Romney Talks To Al

Mitt Romney will be in the state on March 1st. He will also be visiting Concord, Hampstead and delivering a radio interview. Romney will be interviewed by Al Kulas on WKBK from 8:35-9:00. The interview will mostly focus on taxes. Contact Jane Aitken at webmaster@cnht.org, for more information.

Governor Romney's WKBK interview, with Al Kulas
Thursday, March 1st
8:35 - 9:00 AM.

Biden To Speak At Darthmouth

Delaware Senator Joe Biden will be in the state next week. In addition to speaking at New England College on Wednesday the 28th, Biden will be speaking at Darthmouth on Tuesday the 27th. Here are the details:

2/27/2007 6:30 PM
Town Hall Meeting with Sen. Joe Biden
Alumni Hall, 2nd Floor of the Hopkins Center
Hanover
http://http://hop.dartmouth.edu/about/directions.html

The 2008 Presidential Candidates at Dartmouth College:

U.S. SENATOR JOE BIDEN (D-DE)
Chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee

"Town Hall Meeting"

THIS Tuesday, February 27
**6:30 PM**
Doors Open at 6:00PM...Seating is Limited, so Arrive Early!

Alumni Hall, 2nd Floor of the Hopkins Center

Sponsored by the Dartmouth College Democrats and the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center

Rudy, McCain To Skip NH Debates

The Hotline has learned that:

"Sen. John McCain and Ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani informed WMUR-TV in New Hampshire today that they will not participate in the April 4 debate -- the event labeled by CNN and WMUR as the "First in the nation" GOP debate.

Not anymore.

McCain will be in the Middle East and Giuliani cited unspecified scheduling conflicts, a person with direct knowledge of the debate refusals said.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer and WMUR's Scott Spradling are the hosts.

Both McCain and Giuliani accepted Nancy Reagan's invitation to participate in the 5/3 debate scheduled for the Reagan Library."

There has been no word whether Romney will still participate, now that Rudy and McCain has declined. If Romney is in the debate, he will be on the top-tier GOP candidate in the forum. The April debate is taking place on the campus of Saint Anselm College.

Romney In Merrimack

Today, Mitt Romney visited GT Solar in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Here is the report from The Primary Source:

"Saying it is bad for the country’s economy and foreign policy to buy energy from foreign countries, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney hinted at an energy plan that would make the United States energy self-sufficient.

Speaking at GT Solar, a New Hampshire company that produces components for solar panels, Romney said he will unveil an energy policy that would have the US produce as much energy as it currently uses.

“It doesn’t make sense for a lot of people for our nation to send hundreds of billions of dollars to nations that don’t like us,” said Romney.

Romney suggested harnessing all energy possibilities -- from wind and solar power, to bioenergy, to drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Reserve in Alaska.

Achieving energy self-sufficiency could take 20 or 30 years, he said.

Romney said he favored giving incentives to industry rather than relying on the “heavy hand of government” to impose mandates.

His full energy plan will be released later this year."

***The Photo is ©Chris Fitzgerald/CandidatePhotos.com***

Romney Adds Another Stop

In addition to his Lincoln Dinner speech, Mitt Romney will also be visiting Concord on March 1st.

What: Community Forum with Governor Romney
Where: The Student Center Rotunda
New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI)
Concord, NH
When: Thursday, March 1.
Guests should arrive by 8:40am and the event should wrap up by 10 a.m.

About That Obama Office

The always witty folks over at GreenMountainPolitics1 had an astute observation, concerning Barack Obama's Manchester office. They write:

"We actually took a quick drive up to Obama's "open" office yesterday. We thought we would introduce ourselves, get a bumper sticker and congratulate his staff on being the first Big Six office to open in NH.

Not to be.

We arrived at Obama's campaign office at 3pm to find it locked tight, empty of any office furniture and lit only by sunlight (the nugget got that right).

No staff. No phones ringing off the hook. No excitement. And you can forget bumper stickers.

In other words, no open office.

We would also point out that there is no way that Obama's office is 8,000 square feet."

