Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Rising Republican Stars

Thanks to folks at PolickerNH.com, who had some nice things to say about me this morning:
Grant Bosse: Bosse might have finished fourth in a four-way Republican primary in the 2nd Congressional District, but Bosse redeemed himself by skillfully managing Bill Denley's State Senate campaign. In addition, Bosse's work with the Josiah Bartlett Center will serve as talking points for Republican legislators.


They'll be doing their year-end lists all week, and started with the Top Ten (actually 11) Rising Republican Stars, and I appreciate the mention. It's a great list, and shows that the GOP has a lot of talent on tap. You can read the entire list here.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

The Future of the NH GOP

Former Governor John Sununu and State Republican Chairman Fergus Cullen joined Sean McDonald this morning on WMUR's Close-Up to discuss the future of the New Hampshire Republican Party:

Part I:


Part II:


Part III:


Part IV:

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Yes, Virginia...

The Union Leader publishes my favorite column of the year:

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following editorial, among the most famous ever written, appeared in The New York Sun in 1897 and remains appropriate for this Christmas season 111 years later.

We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:

Dear Editor: I am 8 years old.

Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun it's so." Please tell me the truth: Is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O'Hanlon.

115 West Ninety-Fifth Street

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except (what) they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal life with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world, which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Friday, December 19, 2008

President Bush and the Horrible, Awful, Really Bad Idea

Awful, awful, awful decision:

The White House announced a $17.4 billion rescue package for the troubled Detroit auto makers that allows them to avoid bankruptcy and leaves many of the big decisions for the incoming Obama administration.

Speaking from the White House, President George W. Bush said the administration decided against forcing a bankruptcy to compel cost-cutting, in order to avoid the risk that consumers would desert one or more of the companies and touch off an industry collapse, deepening the current economic downturn.

Good for Ford for passing up the cash with strings attached, and good for Senator Gregg:
"The Administration's decision to use funds from TARP as a bridge loan to the auto companies to stave off bankruptcy is inconsistent with the purposes of TARP. These funds were not authorized by Congress for non-financial companies in distress, but were to be used to restore liquidity and stability in the overall financial system of the country and to help prevent fundamental systemic risks in the global marketplace."

Heeere's Reggie! Cap and Trade comes to New Hampshire

New Hampshire has netted $4 million by selling the right to emit carbon dioxide. Read all about it over at NHWatchdog.

Also, here is a great resource for all of your questions about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Making a bad idea worse

Bailing out automakers for their bad decisions in a bad idea. Putting the federal government in charge of them is even worse.
Congressional Democrats and the White House worked to resolve their last disputes Monday over terms of a $15 billion bailout for U.S. auto makers - complete with a "car czar" to oversee the industry's reinvention of itself - that's expected to come to a vote as early as Wednesday.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Cullen Stepping Down; Sununu Stepping Up

New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Fergus Cullen will not be seeking a second term following Governor John H. Sununu's decision to seek the post. Fergus is a friend of mine going back to high school, and I'm a fan.

The Party Chair is a truly thankless job. The State Party has never won an election, and gets the blame for every loss. In New Hampshire, it's a volunteer position. Fergus worked hard in an awful year for the GOP. He could have done better, and could have done worse. I want to thank him for her service to the party, and hope he stays involved.

Right to Carry in National Parks

This seems like good news.
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), through the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has announced the final amended version of its changes to rules on carrying of firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges. DOI’s move will restore the rights of law-abiding gun owners who wish to transport and carry firearms for lawful purposes on most DOI lands, and will make federal law consistent with the state law in which these public lands are located. NRA led the effort to amend the existing policy regarding the carrying and transportation of firearms on these federal lands.
I spoke extensively about the right to carry in National Parks on the campaign trail, and am glad that this right has been restored. Let's hope the Obama Administration decides not to go to the trouble of reversing this sensible and overdue decisions.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Organization Day in the NH

The House and Senate met today to take their oaths, and elect officers.

Check out all the day's events at NHWatchdog, including a brief profile of 17-term Secretary of State Bill Gardner.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Budget Cuts and Gas Tax Increases

This morning at NH Watchdog:

How deep are the Governor's proposed budget cuts, and should New Hampshire tap the Rainy Day Fund?

Will New Hampshire will increase its gas tax?

Should the Executive Council give up its oversight over low-dollar state contracts?

Monday, November 24, 2008

GrokCast

Here's the podcast from my Saturday appearance on Meet the New Press with Doug and Skip from Granite Grok.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

On the air

I'm in studio with Doug and Skip on Meet the New Press this morning at 9am.
We were pleased both for our friend Grant, who we enthusiastically endorsed in the NH 2nd CD Republican primary, and for the Josiah Bartlett Center, an excellent Granite State public policy think tank. Grant will join us in the studio to discuss his new position, Governor Lynch's budget cuts in Concord (yep-- they all made fun of Joe Kenney for his cell phone usage reduction to save $$ and, guess what?!) and proposed budget requests for next year. What's a couple billion dollars more among friends?

Friday, November 21, 2008

Deal With It

Sarah Palin doe the whole pardon-a-turkey thing.
TV cameras interview her.
Turkeys are killed.
HuffPo freaks.
After the pardon Palin proceeded to do an interview with a local TV station while the turkeys were being SLAUGHTERED in the background!! Seemingly oblivious to the gruesomeness going on over her shoulder, she carries on talking for over three minutes.

Ann Althouse has the only proper response.
Deal with it, you candy-asses. If you eat meat, something like that is going on in the background for you too.


Oh well, I guess this is what's going to make news while we wait for the 3rd Clinton Inaugural in January. Enjoy your tasty, no-longer alive, turkey next week.

TWO BILLION DOLLARS

I feel like Doctor Evil. The annual kabuke theater of state agency budget requests kicked off this afternoon, and by the end of the biennium, our bureaucrats are asking for over $2 trillion a year in General Fund spending. That would be a record.

Thanks Wally

Thanks to the folks at PolitickerNH, who seem to think I'm a good fit at the Bartlett Center.

Winners and Losers

Winners

Grant Bosse

Policy wonk lands on his feet at the Bartlett Center. About as good of a fit as you could dream up.


Of course, I was on their Winners List a lot during the Primary, and we all saw where that got me.

Budget Cuts

Governor Lynch is proposing roughly $56 million in budget cuts to the Fiscal Committee.

I'll be covering the hearing at NHWatchdog.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Lynch proposing limited cuts to budget

Read about the Governor's proposed budget cuts at my new blog, NH Watchdog.

Sununu Against Auto Bailout

In the morning's Union Leader, our outgoing Senator nails why the currently proposed bailout in an awful idea:

It is simply not the role or the responsibility of government to provide subsidies, support or special benefits to specific businesses. Using government funds for such purposes is unfair to taxpayers, especially those working for businesses that are left out. Instead, the government's role should be to create the best possible environment for investment, job creation and economic growth, and then to let businesses compete for customers on a level playing field.

Government subsidies for the auto manufacturers or any other business also create a moral hazard -- the significant risk that bad behavior and investments will only be encouraged in the future. We have seen the very real implications of moral hazard in the spectacular failures of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Senator Sununu's support of the Wall Street bailout package was both bad policy and bad politics, though not enough to have changed the outcome of his race. Glad to see he's making such a clear case against this latest incarnation.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Where was this in October?

Okay, the toxic atmosphere of the Bush Presidency probably wasn't going to allow a Republican victory in 2008, but jumping feet first into socialism certainly didn't help. Today, Mitt Romney finds the message that the GOP should have adopted at the beginning of the Wall Street Meltdown:

IF General Motors, Ford and Chrysler get the bailout that their chief executives asked for yesterday, you can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye. It won’t go overnight, but its demise will be virtually guaranteed.

Without that bailout, Detroit will need to drastically restructure itself. With it, the automakers will stay the course — the suicidal course of declining market shares, insurmountable labor and retiree burdens, technology atrophy, product inferiority and never-ending job losses. Detroit needs a turnaround, not a check.
This is the New York Times, which may require a password to access.

Forget next election, worry about now

In this morning's Union Leader, Charlie Arlinghaus reminds us that there's something between the last election and the next one, governing:

In New Hampshire, we face a significant budget crisis, perhaps the greatest in recent history. Partisans on all sides will be tempted to look ahead to the next election. They need to avoid that temptation and follow Gov. Palin's advice to focus on the task at hand, the job they were elected to do.

