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John DiStaso, the New Hampshire Union Leader's senior political writer, began writing "Granite Status" in 1982. His influential reports on behind-the-scenes politics in the first-primary state are a must read for insiders from Concord to Washington, D.C. Watch for "Granite Status" updates on UnionLeader.com whenever New Hampshire political news breaks.
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August 01. 2012 3:28PM
Linked articles:
Hudson police investigating possible phone 'harassment' of high-profile Mitt Romney supporter
John DiStaso's Granite Status: Fund-raisers: Colorado gov for NHDP; talk show host Carr for Council hopeful Rolecek
Hudson police investigating possible phone 'harassment' of high-profile Mitt Romney supporter
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 1, UPDATE: HICKENLOOPER IN NH. Less than two weeks ago, Democratic Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper was hit with the tragic massacre that occurred in a movie theater in his state.
On Tuesday of this week, he and his wife of 10 years announced they are separating amicably.
Next Monday, Hickenlooper will help raise money for New Hampshire Democrats.
The governor actually spends much time in the state. He has a family vacation home on Newfound Lake on property his grandfather purchased more than 100 years ago
The private, high-dollar, $1,000-and-up-per-person luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. at party headquarters on North State Street, Concord.
And by the way, last Friday's NHDP Manchester fund-raiser featuring Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz raised over $20,000 with nearly 100 attendees.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 1, UPDATE: HOWIE HEADS NORTH. Conservative talk radio host Howie Carr will keynote a fund-raiser for Republican District 4 Executive Council candidate Chuck Rolecek on Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rolecek's restaurant, the Hanover Street Chophouse.
The popular Carr's appearance just a few weeks before the Republican Primary should provide a financial and grassroots boost for Rolecek.
Howie Carr doesn't head up to these parts often, but when he does he is met with great enthusiasm by Republicans.
(Earlier updates and the full July 26 Granite Status follow.)
TUESDAY, JULY 31 UPDATE: KIMBALL WEIGHS IN. One of the state's top Tea Party leaders has jumped into the GOP primary race for Hillsborough County Sheriff with a key endorsement.
Jack Kimball, the former chair of the NHGOP and current chair of the Granite State Patriots Liberty PAC, is backing Frank W. Szabo of Goffstown in his challenge of sitting Sheriff James Hardy.
Kimball called Szabo “a true constitutional candidate.”
It is Kimball's second endorsement in primaries so far this year. He backed Ovide Lamontagne for governor earlier this year.
Kimball's full statement can be found below our next item on Rudy Giuliani and candidate for governor Kevin Smith.
TUESDAY, JULY 31, UPDATE: RUDY PLANS A VISIT. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will make his first visit to the state on behalf of Republican candidate for governor Kevin Smith in two weeks, the Granite Status has learned.
On Aug. 15, Giuliani will keynote a fund-raising luncheon at the Tuscan Kitchen in Salem and then join with Smith for a town hall meeting at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College in the afternoon. Specific times have yet to be announced.
Smith is among only four candidates in major races Giuliani is endorsing in primaries this year, and the only candidate for governor. The others are U.S. Sens. Connie Mack of Florida and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Senate candidate Robert Turner in New York.
When Giuliani endorsed Smith in June, he said he likes Smith's primary foe, Ovide Lamontagne, but believes Smith “has a better chance of reforming the state because he is new. He comes at it with fresh ideas.”
Smith has held numerous town hall meetings for the general public throughout the state so far this year.
TUESDAY, JULY 31, UPDATE: MORE ON KIMBALL-SZABO. In a statement Tuesday backing Frank W. Szabo for Hillsborough County Sheriff, Jack Kimball said:
“We have been witnessing an unprecedented and unrelenting overreach by our Federal Government. Our rapid loss of Individual Liberties has been breathtaking. Our property and water rights are being threatened and our Second Amendment Rights are under attack. Recently, the people of NH have been becoming aware of the United Nations takeover of our Sovereignty through United Nations Agenda 21, Sustainable Communities initiative.”
Kimball said that Szabo is “not only aware of Agenda 21, but was prepared to stop it, if elected Sheriff. Frank is truly a breath of fresh air and it is good to know that we have a true Constitutional Candidate for Sheriff.
“He knows that one of the primary responsibilities of the county Sheriff is to protect and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. He realizes that it is the Sheriffs job to uphold the 10th Amendment of the Constitution and to protect the rights of the people of our State against Federal or State Government overreach.
" He has also promised to take action against UN Agenda 21 in all its forms. Frank also states that the County Sheriff is duty-bound and fully authorized to protect the Citizens, their Rights and their property from any unlawful action."
Kimball asked "all my supporters to get behind him so we can elect a person whose main focus will be to protect our individual liberty, property rights and State Sovereignty.”
(Earlier updates and the full July 26 Granite Status follow.)
THURSDAY, JULY 26, UPDATE: SUNUNU TO BE NAMED TO TOP CONVENTION POST. Former Gov. John H. Sununu was named Friday chairman of the Republican National Convention's rules committee.
