Richardson Drops Presidential Bid

Bill Richardson says he is ending his race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

As he made the announcement, the New Mexico governor praised allof his Democratic rivals, but endorsed no one. At a New Mexico newsconference, he encouraged voters to "take a long and thoughtfullook" at all of them.

Richardson is taking his name off the ballot following poorfinishes in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Still seeking the White House on the Democratic ticket are Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, and Dennis Kucinich.

Edwards congratulated Richardson, saying he "ought to be proud of what he's done."

BREAKING NEWS: Mike Gravel in the Hospital

We have learned that former Alaskan Senator Mike Gravel is being tended too at a Veterans Hospital here in New Hampshire. Elliott Jacobson the press contact for the Gravel Campaign has confirmed that Gravel is being evaluated for possible bronchitis. Jacobson told us that he is being evaluated and todays primary plans are questionable. Jacobson believes that it comes from being overworked on the campaign trail. Gravel is 77 years old, and is a democratic candidate, his latets polling numbers in New Hampshire according to a Franklin Pierce/WBZ poll are beyond low at 0%.

Kucinich out of New Hampshire debates

Just got off the phone with a worker from the Dennis Kucinich campaign, and I was told that the Kucinich Campaign was removed from the docket for the WMUR Debates in Manchester at St. Anselm this weekend.

The Kucinich campaign was told they did not meet the standards for support that WMUR had set.

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.

Pindell: Granny D and her rotating presidential endorsement

If you are confused on whom you should support for president, you aren't the only one.

Doris "Granny D" Haddock is the symbol of the progressive left in New Hampshire. Her well-documented walk across the country for campaign finance reform made her a national name for the issue. Her quixotic campaign for the US Senate was the subject of a recent HBO movie.

So it is no surprise the the 97-year-old grandmother from Dublin, N.H. is a sought after endorsement for Democratic presidential candidates.

Last December she endorsed Mike Gravel. Then she campaigned twice with Dennis Kucinich this year. On Saturday the John Edwards campaign issued a press release announcing that she is endorsing him.

“In my 97 years, I have seen many politicians come and go,” said Granny D in the statement. “Now more than ever, we need a leader who has the courage, the backbone and the integrity to stand up to the corporations and special interests in Washington, to deliver universal health care and energy independence, to fight for the middle class, and to finally bring about public financing of our elections. John Edwards is that man, and I’m proud to support him in this campaign.”

Ron Paul competes with the TV big dogs

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republican Ron Paul launched a new ad in Iowa and New Hampshire Wednesday that highlights the Texas congressman's biography.

"Answering our country’s call, Ron Paul became a flight surgeon in the Air Force," the narrator states in the 30-second spot, titled 'Defender of Freedom.' "As a doctor, Ron Paul delivered over 4,000 babies and is a leading defender of life. In Congress, Ron Paul never voted to raise taxes, never voted for an unbalanced budget, never voted to restrict gun rights or raise congressional pay."

The ad comes a week before Iowa holds its first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, and roughly two weeks before New Hampshire voters head to the polls for the first primary of the 2008 campaign. The Texas congressman — whose libertarian message seems well-tailored for the Granite State – is registering single-digit support in most recent polls of GOP primary voters.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

McCain endorsed

McCain gets support from former presidential candidates, Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.

McCain just received endorsements in Boston and Iowa from the Globe and the Des Moines Register.

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.

McCain commercial filmed at Franklin Pierce University

This 60 second commercial being run in New Hampshire by the John McCain campaign was filmed at Franklin Pierce University prior to a town hall event on November 18, 2007.

The parts of Senator McCain speaking were filmed in a transformed Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication Television Studio.

Edwards responds to New Hampshire's announcement

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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

Huckabee Visits Franklin Pierce: Calls for Overhaul of Tax, and Healthcare Systems

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee prior to an event at Franklin Pierce University, in a Student Media Press conference talked about his latest surge in Iowa and in New Hampshire, and his support for the political process in the two states.

Huckabee talked about filing for the New Hampshire Primary, which he is doing at this hour in Concord.

Huckabee says money has taken a lot of control of government, and the press has focused on who has raised money but not enough on the ideas, and that adds credibility to the candidate with the most money.

In the press conference, Huckabee fired at Fred Thompson staying persistent with the challenge, to Thompson about holding a Lincoln Douglas Style debate.

