Wednesday, April 30, 2008

From the Berlin Reporter

Grant Bosse briefed on Fraser mill’s high energy costs
By Edith Tucker


Mr. Bosse also noted that he is favor of lifting government regulations that have meant that no new gasoline refineries or nuclear power plants have been built in the U.S. in the last 20 years.

The current siting processes for such initiatives as transmission lines, power plants, refineries, and the like, are subject to litigation and seemingly endless appeals, he said.

“I’d like to see a stream-lined approach,” he said. “It’s time to free our struggling economy from the taxes, mandates, and overregulation that are slowing it down.” The candidate says that when questions are brought up about making new infrastructure investments, the answer cannot always be “no.”



Later that evening in Lancaster, the Republican candidate stopped in at a Coos County Republican Party meeting at the Lancaster Motor Inn where Mr. Bosse discussed his visit to the Groveton Fish and Game Club’s annual dinner, held at Emerson’s Outdoor Outfitters on Route 3. There, he said, he had focused on his strong support for upholding the real meaning of the Second Amendment, which, he said, is not about the right to hunt but the right to self-defense.

Mr. Bosse said he disagrees with those who would “regulate away our Constitutional rights.” Restricting the carrying of guns only “emboldens criminals,” he said. Mr. Bosse said he opposes making gun-free zones out of our National Parks.

Everyday is Veterans Day

Addressing the Gold and Blue Star Mothers Candidates Forum in Concord:

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Taxpayer Protection Pledge

Taking the Taxpayer Protection Pledge:



We need to acknowledge that taxes and spending are the same issue, and any candidate unwilling to address the out-of-control spending in Washington is ultimately unwilling to do anything to lower overall federal taxes.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Economic Stimulus Checks are in the Mail

Can't you feel the economy revving up?

Of course, some people think there are better ways to revive the economy.

Congress has the ability to address both problems, but not by continuing its current policies. Ending our bloated farm subsidies, specifically the ethanol boondoggle, would not only reduce federal spending significantly, but it would remove the perverse incentives in our agricultural sector, which are driving up the price of bread, milk, meat and vegetables other than corn.

Congress also can help bring energy prices down by scrapping the failed policies that have helped drive them up. We should allow responsible exploration of domestic oil reserves. We should remove the regulatory roadblocks that stand in the way of new oil refineries, the bottleneck in our transportation system that makes gas prices so volatile. And we should permit the construction of new nuclear power plants, which have the potential to provide safe and clean electricity.

The greatest benefit Congress can provide is to finally control federal spending. Our mounting national debt threatens our status as the safest place to invest in the world. Congress' unwillingness to acknowledge the massive unfunded obligations of Medicare and Social Security will leave the next generation with a massive tax bill. These fiscal time bombs will not be defused with a $300 check.

From the Concord Monitor

The Monitor ran a very nice profile yesterday of Kathleen Seidel, a Peterborough woman whose energy and activism have thrust her into the middle of a raging debate on the causes of autism.
Seidel's website, neurodiversity.com, is a clearinghouse for autism-related literature, and her attached weblog has become the site of an impassioned and thoroughly researched campaign against a group of scientists and lawyers who promote the theory that childhood vaccines cause the developmental disorder.

For Seidel, who guards her family's privacy but says she has a child with an autism spectrum diagnosis, the scientific evidence disputing their claims is overwhelming. A series of conclusive reports from government scientists have found no connection between autism and a mercury-based preservative once contained in vaccines. And Seidel said that her own family's experience has further cemented her belief that the disorder has a strong genetic component.

I first heard of Seidel's work through the website Overlawyered, when she was subpoenaed in an ongoing lawsuit that had nothing to do with her. Fortunately, the subpoena was quashed, and Seidel continues to update her website and blog, Neurodiversity. I don't know Mrs. Seidel, but I do admire her hard work on this issue.

A very good friend of mine has a son with severe autism. Some of the increase in autism cases nationally is surely due to more borderline cases being diagnosed, but I don't think this can explain the entire increase. I don't know whether it stems from environmental or genetic causes, and neither does anyone else. And finding that cause is the surest path to finding a way to prevent future cases.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

John Bolton at Merrimack County Lincoln Day Dinner

I enjoyed Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton's address to the Merrimack County Republican Committee last night in Concord. Bolton has taken the controversial stand of telling people the truth about foreign policy. This is just not done in diplomatic circles, where they treat rogue states and thugs as we wish them to be; not as they are.

Bolton concentrated on the Middle East, particularly with the foolish notion pushed by Senator Obama that the way to settle things over there is to negotiate with Iran. He pointed out that negotiation is a tool, not a policy. We should not negotiate unless we have some expectation that the benefits to U.S. interests would outweigh the harm. Sitting down with Ahmadinejad would give him increased credibility, with no likelihood that Iran would abandon its nuclear weapons program. Europe has been trying for years. This is but one example of Senator Obama's irresponsible foreign policy.

Bolton also highlighted recent disclosures about North Korea's involvement in building nuclear facilities in Syria, and he hopes that the public can learn about similar intelligence more quickly in the future, as it helps show the true threat we face.

After the event, I had a chance to talk briefly with the Ambassador, and follow up on a question he answered regarding changing demographics in Europe. I asked how he saw the growing emergence of pockets of Sharia Law in Europe, and efforts to create radical Islamic enclaves in the United States. He said it was suicidal of Europe to tolerate neighborhoods where basic civil rights no longer apply, particularly to women. He said that equal protection under the law applies to all, even if their radical version of Islam does not recognize the rights of women.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Campaign Snapshot

Grant continues to push his message across the district. Among the highlights this week were the Gold and Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire joint candidates' forum, and Berlin Brewtopia. Grant's in Concord tonight, at the Merrimack County Republican Committee's Lincoln Day reception, featuring former UN Ambassador John Bolton.




10,000 Miles

Yesterday, as we covered the Second District from Nashua to Berlin, we hit 10,000 miles traveled since this campaign began less than 10 weeks ago.

It's been a thrilling and rewarding experience so far, and I'm looking forward to the campaign ahead.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

From The Citizen

Steve Smith of Charlestown writes in a letter to the editor in The Citizen of Laconia about Jennifer Horn's hypocritical demand for Bob Clegg to return a campaign contribution from a lobbyist, after accepting money from a registered lobbyist in New York State.

Editor, The Citizen: Sometimes, when watching elections, it seems as though the candidates are an unruly bunch of children. "He did it!" "I did not, she made me". It's a little sad.

