Attention Democrats
February 4, 2010It’s rare that you’ll see me give advice to Democrats, but I have some today. With Paul Hodes’ campaign floundering and him consistently trailing Kelly Ayotte, many Democrats wish a stronger candidate had gotten into the race. I have a suggestion. Why don’t they try to draft Secretary of State Bill Gardner? Gardner may want to move on to other things after 33 years as Secretary of State. Gardner, who has been elected by both Democratic and Republican Legislatures, would make a strong general election candidate who would give either Kelly Ayotte or Ovide Lamontagne a run for their money. He would also probably beat Hodes in the primary. He’s been in politics much longer and has far more connections than Hodes. If I were Harry Reid or Chuck Schumer, I’d be making some calls to Mr. Gardner. He could be one of the rare opportunities for Democrats to pick up a seat this cycle. At the local level, Democratic activists should start a Draft Gardner movement. However, whether it’s Gardner or anyone else, if I were a Democrat, I’d be seriously looking around for an alternative to Paul Hodes. I have yet to see a poll with him leading Kelly Ayotte, and he only narrowly leads the lesser known Ovide Lamontagne. Does anyone else want to play devil’s advocate and suggest possible replacements for Hodes who can win the seat for Democrats? However, all of us on this site wish Democrats would stick with Hodes because I’m feeling more and more that he’ll be an easy target this fall.
TimothyHorrigan
Feb 4, 2010
Bill Gardner is a Republican. He also still loves the job he has. He takes pride in running good elections, and the preparations for the 2010 elections are already under way. He is not going to run for the US Senate as a Democrat.
The Democrats see no need to “draft” anyone: Hodes’s “weakness” is apparent only to Republican spokespeople.
The election will be won or lost in the 7 weeks after the primary: the Republican might have less than 7 weeks if there is a recount. Right now, it is only the first week in February. These early polls don’t mean much.
ClarenceClaus
Feb 5, 2010
Bill Gardner is a Democrat and always has been.
steve vaillancourt
Feb 5, 2010
Fact checker please.
Bill Gardner is the person I admire most in the state.
Bill Gardner is a friend of mine.
Bill Gardner is and always has been a DEMOCRAT, albeit a sane and fair-minded Democrat (if that’s not too great an oyymoronic phrase to bear).
New Hampshire
Feb 5, 2010
I still say Democrats, especially the libelous ones like Horrigan, should not be allowed to post here — Republicans are not allowed on their websites… and why would anyone want to advise the Democrats on someone to run for office against us? Where is there a moderator to stifle this nonsense?
TimothyHorrigan
Feb 7, 2010
Libelous? If you are referring to reamrks about James O’Keefe, they’re not libelous… and if he wants to sue me there are plenty of others who have said worse about him.
Not that someone else doing worse things would matter much in court. One mistake O’Keefe makes is making too much of a fuss over what others did. His criminal case, if there is one, will be United States vs. O’Keefe— and what ACORN, or Mary Landrieu or anyone else (aside from his co-conspirators) did will be of no relevance to the case.
Thom Simmons
Feb 7, 2010
Actually, “New Hampshire,” while individuals may be banned from BH, there is no blanket banning of Republicans there. I post there reguarly. Private atrategies should be discussed privately anyway.
Now, if you would like to discuss banning anonymous posters with divisive agendas…I think that’s a much more valid discussion to have than someone who honestly presents themself for who they are.