In doing that job, they can focus on principle or abandon principle in search of some mythic consensus or middle ground. Lamar Alexander suggests action based on principle.

Voters elect people to represent them. We expect each to do the right thing, to adopt policies he or she believes will be effective and to accomplish something. Sometimes a policy choice might achieve consensus or something close to it. However, consensus is necessarily rare. If it weren't, it would be because there were no policy differences and elections wouldn't matter.

Out in Alaska

Ted Stevens will not be returning to the U.S. Senate. He lost his re-election bid to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. I don't know Begich at all, but I do know Stevens, and it was past time for him to go.

Ted Stevens has led an amazing life, including distinguished service in WWII, as a U.S. attorney, and possibly the man most responsible for Alaska's statehood. He is the longest serving Republican in Senate history, and it was past time for his to go.

Pork-barrel politics is toxic to American democracy. Politically, it is especially poisonous to Republicans. Stevens was a staunch defender of earmarking, believing it was his responsibility to bring back federal money to his constituents. His recent conviction on seven counts of failing to disclose gifts was marred by prosecutorial misconduct, and will likely be overturned on appeal. But Stevens' casual comfort exchanging favors with those lobbying his Senate Committee was disturbing enough, even if it were legal.

As a Republican, I'm not thrilled that the Senate will have someone who by all appearances will be nothing more than another rubber-stamp for Majority Leader Harry Reid. But I also see an opportunity to bring the Republican Party back to its core values. Tom Delay destroyed the Republican Caucus in the House, and he's gone. Ted Stevens was the King of Pork, and he's leaving. The GOP needs new leadership in Washington to end earmarking, hold the Democrats accountable for their shady tactics and failed policies, and present an agenda of smaller, more responsible government to the American people.

I'm sad today for Ted Stevens. He has served his country and his state for longer than most of us have been alive. But his way of doing things was long past over, and I'm not sad to see him go.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Politics, taxes, and gambling

Some more of this morning's guests from WGIR Morning News.

James Pindell of PolitickerNH.com on Republican leadership in the House and Senate.

Mike Biundo
of the NH Advantage Coalition on the Manchester Tax Cap.

Lauren Dorgan of the Concord Monitor on whether this is the year for casino gambling in New Hampshire.

Jim Rubens and Lou D'Allesandro on the pros and cons of slot machines.

Michael Yon live from Kuwait

Michael Yon called in from Kuwait to discuss his ongoing efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Good news in Iraq; sobering news from Afghanistan. Listen to the entire interview at WGIRam.com.

Pick up the best book I've read all year at Amazon.com.

And check out Michael's latest dispatched at PajamasMedia.com.

On the Air

I'm filling in again for Charlie Sherman on WGIR this morning.
Scheduled to appear:
6am
Michael Yon, live from Iraq.

7am
James Pindell of PolitickerNH.com
Monarchs Coach Mark Morris

8am
Mike Biundo of the NH Advantage Coalition

8:30am
We'll talk about gambling in New Hampshire, based on a story in yesterday's Concord Monitor:
Lauren Dorgan of the Concord Monitor
Jim Rubens from the NH Coalition Against Expanded Gambling
Senator Lou D'Allesandro, a strong supporter of slot machines at NH tracks.

Call in at (603) 645-6161 or tune in live at wgiram.com

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Gambling in NH?

As legislators scramble to fix the budget mess they created, they might turn to expanded gambling to generate free money. Lauren Dorgan takes an extensive look at the chances of slot machines coming to New Hampshire next year in this morning's Concord Monitor:

The pro-gambling case has made inroads in the House and Senate over the past year. Last spring, a slot machine bill narrowly failed in the Senate; this fall, the House Ways and Means Committee voted 9-8 to recommend a bill to expand gambling. That's a tremendous change, said Jim Demers, a lobbyist who represents Millennium Gaming, the Las Vegas-based company that wants to install slot machines at Salem's Rockingham Park, a horse and dog racetrack.

"I think the actions of the House Ways and Means Committee, which is not considered an extremely pro-gambling committee, speaks volumes to the concerns legislators have as to how to deal with the budgetary process," Demers said.

We'll talk to Lauren tomorrow morning on the WGIR Morning News, where I'll be filling in for Charlie Sherman.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

No Recount in District 3

Judge Bud Martin has withdrawn his recount request in District 3. Bill Denley is the Senator-Elect.

Congratulations, Senator Denley.

Speaking Out: Four Years Later

After four years without leadership, someone is finally starting to hold John Lynch accountable for his popular but directionless reign as Governor:
John Lynch is "the worst governor the state has ever had," former Gov. John H. Sununu told members of the Seacoast Federated Republican Women meeting yesterday in Portsmouth.

Later, explaining his opinion to a reporter, Sununu cited a $250 million state budget deficit; what he called the erosion of family values in the last legislative session; and Lynch's failure to persuade lawmakers from his own party to vote for his constitutional amendment on education.

"A deficit that size is huge and makes it impossible to do anything else worthwhile," Sununu said. "The deficit and the education issue are the two biggest issues in New Hampshire."

Lynch has never shown real leadership, has repeatedly been streamrolled by the extreme spenders in his own party, and has consistantly avoided making any decision that might risk his own popularity. I'm glad Governor Sununu is addressing New Hampshire's mounting financial trainwreck head-on, and John Lynch is driving the train.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Best of WGIR

Here are some of the best interviews from my three-day stint filling in for Charlie Sherman on the WGIR Morning News.

Doug and Skip of Granite Grok.

Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta

House Speaker Terie Norelli

Bond. And more Bond. Maybe I'll post a review of Quantum of Solace.

Jim Merrill, who wants to draft John Sununu for the RNC.

Newly elected Senate Minority Leader Peter Bragdon.

Back on the air Monday morning at 6am, with Michael Yon.

Victory is Mine!

Getting results in Manchester!


Yesterday was James Bond Day in Manchester. Thank you, Mayor Guinta.

UPDATE: Roger Ebert isn't thrilled. His review seems to long for the days of Roger Moore and underwater cars. Yikes!

Back to blogging

Okay, sorry about that whole two month absence.

I promised to keep blogging after the Primary, but as I was helping Bill Denley win a State Senate seat in Wolfeboro, I was a little busy.

Plus, I didn't want anything stupid I said to hurt his chances. Needless to say, I'm thrilled that Bill held off Bud Martin in District 3. Judge Martin seems like a good guy, and I certainly salute his service to New Hampshire for 30 years on the bench.

But he has no modesty at all about the role of government. At one debate, he actually gave a closing statement saying how he "wants to take care of you." Yikes!
Bill Denley is an experienced businessman, a distinguished veteran, a former school board member and State Rep. Now, he'll be an outstanding Senator.

So, I'll be back to posting. I welcome your comments and emails.

Grant

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Burning Down the House

I hadn't planned to post this video, as I'd seen it on a lot of other sites. They I learned that Time Warner and YouTube pulled the video. I guess the Democrats don't want people to learn from history. See for yourself:

Monday, September 22, 2008

Fanning the Flames at Fannie

Gee, let's help people buy homes. What a great idea:
In a move that could help increase home ownership rates among minorities and low-income consumers, the Fannie Mae Corporation is easing the credit requirements on loans that it will purchase from banks and other lenders.

The action, which will begin as a pilot program involving 24 banks in 15 markets -- including the New York metropolitan region -- will encourage those banks to extend home mortgages to individuals whose credit is generally not good enough to qualify for conventional loans. Fannie Mae officials say they hope to make it a nationwide program by next spring.

However, this might not work out well:
In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending, Fannie Mae is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in the 1980's.

This is from the New York Times, in 1999.

John Sununu has been warning that mismanagement and social engineering at Fannie Mae could have disastrous results on the American economy. John Sununu was right.

Monday, September 15, 2008

On the Air

I'm guest hosting this week on WNTK's "Wake Up New Hampshire" from 6:00am to 9:00 Monday through Thursday. You can listen online at WNTK.com.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Stay Classy, San Diego

Barack Obama, continuing his campaign's spiral, is now mocking John McCain for not being able to send email. This is of course a not-so-subtle slap at McCain's age, but the real reason why McCain can't send email is that the Viet Cong limited his ability to type on a keyboard:

Yep. The day after 9/11, as part of its "get tough" makeover, the Obama campaign is mocking John McCain for not using a computer, without caring why he doesn't use a computer. From the AP story about the computer illiterate ad:

"Our economy wouldn't survive without the Internet, and cyber-security continues to represent one our most serious national security threats," [Obama spokesman Dan] Pfeiffer said. "It's extraordinary that someone who wants to be our president and our commander in chief doesn't know how to send an e-mail."