Paul Hodes ran on a platform of earmark reform, and then used earmarks as his criteria for whether or not he would support our troops via the war funding bill. That's despicable. On the GOP side, Jennifer Horn, in fairly nasty fashion, attacked Bob Clegg for accepting a $1000 donation from a lobbyist. She went on a fairly intense and personal rant against him for being beholden to special interests. Grant Bosse just pointed out that Horn has at least $9000 from lobbyists... New York lobbyists.

Integrity falls to hypocrisy. I just want to be told the truth for a change. Whichever party you're in, please cast a vote for truth and accountability. Put NH first. I support Grant Bosse and I hope you will too.

Steve Smith

Charlestown

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Virtual Boondoggle

Paul Hodes' proposed solution to address illegal immigration, a virtual fence along our southern broder, doesn't work:

TUCSON, Ariz. - A $20 million prototype of the government's highly touted "virtual fence" on the Arizona-Mexico border is being scrapped because the system is failing to adequately alert Border Patrol agents to illegal crossings, officials said.

The move comes just two months after Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced his approval of the fence built by The Boeing Co. The fence consists of nine electronic surveillance towers along a 28-mile section of border southwest of Tucson.


Hattip: Steve Smith

Charlie Arlinghaus is making sense

As usual, in this morning's Union Leader.

To be fair, the mythological version of "Old New Hampshire" may have been exaggerated. The Granite State was not colonized by Milton Friedman and conservative economists didn't sit around pushing a free market agenda. Instead, in contrast to other exploding state governments, we just didn't grow as much.

Our taxes were low because we didn't raise them. When other states passed a sales tax and income tax, we said no. After Gov. Sherman Adams said government needed a broadbased tax, we resisted. Instead we turned to Gov. Hugh Gregg who said let's hold down government spending so we don't have to raise taxes.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Congratulations

Congratulations to this year's New Hampshire Young Republican Gipper Award Winner, Fergus Cullen.

In addition to being the Chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, Fergus is also a friend of mine from high school.

I will never forgive him for beating me out for Youth Speaker at the YMCA Youth & Government session in 1990. Okay, I'll get over it eventually.

Fergus is working hard to rebuild a party that's drifted from its core principles. At the State House and in Congress, we didn't give Republican voters a lot of reason to show up two years ago. We need to do better. Fergus is helping to put together the infrastructure we'll need to bring those voters back in November.

The Party Chairman has never won an election, but is responsible for every loss. For undertaking what is normally a thankless job, the New Hampshire Young Republicans today thanked one of the youngest state party chairman in the country.

I was proud to win the Gipper Award in 2002. I'm also glad to see the YRs as active and motivated as I've ever seen them. YRs were instrumental in Frank Guinta and Donnalee Lozeau's successful campaigns last year, and we'll need their energy this fall as well.

Congratulations, Fergus.

Green & Smart in the NY Post

Glenn Reynolds' column in the New York Post should make sense no matter what you think of Al Gore.
* Reducing carbon emissions by making people poorer will never happen. Just ask people in China - now the world's No. 1 carbon emitter - how interested they are in returning to the economic conditions they suffered a few decades ago when their carbon emissions were lower.

* Burning fossil fuels is a lousy idea for reasons that have nothing to do with global warming. These hydrocarbons offer important applications as fertilizers and chemical feedstocks, making it foolish to burn them for fuel.

* New technologies are generally cleaner, safer and more efficient than old ones.

Read the whole thing. Ultimately, new technology holds the greatest promise for a cleaner world.

Hattip: Jim Lindgren at the Volokh Conspiracy.

Happy Earth Day

The Nashua Telegraph shares the origins of Earth Day, and the importance of making environmental issues a priority:
The rest, as they say, is history. On April 22, 1970 – 38 years ago today – it is estimated that 20 million people rallied in the name of a cleaner environment. Many believe that single event led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and improvements to clean air and water regulations.

Today, the environmental issues facing our nation are no less challenging, coping with climate change and developing cleaner, alternative forms of energy chief among them.

The environmental challenges we face are complex, and will require difficult choices, but that should not deter us from tackling these challenges. Just as we need candidates unafraid to address the looking crisis of government spending, we need candidates who will address the need to lower carbon dioxide emissions, improve air quality, and diversify our energy sources.

Just as we need government to ensure the rule of law in order to have a truly free economy, our government needs to be responsible for managing our public lands, our public waters, and our common atmosphere. However, acknowledging the power of property rights is the most effective way of protecting these common resources.

For too long, we have ceded this debate to those who always favor larger government and more command and control. I favor market solutions because they work. True markets don't subsidize favored industries, or underwrite destructive policies like the ethanol mandate. Real markets account for the costs of pollution, and provide incentives to reduce it. A real cap and trade plan auctions emissions rights openly, rather than handed out the privilege to friends of the regulating bureaucrats. And that will lead to less sulfur, less nitrogen, less mercury, and even less carbon going into our atmosphere every year.

Market forces can lead to a cleaner environment than state controls. We aren't there yet, but we're certainly further along than countries that rely completely on the power of government to protect their environment.

Happy Earth Day

Monday, April 21, 2008

Dear Congressman Hodes

Paul Hodes has shown a unique willingness to use our money to help pay for his re-election campaign. Last week, he launched the "Voices of the People" program so that he can abuse the floor of the House of Representatives and the Congressional Record for political advantage. I've taken the Congressman up on his offer to read my story on the House floor:
Dear Congressman Hodes,

Thank you for using this opportunity to enter my voice in the Congressional Record. As a concerned New Hampshire resident, I would like to urge you to stop using the powers and privileges of your office for political gain. The funds provided to you by taxpayers are there for you to do your job as a Representative in the 110th Congress, not to secure your place in the 111th.

Last year, you diverted taxpayer funds to the New Hampshire Democratic Party, despite clear prohibitions on using public money for a political purpose.

You then used the politically targeted mailing list you purchased from the Democratic Party to send self-promoting newsletters to New Hampshire Democrats, paying for the mail using taxpayer dollars. Such a blatant abuse of Congress’s franking privilege should not be condoned.

Now, through your “Voices of the People” program, you have decided to use your time on the House floor, and the pages of the Congressional Record, to curry favor with New Hampshire voters and pander to those political supporters you choose to highlight. Such actions fuel the cynicism Americans feel towards their government, and bolster the common belief that our elected officials are more interested in holding on to power than doing their jobs.

Thank you in advance for sharing my thoughts with the country, and preserving them for posterity in the Congressional Record.

Sincerely,


Grant Bosse
Hillsboro

PS- If possible, could you please let me know when you plan to read this letter on the House floor? I’ll program my TiVo for C-SPAN.

Here is the complete letter that I personally delivered to Congressman Hodes' Washington office today.

