Romney calls it quits

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney calls it quits. Romney is expected to suspend his campaign today. The only candidates left on the Republican side are Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul and John McCain. Romney was the latest of the Republican candidates to inject his own personal wealth into his presidential campaign. Romney invested nearly 35 Million Dollars of his personal wealth in 2007. Fox News said "Mitt Romney gave 18 million dollars of his own money to his campaign in the last three months of 2007"

Republican Huckabee proves pundits wrong, Voters vote defensivel, Biden and Dodd call it quits after Iowa

I want to take this time to reflect on this process or what some may call a slug fest. It has been a privilege to meet folks like Mike Huckabee the winner of the Iowa Caucus, the Mitt Romney's, the Hillary Clintons, the Mike Gravel's, the Dennis Kucinichs and the John McCains, Ive been lucky! Although I have never met Barack Obama, or John Edwards it seems as if they are credible candidates.

The campaigns of Democratic winner Barak Obama and runner up John Edwards and runner up Hillary Clinton seem ready to go in New Hampshire.

I am an educated voter and thankful to be this educated about the candidates. I realized that no one cares what a naive journalist has to say; but hear me out.

I sat huddled around a television screen today; working. I was talking to the shakers and movers of politics. These folks have dealt with campaigns, have been apart of them, and have lended more than support but astronomical amounts of money and time, criticizing and promoting campaigns.

Watching today made me think about the underdogs. It doesnt take a genious to see that news media gave no respect to Mike Huckabee. Many members of the mainstream media counted out Huckabee a former governor and minister in Arkansas. Huckabee sure proves those pundits wrong, and maybe his campaign slogan should be "respect."

Over the next coming days, and weeks we will see this long journey of the primary season come to an end for many candidates and campaigns. Chris Dodd has called it quits after a long bloodshed, which way will the firefighters vote now that their guy is out? Will Dennis Kucinich or Mike Gravel be next, both posted less than 1% in Iowa. Bill Richardson reached a mere 2% in the democratic Iowa Caucus. Who are Alan Keyes and Joseph Biden? Biden is done and who knows about Keyes.

In the coming days for the New Hampshire republican primary you will see voters voting for Mike Huckabee in mass amounts and his support ratings going up quickly. After talking to New Hampshire residents, it seems that Mitt Romney and his support are falling fast. Romney's numbers are lower and support falling, just look at the latest Franklin Pierce University WBZ Poll that shows John McCain leading Mitt Romney.

Mark my words voters in the New Hampshire primary are going to vote on the defensive; voting for a candidate that has a chance to beat Mitt Romney, and give him a run for his money. Watch for Mike Huckabee and John McCain to finish 1 and 2 in New Hampshire. Voters may not have the same stance as those two candidates. But what the voters are set on is Romney NOT winning.

It might be that Romney has had a bit of change in heart on the issues, it might be that the voters like the personalities of Huckabee and McCain a bit more. One New Hampshire voter told me they liked the "bubbily sincere personality," that Huckabee possesses. Don't forget about Rudy Giuiliani he could take some of the votes away from Huckabee or McCain.

McCain and his electability ratings with numerous endorsements and the rising numbers in all New Hampshire polls including the latest Franklin Pierce poll show he is a favorite. His electability and the momentum of Mike Huckabee with his win in Iowa could prove to be a major campaign killer for Mitt Romney.

No Doubt New Hampshire could be a campaign killer for many; it will prove to be critical state.
Will a loss in New Hampshire for Clinton, or Edwards end their road? Could a loss for Romney in New Hampshire dash hopes for the republican nomination for the former Massachusetts Governor?

Check into your Primary home for all of the news commentary and analysis, www.piercemediagrouponline.com/nhprimary08

McCain the favorite, Romney falling in New Hampshire

With the 2008 New Hampshire Presidential Primary less than one week
away, Senator John McCain jumped from third place to first in the most recent poll, while
former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney follows close behind. Former mayor Rudy
Giuliani’s support dropped significantly.