Well, I guess it depends on what you mean by "extraordinary." The reason he doesn't send email is that he can't use a keyboard because of the relentless beatings he received from the Viet Cong in service to our country. From the Boston Globe (March 4, 2000):

McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain's encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He's an avid fan - Ted Williams is his hero - but he can't raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball.

In a similar vein I guess it's an outrage that the blind governor of New York David Paterson doesn't know how to drive a car. After all, transportation issues are pretty important. How dare he serve as governor while being ignorant of what it's like to navigate New York's highways.


Hattip: Powerline

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Never Forget

Seven years ago today.
Doug at Granite Grok posts a helpful reminder.

Palin Derangement Syndrome

One of the odd similarities between Bill Clinton and George W. Bush is their ability to drive their opponents starking, raving mad. It appears that Sarah Palin is having a similar effect, not only on radical Code Pinkers, but on the core of the Democratic establishment and on Barack Obama himself.

Consider:

* Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen compares Obama to Jesus Christ, while mentioning that Pontius Pilate was a Governor.
* South Carolina Democratic Chairwoman Carol Fowler says that Governor Palin's "primary qualification seems to be that she hasn’t had an abortion."
* And Obama himself breaks out the "lipstick on a pig" line without either knowing or caring that it would be taken as an obvious personal slap at Governor Palin.

And that was just this week. Sarah Palin has simply sent them off the deep end. They can't get their heads around a young, conservative, female Governor who has connected so quickly and so well with the mood of the American people, and it's sent them around the bend. I hereby christen the phrase "Palin Derangement Syndrome" to describe anytime attacks on Governor Sarah Palin reveal that her attackers have lost the minds.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Thank you

Thank you. It was an honor and a privilege to seek the Republican nomination in New Hampshire's Second Congressional District. Thank you to everyone who lent me their encouragement and support. Last night's results showed that we were simply not able to communicate our message of smaller government and personal responsibility to the voters of New Hampshire. I remain convinced that it is still the right message for the Republican Party, and I will work as hard as ever over the next eight weeks to help spread that message for John McCain, Sarah Palin, John Sununu, Joe Kenney, Jennifer Horn and our entire Republican ticket.

Throughout this campaign, I've insisted on providing the voters with real ideas on national security, border security, and economic security. I've provided 50 ways to cut the federal budget. And I've nearly driven my poor car into the ground criss-crossing New Hampshire from Pelham to Pittsburg. I've proud of our campaign, and glad for the chance to share my priorities for this nation with old friends and new.

Please join me at our Unity Breakfast Friday morning at 7:30 at the Yard in Manchester to support our Republican team. And please keep informed and involved over the next eight weeks as we work to secure New Hampshire's crucial four electoral votes for John McCain and Sarak Palin, re-elect Senator John Sununu, and replace the free-spending Democratic machine with our low-tax, low-spending Republican team.

Thank you and God Bless,
Grant Bosse

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Polls are Open

Get out and vote.
Please vote Bosse for Congress!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Bosse Keeps $30 Billion Promise

Conservative Candidate Shows Unmatched Commitment to Cutting Spending

(Concord) Republican Congressional candidate Grant Bosse today completed his groundbreaking “50 Days, 50 Ways to Cut Federal Spending” Initiative, calling for the elimination of the Advanced Technology Program. Over the past 50 days, Bosse has proposed a cut in federal spending every day, showing a commitment to fiscal discipline unmatched by his rivals. Overall, Bosse has proposed over $30 billion in annual savings for taxpayers.

“In the Republican Primary, three candidates are asking voters to trust them to cut federal spending if they get elected. I’m the only candidate willing to tell voters where I would do it,” Bosse said. “If we want to rebuild the Taxpayer Majority upon which the Republican Party is based, we need to give voters more than empty promises.”

The Advanced Technology Program is a poster child for corporate welfare in Congress. It provides $139 million each year in taxpayer subsidies for companies to bring new products to market. After receiving federal money, these companies then profit from their new products, but do not refund taxpayers for their investment. Bosse has made such corporate giveaways a target of his “50 Days, 50 Ways” Initiative, along with pork-barrel projects and federal programs that can not show any results.

“Voters get to choose the direction of the Republican Party at the polls when they pick the candidate to take on Paul Hodes in November,” Bosse concluded. “We can stick with earmarks and empty promises, or we can make a real commitment to cutting federal spending. I’m the only candidate who can be trusted to cut spending in Washington.”

"50 Days, 50 Ways to Cut Federal Spending" proposed a grand total of $30,106,500,000 in taxpayer savings by eliminating unnecessary federal programs. Bosse's opponents combined to offer $0 in taxpayer savings. To learn more about Bosse’s aggressive grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

Obama on Guns

From the Wall Street Journal:
“If you’ve got a gun in your house, I’m not taking it,’’ Obama said. But the Illinois senator could still see skeptics in the crowd, particularly on the faces of several men at the back of the room.

So he tried again. “Even if I want to take them away, I don’t have the votes in Congress,’’ he said. “This can’t be the reason not to vote for me. Can everyone hear me in the back? I see a couple of sportsmen back there. I’m not going to take away your guns.’’


“Even if I want to take them away, I don’t have the votes in Congress,’’

Let's keep it that way.
Vote Bosse for Congress tomorrow!

From the Nashua Telegraph

Reporter Al McKeon summarizes the Second District race in the Nashua Telegraph:
Far-reaching differences are rare, but memorable. For instance, the candidates have sparred over earmarks, the controversial process in which members of Congress secure spending for pet projects, usually in their home states.

Clegg said he doesn't oppose earmarks – differing from Bosse, Horn and Steiner – but rather, wants them approved through individual floor votes to ensure transparency. Horn, particularly, has used Clegg's remarks as a platform to stand out on government spending, saying he doesn't "understand the problem."

Meanwhile, Bosse has criticized Horn for saying she opposes all earmarks despite recently showing limited support for the process in a recent Concord Monitor interview. As a campaign theme, Bosse has told voters that if they expect money from earmarking, they shouldn't cast a ballot for him.

Bosse, a former environmental and energy policy aide for Sen. John Sununu, touts that he has the most detail-oriented plans for the 2nd District. For example, the 35-year-old Hillsboro resident offers a list of 50 federal programs he'd like to cut, including public television and milk subsidies.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

From Granite Grok

Grant joined the Granite Grok guys on the air this weekend. You can listen online.

From the Valley News

Reporter John Gregg takes a look at the race in today's Valley News:
All four major candidates have supported the troop surge in Iraq and expanded drilling for oil in U.S. territory, and oppose abortion rights.

But they also have sparred on some measures, led in part by an aggressive campaign by the 36-year-old Bosse to draw distinctions in the race.

A 1994 Dartmouth graduate who later served as program director for WTSL radio in Lebanon, Bosse has worked in the Statehouse in Concord and most recently as an aide to U.S. Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H, on Capitol Hill.

He has issued a “50-way” plan to cut federal spending, including ending 54-cent a gallon ethanol subsidies; criticized a state law pushed by Clegg that requires insurers to cover bariatric surgery as “big government” health care; and questioned Horn's commitment to the rights of gun owners. (Clegg, Bosse and Steiner in the debate Thursday all said they owned a gun.)

Bosse, who is single, said his detailed plans set him apart from the other candidates.

“I think it's a willingness to provide a greater level of detail to provide real plans and real solutions rather than just talking points,” he said in a recent telephone interview. “I've been a consistent champion of smaller government and more personal responsibility.”

Bosse's thorough stands earned him the primary endorsement from the Concord Monitor, and his local Republican backers include former state Rep. Terri Dudley, a Lebanon city councilor who also worked with Bosse at WTSL.

“I've always been impressed with his intellect. He thinks things through very carefully,” Dudley said.

From the Concord Monitor

Reporter Melanie Asmar recaps the Second Congressional District Primary:
Bosse, 36, of Hillsboro, left a job in Sen. John Sununu's office to run for Congress. He has portrayed himself as a fiscal conservative who wants to reduce the size of government. Fifty days before the primary, he began a campaign to each day name one federal budget item he'd cut. The programs on Bosse's chopping block included the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and ethanol subsidies.