The announcement, which had been anticipated, was made Friday evening by Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus.
Shortly before the announcement, Sununu told the Granite Status, "The RNC has told me they would like me to be the chairman and I'm looking forward to it. It's been 24 years since I chaired the platform committee for George Herbert Walker Bush and I'm looking forward to chairing the rules committee for Mitt Romney."
The committee will have influence over the presidential primary and caucus calendar for 2016 and Sununu said, "I think in this cycle, once again New Hampshire proved it knew how to do the right thing, not only for the Republicans but for America."
Our earlier report on Sununu's new post follows.
THURSDAY, JULY 26, UPDATE: BIG POST FOR JHS. Former Gov. John H. Sununu is in line to chair the powerful Republican National Convention rules committee, a GOP source tells the Granite Status.
If it becomes official, Sununu, a top surrogate for nominee Mitt Romney, will be in a key position to help ensure that New Hampshire's presidential primary retain its first-in-the-nation status in 2016 and possibly beyond.
The convention rules committee also will have a key role in the fate of a proposal by outgoing New Hampshire Republican National Committeewoman member Phyllis Woods that would waive sanctions in 2016 for convention delegations from states forced by other states to hold their primaries or caucuses earlier than the dates set in RNC rules.
The Republican National Committee's rules committee approved the Woods proposal in April. The plan, and an overall primary and caucus calendar for 2016, will next be voted on by the full RNC prior to the convention in Tampa.
The proposals will then go to the convention rules committee, which is separate from the RNC rules committee, and final approval is subject to a vote of the full convention.
Sununu told the Granite Status this evening, “I haven't heard anything officially and until somebody tells me officially, I learned a long time ago it isn't until it is.”
Sununu said that because the committee will be considering issues of importance to New Hampshire, “That's why one shouldn't count on this until it happens because there may be a lot of people who would prefer to have other people in charge.
“It's an important committee for the state, but since I am not only of warmth and charm, I'm also full of fairness. That's what I would bring to the table,” Sununu said.
NHGOP chairman Wayne MacDonald said that while the Sununu appointment has not yet been formally announced, it appears imminent.
“It is my understanding that the governor is under consideration to be chairman of the convention rules committee,” MacDonald said. “Whether it's totally a done deal, I don't know. I know (RNC) Chairman (Reince) Priebus thinks highly of him.”
But another Republican source said it is a done deal, though yet unofficial.
Following the wishes of the Romney campaign and the RNC, Sununu, who is chairing the New Hampshire delegation, was named by the delegation as a member of the rules committee during a conference call on Tuesday.
To make room for Sununu on the rules panel, during the conference call, delegate Tom Rath resigned from the rules committee and was named to the credentials committee, replacing Merrimack County Sheriff Scott Hilliard, who had willingly stepped aside from that panel.
Priebus has already announced that Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will chair the convention platform committee. The Sununu announcement is expected soon.
“We're hoping that as this process moves forward, we can lock in not only New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation status,” MacDonald said, “but also eliminate the other provision so that if we fulfill our first-in-the-nation status, we won't be penalized afterward, as we were this time and in 2008.”
Woods and other New Hampshire RNC members are trying to amend the RNC rule because they felt it was unfair that Republicans in New Hampshire and other early states should be penalized by the RNC and lose half their convention delegates because other so-called “rogue” states, by moving up their primaries or caucuses, force these early states to then move up their contests to January of the presidential election year.
The RNC rule for 2012 allowed New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada to hold their contests a month ahead of all other states, but no earlier than Feb. 1.
But the Florida GOP decided to ignore the RNC and hold its primary on Jan. 31, in violation of the RNC's mandate that it be held no earlier than March 1. The Florida move prompted South Carolina Republicans to hold their first-in-the-South primary on Jan. 21.
In turn, New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner, following a state law that requires the Granite State to hold its primary seven days ahead of any “similar election,” set New Hampshire's primary for Jan. 10.
As a result, the RNC is punishing New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida by allowing them to bring only 50 percent of their delegates to the Republican National Convention. Iowa, which held a caucus on Jan. 3, is allowed to bring a full delegation because its delegates were officially selected after Feb. 1. Nevada was not sanctioned because it held its caucus after Feb. 1.
For New Hampshire, it means only 12, instead of 23, delegates, will be allowed to participate in the Tampa convention.
Woods' proposal would remove the Feb. 1 restriction for early state contests but still require them to hold their primaries or caucus no earlier than one month before “the next earliest state.” It also keeps in place the existing requirement that the early primaries and caucuses must be held “in the year in which a national convention is held.” That means state Republicans would still be punished if the primary is, in the future, held in December or earlier of the previous year.
Woods' plan won't undo the punishment levied by the RNC this year, but it would apply to 2016, and, once in the rule book, the likelihood is vastly increased that it would continue to be renewed in future cycles.
MacDonald said Sununu is a plus for New Hampshire because “he understands the process better than almost anyone and he is an effective leader. He'll make sure the process is handled fairly and it will be good for New Hampshire to have one of our own in that position.”