In March, McCain and Giuliani were the early front-runners. Following the Republican debate on June 5th, Romney took the lead. In September, Romney maintained his lead with 30 percent of the vote, while Giuliani trailed him with 23 percent of vote and McCain registered third behind his Republican rivals (14%). Today, McCain leads with 37 percent of the vote, while Romney trails him with 31 percent of the vote. Giuliani has now dropped to a distant third behind both candidates (10%).

Although McCain receives more of the vote, many Republican voters think that Romney will ultimately win the nomination. However, 28 percent of likely primary voters are still unsure who will win, suggesting that there is still an air of uncertainty surrounding the Republican primary in New Hampshire.

It is interesting to track each candidate’s favorability rating in order to better understand
how the contest is shaping up over time. In March, Giuliani (66%) and McCain (63%)
had the highest net favorability ratings, with Romney in third place (51%). Following the
debate on June 5th, Romney rose to the top, assuming a five-point lead over Giuliani in
this category. The September poll showed that Romney maintained his lead in net
favorability (64%), with Giuliani (57%) and McCain (54%) following closely behind. The
latest results show that Romney’s (47%) and Giuliani’s (35%) net favorability both fell
around 20 points and now trail that of McCain (74%).

Clinton McCain receive yet another endorsement in New Hampshire

Senators John McCain (R) and Hillary Clinton (D) both receive the endorsement from the Concord Monitor.

The Concord Monitor editorial board said, "Romney should not be the next president", posting that message as their editorial headline on their website.

A journalist reflects on the Primary cycle, Media Coverage, and New Hampshire

On a drive from the southwest corner of New Hampshire to the southwest corner of Maine; I was amazed at some of the sites. Aside from the beautiful scenery with the snow covered mountains, iced over ponds and lakes, and snow covered trees.

As we cruise down some back roads thinking about New Hampshire, its political culture, its history and the upcoming presidential primary.

"I wonder... I must be traveling the same roads as some of these presidential candidates along the same routes they use to head to North Country." The thought of the Granite state possibly being the most influential state in the country this presidential cycle is a joy to think.

I drove by signs upon signs, some stuck in the ground, some on billboards, and even some attached to pick up trucks like you see in movies. I passed an Obama campaign office, and Then it started to snow. It was truly like the scene out of a movie. Driving through these quaint towns with snow falling adding to the previous snowfall that already existed. I saw signs reading "North Country for John Edwards," signs for Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama. The sign I saw the most -Ron Paul!

Now I am a journalist, but it seems to me that Ron Paul is well liked by the people of New Hampshire but not covered by the mainstream media nearly as frequently as the "top tier candidates." Why is this? Is it because he is older than the Rock star or because he isn't a women running for president.

It is important to remember that each candidate could be president and each should be given the same platform. Look at Mike Huckabee he took the time and visited the small locations in the middle of the woods, visited the small house parties, and he is now right on top in Iowa and is surging forward in New Hampshire. The grassroot campaining obviously worked for the Arkansas Governor.

By focusing on the top tier candidates, and focusing on money I again stress the point that this does a dis-justice to our country, and to the people that truly care.

Craig Romney turns heads at Franklin Pierce when speaking about his fathers belief in family values

In a First Families event at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, Craig Romney the son of Presidential candidate and Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney spoke to students about his father's candidacy. Aside from strengthening the economy and Military, Romney's son says one of his father's top goals is strengthening families. Craig Romney along with his wife Mary, are traveling the State, stopping at Keene State College where they will continue campaining for Mitt.

Iraq war still the most important, Romney and Clinton in general election???

