Trying to help, Congress has made economic situation worse

Grant outlines his plans to improve the economy in this morning's Union Leader:

Trying to help, Congress makes economic situation worse

By GRANT BOSSE

THE STIMULUS package Congress recently passed will send out checks from $300 to $1,200 to American taxpayers. Congress has finally stopped the pretense of pork barrel projects and is now trying to buy our votes directly. While this extra cash will come in handy during this economic downturn, it certainly won't have any significant effect on the economy as a whole.

In fact, the stimulus package was also loaded down with hundreds of earmarks, special pet projects put in to help incumbents back in their districts. Overall, the only economic activities this stimulus package seemed designed to encourage were campaign contributions.

High taxes, unfunded mandates and overregulation are slowing the economy, which is having trouble keeping pace with runaway federal spending. Congress's appetite for our dollars is taking a big bite out of the private sector. If Congress were serious about encouraging investment and growth it would lessen its interference in our economy and stop punishing small businesses that are trying to grow into big businesses.

The top two threats to prosperity today are inflation and a growing credit crisis. Both have little to do with the true strength of the American economy and everything to do with our money supply. In 1963, groundbreaking economist Milton Friedman wrote, "Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon." He was correct then, and now.

The Federal Reserve's recent paranoia about deflation led it to overreact, and we're seeing higher prices as a result. Politicians pushing for easier access to credit handed out incentives for lenders to make bad loans and for homeowners to make bad decisions. Politicians trying to protect these folks from the consequences of their bad decisions risk spreading the pain of bad loans to the entire country, through a taxpayer-funded bailout.

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.

The American economy is the strongest engine of economic growth in history. It has propelled our country and much of the world to a quality of life undreamt of a century ago. And it is because of market capitalism.

Capitalism has consequences, sometimes painful. But government efforts to protect us from those costs are almost always far more harmful. So, thanks, Congress, for trying to help. But please stop because we can't afford any more of your kind of generosity.

Grant Bosse is a Republican candidate for Congress from New Hampshire's 2nd District. He lives in Hillsborough, and can be contacted at www.Bosse2008.com.

From the Hippo Press

First time on the trail
Grant Bosse says he’d fix government
By Alec O'Meara aomeara@hippopress.com

After spending five years on Sen. John Sununu’s staff as a specialist in environmental and energy policy in Washington, Hillsboro native Grant Bosse has moved back to the state and recently announced his candidacy for New Hampshire’s Second District seat in Congress. The election will be held Nov. 4. Bosse was formerly a news anchor for WGIR and was press secretary for Craig Benson’s campaign for governor.

Q: Why do you want to run?
Congress is broken, and I’d like to help fix it. ... As a reporter here in Manchester and up in Lebanon, I worked with local boards ... and saw community members get involved .... At the state level, I worked for some remarkable men and women at the Statehouse who were serving their communities for $100 a year. And, at the federal level, I spent five years working with Senator Sununu, and I’ve seen a Republican Congress lose its way in the need for earmarks and back-room deals, and a Democratic congress take over and adopt all the same bad habits and invent some new ones. Just yesterday they passed an ethics bill in Congress and they had to break House rules to pass the ethics bill because the more stringent version that Republicans wanted had the votes to pass. In fact it had passed, and they would have banged the gavel and let it pass, but Nancy Pelosi didn’t like how the bill turned out so she held the vote open so she could change the results of that vote and get her own watered-down ethics bill through. If you have to change the rules to get the ethics bill passed, I think it’s time to change who we send to Washington.

Much was made in the 2006 elections about the shift in political ideology within the state. A lot of Republicans were voted out, a lot of Democrats voted in. Why do you feel that happened?
Well, 2006 was obviously a high-tide year for the Democrats. They did very well, and I congratulate them. I don’t think they’ve governed particularly well since, either at the federal level or at the state level. In 2006, we saw Republican voters and independents who normally vote for Republicans frustrated in the direction of the party, and a lot of them didn’t show up to vote. … but I don’t think the state has changed fundamentally. I’ve seen a lot of elections in this state and we have wide swings in our mid-term elections. Huge Republican years in 1994 and 2002 and huge Democratic years in ’98 and 2006. Republicans didn’t show up to the polls.

Why didn’t they show?
They were discouraged with the party. They felt that things hadn’t changed. And based on the way the Democrats have run things in the past year, there isn’t much of a difference. They are still abusing power, they are still shutting down debate, making their own rules and not addressing their core priorities, which I see as a strong national defense, securing our borders, and freeing the economy from taxes, mandates and regulations.

Have you held an elected office before?
No. I’ve been a delegate to the state convention, but no major elected office.

Does that help or hurt you?
I don’t think either. I think all the candidates bring a range of experience. ... One of my opponents has been a talk show host and a columnist. Another was an attorney and an active-duty officer. … We each bring a range of experiences, but while I haven’t held office before, I actually have more experience in Congress than all of my opponents combined, including Paul Hodes. So I’ve seen how they do things, I see what’s gone wrong, and I know how to fix it.

What will you be fighting for?
My top priority is to reform the earmark process. Actually, I don’t want to reform the earmark process, I want to abolish it. ... We’ve seen rapid economic growth over the last six or seven years, but the only thing stronger than the American economy’s ability to generate growth is Congress’s appetite to spend our money, and the economy is bucking under the weight of taxes, mandates and over-regulation. I think part of that process is the corrupt earmark system that allows Congress to spend money on their pet projects without accountability or oversight, without the ability to amend them in the light of day, and even though some good projects get through, it’s at the price of many more bad projects. If a project is worth funding, if it is worth our federal government spending our money on it, then it is worth doing so publicly.

What would you be bringing to the table, as far as discussions on foreign policy go?
I think we need a strong national defense that is aggressive in our struggle against Islamo-fascism. This is a global ideology that wants to bring a dark age upon the world.
— Alec O’Meara

Dispatch from Lancaster

Busy day. So busy that I didn't get a chance to recharge my laptop from 8am until now. New London, Newport, Sunapee, Claremont, North Haverhill, and now the Coos County GOP in Lancaster. Tomorrow, we're in Littleton and throughout Coos County.

Filling a Hero's Shoes

Susan Peterson of NH Blue Stars Moms asked me to pass this along:

Filling a Heroes Uniform
By Debbie Lee
Gold Star Mom
 
I began my morning with my normal routine of making a pot of coffee and turning on FOX news to see the days issues. This morning President Bush was addressing this nation and remembering the sacrifices and the successes that this nation has experienced for the past five years since the War on Terror began in Iraq.
 