Woods also told the Granite Status that she understands Sununu will chair the convention rules committee. She also said his appointment will be positive for the primary and her proposal.
(The full July 26 Granite Status follows.)
THURSDAY, JULY 26: WHERE DID THE WINE GO? Nobody in charge seems to know where 300 cases of fine wine worth about $100,000 went.
They don't know, or aren't saying, whether any wine actually went anywhere, or whether the problem was a huge accounting blunder.
The problem arose at the state liquor outlet on Islington Street in Portsmouth way back in December, but only last month did State Liquor Commission officials inform the Executive Council and the Attorney General's Office, which is now investigating, councilors say.
And at least three councilors are beside themselves that they and the AG were not informed sooner.
State Liquor Commission Chairman Joseph Mollica could not be reached yesterday.
He told WMUR television this week that after the commission's enforcement division investigated, the commission brought it to the attention of the Rockingham County Attorney, who “looked at it and found it was inconclusive.”
And when did Gov. John Lynch find out about it? His spokesman said he wasn't briefed on it until mid-June, along with the executive councilors.
Lynch now wants the AG to conduct an aggressive investigation, said Lynch spokesman Colin Manning.
Word of the missing wine reaching the AG and the council coincided with the resignation of Mark Bodi from the commission, but Councilor David Wheeler told us yesterday, “It's not connected at this point in time.”
Bodi also said he has nothing to do with it. More from the former commissioner in a bit.
Wheeler said he wants to know, “Why, with $100,000 worth of wine missing, was this not brought to the governor and council's attention for six months?
“Why didn't the liquor enforcement chief go to the Attorney General's Office immediately with this huge deal? Why were they investigating themselves?”
“The two commissioners and the commission's law enforcement division, working with the attorney general, have got to get to the bottom of this,” said councilor Raymond Burton. “It's too big” for an internal probe, he said.
Burton said it's the council's job to know about such matters as soon as they occur.
“The Executive Council is the board of directors of the New Hampshire state government,” Burton said.
He also said the governor should move quickly to nominate someone to succeed Bodi.
Councilor Raymond Wieczorek added, “If they have been working on it since December and we can't get the information until June, then something is definitely wrong.”
Bodi told the Granite Status he pressed for public disclosure of the issue from “the outset” and said, “My resignation was not in any way connected to the inventory discrepancies in the store.
“While it is inappropriate for me to comment on the specifics of that until it is reviewed, let me say that from the outset in December, I was extremely vocal and critical of the process and procedures that took place and demanded it be reviewed openly and transparently.
“I made repeated efforts, as demonstrated in full public view, to take action against those who were responsible for what I would consider a calamity,” he said.
Bodi said, “Any fair and impartial review will demonstrate that I was in no way involved.”
He said he has not been questioned about it by any investigating entity.
“I was the one who requested that the AG be brought in and be advised of the matter,” Bodi said.
Bodi said he resigned because he “came to realize that state government is not an environment that appreciates or encourages individuals who seek to rock the boat in a responsible manner or those who stand up and speak out on issues that, while not popular, need to be reviewed.
“My record at the commission speaks for itself — record profits, innovation and a new, modern approach to retail, as well as exciting, nationally recognized marketing efforts.
“But in the process of being a change agent, you need to ruffle feathers and push people outside of their comfort zone, and that is not welcomed in state government, unfortunately.”
CONCERNED ABOUT CUTS. Sen. John McCain will return to New Hampshire with Sen. Lindsey Graham and join New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte next week in an event focusing on their efforts to prevent massive cuts in defense spending as a result of sequestration slated to take place next year.
McCain, R-Ariz., Graham, R-S.C., and Ayotte will stop at defense contractor BAE Systems' facility in Merrimack on Tuesday as part of their “Preserving America's Strength” series of town hall-style meetings in Florida, North Carolina and Virginia, as well as New Hampshire.
All three senators are members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and earlier this year joined with Sens. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in introducing the “Down Payment to Protect National Security Act of 2012.”
The bill replaces the approximately $110 billion in across-the-board federal spending cuts for 2013 with savings derived from a federal employee pay freeze and employee attrition.
ASHOOH WEIGHS IN. Restaurateur Chuck Rolecek of Bedford has picked up the endorsement of former congressional candidate Rich Ashooh in his bid for the District 4 Executive Council seat.
Ashooh, also of Bedford, ran for the 1st District U.S. House seat in 2010, losing to Frank Guinta and finishing close behind second-place finisher Sean Mahoney in the Republican primary.
He is well-known in the business and charitable communities.
Rolecek is running for the council seat being vacated by the retiring Wieczorek. Also running in a GOP primary are Hillsborough County Treasurer Bob Burns of Bedford and state Sen. Tom DeBlois of Manchester.
Chris Pappas of Manchester is the lone Democrat in the race.
