Debates Moved; We Were Half-Correct

The debate trio has announced that the April debates have been moved to early June. Here is the release that The Union Leader reported:

"CNN, WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader have moved their Republican and Democratic debates from April to the first week in June.

The change was made to accommodate candidates' schedules and offer the public the best possible debates.
The exact dates of the two debates are expected to be announced within a few days.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer will moderate the debates with questions from New Hampshire Union Leader Senior Political Reporter John DiStaso and WMUR-TV Political Director Scott Spradling.

The debates will take place at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. Both debates will be broadcast live throughout New Hampshire on WMUR and nationally on CNN, CNN Radio,CNN.com, WMUR.com and UnionLeader.com.

These debates will provide candidates an important opportunity to introduce themselves and answer direct questions on the many challenges facing New Hampshire and the nation."

A couple of days ago, we predicted that the debates would be cancelled. Thus, it appears that we were half-correct.

McCain Town Hall Meetings

The John McCain campaign has released the details of three town hall meetings. Here is the list and information:

Saturday March 17th, 2007
What: Milford Town Hall Meeting
When: 10:00am
Where: Milford Elementary School
80 Heron Pond Road - Milford, NH

Saturday March 17th, 2007
What: Newport Town Hall Meeting
When: 3:00pm
Where: Newport Opera House
20 Main Street - Newport, NH

Sunday March 18th, 2007
What: Exeter Town Hall Meeting
When: 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Where: Exeter Town Hall
Front Street - Exeter, NH

Please RSVP for these events by calling 603-703-3493
or email NHRSVP@mccain08hq.com

More Lynch Staffers Join Clinton

Hillary Clinton's New Hampshire campaign has hired two more former Lynch workers. Sarah Nolan, former Lynch finance director, will be Clinton's political director. Her "right hand man" will be former Lynch worker, Colin Pio. Pio is also involved with the St. Anselm and New Hampshire College Democrats. The Clinton campaign has also hired Sarah Foy to be the director of online organizing.

Tancredo's Schedule

Saturday
-Strafford County Republican Committee meeting
Gateway Restaurant
Somersworth,
-News conference at the Bank of America
Rochester
-Reception for the Seacoast Republican Women's Club
Hampton Meadows Clubhouse
Hampton

Sunday
-Lindy's Diner
Keene

Monday
-Opening of his state campaign headquarters
250 Commercial St.
Manchester
-Meet with students at Franklin Pierce College
Manchester
-Meet students at Merrimack Valley High School
Penacook
-Meet students at Thomas More College
Merrimack

Who Will They Decide To Cover? McCain or Obama?

From John "The Granite Status" DiStaso: "Illinois Sen. Barack Obama will return to New Hampshire for his second campaign visit March 16. No details yet, but the campaign is working on them as it continues to set up its state headquarters on Rogers Street in Manchester." It appears that March 16th will be the day of rock stars in New Hampshire. Will the national press decide to cover Obama or McCain?

Vanderbeek To Manage Huckabee; Will Captain America Be Resurrected?

Former Jeb Bradley chief of staff, Deb Vanderbeek, will be managing Mike Huckabee's New Hampshire campaign. She will be joining the Hurst family in directing the governor's presidential efforts. Ms. Vanderbeek told The Union Leader that "He [Huckabee] brings a fresh face and an optimistic message. He wants to run a true grassroots campaign. Everybody talks about it, but we're actually doing to do it. Granted, he's not a known quantity like (Giuliani and McCain), but he will be." No word yet whether or not Vanderbeek will resurrect the famous Captain America suit, from the last Bradley campaign.

**Comic book fanatics will note that Captain America is being killed off by Marvel comics. He will be the victim of a sniper's bullet.**

Another McCain Town Hall Meeting

John McCain is reportedly holding a town hall meeting in Newport, New Hampshire on Saturday, March 17th.

Shaheen Leaning Towards Hillary?

The Concord Monitor is reporting that a prominent New Hampshire lawyer, Democratic activist and husband to a former Granite State governor is leaning towards supporting Hillary Clinton. Have you guessed yet? It's Bill Shaheen!! Here's the article from The Monitor:

Leaning Hillary?
Democrat Bill Shaheen (husband of former governor Jeanne Shaheen) is still keeping quiet about his presidential endorsement plans. But earlier this week, he seemed to be leaning towards Clinton.