I remember that day well and knew this would be a very personal war to me. My oldest son Kristofer was one of "The few, the proud, the Marines." My son-in-law Christopher was an Officer serving in the Army and was already on his way to Iraq, my youngest son Marc was in BUDS training to become a Navy SEAL, my brother Jim was in the Air Force Reserves and I had cousin who was an Officer in the Marines. I had no idea at that point how personal and emotional this war would be.
 
Each one of these young men served in different branches of the Military, wore a different uniform, went to different lengths to train and prepare to be the warriors they are. I have pictures of each one of them in their different uniforms both dress and cammies. It is true there is something special about a man in uniform.
 
My daughter-in-law, Maya, had recently shipped Marc's uniforms to me. I've just picked them up off of the bed to hang them in the closet. As I pick it up the tears began to stream down my cheeks as I think of the Hero, my son, who wore it. I bring it close to my nose and take a deep breath hoping that by some odd chance I can still catch a hint of his smell on the garment. My mind wanders as I remember the tall, dark and very handsome young man who was the youngest of my 3 children, my baby, who filled this uniform so well.
 
Marc Alan Lee was the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq 8-2-06. He was one of the sacrifices that the President had talked about this morning as he addressed the nation. I personally know the cost and pain of war and yet still believe the war is worth fighting, the War is worth winning.
 
That extremely hot August day in 2006, Marc was wearing a different uniform than the one I'm holding. He had his desert cammies on along with well over 150 lbs of gear and ammunition. He was the big gunner for his platoon and his teammates retold the stories of how he carried the M60 without a sling. They had never seen anything like that and were amazed at his strength.
 
They were in the biggest battle since the war began and had been in the firefight for 2 hours when Marc single handedly stood up in the direct line of fire and shot off over 100 rounds of ammunition. Three times that day Marc would stand out in the direct line of fire to defend his buddies, for you, for me, for this nation. Marc was a young man who selflessly gave his life because he valued others lives more important than his own.
 
I look at this uniform flat, lying there on my lap, empty. The fabric isn't anything special, what made it special was the hero who filled it. He filled it with determination, humor, love, commitment, courage, faith, and hope. No one could ever fill this uniform like he did. It is a reminder of who he was. I will display it in my "Heroes" room, to pay tribute and honor Marc. As a Mother I am so proud of Marc's sacrifice that he gave in Ramadi. He was one of those who made Al Anbar province one of the success stories of the War on Terror.
 
Where do we get such brave men to fill these uniforms? Marc's name means "Mighty Warrior" and God designs each one of us for a certain purpose and to wear a specific uniform. Our men and women in the Armed forces are designed that way. Each one of my family members who served filled their uniforms in there own unique ways, yet the character qualities duplicated themselves, honor, courage, determination, commitment, love, faith, hope. Each one of them started fulfilling their calling by entering a recruiting office. Their recruiters coached and counseled them to accomplish their goals and dreams. It is appalling to me to watch the news as the anti-war, anti-American crowd continues to attack these recruiting offices. I was just in DC last week with Move America Forward to release our "Sedition Report" that reveals a pattern of bombings, broken windows, shootings, and destruction of recruiting offices in over 42 cities. The report can be viewed at MoveAmericaForward.org.
 
It angers and repulses me that these hateful, violent, aggressive "peace activists" continue to say they support the troops. If this is how they "Support them," I would hate to see their actions if they didn't? They continue to tell us that our troops are liars, murder's, and rapists. How dare them dishonor my sons name or his memory by telling their lies to accomplish there agenda for the war.
 
I was embedded with the 1-4 CAV in Iraq at Christmas and I saw our troops fill their uniforms with the same brave, courageous, noble and professionalism that both my sons Marc and Kristofer did. I am proud of the character they displayed and the determination they showed. There voices echoed over and over that this war is worth fighting and it is winnable.
 
As a Navy SEAL, Marc endured the notorious "Hell week" and trained intensely for 2 years before he was deployed. When I met with President Bush he said the SEALS were "the elite of the elite." It is the unique individual who can survive the intense training to become a SEAL and wear the uniform. The preparation is intense and much is required from them. Marc was ready, trained and prepared to fill the uniform and accomplish what was required of him when he deployed to Iraq. His Instructors knew that, his Officers new that, his teammates knew that, I knew that and God knew that.
 
I know that day that he left this earth he was escorted into Heaven by the Angles, and I will see him again. I also know that I have a uniform that I must fill. It's different than Marc's yet I am also called to be a warrior in another battle. Just as Marc was prepared by the intense training for the battles that lie ahead, God has also prepared me. The previous struggles and trials of life had convinced me that I didn't have the strength in myself to succeed. God had proved his character over and over to me during the "Hell weeks" of life, and I knew he was my strength and that he had trained and equipped me to succeed in the battle of grief.
 
Just as this past 5 years in Iraq we have seen sacrifice and we have seen successes. Life is the same way, but we must remember that it's worth fighting for and worth winning. Do you know where your uniform is? Are you willing to fill it? Do you know who gives you the strength? Are you willing to stand in the gap and fight the battles that you are asked to? We are all blessed to live in America and enjoy the freedoms that we have because of all of those who have fought for those freedoms.
 
Please as we reflect today on the 5^th anniversary of the War on Terror, join with me to honor Marc and all of those sons and daughters, husbands and wives, who have given the ultimate sacrifice and their families. They stood to the end for their brothers at arms, will you stand with me and carry on and fight for those who continue to serve and for this country?
 
Tomorrow would have been Marc's 30^th Birthday. Just before Marc deployed to Iraq he came home for his 28^th Birthday and we celebrated at the Royals/White Sox Spring training game. After the 7^th inning the reader board displayed my wishes to him "Happy 28^th Birthday Marc. Have a safe deployment.Love Mom!" I was asked to throw out the first ball tomorrow at the Royal's/Brewer's game in his honor. I will be celebrating tomorrow the amazing kid who filled that Heroes uniform with all that he was. I know that if he could he would send me a message on the reader board saying, "I love you Mom, have a safe deployment."

Hodes Flip Flops on Iraq

Bosse Urges Hodes to support American victory

(Newport) Hillsboro Republican Grant Bosse today challenged Paul Hodes
to defend his inconsistent record on Iraq after the Democrat shifted his
position on this issue yet again.

"For the last year, Paul Hodes has insisted that American troops retreat
immediately in order to force the Iraqis to fend for themselves," Bosse
said. "Now Paul Hodes says the Iraqis have to step up in order for
American troops to come home. His position on Iraq is an inconsistent as
his support for our troops."

