Mitt Romney. Tim Pawlenty. Sarah Palin. Obama/Organizing for America. The buzz never ends in New Hampshire, where the nation's first presidential primary is one running story of knights on white horses and evil-doers lurking in the shadows. So taking the 2012 contenders out of the mix, here's my NH Top Political Stories of 2010.
10.) Scott Brown. The former state senator from a tony burb north of Boston upsets Attorney General Martha Coakley (who apparently can't imagine shaking hands in the cold outside Fenway) to capture the U.S. Senate seat kept toasty by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy over four decades. The idea of a Republican winning that seat was one of the first signs of the great political undertow. It seemed that, overnight, a new crop of people were inspired to run for office. (Brown and his wife, the TV journalist Gail Huff, have a vacation home in Rye, NH.
9.) Tea Party. Jack Kimball, a businessman who ran unsuccessfully for governor, is one of the Tea Party faithful promising to mix it up again in 2012 and beyond.
8.) What Manchester mayoral curse? Former Mayor Frank C. Guinta emerges from a crowded GOP field and topples Carol Shea-Porter, the Democratic incumbent, to become the next 1st District representative.
7.) There goes Charlie. Charlie Bass returns to Washington. The former six-term congressman in the 2nd District, who was upset four years ago by Democrat Paul Hodes, defeats old friend Annie McLane Kuster to get his old job back.
6.) Judd Gregg. The Republican senior senator from NH decided not to run for re-election this year. But what a year. Gregg was everywhere, after President Obama tried unsuccessfully to get him in 2009 to join his cabinet. What's next for Gregg, the son of the late former Gov. Hugh Gregg? He must have a number of great options, seeing, too, that he has the respect of the POTUS. Will he run for president? No way. Incidentally, I once asked Senator Gregg if he would ever consider running for president. My question came during a walk-and-talk. It was a throw-away question after serious questions were raised. It was sometime in 1996, at Odiorne Point in Rye, after Gregg introduced his friend Lamar Alexander during a lobster bake presidential campaign stop. Gregg was amused. Two final points on that episode: 1.) Few people realize this guy has a good sense of humor. 2.) When he introduced Lamar at the Rye lobster bake in 1996? He out-shined the presidential candidate.
6.) Christopher Sununu. The 35-year-old son of former Gov. John H. Sununu defeats Bev Hollingworth and wins a seat on the NH Executive Council. The political director over at WMUR said in the press recently that there was a void opening in NH politics with the departure of two great NH political family names: Gregg and John H. Sununu, who is stepping down as chairman of the Republican State Committee. He obviously overlooked Chris Sununu. It's OK. People often overlook the Executive Council, aka the governor's council. But let's not forget that Judd Gregg, before he was a congressman, governor and U.S. senator, started as an executive councilor. (Chris Sununu is also the new CEO of Waterville Valley, as his family works to return the ski resort to world class status. Incidentally, Sen.-elect Kelly Ayotte, like the Sununus, grew up skiing at Waterville).
5.) Ayuh, it's Ayotte. Former Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte ekes out a GOP primary victory over conservative Ovide Lamontagne and handily defeats Democrat Paul Hodes to win the U.S. Senate seat held by Senator Gregg. Though Sarah Palin did not visit New Hampshire, the 2008 vice presidential candidate endorsed Ayotte.
4.) Financial Resources Mortgage Inc. Swindled investors are still seeking answers. In the end, the biggest Ponzi scheme in New Hampshire history did not hurt Gov. John Lynch, nor former AG Ayotte.
3.) House Speaker William O'Brien, R-Mont Vernon. This three-term state representative and Mass. transplant, who was a former law partner with (former Mass. House Speaker) Thomas Finneran in Massachusetts (according to the Boston Phoenix), surfed a conservative wave to capture the gavel. Colleagues say he's got the right temperament for the job. But he will soon know intimately what former Speaker Donna Sytek often said of the 400-member House of Representatives: Some days, it's like herding cats.
2.) GOP domination. The GOP chairman, John H. Sununu, made the most of the rising partisan flood waters in and around New Hampshire. An effective, strong leadership at the top and an inspired base led to historic gains in the NH Legislature. A 19-5 majority in the NH Senate? It's beyond the tipping point, and sets the stage for a run at overturning Democratic Party policy successes in recent years. Republican leaders say they are focusing on the budget and taxes, but the independent-minded Legislature remains ever so independent. The Legislature convenes Jan. 5.
1.) Gov. John Lynch, D-Hopkinton. The former businessman will soon embark on a historic fourth term in the corner office. Republicans and Democrats have, once or twice in the past, bemoaned that Lynch acts like a Republican. But he's focused on being a centrist, like the last Democrat to serve as governor. It's Triangulation 101. In 2011, it's Survival 101. Conservatives have it out for this guy (a politico who was opposed to gay marriage and then became its champion, among other examples). A few Republicans lately sound giddy in saying Lynch doesn't matter given the veto-proof GOP majorities in the House and Senate. Yet, quite possibly, this could be his finest hour. That is, as a politician. He's still got the bully pulpit. The public often sees this shiny, happy John Lynch. Let the record show, though, that Lynch is not afraid to mix it up. Soon, in the arena and in the court of public opinion, he will have less of a choice. Compromise must be somewhere out there. His required reading over New Year's? "The Art of War," by Sun Tzu.
~~~ Happy New Year.