THE “GOOD ANSWER.” “4RG,” a political action committee set up by conservative activist and former Newt Gingrich state campaign director Andrew Hemingway a few months ago, is out with its first web ad, and it's a bit controversial.
The ad features video footage of a recent event held by Democratic candidate for governor Maggie Hassan in Goffstown.
She's asked by an audience member: “How can you beat a Republican opponent in this state this year?”
And just as she begins to answer, another audience member shouts out:
“You can beat 'em with a bat! You can beat 'em with your hands! You can beat 'em with your feet!”
To which Hassan replies, “That's a good answer.”
She goes on to then say the GOP candidates for governor “have been siding with (House speaker) Bill O'Brien and the Tea Party legislature on their divisive agenda and policies that hurt middle-class families.”
She says she is working to support candidates “who will be wonderful, terrific progressive legislators.”
The ad accuses Hassan of “playing destructive partisan politics,” and goes on to portray GOP candidates Kevin Smith and Ovide Lamontagne in a positive way, supporting such things as “affordable health care,” lower taxes and more jobs.
Hassan campaign manager Matt Burgess said Hassan was clearly not serious when she said, “Good answer” to the comment.
“Someone attempted to make a humorous comment about the importance of working hard in this election but Maggie continued to talk about her forward-looking vision for New Hampshire and the stark contrast between the Republicans' agenda that will take us backwards as a state,” Burgess said.
“4RG,” which stands for “For A Republican Governor,” is not backing either Smith or Lamontagne, but, as the name says, is committed to having a Republican governor elected.
FIRST LADY FUNDRAISER. When First Lady Michelle Obama comes to New Hampshire Aug. 2, in addition to attending grassroots events, she will be featured at a high-dollar fundraiser for the Obama campaign in the Lakes Region.
Long time state Democratic activists Gary and Meg Hirshberg will host the $2,500- to $10,000-per-person luncheon at their home in Holderness.
Other host committee members are key Democrats Susan Almy, Mary Breasted, Michael Bronner, Martha Fuller Clark and Geoffrey Clark, Bea and Woolsey Conover, Nancy and Bill Dailey, Jim Demers, Audrey and Tim Fisher, Marcy and Robert Garriott, Sylvia Richards-Gerngross, Kathy and Bill Gillett, Carola Lea, Kate Miller and Jim Putnam.
Other stops on the first lady's visit have not yet been disclosed by the Obama campaign.
THE RISING STAR. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will visit New Hampshire for Mitt Romney on Saturday.
Bondi is well-known in GOP circles as a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel and as one of the lead attorneys general in bringing the challenge to the Obama health care law to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Like Ayotte, she is viewed as a rising star in the GOP.
“Pam Bondi is a rising star in the Republican Party, a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility, and a leader in the fight to crack down on human trafficking,” said Romney spokesman Ryan Williams. “Governor Romney appreciates Attorney General Bondi's support and he is grateful that she has agreed to help him spread his message of lower taxes and limited government in New Hampshire.”
Bondi will be featured at a “Women for Mitt” kick-off breakfast Saturday morning in Concord and will meet with Romney supporters at mid-day at Romney campaign headquarters in Bedford. Additional events later in the day have yet to be scheduled.
BASS GRASSROOTS TEAM. Rep. Charlie Bass this week released the names of 400 members of his Grassroots Leadership Team.
The campaign says it is the largest grassroots supporter list Bass has ever released and the intent is to grow it during the campaign.
Included on the list are Bass' former primary foe, Jennifer Horn, as well as Franklin Mayor Ken Merrifield, Executive Councilor Burton and state Rep. Mary Griffin of Windham.
The entire list can be found at Bass's campaign website, VoteBass.com.
DNC CHAIR IN STATE FRIDAY. Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz heads back to New Hampshire on Friday as a surrogate for President Barack Obama.
Wasserman Schultz will be at four events that focus on maintaining the Medicare program, “ensuring a secure retirement for our seniors and what's at stake for Granite State seniors in this election,” the Obama campaign says.
The campaign says Wasserman Schultz will talk about Romney as well as U.S. Reps. Guinta and Bass and the two GOP candidates for governor, all of whom, the campaign says, support replacing the current Medicare system with a “voucher” program or a state-run system.
Wasserman Schultz, who owns a vacation home in Newbury, will hold a news conference in Concord at 11:45 a.m. and grassroots events at the Obama campaign offices in Portsmouth at 9:45 a.m., in Laconia at 1:45 p.m. and in Plymouth at 3 p.m.
Separately from the Obama campaign, she will wrap up her visit at a fundraiser for the New Hampshire Democratic Party at the home of Bill and Kathy Gillett in Manchester.
PROMOTING SCHOOL CHOICE. Americans for Prosperity-New Hampshire will sponsor a “Legacy for Freedom Day” breakfast July 31 at Liberty Harbor Academy in Manchester. The event will include a discussion of school choice in New Hampshire and remarks from state Sen. Jim Forsythe, Reps. Ralph Boehm and Gregory Hill, as well as gubernatorial candidates Lamontagne and Smith.