As the beginning of the highly condensed Presidential Primary season approaches the latest Franklin Pierce University/WBZ TV poll shows that likely voters in New Hampshire have settled on a few key candidates. Both Democratic Primary
voters and Republican Primary voters expect Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic
nomination (71% and 59%, respectively), while Mitt Romney (34%) now leads Rudy
Giuliani (25%) and John McCain (8%) within the Republican field. Many Primary voters would still prefer that the New Hampshire Primary follow the Iowa Caucus in January (50%), even as the pressures of a contracted Primary season grow. Only about one-fourth of Primary voters think that the New Hampshire Presidential Primary should be held in advance of the Iowa Caucus.

The Poll also shows that The Iraq war remains the most important issue for all likely voters, although it is more important among Democratic Primary voters. Healthcare is the second most important for Democractic Voters.

Brownback endorses McCain

Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas in an email to McCain supporters said "This morning, I flew to Iowa to join and endorse my friend, John McCain, for President of the United States. John McCain is a true American hero and I'm proud to stand with him today."

Brownback who met with Governor Mitt Romney, and Mayor Rudy Giuliani believes that Mcain, "is the only candidate who can rally the Reagan coalition of conservatives, Independents, and conservative Democrats needed to defeat Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat in the general election next year."

In the email publicly endorsing his former rival senator, Browback said, "While I respect all of the Republicans running for president this year, John McCain is the only choice to lead our country in the global fight against Islamic fundamentalism. He has the experience, the knowledge, and the courage for this fight. He alone among the candidates for President recognized years ago that our strategy in Iraq was failing and had the guts to call for change. We need that leadership in the White House."

Citing a lifetime standing up for human rights around the world, including a consistent 24 year pro-life record of protecting the rights of the unborn, Brownback said, "We do not have to abandon our principles of life, faith and family to defeat the Democrats next fall; we can stand with John McCain."

Who has filed for the Primary?

Candidates for the upcoming New Hampshire Presidential Primary Election.

Filing period- October 15, 2007 to November 2, 2007.

No date for the Primary has been announced it should be announced no later than the 10th of November.

Monday, October 15, 2007
Robert E. Haines, republican
Jack Shepard, republican

Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Thomas G. Tancredo, r

Thursday, October 18, 2007
Michael Skok, d
Mark Klein, r
Mike Huckabee, r

Friday, October 19, 2007
Sal Mohamed, d
Chris Dodd, d

Monday, October 22, 2007
H. Neal Fendig, Jr., r
Tom Koos, d
Barack Obama, d

Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Randy Crow, d
John McCain, r
Albert Howard, r
Rudolph W. Giuliani, r
Henry Hewes, d
Ron Paul, r

Wednesday, October 24,2007
Kenneth A. Capalbo, d
William C. Hughes, d

Thursday, October 25, 2007
Vern Wuensche, r
Daniel Gilbert, r

Friday, October 26, 2007
Alan Keyes, r
Dennis J. Kucinich, d

Monday, October 29, 2007
John Edwards, d
Dal LaMagna, d
Mitt Romney, r
Fred Thompson, r

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Bill Richardson, d,
Hugh Cort, r

Romney endorsed by Senator Judd Gregg

After a weekend in Washington, DC for a Media Convention hosted by the Associated Collegiate Press, I recieved an email fr0m, the Romney for President camp. The email says, Senator Judd Gregg and Kathy Gregg have both endorsed Governor Romney this morning. According to the state director Jim Merrill, Senator and Mrs. Gregg will be joining Governor and Mrs. Romney in Concord today for the Primary filing, and afterwards for a town hall meeting in Manchester.

New Hampshire Fundraising Numbers

Thanks to our buddy Cosmo over at the New Hampshire Presidential Watch... www.nh2008.blogspot.com

During the third quarter, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama raised the most money in New Hampshire. In an interesting tidbit, Obama, Romney, Paul, McCain and Giuliani were all able to raise more money than Hillary Clinton.