"Running rings around Jennifer Horn"

It's not like we're getting any support from these guys in the fall, but some liberal activists recognize Grant has the best command of the issues. They may not like his stance on Social Security reform, but at least they know he has one.

He's clearly running rings around Jennifer Horn, who never met an unspecific phrase she didn't like...


Apparantly they think having a strong, articulate Conservative message helps the Democratic Party. We disagree.

From the Eagle-Tribune

The Eagle-Tribune writes about Grant's challenge to Paul Hodes, demanding he explain Barack Obama's insults to rural America.

Republican congressional candidate Grant Bosse seized upon Barack Obama's latest stumble as an opportunity to take a shot at Democratic opponent Paul Hodes.

On Monday, Bosse called on Hodes, Obama's national campaign co-chairman, to denounce Obama's "insults of rural America."

"Barack Obama doesn't understand rural America; Barack Obama doesn't respect rural America, and he's Paul Hodes' pick for President," Bosse said in a press release. "We deserve to know if Paul Hodes shares his candidate's contempt for small town families, or if he's willing to finally stand up against these elitist and condescending remarks."

Bosse was referring, of course, to a comment Obama made earlier this month. Speaking at a San Francisco fundraiser, the Democratic presidential candidate said, "And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy towards people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

Sunday, April 20, 2008

From the Nashua Telegraph

Kevin Landrigan of the Nashua Telegraph writes on self-proclaimed front-runner Jennifer Horn's acceptance of a contribution from a registered lobbyist, and later demand that Senator Bob Clegg return his:

Bosse said there's nothing wrong with taking lobbying money, but that it's hypocritical for Horn to rail against it months after she collected nearly twice what Clegg had.

By the way, half of that money from the Ustins can only be used if Horn is the nominee in the general election. No individual can give more than $2,300 to a congressional candidate for a primary.

"Jennifer Horn's empty rhetoric on campaign finance is nothing but talk," Bosse said. "When she said Bob Clegg's contributions were tainted, she neglected to mention the $9,000 in lobbyist money she has already accepted."

"We shouldn't be surprised that our self-proclaimed frontrunner wants other candidates to return lobbyists' contributions while she cashes their checks. Whether the issue has been taxes, earmarks or campaign finance, so far, Jennifer Horn has been nothing but talk."

Sunday Reading

Running for office should be as much about listening as it is talking. I'm also using my time on the road to catch up on some important reading. Greyhawk at the Mudville Gazette has convinced me to finally pick up a copy of Michael Yon's new book, Moment of Truth in Iraq, thanks to his review just published in the New York Post.
Early on you'll find yourself charging down an alley in Mosul on the heels of Lieutenant Colonel Erik Kurilla, a leader in every sense of the word: "LTC Kurilla began running in the direction of the shooting. He passed by me, and I chased, Kurilla leading the way. There was a quick and heavy volume of fire. And then LTC Kurilla was shot. Kurilla was running when he was hit - in three places, including his femur, which was shattered.

"The commander didn't seem to miss a stride. He did a crazy judo roll and came up shooting from a sitting position," Yon reports.

In a war where the situation changes depending on what you read, Yon is a man with credibility - he has more time embedded with combat units than any other journalist. Early in 2005, when I'd completed my first tour of duty in Iraq, I was searching the Internet for news when I found Yon's page. I was hooked. Yon was simultaneously one of us - the guys in the war - and not one of us. While we knew of Iraq in our corner of the battlespace, he could move throughout the country - and did so. That freedom of movement afforded him opportunities that few would take, and that he initially took reluctantly.

I've found Yon's updates from Iraq powerful and informative, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he brings those dispatches together in the book.
Hattip: Powerline

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Was Horn For the Pledge Before She Was Against It?

Campaign Rhetoric Continues to be Nothing But Talk

(Concord) Jennifer Horn today claimed to have pledged to forego earmarks and oppose tax increases from “Day One”, but a check of the list of signers of both the No Earmarks Pledge and Taxpayer Protection Pledge show that Horn has not yet taken either. Horn made the assertions at a Concord Candidates’ Forum sponsored by the Blue and Gold Star Mothers of New Hampshire.

Hillsboro Republican Grant Bosse is the only candidate in the Second District to take both the Freedom Works “No Earmarks Pledge” and the Americans for Tax Reform “Taxpayer Protection Pledge”.

“Jennifer Horn is saying the same thing about earmarks that Paul Hodes said two years ago, but now he supports the same corrupt system he railed against,” Bosse said. “How can we trust Horn not to do the same?”

In signing the No Earmark Pledge on March 31st, Bosse promised not to seek or support any earmarks if elected. FreedomWorks does not list Horn as having taken the Pledge. By signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge on April 15th, Bosse promised to oppose any increase in marginal tax rates, and to oppose any increase in the overall tax burden placed on Americans. Americans for Tax Reform has listed all candidates who’ve taken the Pledge up to April 4th, and Horn is not listed there either. Today she claimed to have taken the Pledge on the day she announced her candidacy in February.

“Jennifer Horn talks a good game on earmarks and tax reform, but it’s nothing but talk,” Bosse continued. “If Jennifer Horn is serious about controlling taxes and spending, why won’t she back it up by signing these two pledges?”

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

Gold and Blue Star Mothers Forum

The Gold and Blue Star Mothers are hosting a forum today for all six Republican Congressional candidates in both districts. Each candidate received eight questions in advance, and while each willanswer only two at the forum, were asked to submit their answers to all eight questions in writing.

1. The military force structure was reduced by 2/3rds after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It is clear we are currently overextending the structure of our active duty military, National Guard and Reserves. No one is talking about increasing force structure. Would you support an increase of the force structure? If so, by how much? Why? How would you pay for it?

No, I don’t think we need to increase the overall size of the military. What we need to do is restructure the military, particularly our ground forces, to meet the changing threat. The Army was built to fight Soviet tanks in the fields and forests of Europe. It is too heavy and too slow for the asymmetric enemy we’re likely to face for the next generation. It is always difficult to transform a fighting force to wage the next war. It is especially difficult to do so while it’s fighting that war.

This Congress has cut the Army’s Future Combat Systems program by an additional $200 million, following cuts of $825 million over the past three years, and scheduled cuts of $3.4 billion over the next five years. This critical program represents less than 4% of the Army’s overall budget. In the 90’s, we skipped an entire generation of combat technology, and are now fighting with equipment and logistics that are decades old. Updating both the truck and the tail will save money, save lives, and win wars. I think we can provide much more for our strained fighting forces by modernizing the Army, rather than enlarging it.

2. The post WW II GI bill not only allowed returning veterans to purchase a home, but it allowed the GI to attend college and covered the tuition and expenses to do so.
Today our GIʼs receive a small portion of that. Is this an important benefit? How would you address the current situation?