Here's the full story: http://greenmountainpolitics1.blogspot.com/index.html

Cullen Gives Rudy Advice

Today, The New York Times had an article detailing the apparent lack of politicking by Rudy Giuliani. The article quotes Granite State Republican Chair Fergus Cullen: "For now it's okay, but he [Rudy] can't follow that strategy indefinitely. People in New Hampshire, Iowa and a couple of other places really demand a chance to hit you between the eyes, and to ask a pointed follow-up if you don't give a straight answer. And there's a curveball in every group."

Edwards Goes to Backroom, Concord

John Edwards will also be in the Granite State this weekend. On Saturday, Edwards will visit the Manchester restaurant Puritan Backroom at 4:15. After greeting guests at the Puritan, he will attend a house party in Concord. To RSVP for the party contact Chris and Kristin Sullivan at: edwardsnhhouse-party@gmail.com.

Ron Pauls Trip Info

Here is a schedule for the weekend visit of Republican Congressman Ron Paul.

Friday the 23th
Speaking before the Derry Taxpayers group

Saturday the 24th
-Breakfast with CNHT Chair Ed Naile
-interviewed wit hlibertarian talk show host Al Kulas on WKBK,
Saturday the 24th at 7:35-8:00 AM. For streaming go to: http://www.wkbkam.com
-Reception in Pembroke

Sunday the 25th
-Delivering closing remarks at the New Hampshire Liberty Forum

Details are at: http://www.nhlibertycalendar.org/

Vilsack Drops Out of Race

Here is the press release from the Vilsack campaign:

"Former DGA Chair and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack today announced that he is ending his presidential campaign, citing money -- the so-called "invisible primary" -- as the only reason for getting out of the race."

Vilsack had been scheduled to visit the state next week.

Ron Paul Speaks In Derry

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, will visit with a Derry taxpayer group on Friday night to talk about his possible bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

Paul's speech to the Alliance of Derry Taxpayers is scheduled for 7p.m. at the Marion Gerrish Community Center at 39 West Broadway. Paul recently formed a presidential exploratory committee to consider a run for the 2008 Republican nomination.

Vilsacks' Visit

Here is a press release explaining Tom Vilsack's upcoming visit.

DES MOINES, IA - On Monday and Tuesday, Democratic candidate for President Tom Vilsack will campaign in New Hampshire.

On Monday, February 26, Vilsack will attend a breakfast with Democrats in Rye and a lunch event with Democrats in Plymouth. That evening Vilsack will deliver remarks at an interactive roundtable discussion with leaders in the energy field called "Bright Ideas in Energy: Local Actions with a Global Impact" at Dartmouth College's Hopkins Center for the Arts.

On Tuesday, February 27, Vilsack will visit the headquarters of GT Solar, a leading national producer of photovoltaic cells, where he will take a tour of the factory floor and discuss his ambitious energy security agenda with company officials. Following his visit to GT Solar, Vilsack will meet for lunch with Belknap County Democrats.

Vilsack is expected to address a wide range of issues at the events including his commitment to ending the war in Iraq and his bold ideas to protect America's energy security.

Monday, February 26, 2007

7:30 AM EST
Breakfast with Local Democrats
The Hungry Horse Café
919 Washington Road
Rye, NH

12:00 PM EST
Lunch with Local Democrats
Common Man Inn
231 Main Street
Plymouth, NH

7:00 PM EST
Energy Security Discussion at Dartmouth College
Hopkins Center for the Arts- Top of the Hop
6041 Lower Level Wilson Hall
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

9:45 AM EST
Visit to GT Solar Headquarters
243 Daniel Webster Highway
Merrimack, NH

11:45 AM EST
Lunch with Belknap County Democrats
Tilton Diner
61 Laconia Road, Route 3
Belmont, NH

Rudman, Peterson Hearts McCain

Team McCain Adds New Hampshire Supporters
Leading Granite State Republicans Join McCain's Exploratory Committee


ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential exploratory committee today announced that former U.S. Senator Warren Rudman and former New Hampshire Governor Walter Peterson will assume honorary leadership roles in the Arizona Senator's exploratory committee.

Senator Warren Rudman served in the U.S. Senate from 1980 to 1993 and will be a co-chairman of Senator McCain's national exploratory committee. Prior to his time in the Senate, Rudman served six years as New Hampshire's attorney general. Rudman is also a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Directly after leaving the Senate, Rudman co-founded the Concord Coalition which is a non-partisan organization dedicated to informing the public about responsible fiscal policy. Senator Rudman was appointed by President Bill Clinton to be on the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board from 1993 until 2001.

