Polls Heavily Favoring Republicans in NH

Real Clear Politics is reporting that Republicans are polling very well against Democrats in New Hampshire - NH Poll: Dems Face A Thumpin'. If Democrats can't learn a lesson from their defeat in Massachusetts they are likely to get another chance to learn that lesson in New Hampshire. New Hampshire's state motto is 'live free or die', and it's a fitting motto for the state. The overall philosophy of NH is 'get out of my pocketbook, and get out of my personal life.' New Hampshire is fiscally conservative, but not that socially conservative, and it is very independent. This is a pretty simple protest vote from New Hampshire, 'Government, you're spending too much money, and not helping our economic situation.' When New England states turn red, it's not because the people have been reborn as social conservatives, it's because the government is causing more problems than they're fixing. For NH it's a pretty easy bet, that if the people are upset, then government is spending too much of their money.

First, the Senate race to replace Judd Gregg (R). Rep. Paul Hodes (D) trails former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte (R), and he doesn't poll above 40 in any matchup, even with the lesser-known potential opponents he leads.

Ayotte (R) 41 -- Hodes (D) 33 -- Und 25
Hodes (D) 38 -- Lamontagne (R) 29 -- Und 30
Hodes (D) 34 -- Binnnie (R) 30 -- Und 33
Hodes (D) 36 -- Bender (R) 27 -- Und 35

In the first Congressional District, Rep. Carol Shea Porter sees her favorable rating dip to 35 percent while 40 percent now view her unfavorably, a net drop of 11 points from October. Right now four Republicans are likely running to challenge her, and she trails each one.

Guinta (R) 43 -- Shea Porter (D) 33 -- Und 22
Ashooh (R) 36 -- Shea Porter (D) 33 -- Und 28
Bestani (R) 36 -- Shea Porter (D) 33 -- Und 30
Mahoney (R) 39 -- Shea Porter (D) 32 -- Und 28

The second Congressional District sees an open seat race. Former Rep. Charlie Bass (R) is running to reclaim the seat he lost to Hodes in 2006; 2008 nominee Jennifer Horn (R) is also running again. On the Democratic side, attorney Ann McLane Kuster (D) will likely face 2002 nominee Katrine Swett (D). Only Swett holds a lead in potential matchups with both Republicans.

McCain New Hampshire Update

OFFICE GRAND OPENINGS
We are expanding our network of Victory Centers across the state. In the coming weeks we'll be opening two new Victory Offices in Grafton and Rockingham Counties. Please join us. Meet other local supporters, activists and campaign staff and learn more about our operation!

August 20, 5:00-8:00PM

Stratham Victory HQ
151 Portsmouth Avenue
Stratham, NH 03885
August 22, 5:00-8:00PM

Lebanon Victory HQ
57 Mechanic Street
Lebanon, NH 03766

COUNTY TRAININGS
We are continuing our informative training sessions across the state where you can learn more about our plan for victory, meet and ask questions of staff members from the McCain, Sununu and NH Victory campaigns as well as sign up to be a part of our Get Out the Vote operation this summer and fall!

Hillsborough County - Nashua
Wednesday, August 13, 7:00PM
Nashua Victory HQ
139 Daniel Webster Hwy
Nashua, NH

Grafton County
Saturday, August 16 @ 3:00PM
Lebanon Victory HQ
57 Mechanic Street
Lebanon, NH

Belknap and Carroll Counties
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 @ 5:00PM
Wolfe Trap
19 Bay St, Wolfeboro, NH

If you'd like to attend,
please RSVP to
Tom DeRosa at
Tom@NHGOP.org
or call 603-225-9341

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Wednesday, August 13
5pm-8pm
Keene Phone Bank Night
328 West St
Keene, NH 03431
Or Call 603-888-3138

Thursday, August 14

5pm-8pm Manchester Phone Bank Night
250 Commercial St. Suite 3007
Manchester, NH 03101
Or Call 603-369-4944

5pm-8pm Stratham Phone Bank Night
151 Portsmouth Ave.
Stratham, NH 03855
Or Call 603-778-1154