During last year's debate over emergency spending for ongoing operations
in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hodes supported an earmark-laden bill pushed by
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and opposed efforts to trim the unrelated
spending. When Senate Republicans insisted on a clean military funding
bill, Hodes voted against it. During House debate over General David
Petraeus's proposed "Surge" strategy, Hodes belittled the idea as "too
little, too late."

"The only spending bill Paul Hodes has ever opposed was for ongoing
operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now that the mission he opposed is
succeeding, Paul Hodes is changing his tune," Bosse continued. "We
deserve a Congress that supports our troops every day, and not just when
public opinion shifts in their favor."

Bosse issued his challenge at the beginning of a two-day campaign swing
through Sullivan, Grafton, and Coos Counties.

Welcome to the Blogosphere

Fellow Republican candidate Jennifer Horn has now started her own blog.  I think that's great.  Blogs are not only a chance for candidates to share their message directly with the most interested voters out there, but also an opportunity for voters to learn more about a candidate's priorities.

Jennifer, welcome to the blogosphere.

Hodes flip-flops on Iraq

Paul Hodes has flip-flopped on Iraq. He still is pushing for defeat and standing in the way of victory, but his reasons have changed.

It's frustrating to see Hodes continue to put the daily talking points he gets from Nancy Pelosi ahead of our national security.

Yes, Congressman, we want our troops to come home. But you have played games with their funding, and refused to support their mission. You have consistently pushed for a retreat from the frontlines of our battle with Islamic fascism, and you have supported an ill-conceived strategy that would destabilize the Middle East and leave the region at the mercy of our most extreme enemies.

Paul Hodes was wrong when he called the surge "too little, too late," he was wrong when he said we should give up the progress we've made by surrendering the field to the enemy, and he's wrong now.

From the Concord Monitor

A nice summary from yesterday's dedication ceremony in Hillsboro.


I wish they had also included the pictures from the paper in the online edition. They were inspiring.

Three votes behind

Ray Burton's advice to candidates is to campaign as if you're three votes behind.

I'm taking that advice to heart today with a campaign swing through the western part of the state.

I spent the morning on WKBK AM in Keene. Al Kulis was filling in for Dan Mitchell. We got a number of calls, dealing with immigration, the economy, and Medicare reimbursements.

We are on a very bumpy road to Newport, where Ray Burton is having a campaign event, and then we're spending the afternoon and evening in the Upper Valley.

Tomorrow, we're taking a tour of Sullivan County, and then starting another two-day swing through Coos County.

Another take on Heller vs. DC

Pejman Yousefzadeh, who knows more about many things than I do, including chess and the Supreme Court, also thinks yesterday's oral arguments were a good sign.

Reading the Tea Leaves at the Supreme Court

It's always a bad idea to get too excited about the tone of oral arguments at the Supreme Court, but this seems like a good sign.

Rights that cannot be enforced...

Ilya Somin makes a great point over at The Volokh Conspiracy that even a favorable ruling in Heller vs. DC does not mean that our rights will necessarily be protected:

Recognition of a "right that cannot be enforced" is exactly what the Court has often done in the field of property rights. As I noted in my last post, the Court - especially in recent years - has often held that individuals are entitled to protection for property rights under the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause and other constitutional provisions. However, they have heavily deferred to the government in defining the scope of those rights, often effectively negating them as meaningful protections for individuals targeted by the state. For example, the Court has allowed government nearly unlimited authority to define the scope of what constitutes a "public use" justify condemnation of private property under the Fifth Amendment. Entrusting the political branches of government with the authority to define the scope of a constitutional right is much like giving wolves the power to determine how much access they will have to the chicken coop. The chickens - especially those who lack political influence over the wolfpack - are unlikely to last very long.

Which is why it's so important to elect Representatives in Congress who understand the importance of those rights.

Dedicated

We dedicated the Hillsboro Post Office this afternoon to Officer Jeremy Todd Charron.

Jeremy was a year or two behind my in school, and while we weren't especially close, our families know each other very well. His brother Andy was an instructor up at Pierce Lake, where we took swimming lessons every summer. The Charron family has been an important part of Hillsboro for all my life. Bob Charron ran the Bank of New Hampshire branch in town, served as a Selectman, and is truly one of the pillars of our community. Fran Charrron's role, while less public, was no less active. It's not hard to see where Jeremy learned his values.

Jeremy was truly dedicated to serving his community, state, and nation. He was a Marine. He was an Officer with the Epsom Police Department. And one August morning more than ten years ago, he was shot and killed in the line of duty.

Jeremy was an extraordinary young man, and I was honored to know him. What has always struck me is not just the sacrifice he made during what should have been a routine check on a parked car. It's that every routine stop for our police officers carries the same risk. Every day, these dedicated men and women go to work at their own risk. They accept this danger to keep us safe.

Senator Sununu joined us today for the ceremony. At the request of the Hillsboro Selectmen, he introduced legislation to name the Hillsboro Post Office for Jeremy Charron. I was working in his Senate office at the time, and can attest to the time and energy that John personally used to guide that bill into law. President Bush signed the bill the day after Christmas. I was home in Hillsboro with my family, and it was one of my proudest days working for the Senate.

We remember Jeremy by hanging a plaque at the Post Office. From now on, when the people of Hillsboro check the mail, they might glimpse that plaque. Bob Charron hopes we will think of Jeremy, but also of the men and women across our country who take the same risks every day. I will also remember the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps playing the Battle Hymn of the Republican in the Hillsboro-Deering High School Gym.

Today, we remember Jeremy Todd Charron not just for his ideals, but for the dedication to put those ideals into action. That morning ten years ago, we lost not only a great young man, but also all the days with him between then and now, and all his days to come.

Thank you, Jeremy.

From Foster's Daily Democrat

I'm a little late linking to it, but Foster's had an on target editorial this Sunday on taxes and spending.

The Right of the People...

The Supreme Court hears oral arguments today in Heller vs. DC.

Instapundit has a number of good links on the case this morning.

Randy Barnett in the Wall Street Journal.

Robert Levy in the Boston Globe.

And here's the line of people waiting to get in to hear oral arguments.

Online Contributions now...online

Click here to contribute by PayPal or credit card, safely and securely.

Campaign Snapshot: St. Patrick's Day

The New Hampshire Wake Up Show with Ken Cail and Peter St. James.













The Wild Irish Breakfast













Grant with mentors Donna Sytek and John Sununu.













Host Bobby Stephen













The Bow-Dunbarton Republican Committee.