The Monitor endorsed Bosse, as did the conservative New Hampshire website, GraniteGrok.

See Grant Bosse on WMUR

Grant will follow-up his superior performance in the WMUR/New Hampshire Union Leader Granite State Debates with an appearance on WMUR's Close-Up this morning at 10 AM. See Grant deliver his superior conservative message, then encourage everyone you know to vote Grant Bosse for Congress on Tuesday.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Bosse Approaches $30 Billion Goal

“50 Days, 50 Ways” Holds Fannie and Freddie Accountable

(Keene) Republican Grant Bosse today proposed two key reforms that would save taxpayers more than $2 billion a year, and improve the performance of Government Sponsored Enterprises such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These two institutions, along with Farmer Mac and the Federal Home Loan Bank System, operate as private for-profit businesses when times are good, but often hit taxpayers for costly bailouts when they are managed poorly.

“Fannie Mae helped fuel the housing bubble and the mortgage crisis. It bought risky loans from local banks, encouraging banks to make even riskier loans,” Bosse said. “It’s time we let taxpayers off the hook for the bad decisions of GSE’s.”

Bosse would require all four GSE’s to register with the Security and Exchange Commission and pay the same fees as their private sector rivals. These latest proposals are the 48th and 49th of his innovative “50 Days, 50 Ways to Cut Federal Spending” Initiative, and bring the total amount of taxpayer savings proposed to $29.9 billion a year.

“When I launched this effort seven weeks ago, I promised at least $20 billion in savings. By Election Day on Tuesday, we’ll pass $30 billion,” Bosse added. “That’s $30 billion more than any of my Republican opponents are offering, and a great start towards balancing our federal budget once and for all.”

To date, Bosse has proposed more than $29.9 billion in taxpayer savings by eliminating unnecessary federal programs. Bosse's opponents have combined to offer $0 in taxpayer savings during the campaign. To learn more about Bosse’s aggressive grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

Horn Busted on Oil Drilling

The Associated Press has busted Jennifer Horn's claim that she has pushed for expanded oil drilling since the start of her campaign.

The candidates also have sparred on the issues, with Bosse criticizing Clegg's "big government health care mandates" and Horn's "lack of details and commitment" on energy policy and other issues. In a televised debate Thursday involving all but L'Eplattenier, Bosse claimed to have set out his plan calling for more U.S. oil drilling, refineries and nuclear plants ahead of his rivals and accused Horn of arriving late to the same conclusions.

"Now she's in favor of drilling and I applaud that, but we need real leadership from people who don't wait for gas to hit $3.50 or $5 a gallon before they decide we need to put American resources in American gas tanks," said Bosse, 36, of Hillsboro.

Horn, 44, of Nashua, insisted she has been clear about supporting drilling as a part of achieving energy independence and referred to her first press release, which says only that she would "work with Democrats and Republicans to develop a long-term energy solution that makes sense and actually helps working families." In June, she issued another release saying she supported lifting the ban on new offshore drilling.


Horn says it herself at the Concord City Republican Committee meeting in February...

Friday, September 5, 2008

Another Milestone- 500 Posts

30,000 miles on the campaign vehicle.

$30 billion in specific spending cuts.

The only candidate to offer a Comprehensive Energy Plan, Comprehensive Health Care Plan, Franking Reform Plan, and Comprehensive National Security Plan.

The only candidate to take the "No Earmarks Pledge" and the "Taxpayer Protection Pledge"

And now 500 posts on the campaign blog, giving voters more information than any Congressional campaign in New Hampshire history.

On Tuesday, Vote Bosse for Congress.

Bosse $28 Billion Ahead of Rivals

“50 Days, 50 Ways” Targets Export-Import Bank

(Salem) While his rival candidates refuse to say where they would cut the federal budget, Republican Grant Bosse continues to groundbreaking assault on wasteful federal spending. Bosse today unveiled the 47th federal program he would cut, the Export-Import Bank. With just four days until the September 9th Republican Primary, Bosse has proposed nearly $28 billion in annual savings to taxpayers. Bosse’s opponents have combined to offer $0 in taxpayer savings.

“Last night, four Republican candidates said how important it was to cut federal spending, but only one dared say how,” Bosse said. “How can taxpayers trust a candidate who says we need to cut the budget if they can’t offer a single program they would eliminate?”

Bosse would cut the $100 million annual subsidy to the Export-Import Bank, which provides financing for American firms looking to ship their products overseas. Similar financing is available through private banks, without putting taxpayers on the hook for private businesses.

“We have to stop providing taxpayer subsidies to businesses with connections in Congress,” Bosse added. “If we can’t stand up against corporate welfare, we’ll never be able to get control of federal spending. I’m willing to take that stand. My opponents aren’t.”

Bosse proposed his latest cut following his address to the Salem Rotary Club. To date, Bosse has proposed more than $27.8 billion in taxpayer savings by eliminating unnecessary federal programs. To learn more about Bosse’s aggressive grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

Debate Highlights

WMUR has posted video highlights of last night's Granite State Debate.

Jim Steiner asks Grant about his experience supervising employees.

Grant asks Jennifer Horn what experience disqualifies him to serve his neighbors in Congress. She can't say, but thinks that working for John Sununu makes Grant part of the problem.

The candidates who their commitment, or lack thereof, to protecting the Second Amendment.

Grant is asked about a mistake he's made, and what he learned from it.

The WMUR website is having some trouble loading the videos, but they should be streaming smoothly soon.

Contempt for Taxpayers

The City Council of Concord has joined their counterparts in Manchester is showing contempt for taxpayers:
Concord city councilors voted last night not to place a proposed tax cap on the November ballot. Instead, councilors decided to postpone action on the matter until officials in the attorney general's office, the secretary of state's office and the Department of Revenue Administration decide whether the language in the proposed tax cap conforms with state law.

The council's decision means that, if those state officials deem the language valid, the city would have to hold a special election on the proposed tax cap.

Putting the Tax Cap on the November ballot would give the largest and fairest representation of voter opinion, and would hold City Councilors accountable to the will of those voters. Apparently, Councilors in both Concord and Manchester would rather be subject to such restrictions. They know better than us, after all.

Postponing the Tax Cap referendum is a naked attempt to undermine its chances, pushing such a vital question to a low-turnout special election where city employees can be counted on to vote for higher spending, while taxpayers are at work.

Jennifer Horn Distorting Own Record

Hiding from past statements on gun control, energy

(Manchester) Republican Grant Bosse has pointed out inconsistencies in Jennifer Horn's record on gun control and energy at tonight's Granite State Debates, sponsored by WMUR and the New Hampshire Union Leader. Horn has made numerous statements showing her weakness on Second Amendment, and failure to support expanded drilling at the start of her campaign. When pressed on these issues, Horn denied these statements, and accused Bosse of lying. Consider Horn's record:

Horn described herself as a conservative Republican but said she is more moderate in supporting civil unions for same-sex couples and favoring “common-sense restrictions to protect kids from guns.”

- The Politico, January 16, 2008

“Uncomfortable with guns and skittish around horses, I am not sure where I would have fit in the Old West world of the American cowboy, but I feel the spirit stir within me all the same.”

- Jennifer Horn, Nashua Telegraph, March 11, 2007

“This election isn’t about gay marriage and guns.”

- Horn campaign statement, Concord Monitor, August 25, 2008

“D” Rating, “Expected to always vote against gun owners’ civil rights”

- New Hampshire Firearms Coalition, August 31, 2008

Horn claims she has supported drilling since "before the start of her campaign", but at a Concord City Republican Committee meeting in February, Horn said she was unsure, but "open" to learning more about it. Video of this statement can be found here.

In May, the Horn campaign issued a press release advocating more Congressional hearings on gas prices, but failed to advocate increased drilling. That press release can be found here.

"Jennifer Horn is on the record in favor of gun control, and undecided on drilling," said Bosse. "Jennifer Horn can't hide behind her inconsistent record, and needs to stop attacking people who point it out."

For more information on Bosse's campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Bosse Outlines Clear, Conservative Message at Granite State Debate

"Stop spending, start drilling, get government out of the way"

(Manchester) Republican Grant Bosse outlined a clear and consistent conservative message at this evening's Granite State Debate, sponsored by WMUR and the New Hampshire Union Leader. Bosse highlighted his unmatched commitment to cutting federal spending, and his leadership in calling for domestic drilling and energy independence.