5pm-8pm Nashua Phone Bank Night
139 Daniel Webster Highway
Nashua, NH 03060
Or Call 603-888-3138

5pm-8pm Lebanon Phone Bank Night
57 Mechanic St.
Lebanon, NH 03766
Or Call 603-448-0004

Saturday, August 16
Time Event / Location To RSVP
8:30amLondonderry Old Home Day Parade
Meet at Londondery Middle School
313 Mammoth Rd.
Londonerry, NH 03053
Or Call 603-369-4944

Anytime Manchester Phone Bank
250 Commercial St. Suite 3007
Manchester, NH 03101
Or Call 603-369-4944
Meet @ 10am Manchester Door to Door
250 Commercial St. Suite 3007
Manchester, NH 03101
Or Call 603-369-4944

Anytime Stratham Phone Bank
151 Portsmouth Ave.
Stratham, NH 03855
Or Call 603-778-1154
Meet @ 10am

Seacoast Door to Door
151 Portsmouth Ave.
Stratham, NH 03855
Or Call 603-778-1154

Anytime Nashua Phone Bank
139 Daniel Webster Highway
Nashua, NH 03060
Or Call 603-888-3138

Meet @ 10am Nashua Door to Door
139 Daniel Webster Highway
Nashua, NH 03060
Or Call 603-888-3138

5pm-8pm Lebanon Phone Bank Night
57 Mechanic St.
Lebanon, NH 03766
Or Call 603-448-0004

Meet @ 10am Lebanon Door to Door
57 Mechanic St.
Lebanon, NH 03766
Or Call 603-448-0004

Not local to our Victory Centers?

We also have a variety of other volunteer activities across the state that you can be a part of including:
Writing Letters to the Editors of your local newpapers - Please contact Mark Lenzi - Mark@nhgop.org

Sign Delivery - contact our state Headquarters at 603-369-4944 or email NHVolunteer@JohnMcCain.com

Volunteering at County Fairs and Old Home Day Celebrations
please contact our state Headquarters at 603-369-4944 or email NHVolunteer@JohnMcCain.com

McCain and the Town Hall Meeting

I attended a McCain Town Hall meeting in Weare the other night. Senator McCain reiterated his support of New Hampshire's first in the nation status, while confessing to pandering. He explained that town hall meetings are a unique and important part of the election process, and that New Hampshire deserves its first in the nation status because it takes its responsibility seriously.

I have to admit hat I love the town halls, and wish that more people had the opportunity to see them. The media could learn a lesson about how to ask a question from these events. Health care, social security, Iraq, and the economy are frequent topics, and a wide range issues are often discussed in detail. People are much more interested in the issues than the politics of the race itself contrary to what the media portrays.

Part of the reason for my support of the Senator is that I've had the opportunity to hear him fully explain his positions on a variety of topics where he wasn't limited to just a sound bite. Two things particularly impress me; one is that he encourages people follow up on questions even when there they disagree with him. He routinely asks the questioner if they were satisfied with his answer and will respectfully debate just about any issue. The other aspect that I'm impressed by is simply the amount of 'stuff' that he knows. At one town hall he was asked about dairy prices in New Hampshire. He responded saying he knew that there was competition between the groups of Northeast and Midwest dairy farmers that often caused pricing problems. I sat there and thought, 'How does an Arizona Senator know about New Hampshire dairy prices?' I live less than ten miles from a New Hampshire dairy farm, and don't have the foggiest idea about dairy prices; I'm not even sure I summed up his answer properly. His depth of knowledge is particularly evident when it comes to foreign policy. I've seen several candidates speak and none of them can hold a candle to Senator McCain on foreign policy. He talks about Pakistan, Waziristan, the impact of Iran on Iraq, and the interconnection of countries in the Middle East; as well as challenges in China, Korea, and Russia. He simply knows more than any other candidate on these issues, and that is particularly evident at town hall meetings. For any undecided voter out there my request isn't that you vote the way I think you should, its that you go to these town hall meeting and let the candidates speak for themselves. Frankly, I'm confident Senator McCain will win New Hampshire if enough voters go see him in person.