In 1998, Rudman was chairman of the Special Oversight Board for Department of Defense Investigations of Gulf War Chemical and Biological Incidents. He then went on to co-chair the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century in 2001.

"The citizens of New Hampshire want a more effective federal government, prosperous economy, and a world that is safe for America's next generation," said Rudman. "John McCain's record of accomplishment and his principled service to our country make him that choice for New Hampshire."

Peterson served as New Hampshire's governor from 1969 to 1973 and will be the honorary chairman of Senator McCain's exploratory committee in the state. Prior to his election as governor, Peterson served two years as a U.S. Naval Reserve officer in the south Pacific and was president of Franklin Pierce College for twenty years, also serving as interim president of the University of New Hampshire.

"Senator McCain's superior brand of leadership comes from a passion for the issues and profound commitment to the future of our country," said Peterson. "I consider this an extremely important election and I look forward to telling New Hampshire voters how critical it is to elect John McCain."

The committee members will use their combined years of experience and understanding of New Hampshire's political landscape to provide leadership to Senator McCain's exploratory committee.

Senator John McCain expressed his gratitude for their participation on his behalf. "These men have earned a great deal of respect in New Hampshire and around the country," Senator McCain said. "I am proud to have their support and together I believe we can move toward a stronger, safer nation."

Romney at GT Solar

Here are the details for Mitt Romney's trip to GT Solar in Merrimack.


Friday, February 23:
9:00 a.m.
Governor Romney Tours GT Solar, Inc.
GT Solar, Inc.
243 Daniel Webster Highway
Merrimack , NH

Vilsack's Next Trip

Here is the schedule for Governor Tom Vilsack's next visit. He will be in the state from Monday February 26-Tuesday February 27th. More details will be posted, once they become available.

2/26/2007 7:30 PM
Breakfast with Gov. Tom Vilsack
Hungry Horse, 919 Washington Road
Rye NH

2/26/2007 12:00 PM
Lunch with Gov. Tom Vilsack
Common Man Inn, 231 Main Street
Plymouth NH

2/26/2007 6:15 PM
Gov. Vilsack to Speak with Dartmouth College Democrats
Hanover NH

2/26/2007 7:00 PM
Gov. Vilsack to Speak with Upper Valley Democrats on Energy Security
Top of the Hop, Dartmouth
Hanover NH

2/27/2007 11:45 AM
Belknap Democrats Lunch with Gov. Tom Vilsack
Tilton NH

Another New Feature

Because I like wasting my time, I have decided to add another new feature to the site. Starting today, you can keep track of what the 2008 primary season will look like. On the right hand bar, you can see a schedule of the 2008 primaries. The list was in today's Evans-Novak Report. Hope you enjoy and don't forget to tell your friends about "New Hampshire Presidential Watch."

Hillary Hires Strand

From Mr. John DiStaso of The Union Leader:

"Hillary Clinton's campaign, continuing to tap the Democratic State Committee for talent, plans to announce today that [Kathleen Strand] will be the campaign's state communications director.

Strand holds the same title for the party. She'll join Clinton on March 12, two days after Hillary returns to New Hampshire to keynote the party's 100 Club fund-raiser.

Strand came to New Hampshire in the summer of 2004 as press secretary for John Kerry's state campaign. She returned in August 2006 as communications director of the party and its coordinated campaign."

Barack Opens Office

From The Granite Status: Barack Obama's New Hampshire campaign today will open its state campaign headquarters at 60 Rogers St., Manchester. It's described as a "big, bright office" of about 8,000 square feet in an old office building tucked between Hayward and Harvard streets.

2008 Primary Schedule

Here is the 2008 primary schedule. The list was provided by the Evans-Novak Report. These dates and states are subject to change.

Possible 2008 Primary Schedule
(New Hampshire: See below)

January 14 -- Iowa Caucus.
January 19 -- Nevada Democratic Caucus.
January 29 -- Florida.
February 2 -- South Carolina Primary.
February 5 -- Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah, West Virginia Convention.
February 9 -- Louisiana.
February 12 -- Tennessee.
February 19 -- Minnesota, Wisconsin.
March 4 -- Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont.
March 11 -- Florida, Mississippi, Washington.
April 15 -- Alaska, Colorado.
April 26 -- Kansas, Nevada.
May 6 -- Indiana.
May 10 -- Wyoming.
May 13 -- Nebraska.
May 20 -- Kentucky, Oregon.
May 27 -- Idaho.
June 3 -- South Dakota.
June 6 -- Hawaii, Virginia.
June 9 -- Montana.