I'm proud to have delivered the clearest, most consistent, most conservative message throughout this campaign," Bosse said. Asked about how to revive the American economy, Bosse added "before Congress puts its foot on the gas, it has to take its foot off the brake."

Once again, Bosse was the only candidate to provide specific spending cuts, offering "50 Days, 50 Ways to Cut Federal Spending". This ground-breaking initiative will offer $30 billion a year in annual taxpayer savings. For the third consecutive debate, Bosse's opponents combined to offer $0 in taxpayer savings.

"Before we can win back Congress we have to win back the Republican Party," Bosse continued. "Stop spending, start drilling, get government out of the way."

For more information on Bosse's superior grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

Sarah Palin- See It Again

I'm still jazzed from Sarah Palin's remarkable speech last night at the Republican National Convention. In case you'd like to see it again, check below.

And be sure to tune in to the Granite State Debate tonight at 9 on WMUR.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

Why are Taxpayers Funding Foreclosures?

Bosse Stands Up Against Congressional Slush Fund


(Hillsboro) Republican Grant Bosse today called for repeal of the Community Development Block Grant program, which is paying local communities to foreclose on homeowners in financial difficulty. Bosse is adding the nearly $5 billion dollar program to his list of 50 specific federal programs he would eliminate. Bosse's ground-breaking "50 Days, 50 Ways to Cut Federal Spending" initiative has now proposed well more than $27 billion in taxpayer savings.

“Paul Hodes has added $4 billion to this program, to help local politicians buy foreclosed properties,” Bosse said. “That means that banks who made bad loans have less incentive to work with homeowners, and every incentive to sell these properties to big city politicians.”

The Community Development Block Grant programs send out $4.9 billion a year on Congressionally-directed programs, feathering the nests of Congressmen’s local political allies. Bosse would favor a competitive process for any federal development assistance, and take local development decisions out of the hands of Congress.

“Some very worthy projects have received funding under this program over the years. But even a stopped clock is right twice a day,” Bosse added. “Instead of letting Paul Hodes control a $5 billion annual slush fund, let’s leave local development decisions to our cities and towns, and stop subsidizing foreclosures.”

To date, Bosse has proposed more than $27.6 billion in taxpayer savings by eliminating unnecessary federal programs. Bosse’s opponents have combined to offer $0. To learn more about Bosse’s aggressive grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

From the Eagle Times

Steve Smith from Charlestown writes in the Claremont Eagle Times about why Grant Bosse has earned your vote in Tuesday's Republican primary.

We always tend to get swept up in campaign rhetoric and "message". It has become an art form, that few actually understand. All the candidates would like to improve health care and reduce taxes... but how?

Fortunately for us regular people, there is one clear choice in the District 2 Congressional race. Grant Bosse was the first of the five candidates to publish a detailed energy policy. He put his five years of experience writing policy for Senator Sununu to good use. Grant Bosse was the first candidate to unveil a detailed health care plan.

Most importantly, while other candidates talk in broad strokes about the concepts they believe in, and the things they'd like to accomplish, Grant Bosse has already gone to work. He has proposed $30 billion in specific cuts to the federal budget. No other candidate has done this.

I'm voting for Grant Bosse because I don't have to guess what he's going to do. He's laid it out plain and simple. This isn't "change you can believe in". It is solid, concrete, and understandable. No "belief" is required. Just look it up and see for yourself.

Please join me in voting for Grant Bosse. He is the only candidate that seems to understand that it isn't federal money, it's my money. It's your money and Grant Bosse has laid out a plan for how to stop wasting it.

Steven Smith

Charlestown

"The most bang for his buck."

In this morning's Granite Status, John DiStaso tries to make some predictions about Tuesday's Republican Congressional Primaries, but he says the Second District is too close to call:
But (University of New Hampshire polling director Andrew) Smith says, "The one who probably gets the most bang for his buck is Grant Bosse, who has so little money but has been running his own political organization effectively.

"But anyone who says they know who is going to win either primary is wrong. It's just a roll of the dice," says Smith.

If a low-turnout primary like Tuesday, your vote counts even more. Remember to vote Bosse for Congress on Tuesday, September 9th.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Our Next Vice-President


I entered this race hoping not only to win an election, but to help win back the Republican Party.

Tonight, Sarah Palin refreshed my belief that we're on our way.

Smart. Tough. Prepared.
McCain-Palin 2008

From the Keene Sentinel

The Keene Sentinel profiles Grant's conservativce, grassroots campaign:
For Grant Bosse, this is familiar territory, though from a different perspective.

“I’ve had a good mix of spending time volunteering on campaigns and helping out in state races,” Bosse said. “I spent a lot of time doing retail politicking, and met a lot of voters. And then my time in the Senate working for John Sununu has prepared me to know the issues.”

That evening in Keene, as with earlier in the day, Bosse gets quizzed on his stances with a half-hour appearance on Cheshire TV’s “Keene: No Spin.” It was his final stop for the day.

“You’re trying to get your message out to as many people as possible,” Bosse said. “You can’t choose how they pay attention to this race.

“You go to weekly newspapers, cable-access shows, Rotary clubs, talk radio, anywhere you can get your message to people. Hopefully they’ll be tuning into this.”


Grant Bosse Fast Facts
Grant Bosse On The Issues

Bosse Puts Corporate Welfare on the Chopping Block

“50 Days, 50 Ways” Targets OPIC

(Concord) Republican Grant Bosse has added another $63 million to the amount he’d save taxpayers. Bosse is naming a specific cut to the federal budget every day until the September 9th Republican Primary. Today’s program on the chopping block is the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, a corporate welfare program that gives taxpayer dollars to companies capable of competing on their own.

“OPIC is a poster-child for wasteful spending in Washington. Conservative and liberals are calling for its elimination, but Congress won’t listen,” Bosse said. “If we want our economy to recover, we have to let companies succeed and fail on their own, without political interference.”

Bosse has already proposed more than $22.8 billion in specific spending cuts to the federal budget. At debates in Nashua and Salem, his Republican opponents were unable to name a single federal program they would cut.

“We need to win back the trust of taxpayers, and that means doing more than talking about controlling federal spending,” Bosse added. “I’ve made a real commitment to cutting the federal budget down to size, and I’m confident New Hampshire voters will recognize that commitment on Tuesday.”

To date, Bosse has proposed more than $22.8 billion in taxpayer savings by eliminating unnecessary federal programs. To learn more about Bosse’s aggressive grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Bosse Continues Campaign to Save Taxpayers $30 Billion

“50 Days, 50 Ways to Cut Federal Spending” Enters Home Stretch

(Lebanon) With one week left until the September 9th Republican Primary, Republican Grant Bosse continues his innovative “50 Days, 50 Ways to Cut Federal Spending” Initiative. Bosse would add an additional $66 million in taxpayer savings by eliminating the Even Start Program, an adult-literacy program that has failed to demonstrate any results despite 20 years of trial projects.

“Combining early childhood literacy, adult literacy, and parenting classes seemed like a good idea when this program began in 1988,” Bosse said. “Unfortunately, Even Start has failed to show any results. We can’t afford well-intentioned programs if they don’t work.”

Bosse has highlighted an outdated, inefficient, or wasteful federal program every day on the campaign trail, and has already proposed more than $22 billion in annual savings. At recent debates in Salem and Nashua, his Republican opponents were unable to name a single federal program they would cut.

“If we’re going to rebuild the Taxpayer Majority at the heart of the Republican Party, we need to get serious about cutting federal spending,” Bosse added. “My opponents won’t say where they would cut the budget. We deserve candidates willing to take a firm stand against out of control spending by telling us exactly where they would cut.”

To date, Bosse has proposed more than $22.7 billion in taxpayer savings by eliminating unnecessary federal programs. To learn more about Bosse’s aggressive grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

Bosse Earns 'A' Rating from NH Firearms Coalition

Receives highest rating on Second Amendment survey, Horn receives 'D'

(Hanover) Republican Grant Bosse has earned the highest grade awarded from the New Hampshire Firearms Coalition. Bosse and Bob Clegg each received an A rating on the NHFC's candidate survey. Jennifer Horn failed the organization's test, earning a D rating. Jim Steiner did not respond to the survey.