"I was very impressed with Hillary this weekend," Shaheen said of Clinton's visit to Selma, Ala., where she competed with Barack Obama for the spotlight.

"She's saying: I'm not giving up this section of voters. I want you," said Shaheen, who served as chairman of John Kerry's 2004 New Hampshire primary campaign.

McCain To Visit Milford

Has a part of his three day visit to the Granite State, John McCain will be visiting Milford. In Milford, the Arizona Senator will be participating in a town hall meeting. If you want to go, here is the 411 on the event:

Join John McCain
for a Town Hall Meeting

Saturday, March 17th 10am

Milford Elementary School at Heron Pond
80 Heron Pond Road
Milford, NH

For More information or to RSVP,
Call: 603-703-3493
Email: NHRSVP@mccain08hq.com

Join Tancredo

Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo is opening his Manchester campaign office. The grand opening will be on Monday, March 12th. His office is located at 250 Commercial Street, Suite 3020. Here are the details of the celebration:

Join Tom Tancredo
Monday, March 12th at 10:00am.
250 Commercial Street
Suite 3020
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 622-0044
www.teamtancredo.com

Please RSVP. by calling (603) 622-0044

Just Wondering...

Just wondering...if Obama and Clinton back out of the April 4th/5th debates, does CNN pull its sponsorship of the event? Does the network, or any network, want to put manpower and more importantly money; towards an event that would not feature the heavy-hitters of the primary??

Wallner Supports Hillary

New Hampshire House Majority Leader, and State Representative, Mary Jane Wallner has endorsed Hillary Clinton. Wallner told reporters that Clinton is a "role model" and she "knew for a long time that if Senator Clinton ran she would probably be my candidate." Wallner is the first major New Hampshire Democrat to openly endorse a presidential candidate.

Suffolk Poll: Clinton, Obama Tied, Rudy Continue To Lead

Students at Suffolk University recently organized a New Hampshire presidential poll. The students are currently taking the class, "Political Survey Research." The poll was taken in late February and surveyed 500 Republican, Independent and Democratic likely voters. Here are the results of the poll:

Dems:
Clinton 28%
Obama 26%
Edwards 17%
All Others Under 3%

GOP:
Rudy 37%
McCain 27%
Romney 17%
Undecided 12%
All Others Under 2%

For more information, please contact:
Suffolk University Government Professor
David Paleologos at 781-290-9310

McCain To Visit New Hampshire

James "The Primary Source" Pindell reported details of Senator John McCain's upcoming visit to the Granite State. This will be McCain's first visit since October 2006.

"When Arizona Senator John McCain returns to New Hampshire later this month for the first time since late October, he will be in the state for four days, according to his campaign.

He will speak at a number of house parties and town hall meetings, as well as the Hudson Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. He will also dedicate a veteran’s shelter in Nashua.

He will be in the state from March 16-19."

Dodd: Why Don't You Join Me

It appears that Senator Chris Dodd does not want to be left standing at the altar. The Dodd campaign released a statement urging other presidential candidates to appear at the April 5th debate. The statement read:

"Senator Dodd will be front and center at the April 5th debate. New Hampshire voters deserve a chance to see presidential candidates on one stage answering tough questions. If it's not too early in the campaign season for candidates to host million dollar fundraisers, it's not too early to debate the issues."

On April 5th, the Union Leader, CNN and WMUR-TV will co-sponsor a debate for the Democratic presidential contenders.

Rockingham GOP Lines Up For McCain

On the heels of his upcoming New Hampshire visit, John McCain announced the support of several prominent Rockingham GOP members. Here is the list that his campaign released:

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY LEADERS SUPPORTING SENATOR MCCAIN

Sen. Mike Downing
State Senator, Salem

Sen. Jack Barnes
State Senator, Raymond

Rep. Gene Charron
State Representative, Chester

Rep. Elisabeth Sanders
State Representative, Danville

Rep. John Gleason
State Representative, Derry

Rep. Bob Fesh
State Representative, Derry

Rep. Nancy Stiles
State Representative, Hampton

Rep. Sharon Carson
State Representative, Londonderry

Rep. Karen Keegan Hutchinson
State Representative, Londonderry

Rep. Benjamin Moore
State Representative, Seabrook

Rep. Kevin Waterhouse
State Representative, Windham

Rep. D.J. Bettencourt
State Representative, Salem

Rep. John Flanders
State Representative, Kingston

Rep. Joe Guthrie
State Representative, Hampstead

Maureen Barrows
Rockingham County Commissioner, Exeter

Don Stritch
Rockingham County Commissioner, Auburn

Mike Delahanty
Superintendent of Schools, Salem

Arthur Barnes
Selectman and former Fire Chief, Salem

Jack Kelley
Police Commissioner, Portsmouth

John Russo
Police Commissioner, Portsmouth

John Lyons
School Board Member, Portsmouth

Brendan Ristaino
School Board Member, Portsmouth

Team Romney

Mitt Romney's campaign released the names of its New Hampshire leadership team. Here are the team members and some of their bios.

