Who’s Up, Who’s Down in NH Political Scene

Here’s the TEA PARTY take on who is up and who is down in the NH political scene for this week of December 22, 2010

WHO’S UP

Representative Bill O’Brien (R) Speaker of the NH House of Representatives

Representative Bill O’Brien (R) Speaker of the House and leader of the super-majority is UP for his judicious and inclusive appointments, demonstrating his ability not only to have placed the best people for the job in committee leadership positions but showing his willingness to listen to others.

Charlie Arlinghaus, Chairman of the Josiah Bartlett Center

Charlie Arlinghaus, Chairman of the think tank known as the Josiah Bartlett Center, is UP. He warned us about the sheer size of the looming deficit even as Governor Lynch pretended there was a ‘surplus’. It is amazing that Governor Lynch was not defeated on this issue alone. At the very least Lynch had to fight for his political life this time around. A pox on those ‘conservatives’ who helped put him over the top again. Shame on them, because it turns out that Arlinghaus was correct when he said that the State of NH would be facing AT LEAST a $600M deficit if not more. When Charlie and the folks at Josiah Bartlett crunch the numbers, they’re usually right.

WHO’S DOWN

Media Pundits and So-Called “Insiders”

DOWN are certain media “pundits” and reporters from the “old guard” who claim to have the inside scoop but are somewhat out of the loop. These guys should really just stick to writing gossip columns. Heard on WGIR-AM the morning of December 22, 2010 was a discussion about our own Jack Kimball, one-time Candidate for Governor, who last week announced to us tea party insiders his intention to run for the Chairmanship of the State GOP Committee. Casting aspersions on his ability to fire up the base or represent the ‘face of the party’ who would be regularly seen in places like WMUR as he spoke out against the Governor, Kimball was described as perhaps not being acceptable because of ‘not looking like us’. Say what? Where have these people been? Not only does the majority leader support Kimball’s run for this position, Kimball indeed most resembles the face of thousands upon thousands of us who call ourselves “tea party” and who are willing to reinvigorate the GOP with money and activism if Kimball were to secure the position. These ‘pundits’ can’t be THAT clueless that they do not know just who was responsible for the recruitment and election of the current supermajority in the legislature and across the state? Even Governor Sununu, current GOP Chair, recognized and credited the tea party’s role in this feat. That said, the NHTPC wishes Jack the best of luck in his run for the Chairmanship and fully supports him.

Disgruntled Campaign Workers

DOWN are certain campaign workers unhappy about not being able to follow their candidates to DC. Being an enthusiastic and loyal campaign worker does not always mean one is right for one of the few jobs serving the newly elected in DC. We are convinced that our new delegation will realize just how important it is to surround themselves with the ‘right’ capable people and we trust their judgment as they make their choices. If you didn’t get a job this time, there is always 2012.