More from the Gold and Blue Star Moms

Granite Grok has many more pictures from this weekend's march.

Dispatch from Nashua

Top of the morning!

Just left Bernie Streeter's Wild Irish Breakfast, benefiting the PLUS Company. Great event. I'd get in trouble if I repeated half the jokes, and they've toned it down over the years.

Started the day on the radio, with Peter St. James and Ken Cail on the New Hampshire Wake Up Show in 107.7. They are broadcasting live from the Red Blazer in Concord to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Concord.

I was also on with Woody Woodland on WSMN in Nashua.

Next stop, Salem for the Ganley St. Patrick's Day Dinner at the Salem Boys and Girls Club. Good causes all day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Web Video: Rock This Town

Four weeks, 4,000 miles, and we're just getting started:

Campaign Snapshot

The Blue and Gold Star Mothers March at the State House in Concord.













After the March.













Addressing the YMCA's Youth in Government General Assembly.













Skip at Skip's Gun Shop in Bristol.













Pemi-Baker Valley Republican Committee Chairman Omer Ahern.

Video Diary

Grant addresses the Nashua City Republican Committee:

Free speech, free markets, and free trade.

Greg Mankiw in the New York Times this morning writes about the politics of free trade.

New Leadership for the Republican Party, and the Nation

Bobby Jindal is showing the way in Louisiana.

Busy Day in Concord

Spent this morning with the Gold and Blue Star Mothers in support of the troops in combat overseas.  Listening to mothers who've lost their sons reminds us how little we have to give to enjoy our freedoms, and how much others have sacrificed.  It was very moving,

I also had the chance to address the YMCA's Youth in Government Program at the State House.  I was a Y&G student in high school, and it meant a lot to me to be able to come back to the program and speak a little about how what I learned in those three days a year helped me everyday in my adult life.

I also had a chance to stop in quickly at the Leadership Institute's grassroots training seminar at New Hampshire Technical Institute.  As I arrived, they were talking about setting up campaign blogs.  Seems like it's helpful to post pictures and video.  Great idea.  We'll have pictures and video from today's event soon.

Off to Plymouth.

Video Diary

Grant addresses the Sunrise Rotary Club of Concord:

Belknap County GOP Meeting

Skip from Granite Grok fame reports on this week's Belknap County GOP Meeting.

Also, Doug suggests a great way to spend a snowy Saturday morning. I'll see you there.

Taxing the Middle Class to Pay for Runaway Spending

Drew Cline weighs in on Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter's record breaking tax increase.

Hodes Sets Record; Votes for Largest Tax Increase in History

UPDATED with audio.

(Washington, DC) Congressman Paul Hodes set a record this week by voting for the largest tax increase in American history. Republican challenger Grant Bosse says the tax hike is a direct result of Hodes support for runaway federal spending.

"Paul Hodes has shown no respect for taxpayer dollars. The budget he approved will increase taxes by $683 billion next year," Bosse said. "That's going to cost New Hampshire taxpayers $3200 apiece."

The Pelosi Budget that Hodes supported will increase current taxes on families and senior citizens, reduce child tax credits, and reinstate the Death Tax, which alone will cost American taxpayers over $180 billion. The Pelosi Budget also contains over 11,000 earmarks, costing
$16 billion next year.

"This Congress has lost control of the federal budget. Now they want to raise taxes on children, seniors, and working families to pay for this spending spree," Bosse added. "Paul Hodes said he was going to change Washington. He didn't tell us that it would be by raising taxes more
than anyone in history."

Grok This Town

Granite Grok is on the case of health care reform.  Markets over mandates.

The Clegg-Lynch Wellness Plan

Bob Clegg makes the case for more mandates.  I remain unconvinced.

Dispatch from Nashua

Great meeting with the Nashua Republican Committee. We had 30 people there, including Theresa Drabinowicz. Theresa was a Democratic State Representative for 34 years, and as an anti-tax, pro-life Democrat, she was never afraid to stand up to her party's leadership.

Theresa didn't miss a vote in 34 years, and when spinal surgery threatened to keep her from attending sessions at the State House, she chose not to run again. This year, she finally realized that she's a Republican, and we're glad to have her.

If you make Skittles illegal, only criminals will have Skittles

The Nanny State really needs a time out.  Just sit in the corner until you realize what you did wrong:

Michael Sheridan was stripped of his title as class vice president, barred from attending an honors student dinner and suspended for a day after buying a bag of Skittles from a classmate.

The New Haven school system banned candy sales in 2003 as part of a districtwide school wellness policy, said school spokeswoman Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo.

If John Lynch and Bob Clegg wants to take us a on trip down Wellness Boulevard, it's good to know where we will end up.  You can have my Skittles when you pry them from my cold, dead hands.

From the Laconia Citizen

Grant and Frank Guinta both addressed the Belknap County Republican Committee last night:

Grant Bosse, who is running for the 2nd District congressional seat preceded Guinta by giving a brief address to county Republicans about his own campaign.

Bosse, who severed as a staff member for Sen. John E. Sununu, is one of four Republican candidates seeking the seat now filled by Paul Hodes.

"Congress is broken and I'd like to fix it," said Bosse, who advocated a return to the core of democracy concerning national defense and economic stability though responsible governmental spending, among other things.

On a personal note, Bosse attributed much of his success and coming to politics to the late House Minority Leader Michael Whalley. Like many Republicans from around the state, both Bosse and Guinta had attend Whalley's funeral last week.

Dispatch from Pembroke

Started the day at the aptly named Sunrise Rotary Club in Concord. We've also made stops in downtown Concord and Pembroke. On the way to Bow and Dunbarton, before wrapping up with the Nashua Republican Committee.

Campaign Snapshot: McCain Town Meeting

A warm reception.

Grant is trying to win back the seat held by Charlie Bass.

Bradley and Bosse work the room.

Equal time with John Stephen.


The next President of the United States.

Liveblogging from the McCain Town Hall in Exeter

3:20 And we're back. You may not agree with what John McCain stands for, but you'll certainly know what it is. The clarity of ideas at a McCain event is so superior to what you hear from either Senator Clinton or Obama. Change. For the children.

Great event. Senator McCain took the stage accompanied by New Hampshire co-chairs Peter Spaulding and Nancy Merrill, and Senator Joe Lieberman. He made some brief remarks, but spent most of the time answering questions from the audience.

I wanted to ask a question, but someone else covered just about everything I wanted to ask. Earmarks? Get rid of them. Taxes? Lower them, simplify them, and make the tax cuts permanent. Health care? Improve access and affordability through choice, and not mandates.