The GI Bill of Rights provided not only housing assistance, but sent an entire generation of American men to college. Imagine if we had said to our returning troops, we’ll help you buy a house, but you have to live where we say. Imagine if we said we’d pay for college, but only at the school the government picked. We’re doing the same thing today with veteran’s health care. We need to expand choices for our veterans.

The services are very good at offering educational opportunities for our officers, and will keep deferring their service as long as they want to continue their education. I’d like to see our enlisted personnel get some of the same choices. Our armed forces are meeting their enlistment and re-enlistment goals, so we’re not having trouble getting people to sign up. Still, I think we can offer them a better deal. I’d like to see them choose their benefits package. I’d like to offer our troops higher pay, housing or educational opportunities, or a career track if they want to stay in for 20. Let’s let them choose the benefit package that fits the life they plan after the military.

3. In the 90ʼs, the “Donʼt Ask, Donʼt Tell” policy was instituted. Do you think this policy is a success or do you think it should be abolished and replaced with a policy that allows homosexuals to serve openly and freely in the military?

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a compromise, and far from a perfect one. But it’s been working as designed for 15 years now. Changing this policy would not be a priority for me unless our military commanders recommended revisiting it. I don’t see what a service member’s personal behavior has to do with his or her fitness for duty.

One area where “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is very controversial in on our college campuses, where some schools and some students use it as a reason to protest the military. These protests are misplaced, as the policy stems not from the military but from Congress and the President. We should strongly enforce the Solomon Amendment, which prohibits federal funds to any institution of higher learning that bars ROTC and military recruiters from campus. We should make sure schools receiving taxpayer assistance are always open to our military, regardless of what they think of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

4. What is your position on single parents or both parents simultaneously serving in the military?

There are currently 84,000 military to military marriages. That’s 168,000 service members, or more than 10% of military personnel. That’s about as many active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines as are currently serving in Iraq. Obviously, a large number of our troops want to stay married, and stay in the service. The Joint Spouse Program helps meet their needs, and 80% of these couples are stationed within 100 miles of each other at any one time.

Single parents should also have the option of remaining in the service. If the family situation changes due to divorce or death of a spouse, our military should recognize the changing needs, and do its best to so what is right for that service member, and any children involved. We’ve seen the cost of rising divorce rates across society, and the services aren’t immune from that. We should work to make sure each case is handled appropriately. I trust that most of troops take their responsibility as parents as seriously as their responsibility as warriors.

5. If you were faced to make a choice to eliminate certain weapons systems currently under consideration, which systems would you eliminate and why?
The Department of Defense has 72 major weapons systems in development, budgeted for $1.6 trillion dollars. That’s double where we were eight years ago, following the “procurement holiday” of the 1990’s. These projects are way over budget, even by Pentagon standards. On average, they are 23 percent over budget and 21 months late.

I’ll concentrate on two weapons systems. First is the MV-22 Osprey. This is the tilt-rotor aircraft now in service for the first time. It takes off like with a rotary wing and transitions in flight to an airplane, combining the flexibility of a helicopter with the speed, range, and airlift capability of a cargo plane. This could be a fantastic aircraft, especially for delivering special forces.

Even as it’s starting to work, we’re hearing calls to arm the MV-22. I don’t think it’s wise to try to turn a valuable and efficient support vehicle into a combat vehicle. It’s designed to bring men and material to the front lines, not to fight itself, and we shouldn’t compromise its mission effectiveness by trying to expand that mission. We made that mistake with the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and eventually pared back that platform to focus on its core mission.

Secondly, I’d like to stop the Air Force from taking over the Army and Marines UAV programs. The Air Force, which has a lot of pilots running it, has been standing in the way of ground forces operating their own UAV’s at the squadron and platoon level. We shouldn’t lose the ability of a ground soldier to put remote eyes on a target whenever he needs it just because of a classic Pentagon turf war.

6. What weapons systems or types of weapon systems would you accelerate for development?

First, we need to continue producing the F-22 Raptor. This is the pre-eminent Air Dominance weapon in the world, and we have to replace the aging F-15 fleet as soon as possible. Congress is contemplating cutting back on the F-22 order for 2011 and beyond. We can’t replace this aircraft with the F-35. It’s not as capable.

Second, we need to develop the next generation of aircraft carrier. We’ve already cut the number of operational carriers from 12 to 11, and the Pentagon is looking to cut it to 10. A U.S. Navy Carrier Battle Group is the ultimate projection of peace through strength, and we can not lose that advantage. Having a carrier in the neighbor keeps trouble spots from erupting, and prevents wars.

Finally, we need to restore funding for the Army’s Future Combat Systems. This transformation from heavy tanks and 20,000 man battalions to a faster and more self-sufficient force costs less than 4% of the Army’s budget, but will ultimately save money, save lives, and win wars. Congress has cut FCS by $200 million, and plans to cut it by $3.4 billion more over the next five years. I’d restore that funding.

7. What is your position on military tribunals for foreign combatant detainees?

If enemy combatants are captured on the battlefield, they should be subject to military law. Terrorists, not fighting under the flag of a sovereign state, are not protected by the Geneva Convention, but the United States has always provided far greater protection for our captured enemies than our troops have received in enemy hands.

We should make sure every detainee is treated fairly. We don’t punish civilians for merely sympathizing with our enemies, but if they take up arms against us, they should not expect to be treated as if they’re in an American courtroom.

Military tribunals should seek justice, not vengeance. And our commanders should use both prudence and discretion. I trust them to do so.

8. Do you favor the current policy of eliminating VA hospitals and replacing them with taxpayer funded civilian medical providers and health care services?

Our Veterans Hospitals should deliver the best service-related care in the world. That isn’t limited to bullets and shrapnel, but also to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Gulf War Syndrome. When I was a reporter in Lebanon, I produced a documentary series on the medical research undertaken in the Upper Valley, including at the White River VA. We should be directing our medical research and medical care in the VA System to service-related illnesses and injuries.

We can’t expect our VA system to match the overall health care provided by private hospitals. No government run system ever has. So we shouldn’t force our veterans to remain trapped in a second-class health care system. For general health care, unrelated to service but covered by veterans’ benefits, we should let veterans decide where and how to get treated. If they want to go outside the VA for their care, we should let them. John McCain talks about expanding Tri-Care, and I support that.

I’d like to see greater choice and fewer government mandates throughout the health care industry, but we can certainly give our veterans as much choice as possible as we keep the commitments we made to them.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Campaign Snapshot

Grant followed up his ten-town North Country tour on Thursday with a General Store tour on Friday. Nine towns, three counties, and way too much iced coffee. Grant stayed a little closer to home, making stops in Antrim, Bennington, Francestown, Henniker, Hillsboro, New Boston, Washington, Weare and Windsor.









