Senator John Edwards released the following statement in response to Bill Gardner's announcement that the New Hampshire primary will take place on January 8th:
“I am pleased that New Hampshire will retain its rightful place as the first-in-the-nation primary. I applaud Bill Gardner's work to protect New Hampshire's significance in our nominating process. The New Hampshire primary is critical because voters in New Hampshire take their responsibility seriously: they listen to the candidates, look them in the eye, ask them tough questions and size them up. In New Hampshire, ideas truly matter more than money and that is precisely why this is anyone's race.
“I look forward to campaigning across New Hampshire during the final weeks of this campaign. I have spent time in living rooms and town halls in every corner of the state and everywhere I go, I hear from voters that they're looking for real, meaningful change in Washington next November. From now until January 8, I look forward to continuing to meet with voters to talk about my plans to shake up Washington and restore the power of government to the hands of regular, hardworking people.”
Showing posts with label Bill Gardner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bill Gardner. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
New Hampshire announces date of Presidential Primary
New Hampshire Secretary-of-State Bill Gardner announced today that New Hampshire will hold its Presidential Primary on January 8th, 2008; two weeks ahead of the Michigan Primary, and five days before the first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucus.
Gardner announced the date that many were expecting after much talk about a December Primary. This announcement so far gives New Hampshire the first-in-the-nation Primary. New Hampshire state law requires it be that way.
Gardner’s decision comes after Michigan's Jan. 15 presidential primary was given the go ahead following a decision early Wednesday by the Michigan Supreme Court. Michigan still remains one of the 2008 campaign's first contests.
The January 8th Primary is the earliest ever. The date resulted after other states around the country scheduled their own early primaries and caucuses to attract candidates before the major party nominees were chosen.
It is now very likely and possible that Democratic and Republican nominees could be chosen by Feb. 5-“Super Tuesday,” when 22 states vote.
New Hampshire has held the first-in-the-nation primary since 1920.
Gardner announced the date that many were expecting after much talk about a December Primary. This announcement so far gives New Hampshire the first-in-the-nation Primary. New Hampshire state law requires it be that way.
Gardner’s decision comes after Michigan's Jan. 15 presidential primary was given the go ahead following a decision early Wednesday by the Michigan Supreme Court. Michigan still remains one of the 2008 campaign's first contests.
The January 8th Primary is the earliest ever. The date resulted after other states around the country scheduled their own early primaries and caucuses to attract candidates before the major party nominees were chosen.
It is now very likely and possible that Democratic and Republican nominees could be chosen by Feb. 5-“Super Tuesday,” when 22 states vote.
New Hampshire has held the first-in-the-nation primary since 1920.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Gardner says New Hampshire primary tradition is as strong as ever.
Excerpts from Kevin Landrigan's article, "Faith plays role in primary debate," published in the Nashua Telegraph on Sunday, November 4, 2007.
As America’s third-whitest state, New Hampshire has fought to keep its first-in-the-nation primary for the last 18 months amid claims it’s insensitive to racial diversity.
So, it’s ironic that Secretary of State Bill Gardner’s final decision is whether he should slight religious minorities – in this case, certain Eastern Orthodox Christians – in setting the long-awaited primary date.“I’ve done a lot of research once I found out about this conflict,’’ said Gardner, a Roman Catholic. “We’re talking about literally hundreds of years of religious tradition. It can’t be just dismissed, and I’m giving it careful thought.’’
Political observers from coast to coast conclude Gardner will soon pick Jan. 8 as the primary date. It would come only five days after the Iowa caucus, but it would comply with state law that requires New Hampshire to vote at least a week before the next similar election.
The date will firm up further if the Michigan Democratic State Committee affirms Jan. 15 as its primary date when it meets Wednesday.
University of New Hampshire Survey Center Director Andrew Smith is a veteran watcher of this quadrennial primary squabble who regularly fields calls from national reporters and campaign operatives wondering when the New Hampshire Primary date will be set.
“It’s going to be January 8,” Smith said. “I’d be shocked if it’s anything else.”But for hundreds of Eastern Orthodox Christians living and worshipping in New Hampshire, Jan. 8 is the Feast of the Holy Mother of God, a day of obligation.Jan. 7 is Christmas for these Christians, who follow either the Julian calendar of Julius Caesar dating to 45 B.C. or the Gregorian calendar that Roman Catholic Pope Gregory XII decreed in 1582.