Great event. Presidential visits are always fun. Now it's back on the road, heading to the Belknap County Republican Committee Meeting.

2:12 John McCain is in the building.

2:04 Maureen Barrows has informed us that Senator McCain is about 15 minutes away.

1:57 Very close to getting started. I might not be back at the keyboard until after the event, and McCain has been known to take questions for a long time.

1:54 Very warm reception for Charlie Bass. I think a lot of Republicans who stayed home on Election Day are having buyers remorse every time they see Paul Hodes in action.

1:41 John Stephen and Jeb Bradley are both working the room. That's going to be a good race. I've known both of them for a while, and both really know their stuff. I met Jim Forsythe the other day as well, and he is exploring a run. Haven't seen him here yet.

1:38 Sweet Caroline. Good times never felt so good. SO GOOD! SO GOOD!
We should put out a "Sweating to the Rallies" CD with the same 20 songs you hear at every one of these events.

1:26 Standing room only.

1:11 Jennifer Horn is here as well.

1:00 Doors are open, and people are starting to come in. It's going to get crowded in here.

12:25 Students for Saving Social Security has a large contingent here today. Glad to see some people giving John McCain the credit he deserves for taking on this issue.

12:20 At least as long as my battery holds out.

Standing up for Social Security

Kevin Landrigan reports in the Nashua Telegraph on the Democratic Party's latest attacks on anyone willing to stand up to save Social Security:

CONCORD – Several groups with ties to the Democratic Party criticized Republican presidential nominee-to-be John McCain for supporting privatization of Social Security.

Fortunately, some candidates aren't afraid to tackle the coming crisis:

But Republican congressional candidate Grant Bosse of Hillsborough said McCain is to be commended for proposing a solution.
"We need to act now. If we don't, there won't be a Social Security to save in the future," Bosse said.

Unethical Ethics

Representative Eric Cantor witnessed first-hand Nancy Pelosi's contempt for the democratic process, as she had to cheat in order to get her watered-down, do-nothing "ethics" bill through the House yesterday. 

Tonight, on the House floor, House Democrats were headed towards defeat. They were opposed by a bipartisan coalition of Members, who wanted to work towards meaningful ethics reform, rather than accept the empty rhetoric offered by the House Democrat Leadership. At the end of the vote, the bipartisan coalition had prevailed; yet, Speaker Pelosi held the vote open and strong-armed less senior Representatives into voting her way. This action violated House rules that were enacted in January of last year.

Paul Hodes campaigned against these unethical strongarm tactics, but doesn't have a word to say against Nancy Pelosi's use of them.

Campaign Snapshot: Town Meeting Day

Grant brought coffee to the candidates outside the polls at the Hillsboro Middle School.



Entering the voting booth.


Casting his vote.

Talking with Walt and Bonnie Morse before Town Meeting.
James McDonough received the annual Loon Award from the Hillsboro Conservation Commission.

Bosse Applauds McCain’s Efforts to Save Social Security

(Hillsboro) Hillsboro Republican Grant Bosse today applauded Senator
John McCain's continuing efforts to save Social Security from
bankruptcy. The New Hampshire Democratic Party is attacking McCain on
the eve of his return to the state, which Bosse says is nothing more
than scare tactics.

"John McCain realizes that Social Security is on the road to bankruptcy,
and the Democratic Party wants us to speed up," Bosse said. "John
McCain should be applauded for his willingness to address the growing
crisis in the Social Security system."

Bosse worked extensively on Social Security reform as a legislative aide
in the U.S. Senate.

"We can preserve Social Security benefits for those at or near
retirement, and allow younger workers to take control of their own
retirement accounts," Bosse concluded. "The Democratic alternative is
to ignore the problem while trying to scare seniors into voting for
them. John McCain knows better."

Novak on earmarks

Robert Novak writes this morning on Jim DeMint and John McCain's efforts to get Congress to kick its earmark habit:

Sen. Jim DeMint, a first-term reform Republican from South Carolina, will propose a no-loopholes one-year moratorium on earmarks as a budget amendment. McCain has announced his support for the DeMint amendment and will co-sponsor it. DeMint wants to coordinate McCain's visits from the campaign trail to the Senate floor so the candidate can be there to speak for and vote for the moratorium.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is saying she might support a moratorium as well. Unfortunately, I've heard it will contain loopholes so big as to render the whole thing meaningless. Let's see if Paul Hodes supports real earmark reform or the Pelosi Loophole.

Bosse Urges Hodes to Support Earmark Moratorium

(Hillsboro) Hillsboro Republican Grant Bosse today called on Congressman Paul Hodes to support a one year moratorium on Congressional earmarks in the federal budget. Senators Jim DeMint (R-SC) and John McCain (R-AZ) have introduced an amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2009 that would block all earmarks for one year, giving Congress time to reform the budget process.

"Congress needs to take a break from its addiction to earmarks," Bosse said. "This moratorium would allow the federal government to operate without the pork-barrel projects that have clogged the system and show that our real priorities don't need earmarks in order to receive federal funding."

Earmarks are special projects attached to federal legislation at the request of individual Congressmen, often at the eleventh hour with no public debate or oversight prior to a vote. Congressional leaders often use procedural hurdles to prevent these secret projects from being removed from spending bills.

"Senators DeMint and McCain have been leaders on this issue, even managing to convince Senators Obama and Clinton to co-sponsor their amendment, " Bosse concluded. "Surely Paul Hodes can support this moratorium as well, and kick his earmark habot for the next year."

Dispatch from Jaffrey

Just got through meeting with the Rod and Gun Club at the Legion Post in Jaffrey. Next year is going to be critical for protecting Second Amendment rights. I'm optimistic that the Supreme Court will affirm an individual right to keep and bear arms, but that decision will lead to followup legislation. The people we send to Congress in November will write that legislation.

Town Meeting Day tomorrow. Always good to refresh my faith in democracy; slow, frustrating, better than anything else we've tried democracy.

Dispatch from Keene

Toured the Keene Fire Station this morning. Turns out Keene firefighters answer more calls per person each year than any other department in the state. They are very concerned about the state pension system, which is really in trouble.

We also spent a lot of time talking about federal programs designed to assist firefighters. Often, the federal funding comes with strings and conditions, or significant compliance costs.

I also spent some time talking to Mayor Dale Pregent about the challenges facing his city.

Off to Jaffrey tonight for a couple of stops.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

We're winning the battle of ideas, and moving the debate in this race onto our priorities.