On the air

Grant was on the air earlier this week, defending the 2nd Amendment on WTPL's "Against the Grain".

Inappropriate Parallels

Once of the upsides of driving over 1,000 miles a week on the campaign trail is the opportunity to listen to some good audiobooks that I haven't had a chance to read. I just finished James Bradley's Flags of our Fathers, the story of the five Marines and one Navy Corpsman immortalized in this famous photograph, including Rene Gagnon of Manchester:



I was slightly disappointed in the film version, but the book was a fascinating portrait of the battle, the men, and the legend that grew from one chance photograph.

Time Magazine has reinterpreted that photo, and drawn a parallel between the courage and sacrifice of the Marines on Iwo Jima and the current environmental movement:



Three of the men in this photograph died on Iwo Jima. Just as this photo served as a powerful symbol of the sacrifice of the thousands of Americans who fought and died retaking the Pacific from Imperial Japan, their deaths reflected the enormous casualties suffered by the Marines taking that island.

I don't see how Time Magazine decided it was appropriate to equate that sacrifice with the need to drive a hybrid.

Campaign Snapshot

Grant spent Thursday touring New Hampshire's North Country, making his fourth trip to Coos County in two months. Among Grant's stops were Fraser Papers in Gorham, Coos County Republican Meeting, the Groveton Fish and Game Club's Annual Meeting, WLTN Studios in Littleton and Lincoln/Woodstock Chamber of Commerce.





Thursday, April 17, 2008

Hypocritical Horn Accepts Lobbyist Cash

Self-proclaimed frontrunner’s campaign rhetoric is nothing but talk

(Nashua) Self-proclaimed front-runner Jennifer Horn has accepted campaign contributions from a registered lobbyist, despite earlier demands that a fellow candidate return lobbyist contributions and apologize to the voters of New Hampshire. Horn's first-quarter filing with Federal Election Commission shows a $4,600 contribution on February 7 from Mark Ustin, a New York lobbyist, and another $4,600 from Carolyn Ustin at the same address.

Republican candidate Grant Bosse said that Horn is free to receive contributions from any legal donor, but was surprised at Horn's hypocrisy in accepting money from lobbyists.

"Jennifer Horn's empty rhetoric on campaign finance is nothing but talk," said Bosse. "When she said Bob Clegg's contributions were tainted, she neglected to mention the $9,000 in lobbyist money she has already accepted."

On March 25, Horn attacked rival Bob Clegg for a $1,000 campaign contribution from registered lobbyist Clark Corson. This is from the statement issued by Horn's campaign: "That is why we are calling on State Senator Clegg to return all money received from lobbyists. Special interests are no way to fill your campaign coffers.”

"We shouldn't be surprised that our self-proclaimed front-runner wants other candidates to return lobbyists' contributions while she cashes their checks," Bosse concluded. "Whether the issue has been taxes, earmarks, or campaign finance, so far Jennifer Horn has been nothing but talk."

Trying to buy our vote...again

Paul Hodes is determined to use every corner of his official office to get re-elected. We know that he's been using earmarks to try and buy our votes. He's abused the franking priviledge of free Congressional mail to send out political propaganda. And now he's abusing his time on the House floor and in the Congressional Record to pander to New Hampshire Voters.

Does Paul Hodes really think that taxpayers should foot the bill for is re-election campaign?

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Dispatch from Concord

Grant spoke in Concord tonight, addressing the Concord Lions Club at the Cat 'N Fiddle. Grant answered questions ranging from funding our troops overseas to bringing down energy prices by freeing up our national reserves, reducing regulations on building refineries, and ending ethanol subsidies.



Video Diary: Tax Day

Taking the Taxpayer Protection Pledge on Tax Day in Concord:

On the air

Grant just concluded an interview with Gardner Goldsmith on WTPL's Against the Grain, reaffirming his staunch defense of the 2nd Amendment. As Grant told Gardner, the 2nd Amendment is the only one with a waiting period before you can exercise your Constitutional rights.

Grant's support for the individual right to self-defense is contrasted by recent comments by Jennifer Horn, who supports "common sense restrictions to protect kids from guns."

When Gardner pressed Grant on this issue, Grant said we already have common sense protection for kids. They're called parents.

From the Nashua Telegraph

Kevin Landrigan of the Nashua Telegraph reports on the baraictric bypass surgery bill proposed by Sen. Bob Clegg:

Clegg is seeking the Second Congressional District nomination, and fellow Republican congressional candidate Grant Bosse, who attended the hearing, claimed this policy would raise health-care costs.

"SB 312 is compassionate and it is well-meaning. but it is a tremendously bad idea,'' Bosse said. "We can't regulate our way to lower health-care costs.''

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Campaign Snapshot

It was a busy morning for Grant in Concord today, standing up for taxpayers and individual freedom:

Taking the Taxpayer Protection Pledge





Testifying against anti-home school bill


Tax Day at the State House

UPDATED AND BUMPED
Well, four hours later, it looks like this hearing is winding down. After the bill sponsor and a school administrator testified in favor of the bill, every single person, for four hours, testified in opposition. I think the House Education Committee received a fairly strong message today, and I was happy to add my voice. Thanks to everyone who stayed through a long hearing to speak, and to the members of the Committee, who listened to us.

By the way, with many home school parents brining their children this morning, I'd say that more students learned more about the legislative process this morning at the State House than in the rest of our schools this morning.
____

I was pleased to take the Taxpayer Protection Pledge this morning, alongside Ed Naile from the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers, which asks candidates to take the state pledge.

I also had the opportunity to testify in opposition to SB 312-FN, which would mandate insurance coverage for bariatric surgery and obesity treatments:
Members of the House Commerce Committee,

Senate Bill 312 is compassionate. It is well-meaning. It is a tremendously bad idea.

We can not regulate our way to lower health care costs, at least not without significantly decreasing health care delivery. We can not mandate our way to lower health care costs. Trying to do so will result in reduced choice and higher insurance rates. New Hampshire has tried this approach before and failed.

Health care costs are rising because we are using both more health care overall, and more advanced health care techniques. Diagnostic health care costs are rising at double the rate of overall costs. Advanced imaging techniques such as MRI’s, CT scans, and nuclear imaging were unheard of a generation ago, and exotic a decade ago. They are now routine. They are also, often, unnecessary. Because our current health care system has decoupled health care decisions from health care payments, we get more of these expensive tests than if doctors and patients bore the costs of ordering them.