The Rev. Archpriest Alexandr Androsov heads the St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church in Manchester, the state’s largest Russian denomination parish, which was founded in 1915 with about 100 members.
“We’ve heard abut this, and it’s not good for us,” Androsov said. Androsov said parishioners must get time off their jobs on Jan. 7 and 8 to attend services.
“My church is filled to the brim on both of those days because it’s our Christmas and the Feast of the Holy Mother,’’ Androsov said. “The majority are working people, and it’s not easy for them to practice their faith.’’
Last week, Gardner consulted with Rochester Democratic State Rep. Shawn Mickelonis, whose wife, Anastasiya, is from Belarus, where 89 percent practice Eastern Orthodoxy.“I asked Shawn what she would think if we had the primary on Jan. 8, and he said she would find it to be insulting to her,’’ Gardner said.
The state’s top election official has similar concerns on the timing of a December primary, since Hanukkah falls on Dec. 4-12 this year.
When the primary fight forced talk holding the New Hampshire Primary on a Saturday, Gardner had expressed religious worries about that scenario.
Gardner said whatever he decides about the date, the frontloading of primaries needs to be changed before 2012.
“Two days after New Year’s, we have Iowa caucuses, and two days after the Super Bowl, 22 states are holding primaries,’’ Gardner said. “That’s not a system that allows voters time to react to candidates who win or lose a contest. I’d like the campaign to go beyond February 5, but that doesn’t look likely.’
’Despite the upheaval, Gardner said at the close of the filing period Friday that the New Hampshire primary tradition is as strong as ever.
“At the door or on their way out they’ve said, ‘we’re with you, do whatever it takes, don’t hold back,’ ’’ Gardner said.
Over three weeks, 44 candidates from the famous to the fringe signed papers and paid $1,000 to get on the ballot, the second-largest slate in the modern era.
As America’s third-whitest state, New Hampshire has fought to keep its first-in-the-nation primary for the last 18 months amid claims it’s insensitive to racial diversity.
So, it’s ironic that Secretary of State Bill Gardner’s final decision is whether he should slight religious minorities – in this case, certain Eastern Orthodox Christians – in setting the long-awaited primary date.“I’ve done a lot of research once I found out about this conflict,’’ said Gardner, a Roman Catholic. “We’re talking about literally hundreds of years of religious tradition. It can’t be just dismissed, and I’m giving it careful thought.’’
Political observers from coast to coast conclude Gardner will soon pick Jan. 8 as the primary date. It would come only five days after the Iowa caucus, but it would comply with state law that requires New Hampshire to vote at least a week before the next similar election.
The date will firm up further if the Michigan Democratic State Committee affirms Jan. 15 as its primary date when it meets Wednesday.
University of New Hampshire Survey Center Director Andrew Smith is a veteran watcher of this quadrennial primary squabble who regularly fields calls from national reporters and campaign operatives wondering when the New Hampshire Primary date will be set.
“It’s going to be January 8,” Smith said. “I’d be shocked if it’s anything else.”But for hundreds of Eastern Orthodox Christians living and worshipping in New Hampshire, Jan. 8 is the Feast of the Holy Mother of God, a day of obligation.Jan. 7 is Christmas for these Christians, who follow either the Julian calendar of Julius Caesar dating to 45 B.C. or the Gregorian calendar that Roman Catholic Pope Gregory XII decreed in 1582.
The Rev. Archpriest Alexandr Androsov heads the St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church in Manchester, the state’s largest Russian denomination parish, which was founded in 1915 with about 100 members.
“We’ve heard abut this, and it’s not good for us,” Androsov said. Androsov said parishioners must get time off their jobs on Jan. 7 and 8 to attend services.
“My church is filled to the brim on both of those days because it’s our Christmas and the Feast of the Holy Mother,’’ Androsov said. “The majority are working people, and it’s not easy for them to practice their faith.’’