3 weeks, 3,000 miles

As we we coming back through Hillsboro this evening, wrapping three weeks on the campaign trail, we hit 3,000 miles since we started this adventure in democracy on February 18th. Since then, we've been to all eight counties in the district, visited dozens of towns, and met hundreds of people.

Ray Burton always says to campaign like you're three votes behind. That work ethic has served him well in New Hampshire elections. My opponents may outtalk me. They may outsmart me. But no one is going to outwork me in this campaign.

3 weeks, 3,000 miles, and we're just getting started. See you soon on the campaign trail.

Franklin Sportsmen's Show

A good crowd at the 11th Annual Franklin Sportsmen's Show at the Franklin Middle School.

Dispatch from Tilton

A quick stop at the Tilton Diner. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning.

But I'm sure she supports the troops

A California judge can't hide her contempt for the military.

In denying the Royal High School student delayed entry into the Marine Corps, Children's Court Commissioner Marilyn Mackel reportedly told Sage and a recruiter that she didn't approve of the Iraq war, didn't trust recruiters and didn't support the military.

"The judge said she didn't support the Iraq war for any reason why we're over there," said Marine recruiter Sgt. Guillermo Medrano of the Simi Valley USMC recruiting office.

Hattip: Instapundit

Breakfast at Cafe Hayek

I spent the past week in Berlin, Colebrook, Franklin, and Plymouth, among other stops. Those aren't the most popular places to make the case for free trade these days, but the case needs to be made. Protectionism is the path to poverty, and we should do what ever we can to reduce trade barriers here and abroad.

Don't let the protectionists get you down. Refresh yourself at Cafe Hayek.

And a falling dollar generally reflects worsening U.S. domestic policies, such as inflationary money-supply growth, the likelihood of higher taxes or more command-and-control regulations, and, indeed, an increased probability of U.S. protectionism - protectionism that, by stifling entrepreneurial dynamism, makes America a less attractive place for foreigners to do business.

Video Diary: Plymouth Lions Club

Grant addresses the Plymouth Lions Club at the Common Man Inn:

Who said it?

"Since leaving office I’ve written about public policy from a new perspective: outside looking in. I’ve come to realize that protecting freedom of choice in our everyday lives is essential to maintaining a healthy civil society."

Newt Gingrich? Nope.

Phil Gramm? Not even close.

You are not going to believe it.

The Wall Street Journal's subscription wall might come down soon, so click below for the answer is you have to.

Hattip: Hot Air

Good news on greenhouse gasses

U.S. emissions are down, and without a Kyoto-style command and control system.

Hattip: Instapundit

This is good news. Human activity is increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, and the long term consequences are unpredictable and possible severe. We do not need to wreck our economy, or turn over control of our energy industry to a vast carbon bureaucracy as Al Gore would have us believe. We should look for free market solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike Kyoto, they might actually work.

My personal hope is that advances in battery technology will someday soon allow cars to travel the same distance as a tank of gas, and recharge within 10 or 15 minutes. Until those batteries come along, we're not going to be driving electric cars. So, who trusts Congress to get that job done, and who trusts market capitalism?

Higher health insurance premiums are a step closer

thanks to your State Senate.

Thomas Sowell sticks up for free trade

Free trade isn't very popular these days, but it remains the best path to prosperity.
Thomas Sowell explains.

Hattip: Ankle Biting Pundits

More Mandates; Higher Costs

First, from the pages of the Union Leader: 

Surgery for everyone: A big, fat mandate 

SEN. BOB CLEGG, R-Hudson, had weight-loss surgery last year and dropped more than 100 pounds. He is so happy with the results, he has introduced a bill to require that health insurers cover weight loss treatments, including surgery. 

Sen. Clegg's is one of numerous bills introduced in this legislative session to mandate health insurance coverage for specific treatments. Legislators have proposed demanding coverage for chiropractic care, colorectal screening, prostate cancer treatment, early intervention services for infants and toddlers, infertility treatments, midwife services and hormone treatments for transexuals. 

Sen. Clegg paid $20,000 for his surgery. He says insurers would save more than that over the years if they paid for the surgeries. But insurers are pretty good at math. If covering the surgery is cost-effective, they won't need the state to force them to do it. 

Legislators would help more people by reducing mandates, thus making health insurance more affordable and creating more coverage options. 

And from me: 

Bosse Chides Hodes for Raising Health Insurance Prices  

(Tilton)  Hillsboro Republican Grant Bosse today chided Democrat Paul Hodes for his vote to raise health insurance prices.  Hodes and fellow Democrat Carol Shea-Porter sided with Nancy Pelosi’s effort to increase health insurance mandates for mental illness.  

“When New Hampshire businesses and families are seeing health insurance costs rise by 10, 20 or even 25% each year, Paul Hodes voted to increase government mandates, limit consumer choice, and drive up costs,” Bosse said.  “The Pelosi bill will force health insurance providers to increase their premiums even more to pay for government mandates, or to eliminate mental health coverage entirely.  Paul Hodes has voted to make mental health coverage more expensive and harder to get.”  

Bosse issued his statement during a campaign stop at the Tilt’n Diner in Tilton. 

From the Concord Monitor

A wonderful Letter to the Editor from Paul Mirski in today's Concord Monitor:

He set an example

Mike Whalley, Republican leader in New Hampshire's House of Representatives, who died Saturday, was a rarity in the legislative arena.

He was a quiet, reserved and calm man, successful in business, who was able to keep personality separate from the adversarial environment where he served with 399 other volunteers in public service. His overarching interest as a political leader was to see that government in New Hampshire worked and that it evolved without sacrificing the fundamental rights of individuals to be able to act independently in the interest of themselves, their families and their neighbors.

Where ideologues worked the press, Mike Whalley worked unassumingly and without fanfare to move New Hampshire forward. He sought neither notice nor acclaim for his many accomplishments. Adversaries grudgingly accepted that he could not be driven off the high road and dragged into hot, unharmonious debate. He believed that others could always be persuaded to see reason and to take the sensible course. He provided House Republicans considerate leadership worth emulating, and he provided his adversaries an example of how to conduct respectful discourse.

His family and friends will feel deep pain and sorrow. His constituents, his party and the people of New Hampshire will greatly suffer his loss.