Supporters of this bill argue that bariatric surgery and preventative treatments save money by preventing chronic health problems. Two of the three insurance companies left in our state seem to agree, as they cover such treatments. One doesn’t. And if the supporters of this bill are correct, that company is losing money by limiting its coverage. Such decisions should be left to the marketplace.

Similarly, consumers should have greater choice in their health insurance coverage, rather than being stuck with the health insurance provider chosen by their employer. Consumers should also have the choice to pay more of their routine and anticipated health care expenses out of pocket, rather than sending every bill for every dollar of health care they consume to their insurance company. A basic plan could cover catastrophic care and prescription drugs, and charge premiums affordable to working families.

I’m neither a doctor nor an insurance specialist. I do not claim any expertise on the health care decisions you and your doctor should make. Please do not presume to make such decisions for me, or the other 1.3 million people in New Hampshire. Please reject SB 312-FN, and work to increase choice and competition in New Hampshire’s health insurance marketplace.

Thank you,
Grant Bosse


I also hope to testify in person against SB 337, the anti-home schooling bill under consideration by the House Education Committee. I had a chance to submit written testimony against the bill, but since so many people showed up in opposition, the Committee extended the hearing until today. There are close to 400 people in Representatives Hall right now, largely in opposition to this bill.

From Dartblog

Dartmouth College student Zak Moore shared his thoughts on the appearances by Grant Bosse and others at the recent New Hampshire College Republicans Convention Dinner on Dartblog:

Grant Bosse, Dartmouth class of ’94 and a former advisor to Senator Sununu, spoke about a general malaise in Washington, D.C., a story of a Republican congress losing their way and forgetting the responsibility that came with their power, and the Democrats replacing them who scaled even higher heights of corruption. Bosse spoke about freeing the economy from over-regulation and the promise of recovery when Congress stops trying to help. Bosse, pictured below, resonated with students in reminding them that free speech, capitalism, and the like are not dirty words, but rather fundamental values worth standing up for...

Bob Clegg, a New Hampshire state legislator, stood out among the candidates present at the convention for his nuanced (?) approach to public policy issues. Clegg spoke about earmarks (none for hippie museums in New York, but some for naval bases in Portsmouth), healthcare (no free lunches, but keeping promises like Medicare and Medicaid), and government regulation (only good ones).


Best Wishes

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Ariana Hodes, daughter of Congressman Paul Hodes:

Singing Through a Bloody Mishap

An onstage mishap turned a musical into a bloodfest that sent a congressman's daughter to the hospital -- but Ariana Hodes never stopped singing!

The daughter of Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.) was the star of American University's production of "Do I Hear a Waltz?" In the final act of Friday's performance, the junior theater major slipped in liquid that had spilled on the stage -- and gashed her leg on scenery as she fell. "The audience didn't know if it was supposed to be real, because the character was drunk at that point," said professor and director Carl Menninger. But then, "the blood started gushing. . . . God bless her, she just kept on going."

Hodes -- whom her director called "very mature, very poised" -- comes by her showbiz instincts naturally: Dad and mom shared a pre-politics career in a children's folk-music duo, Peggosus. The director also praised co-stars who improvised while Hodes was getting bandaged backstage, delaying her re-entrance. After curtain call, she went to the hospital for stitches.

"The stage was covered in blood," Menninger said. "You would have thought we were doing 'Macbeth.' "

Monday, April 14, 2008

Will Hodes Stand Up to Obama's Insults?

Bosse calls on Hodes to denounce Obama’s condescending comments

(Hillsboro) Republican Grant Bosse today called on Congressman Paul Hodes to denounce Senator Barack Obama's insults of rural America. Hodes is Obama’s national campaign co-chairman.

“Barack Obama doesn’t understand rural America; Barack Obama doesn’t respect rural America, and he's Paul Hodes’ pick for President,” said Bosse. “We deserve to know if Paul Hodes shares his candidate's contempt for small town families, or if he's willing to finally stand up against these elitist and condescending remarks.”

Trying to explain his falling popularity in rural Pennsylvania, Obama told the crowd at a San Francisco fundraiser “And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy towards people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”

“Does Paul Hodes agree that gun owners and church-goers are bitter, frustrated and anti-immigrant, or will he tell Barack Obama that he's wrong?” Bosse continued. “Paul Hodes has a choice between rural America and liberal cronyism.”

Bosse’s campaign is centered on freeing the economy from earmarks and over-regulation, winning the war against Islamic Fascism, and securing our borders. For more information on Bosse’s campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

From the Union Leader

The Union Leader this morning calls out Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes:
Hodes did not even wait for Gen. Petraeus to finish his testimony before releasing a statement insisting that U.S. forces be "swiftly" withdrawn. His office says he had an advance copy of the general's prepared remarks. But he ought to know by now that the real meat in congressional testimony comes out in the questioning, not in the prepared text. He had made up his mind before Gen. Petraeus even spoke.

From the Clock in Plymouth

Plymouth State University student Derek Birch writes in the campus newspaper The Clock his review of this week's candidates' forum.

Dear Editor,
Monday evening I was in attendance at the 2nd Congressional District Forum held at Plymouth State University. I am now proud to say without reservation that Grant Bosse is the only candidate worth casting my vote for. I have to admit that I was very impressed by Mr. Bosse's strong command for the issues. Bosse's performance was not the only surprise of the evening. I was even more taken aback by the abysmal performance of front runner Jennifer Horn. Mrs. Horn was ill prepared and gave lackluster answers on every question thrown her way. It seemed as if she wanted to tell a personal story about every issue instead of outlining her stances and solutions...
That's why, come this fall, I'll be voting freedom first. I'll be voting Bosse for Congress.

Respectfully,
Derek J. Birch
Plymouth, NH

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Barack Obama is better than you, and he knows it

As you sit there today in rural America, bitter, racist, and xenophobic, clinging to guns and religion, just remember that you're not stuck with what you got.

If you hate yourself enough to change, you can vote for Barack Obama, the Globo Gym of Presidential Candidates. Barack is better than you, and he knows it.

Campaign Snapshot

NH Chiefs of Police Association Meeting


Plymouth State University Candidates Forum


Androscoggin Valley Republican Committee


NH Today with Jack Heath


Governor Walter Peterson at the McCain Organization Meeting

Good news and bad news from California

First the good news:
A ruling by the state Supreme Court has brought an end to San Francisco's attempts to ban handguns in the city.

In a ruling Wednesday, the court unanimously rejected the city's appeal of a lower-court ruling that sharply limited the ability of localities to regulate firearms.

The ruling deals a final blow to Proposition H, an initiative voters passed in November of 2005.