Of some interest is the status of New Hampshire, which is omitted above.

Edwards Schedule

Here is the Saturday schedule for Senator John Edwards.

Feb. 24
10:30 a.m.
House Party at the home of state Senator David and Jean Gottesman
18 Indian Rock Road
Nashua, NH 03063
RSVP to dgottesman@nh-lawyers.com

1:00 p.m.
House Party at the home of Beth Roth
103 Corinthian Drive
Salem, NH 03079
RSVP to rothlaw@comcast.net

4:30 p.m.
House Party at the home of Chris and Kristin Sullivan
9 Pine Street
Concord, NH 03301
RSVP to EdwardsNHHouseParty@gmail.com

Duncan Did It His Way

On his recent trip through the Granite State, Duncan Hunter traveled without any staff. He even did his own driving. During this stops, he talked about the need for a fence along the US/Mexico border and new trade talks with China.

***The Photo is ©Chris Fitzgerald/CandidatePhotos.com***

Romney To Merrimack

Days after the airing of his first presidential television ad, Mitt Romney will be pay another visit to the state. Romney will be in Merrimack on Friday, February 23th. Details will be posted later.

The Demise of New Hampshire House Parties

The New York Times has a story about the demise of the living room politics in Iowa. The article argues that candidates now favor larger events, over small intimate settings. Will this impact New Hampshire house parties??

"Mr. Edwards’s experience has been shared by most of the major candidates on recent visits to Iowa, almost a year before the caucuses. It is evidence of what appears to be the demise of the living room campaign, signaling a potentially profound change in the way presidential campaigns are conducted here, and to a lesser extent in New Hampshire.

A chapter in American political history that began in 1976 when Jimmy Carter rose from obscurity by working the living rooms and kitchens of Iowa may be drawing to a end. It is, at least for this election cycle, the victim of an era of celebrity candidates tracked by busloads of reporters, and of intense interest in the 2008 race among voters, who are turning out in numbers that would fill many, many living rooms.

One day after Mr. Obama appeared there, he bounded onto the stage at the Field House at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. Christine Sohl, who arrived early to get a seat about 20 rows back, recalled meeting a little-known governor named Bill Clinton in a group of no more than 20 people.

Four campaigns later, she strained to see Mr. Obama. “This is as close as we’ll get,” she said."

Rudy Camp Quietly Making Strides

It appears that the Rudy Giuliani campaign is running a stealth campaign. Kevin Landrigan is reporting that Rudy's "state campaign director David Tille is staffing up, and his office manager will be Marty Steiner, a former aide to defeated Congressman Jeb Bradley. Giuliani will soon bring on a state communications director and is closing in on prime rental space for a campaign headquarters in Manchester."

Romney To Air Ads In Granite State

The Hotline is reporting that "Mitt Romney will begin airing his first ads tomorrow in IA, NH, SC, MI, and FL." The ad is titled "Unplugged,"

Scala: Hillary Is No Muskie

The GraniteProf recently posted some keen observations about the connection between Hillary Clinton and Ed Muskie. In his post, Scala argues that Clinton is not Muskie. Scala ultimately concludes "Are there ways Hillary Clinton could become another failed front runner? Sure. But being the Second Coming of Ed Muskie just isn't one of them." For the full post follow this link: http://graniteprof.typepad.com/

Kucinich Opens Office in Keene

From James "The Primary Source" Pindell:

Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich became the first Democratic presidential candidate to open a campaign office in New Hampshire.

On Monday morning, Kucinich opened an office in Keene. Most candidates have their main New Hampshire headquarters in Manchester because of its geographic location and population. Keene, however, is the county seat for Cheshire County, the only county in the state with more registered Democrats than Republicans.

Before opening his office Kucinich was scheduled to have breakfast with campaign finance activist Granny D.

CNN: Lincoln Beats Reagan

This from CNN: When it comes to the best American president ever, Abraham Lincoln edges out Ronald Reagan in a squeaker, according to a USA Today/Gallup Poll released Monday.