Last week, Gardner consulted with Rochester Democratic State Rep. Shawn Mickelonis, whose wife, Anastasiya, is from Belarus, where 89 percent practice Eastern Orthodoxy.“I asked Shawn what she would think if we had the primary on Jan. 8, and he said she would find it to be insulting to her,’’ Gardner said.
The state’s top election official has similar concerns on the timing of a December primary, since Hanukkah falls on Dec. 4-12 this year.
When the primary fight forced talk holding the New Hampshire Primary on a Saturday, Gardner had expressed religious worries about that scenario.
Gardner said whatever he decides about the date, the frontloading of primaries needs to be changed before 2012.
“Two days after New Year’s, we have Iowa caucuses, and two days after the Super Bowl, 22 states are holding primaries,’’ Gardner said. “That’s not a system that allows voters time to react to candidates who win or lose a contest. I’d like the campaign to go beyond February 5, but that doesn’t look likely.’
’Despite the upheaval, Gardner said at the close of the filing period Friday that the New Hampshire primary tradition is as strong as ever.
“At the door or on their way out they’ve said, ‘we’re with you, do whatever it takes, don’t hold back,’ ’’ Gardner said.
Over three weeks, 44 candidates from the famous to the fringe signed papers and paid $1,000 to get on the ballot, the second-largest slate in the modern era.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Presidential Primary Filing Period
The filing period for the upcoming New Hampshire Presidential Primary begins on Monday, October 15, 2007 and ends on Friday, November 2, 2007
Candidates may file with the Secretary of State's Office during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office will be open until 5:00 on the last day of the filing period (November 2, 2007)Filings will be accepted in person, by representative, or by mail. Only filings made in person will be accepted on the LAST day of the filing period.
Visit... http://www.sos.nh.gov/prespimdate.htm
Candidates may file with the Secretary of State's Office during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office will be open until 5:00 on the last day of the filing period (November 2, 2007)Filings will be accepted in person, by representative, or by mail. Only filings made in person will be accepted on the LAST day of the filing period.
Visit... http://www.sos.nh.gov/prespimdate.htm
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Gardner Tells Impeding States to "Back Off!"
In an interview with the Pierce Media Group in Rindge, New Hampshire, New Hampshire's Secretary of State Bill Gardner gave a message to those states trying to get ahead of New Hampshire in the primary schedule; "Back Off."
One of Gardners reasons, "It’s a very unique political culture that exists here.”
It appears that the primary will be held no later than the 8th of January. In 1999 New legislation gave additional flexibility to the Secretary of State to move the NH Presidential Primary date “seven days or more” ahead of any other state holding a “similar election.”
"The people of this state participate in levels that are unprecedented across the country," said Gardner. “Everyone wants to have something like we have in New Hampshire; we are sort of the victim of our own success.”
“New Hampshire’s been part of most of the most significant events that have occurred in this country of political nature, governmental structure nature; New Hampshire played a huge roll.” In the last mid term election in the granite state, the state went from a red state to a blue state.
When asked about the financial impact, Gardner said, “Its not about the money, It was never about the money, it’s not about the money now, its simply about the people in this state, the grassroots to have a say in this process”
The complete interview can be heard at
http://www.piercearrownews.com/podcasts/index.cfm?event=displaychannel&upodcast_channel_id=4db52336-8658-4dc2-8acf-18b5bc2b75f6
One of Gardners reasons, "It’s a very unique political culture that exists here.”
It appears that the primary will be held no later than the 8th of January. In 1999 New legislation gave additional flexibility to the Secretary of State to move the NH Presidential Primary date “seven days or more” ahead of any other state holding a “similar election.”
"The people of this state participate in levels that are unprecedented across the country," said Gardner. “Everyone wants to have something like we have in New Hampshire; we are sort of the victim of our own success.”
“New Hampshire’s been part of most of the most significant events that have occurred in this country of political nature, governmental structure nature; New Hampshire played a huge roll.” In the last mid term election in the granite state, the state went from a red state to a blue state.
When asked about the financial impact, Gardner said, “Its not about the money, It was never about the money, it’s not about the money now, its simply about the people in this state, the grassroots to have a say in this process”
The complete interview can be heard at
http://www.piercearrownews.com/podcasts/index.cfm?event=displaychannel&upodcast_channel_id=4db52336-8658-4dc2-8acf-18b5bc2b75f6
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