Now the bad news:
Joe Six-pack will have to pay a lot more to get his buzz on if Assemblyman Jim Beall has his way.

The San Jose Democrat on Thursday proposed raising the beer tax by $1.80 per six-pack, or 30 cents per can or bottle. The current tax is 2 cents per can. That's an increase of about 1,500 percent.


First, ethanol subsidies drove up the price of bread, beef, and beer. Now they want a new tax on beer. This is unacceptable.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Breaking the Rules

The rules just don't apply to Nancy Pelosi, and Paul Hodes isn't about to force her to obey them. The out-of-control House Speaker abused her power again this week, forcing a vote to change House rules on the Columbia trade agreement. Fast-Tract procedures guarantee such agreement an up or down vote within 90 days of submission, but Pelosi was under tremendous pressure from labor to kill the deal. Since the House would have easily passed the agreement, she just changed the rules to avoid a vote. If Nancy Pelosi doesn't like how the House is going to vote, she won't let them vote.

Paul Hodes response? Silence. Hodes has time and again let Pelosi abuse the legislative process and subvert the will of our elected representatives.

On border security, Pelosi won't let an enforcement bill come to the floor. Paul Hodes is a cosponsor, but won't push Pelosi to schedule a vote.

On terrorism surveillance, Pelosi let authority for our intelligence services expire, even though a bipartisan majority of the House and Senate were in favor of it. Hodes again was silent.

Now, on a trade agreement that would give American exporters equal treatment with foreign competitors, Pelosi doesn't like the bill, and Hodes lets her get away with subverting the will of the House. Keep in mind, this wasn't about opposing the substance of the agreement. This was about preventing the House from even voting on it.

If such abuses sound familiar, they should. Tom Delay used similar tactics when he ran the House. Pelosi and Hodes ran against such abuses of power. But now that they have the power, they have no problem abusing it.

Saving NH's Working Forests

Tom Thomson has an article in today's Union Leader on how to get the most out of New Hampshire's working forest:
We know the wood fiber is there. Forest landowners are unwilling to give their wood away; all we need is to have markets that pay everyone in the forest food chain their fair share, and you will see plenty of wood available.

We all have been hit hard by the energy crisis, but this crisis brings great opportunities for our state and the forest community by using low-grade forest products (our natural renewable resource) in a sustainable manner to produce a significant percentage of our energy needs here in New Hampshire, provide thousands of jobs and keep our energy dollars here at home. I call on Gov. John Lynch and all other elected or appointed state officials to become fully engaged in this important issue. We have reached a crisis in New Hampshire's working forest. We need to act now or our timber industry -- New Hampshire's oldest, largest continuous industry -- will be gone.

Markets, not subsidies and regulations, are the way to grow the economy in rural New Hampshire.

Bosse Back in Berlin

Makes third trip to North Country in six weeks

(Berlin) Hillsboro Republican Grant Bosse on Thursday returned to Berlin, speaking to the Androscoggin Valley Republican Committee at White Mountains Community College. Grant made a brief statement outlining his priorities, then took questions for nearly an hour. Questions ranged from the economy to immigration to the war against Islamic Fascism. Bosse shared his thoughts on how to best revive the North Country economy.

“This part of New Hampshire hasn’t participated in the economic growth America has seen in the last six or seven years,” said Bosse. “Ultimately Congress can’t create jobs in rural New Hampshire, but we can get Congress out of the way. Coos County faces unique challenges, but also has unique advantages.”

Bosse recently completed five years on the staff of U.S. Senator John Sununu, specializing in energy policy. He told the crowd power transmission is a key hurdle for creating jobs.

“We’re in the middle of one of the world’s great natural forests, we have a source of renewable energy all around us. We need to get Congress out of the way so we can build new power lines and bring jobs to rural New Hampshire,” Bosse continued. “But we don’t have the power lines to transmit that power where it needs to go. That discourages businesses from locating here.”

The Androscoggin Valley Republican Committee will next meet on May 8th at White Mountains Community College. Bosse will be back in Berlin on April 24th for the city’s Brewtopia event. Last night marked Bosse’s third visit to Berlin in the last six weeks. For more information on Bosse’s campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.



Thursday, April 10, 2008

Dispatch from Berlin

Grant just spoke to the Androscoggin Valley Republican Committee in Berlin. A good crowd heard Grant address issues ranging from immigration to the economy to the war against Islamic Fascism. Lots of questions!!! The Q&A went for an hour!

Tomorrow we're taping Political Chowder with Arnie Arnesen. You can watch the show this Sunday at 11am on MyTV.

Listen to the Generals

Steve Smith suggested we bump this post to the top so that it's easier to see. Great idea, Steve.

Here is General David Petraeus' opening statement from yesterday's Senate hearing:



As Paul Hodes and Nancy Pelosi continue to search for defeat instead of victory, it's important to give our troops the tools they need to complete the mission we've given them, and give Iraqis a chance to build on the progress they've made in rebuilding their country.

Primetime Politics also has questioning from Senators McCain, Clinton, and Obama.

Horn Falls Silent on Earmark Pledge

Commitment to Reform is Nothing but Talk

(Nashua) Hillsboro Republican Grant Bosse today admonished Jennifer Horn for failing to back up her campaign rhetoric on earmarks by refusing to pledge against seeking them. Despite Bosse’s challenge last week, Horn has refused to sign the FreedomWorks Earmark Pledge. Bosse signed the pledge last week, and urged Horn and other Republicans to follow his example.

“It’s time for Jennifer Horn to step up to the plate on earmark reform,” said Bosse. “Last election, Paul Hodes said the same thing about earmarks Jennifer Horn is saying today. How can voters trust Jennifer Horn won’t flip-flop the same way Paul Hodes has?”

Earmarks are special pet projects entered into legislation at the last minute, able to be put into bills without oversight or an open debate on the House floor. USA Today cites Hodes as one of the top 20 freshmen Congressman in seeking earmarks.

“Jennifer Horn talks a good game on earmarks, but has refused to back it up by making a clear commitment against them,” Bosse continued. “Jennifer wants to have it both ways, promising earmark reform, but leaving the door open to earmarks if she gets elected.”

Bosse’s campaign is centered on freeing the economy from earmarks and over-regulation, winning the war against Islamic Fascism, and securing our borders. In signing the FreedomWorks Earmark Pledge, Bosse promises not to seek or support any earmark as a member of Congress. For more information on Bosse’s campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

From the Union Leader

John DiStaso in this morning's Union Leader:

Bosse continues to play up his pledge not to seek or support any earmark as a member of Congress and is expected today to publicly admonish Horn on the topic.