BACKING JERRY. Conservative activist Karen Testerman is backing Jerry Thibodeau of Rumney in his David vs. Goliath GOP primary run against 17-term councilor Burton in Executive Council District 1.
Burton said he will continue “running as though I am three votes behind,” as he has done for the past 34 years.
John DiStaso is senior political reporter of the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. He can be reached at jdistaso@unionleader.com. Twitter: @jdistaso.
On Tuesday of this week, he and his wife of 10 years announced they are separating amicably.
Next Monday, Hickenlooper will help raise money for New Hampshire Democrats.
The governor actually spends much time in the state. He has a family vacation home on Newfound Lake on property his grandfather purchased more than 100 years ago
The private, high-dollar, $1,000-and-up-per-person luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. at party headquarters on North State Street, Concord.
And by the way, last Friday's NHDP Manchester fund-raiser featuring Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz raised over $20,000 with nearly 100 attendees.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 1, UPDATE: HOWIE HEADS NORTH. Conservative talk radio host Howie Carr will keynote a fund-raiser for Republican District 4 Executive Council candidate Chuck Rolecek on Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rolecek's restaurant, the Hanover Street Chophouse.
The popular Carr's appearance just a few weeks before the Republican Primary should provide a financial and grassroots boost for Rolecek.
Howie Carr doesn't head up to these parts often, but when he does he is met with great enthusiasm by Republicans.
(Earlier updates and the full July 26 Granite Status follow.)
TUESDAY, JULY 31 UPDATE: KIMBALL WEIGHS IN. One of the state's top Tea Party leaders has jumped into the GOP primary race for Hillsborough County Sheriff with a key endorsement.
Jack Kimball, the former chair of the NHGOP and current chair of the Granite State Patriots Liberty PAC, is backing Frank W. Szabo of Goffstown in his challenge of sitting Sheriff James Hardy.
Kimball called Szabo “a true constitutional candidate.”
It is Kimball's second endorsement in primaries so far this year. He backed Ovide Lamontagne for governor earlier this year.
Kimball's full statement can be found below our next item on Rudy Giuliani and candidate for governor Kevin Smith.
TUESDAY, JULY 31, UPDATE: RUDY PLANS A VISIT. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will make his first visit to the state on behalf of Republican candidate for governor Kevin Smith in two weeks, the Granite Status has learned.
On Aug. 15, Giuliani will keynote a fund-raising luncheon at the Tuscan Kitchen in Salem and then join with Smith for a town hall meeting at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College in the afternoon. Specific times have yet to be announced.
Smith is among only four candidates in major races Giuliani is endorsing in primaries this year, and the only candidate for governor. The others are U.S. Sens. Connie Mack of Florida and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Senate candidate Robert Turner in New York.
When Giuliani endorsed Smith in June, he said he likes Smith's primary foe, Ovide Lamontagne, but believes Smith “has a better chance of reforming the state because he is new. He comes at it with fresh ideas.”
Smith has held numerous town hall meetings for the general public throughout the state so far this year.
TUESDAY, JULY 31, UPDATE: MORE ON KIMBALL-SZABO. In a statement Tuesday backing Frank W. Szabo for Hillsborough County Sheriff, Jack Kimball said:
“We have been witnessing an unprecedented and unrelenting overreach by our Federal Government. Our rapid loss of Individual Liberties has been breathtaking. Our property and water rights are being threatened and our Second Amendment Rights are under attack. Recently, the people of NH have been becoming aware of the United Nations takeover of our Sovereignty through United Nations Agenda 21, Sustainable Communities initiative.”
Kimball said that Szabo is “not only aware of Agenda 21, but was prepared to stop it, if elected Sheriff. Frank is truly a breath of fresh air and it is good to know that we have a true Constitutional Candidate for Sheriff.
“He knows that one of the primary responsibilities of the county Sheriff is to protect and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. He realizes that it is the Sheriffs job to uphold the 10th Amendment of the Constitution and to protect the rights of the people of our State against Federal or State Government overreach.
" He has also promised to take action against UN Agenda 21 in all its forms. Frank also states that the County Sheriff is duty-bound and fully authorized to protect the Citizens, their Rights and their property from any unlawful action."
Kimball asked "all my supporters to get behind him so we can elect a person whose main focus will be to protect our individual liberty, property rights and State Sovereignty.”
(Earlier updates and the full July 26 Granite Status follow.)
THURSDAY, JULY 26, UPDATE: SUNUNU TO BE NAMED TO TOP CONVENTION POST. Former Gov. John H. Sununu was named Friday chairman of the Republican National Convention's rules committee.
The announcement, which had been anticipated, was made Friday evening by Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus.
Shortly before the announcement, Sununu told the Granite Status, "The RNC has told me they would like me to be the chairman and I'm looking forward to it. It's been 24 years since I chaired the platform committee for George Herbert Walker Bush and I'm looking forward to chairing the rules committee for Mitt Romney."