"Bob Clegg and I disagree on earmarks and health care, but we agree that the Second Amendment matters in every election," Bosse said. "Following the Heller decision, it's vital that we not only protect our Second Amendment rights, but expand them."

Grant Bosse is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, and is the only candidate pushing to expand Second Amendment protections. Bosse supports a Right-to-Carry in National Parks, and national reciprocity for gun owners.

"The Second Amendment is our first and last line of defense against tyranny, and is our most important civil right," Bosse continued. "Nancy Pelosi has already pledged to rebuild the DC Gun Ban. We need a Congress that will protect our Second Amendment rights, not erode them."

For more information on Bosse's superior grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Horn Flip-Flops on Earmarks

Leaves door open to corrupt "process"

(Milford) Republican Grant Bosse chided Jennifer Horn for leaving the door open to earmarks. Despite months of campaign rhetoric against earmarks, Horn told the Concord Monitor Editorial Board that the current "process" might require support for earmarks.

"Faced with tough questions, Jennifer Horn's commitment to fight earmarks has crumbled," said Bosse. "Like Paul Hodes two years ago, Jennifer Horn has left the door open to earmarks, and shown that her commitment to cutting spending is nothing but talk."

When asked by the Concord Monitor Editorial Board whether she would support an earmark for a New Hampshire hospital in need of help, Horn said "I understand that people who are in Congress today have a process that they have to live with. . . . I understand that." Horn has also refused to sign the "No Earmarks Pledge". Bosse was the first candidate in the Second District to sign the "No Earmarks Pledge", and has since been joined by Jim Steiner.

"If Jennifer Horn's commitment against earmarks can't withstand the pressure of the Concord Monitor, how can it withstand the pressures of Congress?" Bosse asked. "Jennifer Horn's commitment to fighting earmarks is nothing but the same rhetoric we heard from Paul Hodes two years ago; nothing but talk."

For more information on Bosse's superior grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

From the Berlin Daily Sun

*Bosse makes one last swing through the North Country*

BERLIN -- Since kicking off his campaign earlier this year, Republican congressional candidate Grant Bosse has put over 30,000 miles on his green Saturn.

Promising to be in places early and often during his campaign, Bosse has been crisscrossing the Second District since late February.

Bosse is one of the four Republican candidates competing in the September 9 primary. The field of candidates included Bob Clegg, of Hudson; Jim Steiner, of Concord and Jennifer Horn, of Nashua.
Thursday morning, Bosse made what may be his last swing through the North Country before the September 9 primary.

Throughout the campaign, Bosse has made at least 12 trips to the North Country.

“We’re spending a lot of time here, we’re spending a lot of time in Nashua,” said Bosse. “We’re spending a lot of time everywhere.”

Though this may be Bosse’s first campaign, he has worked in New Hampshire politics for the past nine years. He worked as a senior legislative assistant in the N.H. House of Representatives majority office, volunteered for the N.H. Republican Party, volunteered for numerous legislative candidates, served as press secretary and political director for former Governor Craig Benson’s campaign and spent five years on Senator John Sununu’s staff, in Washington D.C. Bosse said he feels he’s offered the most detailed policies a campaign has seen in a few years, but can summarizes his campaign message in 10 words.

“Stop spending, start drilling, get government out of the way,” said Bosse.

Cutting federal spending has been the centerpiece of Bosse’s campaign. Bosse is in the middle of his “50 days, 50 ways” series, and each day he describes a federal program that can be cut to reduce federal spending.

By the end of the 50 days, Bosse said he will have proposed cuts that would total about $30 billion in annual savings. Many of the areas Bosse has proposed cuts includes congressional pay raises, out of date federal programs and unnecessary federal programs.

Throughout the campaign, Bosse has been on the street going door to door to speak with voters, and brought them his message on an individual basis.

“People vote one at a time, you have to talk to them one at a time,” said Bosse.

Bosse said he’s gotten a lot of positive feedback because he’s putting in the time to knock on doors and speak with people on a individual basis. By combining traditional on the ground campaign tactics and using the Internet, Bosse said he’s built a stronger grassroots campaign. He added he’s been reaching out to people this way rather than relying on a lot of television and radio advertising.

“We’ll see on the night of September 9 if it’s enough,” said Bosse.

It’s going to be a low turnout so it’s hard to project which voters are going to go to the polls, said Bosse.

“Well I’m voting for me so as far as I know, I’m ahead one-nothing,” said Bosse.

He added that if many of the taxpayers, gun owners and pro-life people he’s been talking to throughout the campaign head to the polls, he likes his chances, and if he hasn’t given them enough of a reason to go to the polls than he’s in trouble.

“But that’s up to them,” said Bosse. “And that’s the great part about elections.”

Bosse said he heeds a piece of advise from Executive Councilor Ray Burton when thinking about the campaign.

“You run like you’re three votes behind,” said Bosse.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Concord Monitor Endorses Grant Bosse

Bosse best GOP choice in the 2nd District

Four Republicans are vying for the chance to unseat Paul Hodes, the 2nd District's freshman Democratic congressman: state Sen. Bob Clegg, Grant Bosse, Jim Steiner and Jennifer Horn.

Elections are about ideas and resumes. The former is the strong suit of Bosse, the later is Clegg's forte. Our choice is Bosse.

In a career that includes a stint as Senate majority leader, Clegg has proven that he is a tough negotiator and an effective legislator, willing to compromise when necessary. He holds his cards close and seldom lets even his allies know which one he intends to play. That allows him to win more than he loses, but it also makes it difficult to tell where he really stands on an issue and what he will give away in a horse trade.

Republican voters will know exactly where Bosse stands on every issue. He has thought through all the basic policy questions. He's smart, well-informed and an extremely effective and genial advocate for his free-market, conservative positions.

He wants to shrink government, cut spending and look to private enterprise to solve the problems of health care.

Bosse would also work to privatize Social Security, but he realizes any change must protect the benefits of older workers and the transition to a different system would take a generation. Because he has spent five years in Washington as a member of Sen. John Sununu's staff with significant responsibilities, he knows what's doable and what isn't.

While he would not vote for a government bailout of mortgage lenders like Fannie Mae because "failure is important to capitalism," he supports additional funding for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program because, he says, the program exits, it works, and people need the help.

Despite an ideology that is consistent and highly conservative, Bosse shows similar flexibility in his positions on energy. While he backs drilling for oil in Alaska and offshore and a resurrection of the nation's nuclear power industry, he supports tax incentives for alternative energy and a cap-and-trade program to reduce carbon emissions.

The other two candidates in the race, Steiner and Horn, are political newcomers. Steiner, a Concord lawyer, West Point graduate and former Army Green Beret, is respected locally and known to be a man of his word. His military experience gave him leadership skills but his positions, at times, are unclear. He would benefit by beginning his political career in a lower office.

Horn, a radio talk show host, has few thought-out positions. Her campaign consists of a Muzak of conservative clichés that fill what would otherwise be dead air time.

Bosse knows so well where he stands and why that he needs no filler. Because his positions are conservative and clear, he gives Republicans their best chance to replace Hodes.

Grant Bosse on Meet the New Press

Grant checked in yesterday with the guys from GraniteGrok.com for Meet the New Press. Grant talked about the selection of Governor Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate. Grant also touted his superior conservative message, comparing his with those of his Republican rivals.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

See Grant Bosse on WMUR

Programming note: Grant's interview with Erin Fehlau on WMUR's Close Up has been moved to next Sunday morning at 10 AM. Grant's consistent conservative message will go head-to-head with Bob Clegg's big-government, big-mandate agenda.

“50 Days, 50 Ways” Hits the Road

Bosse targets waste in transportation programs

(Hillsboro) As New Hampshire families prepare to travel this Labor Day weekend, or stay closer to home to avoid high gas prices, Republican Grant Bosse is targeting wasteful transportation spending during his “50 Days, 50 Ways to Cut Federal Spending” Initiative. Bosse would eliminate the burdensome “Davis-Bacon” regulations that drive up the cost of highway projects, and would repeal the New Starts Transit Program, Essential Air Service, and Next Generation High Speed Rail.

“Congress imposed Davis-Bacon mandates on highway and infrastructure projects across our country, adding $250 million a year to the cost of maintaining our roads and bridges,” Bosse said. “Labor unions support Davis-Bacon because it protects them from competing for government jobs. That’s bad news for taxpayers.”