Below are the totals:

Republicans:

Romney $85,400
Paul $46,146
McCain $33,167
Giuliani $31,706
Huckabee $10,825
Thompson $9,450
Brownback $2,762
Tancredo $555
Hunter $60

Democrats:

Obama $125,538
Clinton $28,170
Richardson $24,745
Biden $19,500
Edwards $13,555
Dodd $3,200
Kucinich $3,035

Wife of Mitt Romney campaigns in New Hampshire

Ann Romney will be in New Hampshire over the next few days campaigning for her husband.

Tomorrow:

Hampton – afternoon tea with the Seacoast Republican Women at the Lane Memorial Library at 2:45pm

Portsmouth – for the opening of Romney for President’s Seacoast Office, Parade Mall, 195 Hanover Street, at 4:45pm

Thursday:

Tuftonboro – coffee with local residents at the Tuftonboro General Store, Rte. 109-A at 8:15am

Laconia – meeting with local residents at the Taylor Home, 435 Union Avenue, at 10:20am

Presidential Candidate Spending, Summer Quarter

REPUBLICANS

John McCain- $6 million in the past three months, with $3.6 million cash on hand.

Fred Thompson-9.3 million dollars in the past three months in his first full quarter in the Republican presidential contest.

Rudy Giuliani raised 11 million dollars

Mitt Romney raised 10 million dollars lending his campaign $8.5 million in the past three months from his personal account.

DEMOCRATS

Hillary Clinton reported raising 27 million dollars from July through September, Her total includes 22 million set aside specifically for the rimary race.

Barack Obama brought in 20 million dollars for the period, including 19 million dollars for the primary.

John Edwards- brings in 7 million dollars during the summer quarter, announcing last week he would accept public financing of his campaign during the primaries, a move that would give him an infusion of several million dollars but also would limit his spending to about 50 million during the entire primary season.

Bill Richardson- more than 5 million dollars during the last three months. That brings the total for the New Mexico governor for the year to more than 18 million dollars.

FORUM: Youth Vote and the '08 Presidential Primary

Come hear what four Presidential Primary campaign workers, from Edwards, McCain, and Romney have to say about the importance of the youth vote.

On Tuesday at 11am, inside Franklin Pierce University's Rindge New Hampshire campus, the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication will hold its weekly Tuesday Briefing Series, the public will have an opportunity to hear what the campaigns have to say about the youth vote and how it will affect the upcoming election.

Also, learn about their personal experiences and how they got involved with the campaigns.

Ask your questions and get the answers- YOUTH to YOUTH!

For more information please contact Steven Dodrill at fitzconnectdodrill@gmail.com

Ask Mitt Anything Coming to New Hampshire

According to Romney for President State Director Jim Merrill, Governor Romney is returning to New Hampshire next week – Thursday October 4th – to host a few Ask Mitt Anything town hall meetings, and they would like to invite you and your friends, families and neighbors, to come out, meet and speak with him.




Ask Mitt Anything in MANCHESTER

St. Anselm College

NH Institute of Politics Auditorium

100 Saint Anselm Drive

Manchester, NH

Guests plan to arrive at 9:45am




Ask Mitt Anything in MERRIMACK

Wheeler Memorial Chapel

590 Daniel Webster Highway

Merrimack, NH

Guests plan to arrive at 3:15pm


RSVPs are appreciated but are not required, by calling 836.0141.

Franklin Pierce University Poll: Romney Ahead

As the 2008 New Hampshire Presidential Primary approaches, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney maintains his lead over his Republican rivals, this according to a WBZ, Franklin Pierce University Poll released today.
In March, Senator John McCain and former mayor Rudy Giuliani were the early front-runners. Following the Republican debate on June 5th, Romney took the lead. Today, Romney maintains his lead with 30 percent of the vote, while Giuliani trails him with 23 percent of the vote. John McCain has now dropped to a distant third behind both candidates (14%), while the latest candidate to enter the race, Senator Fred Thompson, is well-behind the front-runners with just eight percent of the vote.

Although Romney has a modest lead, 31 percent of likely primary voters are still unsure who will win, suggesting that the Republican race remains wide open in New Hampshire.