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 Show OpenReturn to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Hello Return to index of stories... |
Hello and Happy New Year. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to this Special Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Coming up a look at New Hampshire's top stories of the year. Craig Benson brings a new management style to Concord - the former Cabletron CEO takes the reins as New Hampshire's 79th Governor. Dean dazzles the democrats in the race for the white house. And the face of the granite state comes tumbling down. |
| Roundtable Return to index of stories... |
But first let's introduce this week's guests. Joining us from the statehouse in Concord - Norma Love of the Associated Press and Colin Manning of Fosters Daily Democrat. And here with me in Durham, Edith Tucker of the Coos County Democrat, James Pindell of Politics-N-H-dot-com, and Jeff Feingold of the New Hampshire Business Review. Thank you all for joining us. |
| Intro Gov. Benson Return to index of stories... |
It somehow seems appropriate to begin our review of the year's top stories by going back to the start of the calendar year. It was just under one year ago - on January 9th - that Craig Benson took office as New Hampshire's 79th governor. Benson spent $10 million of his own money to get there - a record amount spent in the governor's race. |
| Benson Discussion Return to index of stories... |
NORMA LOVE, IT WAS AN INTERESTING YEAR AT THE STATE HOUSE IN CONCORD. WHAT STANDS OUT OR STRIKES YOU THE MOST AS THE MOST PROMINENT THING THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE SO FAR? I THINK IT'S BEEN A VERY ROCKY ROAD. HE HAD TREMENDOUS PLURALITY IN BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, YET HE TOOK THEM ON ALMOST AS OPPONENTS AT TIMES. HE COULD HAVE DONE I THINK A LOT MORE THAN HE DID IF HE HAD USED THEM AS FELLOW REPUBLICANS INSTEAD OF CALLING THEM INCOME TAXERS, ATTACKING THEM. IT'S LED TO SOME REAL DISHARMONY THAT HASN'T GONE AWAY, AND I THINK MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE THAT STANDS OUT. THE DISHARMON I WAS APPARENT WITH SOME PEOPLE, FORKS SENATOR GREEN IS ONE EXAMPLE. HAS IT DIVIDED THE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE? AND IN THE HOUSE? I THINK HE'S BEEN THROUGH SOMETHING OF A POLARIZING FIGURE IN THIS LAST YEAR. YOU'VE MENTIONED, NORMA MENTIONED THE REPUBLICANS AND IT'S NOT JUST THE REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE, BUT THE REPUBLICANS, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. MAYBE NOT OFFICIALS, BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF HIGH RANKING REPUBLICANS WHO ARE AT THE LEAST CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE THIS WHOLE, WHERE THE PARTIES HEADING, WHERE HE'S TAKING THE PARTY, WHAT HIS REAL AGENDA IS IN TERMS OF WHETHER HE WANTS TO GROW THE PARTY OR WHETHER IT'S HIS OWN AMBITIONS AT PLAY HERE. WE SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE COME AND GO IN THE ADMINISTRATION. TALK ABOUT THAT IF YOU WOULD. A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO REFER TO IT AS A REVOLVING DOOR, AND I CAN'T DISAGREE WITH THAT. HE'S GONE THROUGH TWO LEGAL COUNSELS SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN JANUARY. A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN SAY THE FIRST LEGAL COUNSEL WAS HEADED BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THAT'S A SPOT SHE'S ALWAYS WANTED TO GO. I DON'T THINK IT'S A SECRET THAT SHE WASN'T QUITE READY FOR WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION WAS GOING TO BRING. AND THEN WE SAW ANOTHER LEGAL COUNSEL LEAVE, CHRIS REED. NOW, EXACTLY WHY HE LEFT IS STILL UNCLEAR. BUT I THINK THE GOVERNOR IN TAKING OFFICE HAS DESCRIBED IT PERFECTLY, HE SAID A NEW SHERIFF IS IN TOWN. AND IT'S BASICALLY HIS WAY OR THE HIGHWAY IS WHAT THE SENSE I'M GETTING. AND I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU'VE SEEN A LOT OF TURNOVER, A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING WELL, I WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS, I'M PART OF THE STAFF, AND HE REALLY HASN'T DONE THAT. IT'S A VERY VERY TIGHT GROUP OF ADVISORS, IT'S THE GOVERNOR AND MAYBE ONE OR TWO OTHER PEOPLE. WHAT YOU HEAR I THINK WHAT COLIN IS DESCRIBING IS A CEO IN CHARGE, BUT GOVERNMENT IS NOT A CORPORATION. YOU HEAR FROM SOME REPUBLICANS, THEY WON'T SAY IT PUBLICLY, THAT DON'T GO TO WORK FOR BENSON IF YOU WANT TO LAST. STAY ON THE OUTSIDE. OH, THAT'S INTERESTING. I REMEMBER WHEN WE DO GET A CHANCE TO INTERVIEW HIM, WE MENTIONED HIS STYLE OF BEING A CEO, I SAID GEE, YOU CAN'T FIRE THE LEGISLATURE. SO I WONDER IF THINGS ARE GOING TO GO