The New Starts Transit Program spends $1,204,000,000 a year on light rail projects, which are more expensive and less flexible than the bus routes they replace. Essential Air Service spends $103 million a year to subsidize air service, at a cost of $200 per passenger. Congress spends $20 million a year on High Speed Rail even though most of America’s train tracks would be incompatible with trains traveling over 125 MPH.

“Transportation is an essential element in America’s economy success. We have to stop raiding the Highway Trust Fund for other programs, and we have to stop pork-barrel transportation programs,” Bosse added. “This Labor Day, it’s costing New Hampshire families more to get on the road. Let’s cut this spending, and make it more affordable to build those roads.”

To date, Bosse has more than $22.6 billion in taxpayer savings by eliminating unnecessary federal programs. To learn more about Bosse’s aggressive grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

Friday, August 29, 2008

See for yourself

Salem Community Television will be running last night's Candidates Forum wall-to-wall for the next week. Check out the four candidates for yourself:

8/29/2008 at 3:25 PM
8/29/2008 at 10:45 PM
8/30/2008 at 12:20 AM
9/1/2008 at 3:05 PM
9/1/2008 at 11:01 PM
9/2/2008 at 3:00 PM
9/2/2008 at 10:50 PM
9/3/2008 at 9:05 PM
9/4/2008 at 9:30 AM
9/5/2008 at 12:00 PM
9/5/2008 at 3:30 PM
9/5/2008 at 10:45 PM
9/6/2008 at 8:30 AM
9/6/2008 at 3:35 PM

SCTV 17 should be putting the entire video up On Demand shortly. We'll post when it available online.

Remote Control

John McCain's TV ads have been nothing short of brilliant the last few weeks. But this might be the best so far.

Bosse Applauds McCain's VP Pick, Welcomes Governor Palin to NH Republican ticket

Governor Sarah Palin is a tremendous selection as John McCain's running mate. Governor Palin is a fresh political voice who is cleaning the culture of corruption in Alaska politics. As both a mayor and governor, she has real executive experience, and rock-solid conservative credentials. She will provide real change in Washington, not the empty rhetoric of Barack Obama.

I'm eager to support the McCain-Palin ticket as our Republican nominee on September 9th.

From the Union Leader

Tom Fahey looks at the Second District primary field in this morning's Union Leader:
Bosse has criticized Clegg and Horn aggressively on the campaign trail, claiming Horn has shifting positions on the issues, and that Clegg has abandoned his anti-tax pledge stance of a few years ago.

Bosse said he joined the race because, "I saw a void in the Republican Party for candidates willing to stand up for conservative free market principles, defend capitalism, push for more individual liberty and consistently call for smaller government."

He has been releasing a stream of proposed federal cuts that he predicts will save $30 billion. They include cutting subsidies for oil companies, ethanol, Amtrak and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

On the Air: New Hampshire Public Radio

New Hampshire Public Radio profiles the Second District Republican Primary. Reporter Amy Quinton notes that four candidates are running on the same issues, but that Grant Bosse is differentiating himself by making a real commitment to cut federal spending:
Thirty-six year old Bosse worked in Washington for Senator John Sununu.
He characterizes himself as the true fiscal conservative in the race.
"I am proposing 50 days and 50 ways to cut federal spending. I think if we want taxpayers to believe us again, we have to get serious about where to cut federal spending."
With less money than his opponents, he’s spent most of his time campaigning door to door and town to town – as he did at Bristol’s Old Home Days.
“I’m Grant Bosse I’m running for Congress ..okay Grant, what’s your platform. Smaller government, strong defense, and secure borders…”
Bosse says voters are starting to recognize him.

You can listen to the entire piece online here:
Windows Media

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Bosse's Commitment to Cut Spending Dominates Salem Debate

Bosse: $30 billion in annual spending cuts; Opponents; $0

(Salem) Republican Grant Bosse once again outshined his primary opponents at tonight's candidates' forum, sponsored by the Salem Chamber of Commerce. Bosse's unmatched commitment to cutting federal spending dominated the debate, as once again Bosse was the only candidate to propose specific cuts to the federal budget.

"If we're going to prove to taxpayers that we're serious about cutting federal spending, we have to say where we're willing to cut," said Bosse. "And again tonight, my opponents proposed zero dollars in taxpayer savings, while I proposed $30 billion per year."

Bosse highlighted many of the programs listed in his innovative "50 Days, 50 Ways to Cut Federal Spending" initiative, such as ethanol subsidies, corporate welfare, and pork-barrel spending. Bosse also promised on his first day in Congress that he would introduce legislation blocking Congressional pay raises until Congress balances the budget.

"I'm proud to have run the most detailed, most comprehensive, grassroots conservative campaign, but I can summarize it all in just ten words. Stop spending, start drilling, get government out of the way," Bosse concluded. "But 45 years ago today, Dr. King summarized it more eloquently and more succinctly, 'Let Freedom Ring'."

For more information on Bosse's superior grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

Dispatch from Lancaster

I know it's not yet Labor Day, but I've spotted the first orange leaves of the year while heading up to the Lancaster Fair.

Are you a shill for Big Oil?

If you support using American resources to produce energy, Nancy Pelosi thinks you are. This morning, the Union Leader Editorial Page picks up on Pelosi's insulting comments in Denver, which we mentioned yesterday:
Pelosi's detached arrogance is shared by our own Rep. Carol Shea-Porter. In an interview with the Portsmouth Herald last week, Shea-Porter laughed when asked about Republicans protesting Congress for leaving town without voting on energy legislation. She thinks it's funny that people are angry that Congress chose to go on vacation instead of act to lower high gas prices.

This is the arrogant, dismissive attitude personified by the current Democrat-controlled House. The people demand solutions; the Democrats mock them. Have you had enough yet?

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Utter Contempt

Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer couldn't contain their contempt for those Americans wishing to put American resources into American gas tanks:
Seeming to enjoy the back and forth, she followed with another question: “Can we drill your brains?”

She went on to refer to the protesters, who continued to chant sporadically, as “handmaidens of Big Oil.” Arguing that increased offshore drilling would reduce gas prices by only a couple of pennies a decade from now, she referred to the demonstrators as the “2-cents-in-10-years-crowd.”

Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer swiped at the demonstrators, too, saying that “sophomoric chanting” won’t solve the energy crisis and that “all thinking Americans know” — stressing the word "thinking" and looking at the crowd — that America doesn’t have a quarter of the word’s fossil fuels yet uses a quarter of the world’s energy.
Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer; this is the "Leadership" that Paul Hodes has supported 99% of the time.

Bosse Releases Two New Radio Ads

"Stop Spending", "Start Drilling" highlight Bosse's superior conservative message

(Hillsboro) Republican Grant Bosse has released two new radio ads, each highlighting his superior conservative message. "Stop Spending" and "Start Drilling" will run now through the September 9th Republican primary.

"I'm proud to have run the most aggressive, most detailed, most grassroots campaign," said Bosse. "I'm running for Congress to stop spending, start drilling, and get government out of the way."

"Stop Spending" highlights Bosse's innovative "50 Days, 50 Ways to Cut Federal Spending" initiative, which will propose more than $30 billion in annual taxpayer savings by the September 9th primary. "Start Drilling" promotes Bosse's Comprehensive Energy Plan, which calls for drilling in Alaska and off our coasts, as well as a leveling of the tax code to allow all alternative energy to hit the free market.

The Bosse campaign has also produced web videos for its two ads, which can be seen at www.Bosse2008.Blogspot.com. For more information on Bosse's aggressive grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.


STOP SPENDING



START DRILLING

From Dartblog

Jennifer Bandy writes on Dartblog about Grant's superior conservative message, and his use of new media to get that message to voters across the Second District.

While focusing on this traditional approach to politics, he is also utilizing new media to communicate with potential constituents. He has a blog that he updates frequently with videos, stories from the trail, and issue based content. This use of the internet is indicative of his forward thinking. Bosse takes inspiration from the past, including an encounter with Ronald Reagan as a child, but he is not trapped by it. That is what we need in the politicians in the future.

Nashua Candidates Forum

On August 14th the Second Congressional candidates participated in a candidates forum in Nashua. Grant blew the other candidates away with his superior conservative message, and unmatched commitment to smaller government.

See for yourself!