The committee will have influence over the presidential primary and caucus calendar for 2016 and Sununu said, "I think in this cycle, once again New Hampshire proved it knew how to do the right thing, not only for the Republicans but for America."
Our earlier report on Sununu's new post follows.
THURSDAY, JULY 26, UPDATE: BIG POST FOR JHS. Former Gov. John H. Sununu is in line to chair the powerful Republican National Convention rules committee, a GOP source tells the Granite Status.
If it becomes official, Sununu, a top surrogate for nominee Mitt Romney, will be in a key position to help ensure that New Hampshire's presidential primary retain its first-in-the-nation status in 2016 and possibly beyond.
The convention rules committee also will have a key role in the fate of a proposal by outgoing New Hampshire Republican National Committeewoman member Phyllis Woods that would waive sanctions in 2016 for convention delegations from states forced by other states to hold their primaries or caucuses earlier than the dates set in RNC rules.
The Republican National Committee's rules committee approved the Woods proposal in April. The plan, and an overall primary and caucus calendar for 2016, will next be voted on by the full RNC prior to the convention in Tampa.
The proposals will then go to the convention rules committee, which is separate from the RNC rules committee, and final approval is subject to a vote of the full convention.
Sununu told the Granite Status this evening, “I haven't heard anything officially and until somebody tells me officially, I learned a long time ago it isn't until it is.”
Sununu said that because the committee will be considering issues of importance to New Hampshire, “That's why one shouldn't count on this until it happens because there may be a lot of people who would prefer to have other people in charge.
“It's an important committee for the state, but since I am not only of warmth and charm, I'm also full of fairness. That's what I would bring to the table,” Sununu said.
NHGOP chairman Wayne MacDonald said that while the Sununu appointment has not yet been formally announced, it appears imminent.
“It is my understanding that the governor is under consideration to be chairman of the convention rules committee,” MacDonald said. “Whether it's totally a done deal, I don't know. I know (RNC) Chairman (Reince) Priebus thinks highly of him.”
But another Republican source said it is a done deal, though yet unofficial.
Following the wishes of the Romney campaign and the RNC, Sununu, who is chairing the New Hampshire delegation, was named by the delegation as a member of the rules committee during a conference call on Tuesday.
To make room for Sununu on the rules panel, during the conference call, delegate Tom Rath resigned from the rules committee and was named to the credentials committee, replacing Merrimack County Sheriff Scott Hilliard, who had willingly stepped aside from that panel.
Priebus has already announced that Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will chair the convention platform committee. The Sununu announcement is expected soon.
“We're hoping that as this process moves forward, we can lock in not only New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation status,” MacDonald said, “but also eliminate the other provision so that if we fulfill our first-in-the-nation status, we won't be penalized afterward, as we were this time and in 2008.”
Woods and other New Hampshire RNC members are trying to amend the RNC rule because they felt it was unfair that Republicans in New Hampshire and other early states should be penalized by the RNC and lose half their convention delegates because other so-called “rogue” states, by moving up their primaries or caucuses, force these early states to then move up their contests to January of the presidential election year.
The RNC rule for 2012 allowed New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada to hold their contests a month ahead of all other states, but no earlier than Feb. 1.
But the Florida GOP decided to ignore the RNC and hold its primary on Jan. 31, in violation of the RNC's mandate that it be held no earlier than March 1. The Florida move prompted South Carolina Republicans to hold their first-in-the-South primary on Jan. 21.
In turn, New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner, following a state law that requires the Granite State to hold its primary seven days ahead of any “similar election,” set New Hampshire's primary for Jan. 10.
As a result, the RNC is punishing New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida by allowing them to bring only 50 percent of their delegates to the Republican National Convention. Iowa, which held a caucus on Jan. 3, is allowed to bring a full delegation because its delegates were officially selected after Feb. 1. Nevada was not sanctioned because it held its caucus after Feb. 1.
For New Hampshire, it means only 12, instead of 23, delegates, will be allowed to participate in the Tampa convention.
Woods' proposal would remove the Feb. 1 restriction for early state contests but still require them to hold their primaries or caucus no earlier than one month before “the next earliest state.” It also keeps in place the existing requirement that the early primaries and caucuses must be held “in the year in which a national convention is held.” That means state Republicans would still be punished if the primary is, in the future, held in December or earlier of the previous year.
Woods' plan won't undo the punishment levied by the RNC this year, but it would apply to 2016, and, once in the rule book, the likelihood is vastly increased that it would continue to be renewed in future cycles.
MacDonald said Sununu is a plus for New Hampshire because “he understands the process better than almost anyone and he is an effective leader. He'll make sure the process is handled fairly and it will be good for New Hampshire to have one of our own in that position.”
Woods also told the Granite Status that she understands Sununu will chair the convention rules committee. She also said his appointment will be positive for the primary and her proposal.
(The full July 26 Granite Status follows.)
THURSDAY, JULY 26: WHERE DID THE WINE GO? Nobody in charge seems to know where 300 cases of fine wine worth about $100,000 went.