He acknowledged that he will report raising only about $10,000 in the first quarter of this year, which, he said, "is not a strong number, but I was the last one to enter the race and the others had a little bit of a head start.'

Bosse said that with veteran GOP fund-raiser Forrest McKerley now signed on as a key member of his finance committee, he is focusing on raising money in the current quarter.

Bosse also disclosed that he has landed former Manchester Mayor Emile Beaulieu as a member of his pro-life committee.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Was World War II a "Good War"?

Pat Buchanan asks that question in this morning's Union Leader. Well, no Pat, no war is a good war, but that doesn't mean some are not worth fighting. Buchanan points to triumph for Stalin and Mao, but doesn't quite get around to arguing that we should have just left Hitler and Hirohito alone.

When Barack Obama ignores the extremists in his own party, like his own minister, we shouldn't let him get away with it. And as Republicans, we shouldn't be shy about criticizing Pat Buchanan and his latest attempt to sell some books.

So, no Pat, World War II wasn't good, but it certainly was worth fighting, and winning. And arguing that the Holocuast was a consequence of the war, rather than ended up Allied victory over Germany, is insultingly wrong.

The arrogance of big government

Paul Hodes doesn't think New Hampshire has been getting its fair share of transportation funding. His answer isn't to scrap the earmark system that has corrupted spending practice, but to gain as much power as possible so that he can take money from other states:
U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes, D-N.H., said the House delegation from the New England area has an opportunity to influence federal transportation spending now that its Democratic members are in the majority.

"We have astonishing power. We have clout, for this little chip of a region, which is basically the size of what, a piece of Texas, a piece of Montana," said Hodes, who represents the state's 2nd Congressional District. "This tiny little place with enormous clout in its congressional delegation, that is a change and that is why this moment is so important."


Thanks to Gardner Goldsmith for the tip

Video Diary

Here is video from the entire candidates' forum earlier this week at Plymouth State University. As you watch, it's clear to see that Grant has the greatest command of the issues and confidence in free-market, small government ideas.

It seemed a little odd that Jennifer Horn appeared unprepared for many of the questions, given all the candidates were given a list of prepared questions a week in advance.

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


Part 4:


Part 5:


Part 6:


Part 7:

Revenues are up, but not as fast as spending

Charlie Arlinghaus notes in this morning's Union Leader, that New Hampshire's pending deficit isn't the result of falling revenues, but of skyrocketing spending. Remember these stubborn facts when John Lynch, Jeanne Shaheen, and Paul Hodes try to blame the state and federal deficits on the economy, rather than on out of control budgets.
This budget crisis is not the result of an economic collapse, but a spending increase larger than any budget of the last 20 years and reckless revenue forecasting that abandoned the state's prudent tradition of using cautious revenue estimates.

With the governor and Legislature finally admitting that they face a significant shortfall in the revenue needed to balance the budget, the casual observer might be led to believe that the economy caused a general collapse in revenue. In fact, the truth is quite different.

In just the last few days, Gov. John Lynch has pointed out that New Hampshire's economy is still doing fairly well. In an appearance in Manchester, Lynch said, "The economy is clearly softening and New Hampshire isn't immune from national trends, but we are doing better than most states."

A look at state revenues confirms his assessment. Through the first nine months of the fiscal year, revenues are 2.5 percent higher than in the first nine months of 2007. Seven of the state's eight largest sources of revenue are higher than in 2007. The two largest taxes, the combined business tax and the meals and rooms tax, would likely indicate a slowdown in business activity or in tourism, but they are each higher than in the 2007 fiscal year.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Video Diary: Plymouth Candidates Forum

Grant excelled at last night's Candidates Forum at Plymouth State University. Here are his responses on several questions:

Economy and Energy:


The War Powers Act:


Social Security Reform:


Grant clearly showed a command of these complex issues, and confidence in his free market, small government ideas.

Hodes Fails Taxpayers

Hodes Fails Taxpayers
Scores just 5% from National Taxpayers Union

(Hillsboro) Hillsboro Republican Grant Bosse today criticized Congressman Paul Hodes for failing taxpayers. Hodes earned an “F” from the National Taxpayers Union, which released its latest ratings today. Hodes received a rating of just 5 out of 100. A rating of 16% or less classifies a member of Congress as a “big spender”.

“Paul Hodes continues to fail taxpayers in New Hampshire and across America,” said Bosse. “As New Hampshire families prepare for Tax Day next week, they should remember Paul Hodes’ repeated failure to protect them.”

The NTU ratings are for 2007, but Hodes is already off to a dismal start in 2008. Earlier this year Hodes voted for the largest tax increase in history, supporting a record budget increase of $683 billion.

“New Hampshire can’t afford another two years of Paul Hodes’ budget-busting votes,” Bosse continued. “Paul Hodes votes against taxpayers 95 percent of the time. But in November, we can make sure he’s failed us for the last time.”

Bosse on Tuesday will be taking the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform. For more information on Bosse’s campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

Campaign Snapshot

Grant this morning addressed the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police at their meeting at the Common Man Restaurant in Concord.



Political Parties, Elections and Special Interests

Grant last night participated in a joint forum on the Plymouth State University campus. One man's opinion:

Issues raised ranged from the candidates' opinions on education, Iraq, the economy, and the War Powers Act. I'll spare you all the details, considering I took about four pages of notes in anticipation of blogging the forum. I will say that Mr. Bosse distinguished himself with his adherence to free market principles



Monday, April 7, 2008

From the Union Leader

Drew Cline from the Union Leader weighs in on the latest little scuffle between Bob Clegg and Jennifer Horn:

Stop whining, Bob

Monday April 07th 2008, 3:51 pm
Filed under: Blog Posts

State Sen. Bob Clegg complained last week that state GOP Chairman Fergus Cullen had encouraged other candidates, particularly Jennifer Horn, to run for Congress in the 2nd District after Clegg had said he was considering a run.

“Fergus knew I was going to run. Everybody knew I was going run,” Clegg complained.

Well, no they didin’t. Until you are an announced candidate, no one knows anything. Everyone “knew” Frank Guinta was going to run for governor. He didn’t. You’re not in until you’re in.

And so Cullen did exactly what a party chairman is supposed to do. In the absence of an announced candidate, he encouraged good prospects to run.

Clegg hurts himself here in several ways.

One, he looks whiny. Why not just say he welcomes the challenge and project an image of cool confidence?

Two, he presents a scenario in which other influential Republicans think so little of him that they are scheming to derail his candidacy. Why would he create that storyline? It doesn’t help.

Three, he gives Jennifer Horn more credibility.

And four, he gives potential donors a reason to hesitate.

It’s just a bad move all around.