From NHFacts.com

Grant submitted a guest blog on NHFacts.com, a conservative blog for Cheshire County Republicans. Grant detailed his innovative "50 Days, 50 Ways to Cut Federal Spending" initiative.


Over fifty days, I am offering fifty ways to cut federal spending. Each day, I am proposing a federal program we don’t need. Pork-barrel spending, corporate welfare, political slush funds, and even well-meaning but inefficient spending programs are all going under the ax.

I’ve suggested ending the $6.3 billion ethanol boondoggle, and the federal peanut subsidy. I’ve gone after pork like the Robert C. Byrd Scholarships and Ted Stevens’ program for whaling museums, and proposed legislation blocking Congressional pay raises until the budget is balanced.

So far, I’ve come up with more than $20 billion in annual savings to taxpayers, and I’ll propose $30 billion before the September 9th Republican Primary.

“50 Days, 50 Ways to Cut Federal Spending” offers voters a real commitment to cutting the size of the federal government. Only by committing ourselves to fiscal discipline can we rebuild the Taxpayer Majority, take back the Republican Party, and restore accountability to Congress.

Charles M. Arlinghaus: Conventions are tax-funded indulgences

Charlie Arlinghaus, whose columns are must-reads for anyone tracking the Lynch Fiscal Meltdown at the State House, turns his attention to the taxpayer subsidies for the Democratic and Republican Conventions in this morning's Union Leader:

The Democrats and the Republicans will each receive a check for $16.82 million courtesy of you and me. In addition, state and local taxpayers in Minnesota and Colorado will contribute tens of millions of dollars for the dubious privilege of having their city disrupted by the descending hordes of delegates, media and camp followers. In 2000, state and local taxpayers funded $77.6 million of the two conventions, according to the Campaign Finance Institute.


Ending this waste of tax dollars is just one of the 50 Ways we can cut federal spending.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Bosse National Security Plan

Defending this nation is the first responsibility of Congress. Providing our military with the mission, the tools, and the training it needs to protect America’s security and American interests should be the first responsibility of any candidate for Congress. The following ten national security priorities address current and future threats to American security, provide our military with the next generation capabilities it will need to keep us safe, restore Congress’s Constitutional war powers, and advance the cause of world peace by promoting stable democracies around the globe.

Win the War against Islamic Fascism
A narrow sect of Islam is trying to bring a new Dark Age upon the world, and is willing use both the powers of government and the tactics of terrorism to achieve its goals. This hateful ideology is a threat to peace and prosperity everywhere. Iraq is a central battleground in this larger war. Congress needs to build on the progress of the last 18 months, and provide our troops with the tools they need to complete their mission and come home. The recent plan by the Iraqi government and American diplomats to draw down America’s military presence in Iraq is great news, but would be undermined if American forces were to leave before the Iraqi people were able to provide for their own security.

In Afghanistan, remnants of the Taliban government continue to hide across the Pakistani border. The departure of Pervez Musharaff could provide an opportunity to remove these safe havens, as a more legitimate Pakistani government might be able to take a harder line against radical Muslim elements without destabilizing the country.

Diplomatic and military efforts continue is other parts of the globe with less attention, notably in the Horn of Africa and Southeast Asia. We need to deny radical Islamic groups from obtaining the power or the weapons they seek to bring about their hateful vision.

Defend Democracy
Democracies do not go to war with one another. America’s long-term security is enhanced in a world of peaceful democracies. We should foster free elections and free people, and defend democratic allies under siege from tyrannical neighbors. This means support for South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, and Georgia.

Our diplomatic efforts around the world should always be anchored with allies that share the fundamental American value of self-determination. The United Nations is limited in its ability to foster democracies, given that so many of its member governments deny their own people those rights. As John McCain has suggested, we should center our diplomatic strength in a league of democracies, and use our economic and political will to help plant and nurture the seeds of democracy internationally.


Provide Border Security
The American public has lost faith that Congress is serious about addressing illegal immigration. Congress approved a border fence, and has refused to fund it. The American public can not be asked to support any changes to our immigration system until this basic promise is kept.

Congress has also ignored the illegal path into our country through our ports, where the vast majority of cargo coming into the United States is uninspected. Both our customs and agricultural inspection systems need to be modernized to take advantage of information technology, which will allow faster, more efficient, and more complete inspection of goods coming from overseas.

Provide Energy Security
We need to be able to access our own energy reserves. Many oil producing nations are hostile to the United States and American interests. In fact, it is this oil wealth that often keeps oppressive and hostile regimes in power, at the expense of their people. Bringing American energy reserves online can tip that balance and provide a measure of energy independence.

Congress needs to immediately lift the ban on offshore energy production, allow exploration of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, and allow oil and coal sand deposits in the Western United States to be developed. Streamlining regulations and preventing nuisance lawsuits will provide incentives for building new refineries and nuclear power plants. Leveling the tax code and removing Congressional interference from the energy market will also spur development of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass. This will help to displace fossil fuels imported from hostile nations.

These proposals are also included in Grant Bosse’s Comprehensive Energy Plan.

Repeal the War Powers Act
Congress has abandoned its Constitutional authority to declare war, opting instead to give the Executive Branch nearly unlimited war-making authority under the War Powers Act. Forcing the legislative branch to restore its intended role would also force Members of Congress to take responsibility for their foreign policy decisions. Congressmen would not be able to duck responsibility for an unpopular war, and would be invested in victory rather than cheerleaders for defeat.

Eliminate the Department of Homeland Security
While federal airport inspectors concentrate on footwear and water bottles, our airports remain vulnerable. The Department of Homeland Security has quickly become the third largest Cabinet Department in the U.S., but this top-heavy bureaucracy has not added to our security. Eliminating this Department would allow its constituent agencies to continue their duties unencumbered by an unnecessary layer of management. The Coast Guard could be moved under the Department of Defense. Border patrol and immigration services could be reunited under a single agency. And airlines could be made responsible for airport security. In place of the unresponsive and much derided Transportation Security Agency, airlines would be accountable to their passengers for any hassles and delays in getting through the airport terminal.

Our efforts to secure the homeland should not compromise our civil rights. Intelligence agencies should have the ability to intercept communications between terror suspects. However, evidence collected without warrants should not be used against American citizens in court. We can give our security agencies the tools they need to stop terrorist attacks without denying the rights of all Americans.


Reform the VA System to specialize in service-related care
The Veterans Administration hospitals should provide our servicemen and women the best possible service-related care. However, we can not expect a government bureaucracy to compete with the innovation and flexibility of the private sector in delivering general health care services. By concentrating limited VA resources on service-related injuries and diseases, we can improve medical outcomes for veterans, while supporting research into the unique health challenges facing the military.

This proposal is also included in Grant Bosse’s Comprehensive Health Care Plan.

Modernize the Department of Defense budget and procurement process
The Pentagon’s outdated and bureaucratic method of selecting and developing new weapons systems punishes risk-taking by project managers and rewards setbacks and cost-overruns. Providing incentives in procurement contracts to deliver ahead of schedule and under budget would shorten the time between the drawing board and the battlefield. Congress should put a stop to the inter-service rivalries that prevent ground forces from deploying small unmanned aerial vehicles for battlefield surveillance, and similar turf wars within the Pentagon.

Congress should work with the Joint Chiefs of Staff to establish long-term plans for next generation weapons systems. Setting out goals for the war-fighting capability our military will need in the next war will eliminate the need for Congressional interference through earmarking, and provide a more efficient and more transparent means of modernizing our military.

Reform the diplomatic corps
The path to advancement in the State Department leads through posh embassies in friendly and prosperous nations, while postings to dangerous and desolate nations are often unrewarded. The State Department should institute career incentives for service in these parts of the world. Members of the diplomatic corps unwilling to serve when called upon for high-risk assignments should not be rewarded with promotion.

Concentrate on human intelligence gathering
While the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency have made great strides in signals intelligence and satellite imagery, our nation’s human intelligence capabilities have languished since the Church Committee in 1975. While high-tech intercepts can provide invaluable data to policy makers, they can not replace human intelligence. Having agents providing first-hand intelligence from countries hostile to U.S. interests can tell us whether dictators are losing their hold on power, if saber-rattling regimes really intend to attack their neighbors, and if U.S. diplomatic efforts are succeeding. Recruiting and developing human intelligence assets should be the nation’s top intelligence priority.