Nearly 18 percent of Americans regard Lincoln the "greatest United States president," while 16 percent give "the Gipper" that nod.

This poll differs from a similar one taken two years ago that found Reagan to be the best president with 20 percent of the vote, followed by Bill Clinton with 15 percent and Lincoln with 14 percent. Clinton comes in fourth in this year's poll with 13 percent.Current president, George W. Bush, comes in eighth in this year's poll with two percent of the vote -- falling two spots from the earlier poll when he came in sixth with five percent.

The poll was conducted from February 9-11 and has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.USA Today/Gallup Poll of 1,006 national adults age 18 and over conducted Feb. 9-11.

Abraham Lincoln: 18%
Ronald Reagan: 16%
John Kennedy: 14%
Bill Clinton: 13%
Franklin Roosevelt: 9%
George Washington: 7%
Harry Truman: 3%
George W. Bush: 2%
Theodore Roosevelt: 2%
Dwight Eisenhower: 2%
Thomas Jefferson: 2%
Jimmy Carter: 2%
Gerald Ford: 1%
George Bush, Sr.: 1%

Edwards To Visit Salem

Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards will be making his 12th trip to the Granite State. Edwards will attending a house party in Salem. Here are the details and contact information:

When: 2/24/2007 12:30 PM
What: Sen Edwards at Salem House Party
Where: 103 Corinthian Drive Salem, NH
Contact: Beth Roth, 893-9260, rothlaw@comcast.net
At the home of Beth Roth RSVP and directions: Beth Roth, 893-9260 or beth@rothlaw.com

Rest of Kucinich's Visit

Here is a copy of Dennis Kucinich's visit. He will be in the state on Monday the 19th and Tuesday the 20th. This schedule is on Mr. Kucinich's website: http://kucinich.us/schedule

Monday the 19th
Plymouth State, Keene State, Peterboro House Party
Start: 9:00 am
End: 5:00 pm

Keene Campaign Office Official Opening
Start: 11:00 am
End: 11:30 am

Keene State College
Start: 12:00 pm
End: 1:30 pm

Private House Party in Peterborough, NH
Start: 2:00 pm
End: 3:30 pm

University of New Hampshire
Start: 7:00 pm
End: 9:30 pm

Tuesday the 20th
Various events
Start: 9:00 am
End: 10:00 am

Tuesday Briefings at Marlin Fitzwater Center
Start: 11:00 am
End: 1:00 pm

Contact Christian at christinakr58@comcast.net, for more information on any of these events

***The Photo is ©Chris Fitzgerald/CandidatePhotos.com***

Clinton: More Iraq Questions

In Dover, Hillary Clinton was asked more questions on her Iraq vote. When explaining her 2002 Iraq vote she told the crowd, "I take responsibility for my vote. It was a sincere vote based on the facts and assurances we had at the time. Obviously, I would not vote that way again if we knew then what we know now. I have to say, if the most important thing to any of you is choosing someone who did not cast that vote or said his vote was a mistake, then there are others to choose from. But for me, the most important thing now is trying to end this war." The New York Senator also explained the Iraq legislation she introduced on Friday. The bill would require the Pentagon to begin pulling U.S. forces out of Iraq in three months or the Senate would revoke the president's Iraq authorization.

Richardson's Trip

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was in the state this weekend. Here are some highlights of his trip:

-He acknowledged his low name recognition, but stated that it was slowly improving.

-Had pretty good turnout at his events.

-He cited the fact that's he's a governor as an indication of his viability as a candidate. He then listed off names off successful governors who ran for president, like Cater, Reagan, Bush... he stopped at the name of Bush and made a critical remark, which drew laughter.

-Told Dems that if elected "The first day I would get us out of Iraq." Also, "We can't afford to have a President without foreign policy training."

- From GreenMoutainPolitics1: "We watched Richardson, in the middle of a conversation with a NH State Rep, reach down and STROKE the end of a Potluck French baguette with his pinkie finger.

Lovingly. Tenderly. So unfortunately.

And then, just as quickly as he had reached for the dough in the first place, he pulled his hand away and left the jilted baguette on the table.For some other lucky dinner guest."

http://greenmountainpolitics1.blogspot.com/index.html

***The Photo is ©Chris Fitzgerald/CandidatePhotos.com***