficits only one thing can happen -- taxes will soar.
While the Legislature is distracted by divisive issues, such as same-sex marriage, New Hampshire's unemployment rate has climbed to 6.3 percent, which means nearly 20,000 of our friends and neighbors have lost their jobs in the last year. The national unemployment rate of 8.9 percent is even bleaker.
Can 8.9 percent unemployment happen here? Perhaps. A respected economist predicted that 13,000 more people will lose jobs in New Hampshire before the economy begins to turn around. That's dire for people already worried.
One reason New Hampshire has fared better than other states so far is our perceived low-tax status -- in particular our lack of general income or sales taxes. Unfortunately, that low-tax status is about to change.
While the media spotlight has focused on social issues, such as same-sex marriage, the House budget has proposed new and higher taxes and a multitude of new and increased fees. Most notably, the House budget creates a new capital gains tax (cost $75 million) and a new death tax (cost $10 million), increases the hospitality tax (cost $39 million), the tobacco taxes for the fourth time in five years (cost $57 million) and nearly doubles the gas tax (cost $76 million). All these new taxes and fees will be used to fund increased spending over and above the current budget's spending increase of 17.5 percent. If that were not enough, the House budget fails to fund $133 million of revenue sharing for towns and cities. That means property taxes will soar, especially in communities such as Conway, Exeter, Manchester and Nashua. Are income or sales taxes next?
Here is an idea. Let's put aside the debate on same-sex marriage, as the Legislature is hopelessly divided. Let's focus on our economy and getting people back to work. That must begin with balancing our budget without new and higher taxes on New Hampshire's struggling families and businesses.
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Jeb Bradley is a Republican state senator from Wolfeboro. He represented New Hampshire's 1st District in Congress from 2003-2007.
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READERS' COMMENTS:
It is very important to conservative Republicanics that these socially disruptive issues be saved without solutions so that they can be brought up again and again to distract from the usual blarney they produce about tax cutting to fix anything from hang nails to gun control. The evidence, no matter what has been presented in the past, is that people whose main interest is in money cause huge deficits, wars, economic collapse, and corruption. Reagan ran the deficit from one to four trillion, Bush II from four to eight nine or ten so far. Reagan raised taxes 3.1%. Read it. Learn it. That is not the way to either fix our problems or improve the economy. Average workers have lost ground as the top 10% have garnered 90% of America's wealth. Rich people get free money from the government as it is. How about some for those people who work for a living?
- Robert, Deerfield
Pass the marrage bill and be done with it. I agree that protections for those who have religous objections need to be in place but this has really become a distraction from fixing the rest of the states needs.
- Jeff, Goffstown
I agree. Let's concentrate on matters that affect all instead of spending so much time on a trivial subject. Gay rights are a waste of time.
- Jim H, Manchester
Jeb, even better, lets just let homosexuals marry each other, hope that their marriages are at least as successful as heterosexual marriages (50%, a failing grade in NH school systems), and concentrate on things that effect gays, straights, single people, married couples, blacks and whites: our finances.
I like that idea. Let's "table it" by way of "not giving a damn" and truly be "free".
- mike, manchester, nh
Jeb for Governor in 2010!!
- Timothy Moore, Gilmanton Iron Works
I couldn't disagree more. Civil rights should not be pushed aside. The legislature should be perfectly capable of dealing with more than one issues at one time. If some legislators cannot walk and chew gum, maybe they should find another profession.
- Brian Slater, San Diego, CA
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