They don't know, or aren't saying, whether any wine actually went anywhere, or whether the problem was a huge accounting blunder.
The problem arose at the state liquor outlet on Islington Street in Portsmouth way back in December, but only last month did State Liquor Commission officials inform the Executive Council and the Attorney General's Office, which is now investigating, councilors say.
And at least three councilors are beside themselves that they and the AG were not informed sooner.
State Liquor Commission Chairman Joseph Mollica could not be reached yesterday.
He told WMUR television this week that after the commission's enforcement division investigated, the commission brought it to the attention of the Rockingham County Attorney, who “looked at it and found it was inconclusive.”
And when did Gov. John Lynch find out about it? His spokesman said he wasn't briefed on it until mid-June, along with the executive councilors.
Lynch now wants the AG to conduct an aggressive investigation, said Lynch spokesman Colin Manning.
Word of the missing wine reaching the AG and the council coincided with the resignation of Mark Bodi from the commission, but Councilor David Wheeler told us yesterday, “It's not connected at this point in time.”
Bodi also said he has nothing to do with it. More from the former commissioner in a bit.
Wheeler said he wants to know, “Why, with $100,000 worth of wine missing, was this not brought to the governor and council's attention for six months?
“Why didn't the liquor enforcement chief go to the Attorney General's Office immediately with this huge deal? Why were they investigating themselves?”
“The two commissioners and the commission's law enforcement division, working with the attorney general, have got to get to the bottom of this,” said councilor Raymond Burton. “It's too big” for an internal probe, he said.
Burton said it's the council's job to know about such matters as soon as they occur.
“The Executive Council is the board of directors of the New Hampshire state government,” Burton said.
He also said the governor should move quickly to nominate someone to succeed Bodi.
Councilor Raymond Wieczorek added, “If they have been working on it since December and we can't get the information until June, then something is definitely wrong.”
Bodi told the Granite Status he pressed for public disclosure of the issue from “the outset” and said, “My resignation was not in any way connected to the inventory discrepancies in the store.
“While it is inappropriate for me to comment on the specifics of that until it is reviewed, let me say that from the outset in December, I was extremely vocal and critical of the process and procedures that took place and demanded it be reviewed openly and transparently.
“I made repeated efforts, as demonstrated in full public view, to take action against those who were responsible for what I would consider a calamity,” he said.
Bodi said, “Any fair and impartial review will demonstrate that I was in no way involved.”
He said he has not been questioned about it by any investigating entity.
“I was the one who requested that the AG be brought in and be advised of the matter,” Bodi said.
Bodi said he resigned because he “came to realize that state government is not an environment that appreciates or encourages individuals who seek to rock the boat in a responsible manner or those who stand up and speak out on issues that, while not popular, need to be reviewed.
“My record at the commission speaks for itself — record profits, innovation and a new, modern approach to retail, as well as exciting, nationally recognized marketing efforts.
“But in the process of being a change agent, you need to ruffle feathers and push people outside of their comfort zone, and that is not welcomed in state government, unfortunately.”
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CONCERNED ABOUT CUTS. Sen. John McCain will return to New Hampshire with Sen. Lindsey Graham and join New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte next week in an event focusing on their efforts to prevent massive cuts in defense spending as a result of sequestration slated to take place next year.
McCain, R-Ariz., Graham, R-S.C., and Ayotte will stop at defense contractor BAE Systems' facility in Merrimack on Tuesday as part of their “Preserving America's Strength” series of town hall-style meetings in Florida, North Carolina and Virginia, as well as New Hampshire.
All three senators are members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and earlier this year joined with Sens. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in introducing the “Down Payment to Protect National Security Act of 2012.”
The bill replaces the approximately $110 billion in across-the-board federal spending cuts for 2013 with savings derived from a federal employee pay freeze and employee attrition.
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ASHOOH WEIGHS IN. Restaurateur Chuck Rolecek of Bedford has picked up the endorsement of former congressional candidate Rich Ashooh in his bid for the District 4 Executive Council seat.
Ashooh, also of Bedford, ran for the 1st District U.S. House seat in 2010, losing to Frank Guinta and finishing close behind second-place finisher Sean Mahoney in the Republican primary.
He is well-known in the business and charitable communities.
Rolecek is running for the council seat being vacated by the retiring Wieczorek. Also running in a GOP primary are Hillsborough County Treasurer Bob Burns of Bedford and state Sen. Tom DeBlois of Manchester.
Chris Pappas of Manchester is the lone Democrat in the race.
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THE “GOOD ANSWER.” “4RG,” a political action committee set up by conservative activist and former Newt Gingrich state campaign director Andrew Hemingway a few months ago, is out with its first web ad, and it's a bit controversial.
The ad features video footage of a recent event held by Democratic candidate for governor Maggie Hassan in Goffstown.
She's asked by an audience member: “How can you beat a Republican opponent in this state this year?”
And just as she begins to answer, another audience member shouts out:
“You can beat 'em with a bat! You can beat 'em with your hands! You can beat 'em with your feet!”