Bruce Keough – State Chair: A successful businessman, former State Senator, and candidate for Governor in the 2002 Republican primary, Keough was the New Hampshire Vice Chairman of President Bush’s 2004 Presidential re-election campaign.

Gordon MacDonald – State Co-Chair: A Manchester attorney, MacDonald spent eight years on the staff of former U.S. Senator Gordon J. Humphrey (R-NH) in Washington , D.C. , serving as Humphrey's Chief of Staff and Legislative Director. He has directed several statewide political campaigns in New Hampshire , and served as legal counsel to the New Hampshire Republican State Committee.

Donna Sytek – State Co-Chair: A former Speaker of the New Hampshire House and Chair of the New Hampshire Republican Party, Sytek served as a State Representative from Salem for 23 years. She has been a delegate to four Republican National Conventions and was Chairwoman of the National Republican Legislators Association.

New Hampshire Leadership Team County Chairs:

Belknap County
Sheriff Dan Collis

Carroll County
Beverly Bruce
Tom Dewhurst
State Representative Betsey Patten

Cheshire County
County Attorney Peter Heed
Fred Parker

Coos County
Berlin City Councilor Tim Donovan
County Commissioner Bing Judd
Colebrook Selectman Benoit Lamontagne

Grafton County
John Boyle

Hillsborough County
Claira Monier
County Commissioner Toni Pappas

Merrimack County
Liz Feren
Franklin City Councilor Ken Merrifield

Rockingham County
Judy Galluzzo
Sheriff Dan Linehan
County Attorney Jim Reams
Christopher Wolfe

Strafford County
Barbara Russell
Paul Smith
Elaine Tinetti

Sullivan County
Ernie Bridge
State Representative Beverly Rodeschin

NH Dems To Discuss Primary

The New Hampshire Democratic Party will hold a panel discussion, on the importance of the Granite State primary. The panel will be moderated by Saint Anselm College's NHIOP media darling Jennifer Donahue. Here are the details of the discussion. If you are lucky enough you, might be able to sit in the front row...with me!!

WHEN: Wednesday March 14, 2007
START TIME: 6:00 p.m.

SPECIAL GUEST: Governor John Lynch
MODERATOR: Jennifer Donahue, Senior Advisor, New Hampshire Institute of Politics

PANEL:
Carl Cameron, Senior Political Correspondent, FOX News Channel
Candy Crowley, Senior Political Correspondent, CNN
John DiStaso, Senior Political Reporter, Manchester Union Leader
Ovide Lamontagne, Former Quayle for President NH Chair
Dante Scala, Associate Professor, St. Anselm College
Bill Shaheen, Former Kerry for President NH Chair

LOCATION:
New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College
100 Saint Anselm Drive
Manchester, NH 03102

Dodd Hires Kelly

Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd recently made another campaign hire. The campaign announced that they have hired Dana Kelly to be the Dodd New Hampshire Field Director. Here is the press release:

"Democratic Presidential candidate Chris Dodd today announced Dana Kelly would join his campaign as New Hampshire Field Director. Kelly most recently worked as political director for the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire and as a political organizer with the International Association of Fire Fighters.

“We’re really excited to have Dana on board,” said Dodd campaign Senior Advisor Maura Keefe. “She brings both campaign experience and political connections that will be invaluable to us as we build our organization in the Granite State.”

With PFFNH and IAFF, Kelly coordinated fire fighters’ efforts for Senator John Kerry’s 2004 campaign, increased political action committee contributions and memberships and directed efforts in federal and state races.

A graduate of the University of Michigan , Kelly worked for President Bill Clinton’s re-election campaign in 1996 and on Al Gore’s presidential campaign in 2000, and as an aide to Congressmen Gary Ackerman of New York and Robert Wexler of Florida."