PAUL MIRSKI

Enfield Center

From the Berlin Reporter

Bosse says existing Congress has lost its way



By Bethany Taylor
BERLIN—“A lot of times in politics, you’re supposed to wait your turn before you step up to the plate,” said Congressional Candidate Grant Bosse in an interview in Berlin on Monday. Bosse, a 1994 Dartmouth graduate and Hillsboro NH native, is a tetch younger than the average Congressional politician. But, rather than patiently wait for his generation’s turn to be in office, Bosse is running for Representative Paul Hodes seat, which will be open in 2008. “I am running because I feel that Congress has lost its way… It’s time to refocus the Republican Party on its core values, and to turn away from earmarks, and the only way to establish a new way is to have new candidates step up.”

For all that he is younger than his competition, it isn’t as if Bosse is without experience. As he himself pointed out, between the four declared candidates for the contested seat, he is the only one with experience on the local, State, and Federal levels. In fact, while by his count, he has more Federal experience than Hodes himself, Bosse proudly admits “it’s a very strong field, we’re talking about a lot of the same issues, but we have a lot of different ideas.” He views the primaries as a necessary step in defining the core principles of the Republican Party, and which candidate is best equipped to carry those priorities into Federal government and policy.

Bosse himself holds three issues to be the core that Republicans should return to and redefine themselves by: “a strong national defense, secure borders and an economy free from over-taxation, unfunded mandates, and over-regulation.” He supports funding the mandate to build a border fence to cut down on illegal immigration, “Congress has a fence; let’s actually build that fence. The country is very frustrated that we aren’t serious about enforcing laws.” Bosse’s feelings on immigration are to streamline the process of legal immigration, take illegal immigrants out of the shadows, and move them to the back of the line. While he feels strongly that there should be fostered diversity in the country, “there has to be a consequence for breaking the law.”

While Bosse’s positions on immigration, the economy, and military funding—he called the games that the Federal government plays with latter “unacceptable”—are fairly expected for someone who is a vociferous and proud Republican, his environmental leaning is a bit more surprising. He is a member of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. “I think environmentalism is conservative, we need to be responsible for what we put in the air, the water, the ground.” Bosse supports market based, as opposed to control, systems to clean up the environment.

While this was Bosse’s first tour of the North Country for his own campaign, he has spent plenty of time in the region with his former boss Senator John E. Sununu, and plans to log many more hours on our roads before November, “A commitment to this district is a commitment to this district—I hope they’re going to be sick of me by election day and vote for me just to get me out of town!”

Video Diary: Concord GOP

Addressing the Concord Republican Committee's monthly meeting:

From the Nashua Telegraph

Craig Powers of Hudson nails it in a Letter to the Editor of the Nashua Telegraph: 

No place for earmarks in democratic society 

In a recent letter to the editor, Jeremy Muller of Hudson argued the virtues of pork-barrel spending, defending the practice in general and U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes' performance in particular (Feb. 23: "Earmarks by Hodes a benefit to our state").  

He summarized his argument quite unambiguously when he wrote "who complains when a representative brings money back to the state? That's their job . . ." 

Who complains when an elected official perpetuates the corrupt and shameless practice of earmarks? Only those Americans who believe that a free man and woman are entitled to that which they have earned.  

Our political class (both sides of the aisle with too few exceptions) and folks like Mr. Muller believe it is proper to take, at the point of a gun, through compulsory and confiscatory federal taxes, that which has been earned by the producers of this nation and then redistribute the ill-taken loot as earmarks to those congressmen most capable of operating in this corrupt system. 

Listing the details of the pork projects that Mr. Hodes brought back to New Hampshire, as Mr. Muller did, does little to remove the stench of the corrupt process.  

The fact remains that despite all of the rationalization of the "goodness" of this process, the projects were paid for with my money and with the money of hardworking taxpayers from every state in the union, none of whom have an interest in these projects or benefit from this income redistribution. 

Just as all Americans are properly outraged at the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere," a cynically comical illustration of the depths to which the earmarks process has sunk, New Hampshire residents should shake their head in wonder at the perpetuation of this dirty business by Mr. Hodes, a practice endorsed in Mr. Muller's letter. 

Americans should be very wary of any demagogue who justifies the taking of money from those who have earned it so that the money can be filtered through the corrupt process that is our federal bureaucracy, only to see a small portion of it trickle back to states in order to promote the "public good." 

The "public good" has always been the clarion call for higher taxes and reduced personal freedom. (Who could be so mean-spirited as to be against the "public good"?) Therein lies the lie that is the foundation of the big-government liberal agenda. 

Mr. Muller concludes his endorsement of the corrupt policy of earmarks with a statement that succinctly captures the bankrupt morals and those of the tax-and-spend philosophy: "If Paul Hodes keeps bringing our tax dollars back to New Hampshire to support our troops, provide jobs and promote the general welfare, then he's got my vote . . ." 

Would you not rather live in a country that respects the hard work, creativity and innovation of all Americans by acknowledging the natural philosophy that we are entitled to keep that which we have earned and should not be enslaved through higher and higher taxes and then forced to battle for the table scraps that are handed out in the form of earmarks?  

Imagine a country in which your tax bill is, say for a start, half of what it is now. That vision could be a reality, but not in the same country in which pork-barrel spending is not only tolerated but endorsed by folks like Congressman Hodes and Mr. Muller. 

Craig Powers 
Hudson 

Congratulations, Senator McCain

John McCain has run an exceptional campaign, coming back to win the Republican nomination when both rivals and reporters were counting him out late last year.  He has run a grassroots campaign, bringing new voters into the party, and he has focused on the core Republican principles of strong national defense and fiscal discipline.  New Hampshire has voted for John McCain twice already, and I’m confident we will do so again in November. 

Dispatch from Colebrook

Started the day in Errol, came through Dixville Notch, and I've been going through Colebook for most of the day. We're about to swing back through Groveton and Berlin to speak to the Lions' Club tonight, but have stopped for a late lunch at Howard's. Crystal recommends the cheeseburger. Who am I to argue?

UPDATE- Delicious. Back on the road.

Here Comes the (Berlin Daily) Sun

Bosse has high hopes for North Country leg of campaign

Craig Lyons

BERLIN — Republican congressional candidate Grant Bosse has only been on the campaign trail for two weeks and already put 2,000 miles on his car.

“I want to be here early and often,’ said Bosse, 35, of Hillsboro. He spent Monday touring the North Country and stopped for an interview with the "Berlin Daily Sun".

Bosse said he wants to make sure he is a presence in the area leading up to the Republican primary and general election. Quoting Executive Councilor Ray Burton, Bosse said, "You campaign like you’re three votes behind.”

Though this is 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 and serving as press secretary and political director for former Governor Craig Benson’s campaign.

Before starting off the campaign, Bosse spent five years on Senator John Sununu’s staff, in Washington D.C.