To which Hassan replies, “That's a good answer.”
She goes on to then say the GOP candidates for governor “have been siding with (House speaker) Bill O'Brien and the Tea Party legislature on their divisive agenda and policies that hurt middle-class families.”
She says she is working to support candidates “who will be wonderful, terrific progressive legislators.”
The ad accuses Hassan of “playing destructive partisan politics,” and goes on to portray GOP candidates Kevin Smith and Ovide Lamontagne in a positive way, supporting such things as “affordable health care,” lower taxes and more jobs.
Hassan campaign manager Matt Burgess said Hassan was clearly not serious when she said, “Good answer” to the comment.
“Someone attempted to make a humorous comment about the importance of working hard in this election but Maggie continued to talk about her forward-looking vision for New Hampshire and the stark contrast between the Republicans' agenda that will take us backwards as a state,” Burgess said.
“4RG,” which stands for “For A Republican Governor,” is not backing either Smith or Lamontagne, but, as the name says, is committed to having a Republican governor elected.
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FIRST LADY FUNDRAISER. When First Lady Michelle Obama comes to New Hampshire Aug. 2, in addition to attending grassroots events, she will be featured at a high-dollar fundraiser for the Obama campaign in the Lakes Region.
Long time state Democratic activists Gary and Meg Hirshberg will host the $2,500- to $10,000-per-person luncheon at their home in Holderness.
Other host committee members are key Democrats Susan Almy, Mary Breasted, Michael Bronner, Martha Fuller Clark and Geoffrey Clark, Bea and Woolsey Conover, Nancy and Bill Dailey, Jim Demers, Audrey and Tim Fisher, Marcy and Robert Garriott, Sylvia Richards-Gerngross, Kathy and Bill Gillett, Carola Lea, Kate Miller and Jim Putnam.
Other stops on the first lady's visit have not yet been disclosed by the Obama campaign.
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THE RISING STAR. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will visit New Hampshire for Mitt Romney on Saturday.
Bondi is well-known in GOP circles as a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel and as one of the lead attorneys general in bringing the challenge to the Obama health care law to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Like Ayotte, she is viewed as a rising star in the GOP.
“Pam Bondi is a rising star in the Republican Party, a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility, and a leader in the fight to crack down on human trafficking,” said Romney spokesman Ryan Williams. “Governor Romney appreciates Attorney General Bondi's support and he is grateful that she has agreed to help him spread his message of lower taxes and limited government in New Hampshire.”
Bondi will be featured at a “Women for Mitt” kick-off breakfast Saturday morning in Concord and will meet with Romney supporters at mid-day at Romney campaign headquarters in Bedford. Additional events later in the day have yet to be scheduled.
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BASS GRASSROOTS TEAM. Rep. Charlie Bass this week released the names of 400 members of his Grassroots Leadership Team.
The campaign says it is the largest grassroots supporter list Bass has ever released and the intent is to grow it during the campaign.
Included on the list are Bass' former primary foe, Jennifer Horn, as well as Franklin Mayor Ken Merrifield, Executive Councilor Burton and state Rep. Mary Griffin of Windham.
The entire list can be found at Bass's campaign website, VoteBass.com.
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DNC CHAIR IN STATE FRIDAY. Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz heads back to New Hampshire on Friday as a surrogate for President Barack Obama.
Wasserman Schultz will be at four events that focus on maintaining the Medicare program, “ensuring a secure retirement for our seniors and what's at stake for Granite State seniors in this election,” the Obama campaign says.
The campaign says Wasserman Schultz will talk about Romney as well as U.S. Reps. Guinta and Bass and the two GOP candidates for governor, all of whom, the campaign says, support replacing the current Medicare system with a “voucher” program or a state-run system.
Wasserman Schultz, who owns a vacation home in Newbury, will hold a news conference in Concord at 11:45 a.m. and grassroots events at the Obama campaign offices in Portsmouth at 9:45 a.m., in Laconia at 1:45 p.m. and in Plymouth at 3 p.m.
Separately from the Obama campaign, she will wrap up her visit at a fundraiser for the New Hampshire Democratic Party at the home of Bill and Kathy Gillett in Manchester.
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PROMOTING SCHOOL CHOICE. Americans for Prosperity-New Hampshire will sponsor a “Legacy for Freedom Day” breakfast July 31 at Liberty Harbor Academy in Manchester. The event will include a discussion of school choice in New Hampshire and remarks from state Sen. Jim Forsythe, Reps. Ralph Boehm and Gregory Hill, as well as gubernatorial candidates Lamontagne and Smith.
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BACKING JERRY. Conservative activist Karen Testerman is backing Jerry Thibodeau of Rumney in his David vs. Goliath GOP primary run against 17-term councilor Burton in Executive Council District 1.
Burton said he will continue “running as though I am three votes behind,” as he has done for the past 34 years.
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John DiStaso is senior political reporter of the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. He can be reached at jdistaso@unionleader.com. Twitter: @jdistaso.