Huckabee, in his event at Pierce, expressed his interest in overhauling the “broken tax system," and to transform the healthcare system. Huckabee proposes that under his overhauling, the IRS goes away. Huckabee believes, there is not a "healthcare crisis" but instead a "health problem," but says this can not be changed in a campaign cycle but instead in a generational cycle.

Interesting note, Huckabee a Boston Fan admires the Red Sox, but was a Yankees fan growing up. His true baseball love, is the Texas Rangers, but said they wont make the World Series in his life time. Mark Martin is Huckabee's favorite Nascar Nextel Cup driver.

To check out the entire Student Media Press Conference, CLICK HERE

The entire event at Franklin Pierce will be available soon.

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

Interesting Collections of the Day

Though they may spar across the political aisle, Vice President Dick Cheney is close enough to Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama to call him "cousin." Boston Herald Article

Democrat and presidential candidate Joe Biden says he only needs a fourth-place finish in the Iowa Caucuses to stay in the race. That's different from what he said more than a month ago. Back then, he would need to at least tie for third.
WHO TV.com Story

Tom Tancredo Tuesday became the first major presidential candidate to get his name on the primary ballot in New Hampshire. CNN Political Ticker Story

Senator John Edwards begins the second day of his two-day, nine-county "Barnstorm for Rural America" in Rock Rapids, Iowa; where he will discuss his plan to support rural firefighters. JohnEdwards.com

Someone in Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign mistakenly e-mailed a copy of working draft of a campaign document which isn't earth-shattering but still an interesting read. So onto The Swamp it goes. Featured on the SWAMP, a blog at baltimoresun.com


The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced Lee County Sheriff Michael Scott and Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson have endorsed Mayor Giuliani for President. From Team Rudy

State workers in New Mexico continue to pump money into Gov. Bill Richardson's presidential bid, giving his campaign about $78,000 during the past three months. From the Las Cruces Sun

Former US vice president Al Gore said Wednesday that his Nobel Peace Prize triumph had not altered his intention to stay out of the 2008 presidential race. From the AFP

Huckabee to File New Hampshire Primary Candidacy Papers

Wednesday October 17th

12:15 p.m. ET – Manchester, NH – Speaks at the Primary Insight Presidential Candidate Forum. Devine Millimet, 111 Amherst Street. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

2:15 p.m. ET – Nashua, NH – Tours BAE Systems and meets with employees. 95 Canal Street. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

5:45 p.m. ET – Manchester, NH – Speaks at AARP-NH Divided We Fail Issues Forum. Executive Court Banquet Facility, 1199 South Mammoth Road. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

7:30 p.m. ET – Nashua, NH – Participates in live interview by Myron Kandel of The Initiative for Corporate Responsibility with live audience for broadcast by New Hampshire Public Television. Daniel Webster College, Collings Auditorium, 20 University Drive. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

7:30 a.m. ET – Rindge, NH – Speaks at Jaffrey Rindge Rotary. Franklin Pierce College, Hampshire Room in the Emily Flint Campus Center Building, 20 College Road. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

9:00 a.m. ET – Rindge, NH – Speaks at Franklin Pierce College. Pierce Hall, 20 College Road. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

11:00 a.m. ET – Peterborough, NH – Makes campaign stop at the Peterborough Diner. 10 Depot Square, Peterborough. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

4:00 p.m. ET – Concord, NH – Files candidacy papers at Secretary of State’s Office. State House, Room 204, North Main Street. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

4:45 p.m. ET – Concord, NH – Attends reception at Huckabee Campaign Office. 143 North Main Street, Suite 103. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

6:45 p.m. ET – Amherst, NH – Makes campaign stop at Republican Party Fundraising event at the home of Rep. Steve Stepanek. 1 Colonel Wilkins Road. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

Friday, October 19, 2007

8:00 a.m. ET – Bedford, NH – Speaks at Politics and Eggs event at the Bedford Village Inn, 2 Olde Bedford Way. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

10:00 a.m. ET – Concord, NH – Plays with Concord High School jazz band and speaks to students. 170 Warren Street. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

2:00 p.m. ET – Manchester, NH – Participates in WMUR Commitment 2008 Candidate Café. Merrimack Restaurant, 786 Elm Street. (Closed Press)

6:30 p.m. ET – Whitefield, NH – Speaks at The Androscoggin Valley Republican Committee Ronald Reagan Dinner. Mountain View Grand Resort, Mountain View Road. Contact: Debra Vanderbeek, Tel: 603-986-9145.

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.