This track record of working in politics is why Bosse touts himself as the candidate with the most experience in Washington, even Democratic Congressman Paul Hodes, he said. Bosse said he is also the candidate with the broadest range of experience from working on the local, state and federal levels.

But after spending so many years working for politicians, Bosse decided it was time for him to step out and express his own ideas by running for the congressional seat.
“I saw a Republican Congress lose its way in Washington and a Democratic Congress pick up the same bad habits and a few of their own,” said Bosse. “I saw a need for new candidates with new energy to step forward and to put Congress back on track.”
Bosse is centering his campaign around three core principles. He added he feels these should also be the core priorities of Congress.

The first is national defense, Bosse said it should be Congress’ top priority
He added congress has played some political games with that responsibility over the past year and a half.

Bosse’s second priority is enforcing immigration laws and securing our borders. He added Congress needs to convince the American people they are serious about fixing the problems with immigration.

One example Bosse cited was the construction of a border fence that fell by the wayside. He added the fence was approved but members of Congress, including Hodes, voted against funding the fence.

The third priority Bosse listed is freeing up the economy by cutting taxes, mandates and regulations that are stopping it from growing.

Bosse said in places like the North Country where the economy has been hurting for a while, these areas can’t afford the national economy to take a turn for the worse.

“We need to get government out of the way of economic recovery,” said Bosse.
Bosse said measures like lowering taxes and easing regulations on small business will help with the economic recovery process by creating new jobs.

Bosse listed these three items as his top priorities and said he will leave the local decision making to the individual communities in the second district.

“I’m saying the same thing in Berlin as I’m saying in Nashua,” said Bosse.

But aside from communicating his positions on the the issues, Bosse said he encourages voters in the North Country to let him know the ways Congress can help them and the areas Congress is not helping.

Bosse said he has a very simple strategy as he’s hitting the campaign trail: Meet a lot of people, answer their questions and tell them what you believe in. He added he needs to find out how his priorities will effect people’s daily lives.

“It’s going to be a lot of work,” said Bosse. “And we’ve got six months to do it.”

Coffee Break in Berlin

Taking a brief break from the campaign trail. Heading down to the Town and Country, and then the Gorham Winter Carnival.
Tomorrow, we're in Errol, over to Colebrook for most of the day, and back in Berlin. The weather cleared up after noon, and it's been beautiful driving around.
I also called into Gardner Goldsmith's show, "Against the Grain." We had a nice chat about government intervention in health care. If he posts the interview online, I'll link to it.
Back to work.

Dispatch from Littleton

We just finished a quick stop in Littleton. We took a Main Street tour with Chad Stearns from the Littleton Chamber of Commerce, spoke with a number of merchants, and had a lively conversation with Charles Buckley at the bookstore. He's a Navy veteran, local attorney, and Dennis Kuchinich supporter. We had a lot to talk about.
We also stopped in at the Courier for an interview. I spoke with editor Justin Lavely for a half-hour, so that should make a nice story tomorrow.
Off to Lancaster.

Hodes: Tanned, Rested, and Wrong

Bosse Welcomes Hodes Back to Work; Urges Action on Terrorist Surveillance

(Littleton) Hillsboro Republican Grant Bosse today welcomed Congressman Paul Hodes back to work, and urged the Democratic lawmaker to demand swift action to restore the nation’s terrorist surveillance capabilities.

“Paul Hodes and the Democratic Congress have ignored their basic responsibility for 17 days and counting,” Bosse said. “But our enemies have been hard at work exploiting the gap in our intelligence capabilities that Congress’s inaction created."



Speaker Nancy Pelosi adjourned the House of Representatives on February 15th without calling a vote to reauthorize the expiring Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA. The Senate approved the legislation with broad, bipartisan support, and the House was set to approve it until Pelosi gaveled the session to a close without holding a vote. Last week, Pelosi scheduled a three-day work week and refused to hold a vote on FISA.

“The proper response to such an irresponsible abuse of power would have been to demand an up or down vote,” Bosse added. “Paul Hodes response was silence. After 17 days of inaction, he’s tanned, rested, and wrong.”

“I challenge Mr. Hodes to finally stand up to Nancy Pelosi and demand a vote to fully restore our nation’s counter-terrorism capability. We’ve been vulnerable for 17 days too long,” Bosse concluded.



Bosse issued his challenge at the beginning of a two-day campaign swing through Coos County.

Grant on Close Up

Part I:



Part II:

Sad News

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ New Hampshire's House minority leader has died.

Republican Michael Whalley of Alton died Saturday at Concord Hospital. He was 54.

Relatives say Whalley, who had been fighting a cancerous brain tumor, died of complications from a recent fall.

He was serving his eight term in the House, and had served as deputy speaker under former Speaker Gene Chandler.

Whalley was a co-owner of a snowmobile and motorcycle shops in Hooksett, Tilton and Laconia. He is survived by his wife and two children.


I interviewed with Mike before going to work for the NH House. He was always a smart, kind, and classy guy. New Hampshire has lost a good man today. My prayers are for Purr and the rest of Mike's family.

UPDATE- Union Leader

UPDATE- Others share their reactions to Mike's loss.

UPDATE, MONDAY- According to WMUR, calling hours for Mike are Wednesday from 5pm to 8pm at the Upham Walker House in Concord.
Union Leader
Foster's Daily Democrat
Concord Monitor
Nashua Telegraph

Campaign Snapshot

A quick stop at Foodee's on the Oval in Milford, with owner John Bowen.




On WSMN with Woody Woodland




Campaigning at Lindy's Diner in Keene.




I've been running into GOP Chairman Fergus Cullen a lot lately.



Sullivan County GOP Meeting in Claremont

Amherst Republicans are a hearty bunch.

We had close to twenty people for breakfast this morning at Joey's Diner in Amherst. Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta stopped by for some politics and eggs.

In Like a Lion

Quite a snowy morning on the road to Amherst for their monthly Republican Breakfast.
Drive safe.

I wonder if Ray Buckley will try to sneak a Democratic employee into the back to watch us eat pancakes?

Local Republican and Democratic meetings are for local Republicans and Democrats, and their guests. If the local group invites folks from the other party to the meeting, I have absolutely no problem with them attending. But if local groups objects to the opposition infiltrating their strategy session, they should have the grace to politely leave.

Ray Buckley knows better, no matter what he's telling the Union Leader to justify his action. Maybe he should lose a first-round draft pick? And no, Arlen Specter shouldn't waste our time with hearings on this either.