MORE SMOOTHLY THIS UPCOMING SESSION, NORMA. I HAVE MY DOUBTS. I THINK THERE ARE SOME LINGERING BITTERNESS OVER WHAT HAPPENED LAST SUMMER WHEN HE VETOED THE BUDGET. CALLED THEM ALL A BUNCH OF NAMES. MADE A LOT OF POLITICAL, I GUESS, HEY IN THE PUBLIC WHERE THEY DON'T SEE WHAT'S GOING ON, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND NECESSARILY LINE BY LINE WHAT'S HAPPENING. THEN IN SEPTEMBER SIGNED A BUDGET THAT WAS MORE EXPENSIVE TONIGHT ONE HE VETOED. I THINK WHAT YOU SAW IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, YOU ALSO SAW WITH THE LEGISLATURE. THAT LACK OF COMMUNICATION, THE LACK OF BRINGING IN. IT WASN'T SO MUCH WHAT THE GOVERNOR DID, IT'S THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR DID IT AND DIDN'T MAKE A PHONE CALL UP TO THE THIRD FLOOR, AND SAY THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO. IF YOU'RE ON BOARD OR NOT THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO. AND THAT PHONE CALL WAS NEVER MADE. A LOT OF THE LEADERSHIP IN OTHER REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE HAD TO FIND OUT THE GOVERNOR'S MOVE EITHER THROUGH THE PRESS OR SITTING IN THE BACK ROW WITH REPORTERS AT PRESS CONFERENCES. THEY STILL DO. NOTHING IS MORE EMBARRASSING THAN TO A SENATE PRESIDENT OR HOUSE SPEAKER TO HAVE A REPORTER COME UP TO THE OFFICE AND ASK THEM, WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK, AND THEY HAVEN'T GOT A CLUE WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO THINK ABOUT. DOES THAT HAPPEN MORE THAN ONCE? ALL THE TIME, YOU STILL DOES. AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS ANOTHER PIECE TO THIS PUZZLE, THEY'RE FINDING THE SAME THING. THE FIVE COUNSELORS TRADITIONALLY ACTED ALMOST LIKE A COUNCIL TO THE GOVERNOR, ADVISING AND LETTING HIM KNOW WHERE THEY STOOD AHEAD OF TIME BEFORE HE MADE THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS. BUT HERE YOU SEE A GOVERN GOING OUT ON A LIMB AND A COUNCIL BEING MORE REACTIONARY TO IT. SOMETHING ELSE THAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST YEAR, IT WASN'T JUST ONE THING, BUT IT STARTED WITH A, YOU LOOK BACK ON IT AS A MAJOR THING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, THE FORCED RESIGNATION OF GOVERNOR BENSON'S FIRST HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSIONER BECAUSE WHAT WAS WAS BASICALLY AN ETHICAL LAPSE, TO PUT IT MILDLY. THAT WAS -- EXPLAIN BRIEFLY WHY THAT CONFLICT OF INTEREST. HE HAD A CONFLICT OF INTEREST WHERE HE WAS ACTUALLY THE HEAD OF A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE FOR A TRADE ORGANIZATION THAT HE OWNS AMBULATORY SURGICAL HAVES, AND HE WAS DOING WORK FOR THAT P. A. C. IN THE OFFICE OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WHICH IS JUST A NO BRAINER IN TERMS OF EICS, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A WATERGATE THING HERE. THEN WE HAD LATER ON IN THE YEAR THE WHOLE AFFAIR WHICH IS STILL ONGOING BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OVER THIS CHOICE LINKS AWARDING OF A CONTRACT THROUGH, OF COURSE HE HAS THIS VIRTUAL STAFF, WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHO IS A REAL EMPLOYEE, APPARENTLY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAD A RULING RECENTLY, SO AND SO IS AN EMPLOYEE. IT'S VERY CONFUSING BECAUSE HE BASICALLY, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE WAY THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN RUN IS THAT THEY DON'T FOLLOW ANY RULES, THEY KIND OF MAKE THE RULES AS THEY GO ALONG. THE QUESTION THERE WAS LINDA PEPIN WAS DOING THE WORK -- A NONSTATE EMPLOYEE, A VIRTUAL EMPLOYEE TO DIRECT A CONTRACT TO WHAT SHE WANTED, APPARENTLY, OR ALLEGEDLY. AND THERES, THERE'S NO ANSWERING, THERE WAS FALSE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BEFORE THEY VOTED ON IT. THERE WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A BIDDING PROCESS THAT APPARENTLY NEVER REALLY BEEN GONE THROUGH AND NO ONE WHO WAS AN OFFICIAL STATE EMPLOYEE ACTUALLY LAID A FINGER ON THE INFORMATION OR KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON. DO YOU THINK JAMES OR EDITH THAT PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THAT KIND OF THING OR DO YOU THINK IT'S MORE OF AN INSIDER -- NOT ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY PAYING ATTENTION. I THINK NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS BEEN FORTUNATE IN MANY WAYS IN NOT HAVING TOO MANY RULES ABOUT CONFLICT OF INTERESTS AND SO FORTH. PARTICULARLY IN SMALL TOWNS, WHERE EVERYONE IS RELATED TO EACH OTHER, IT'S BEEN PRETTY CASUAL. AND NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS BEEN AWFULLY SMALL. NOW IT'S GETTING BIGGER, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE OUTSIDE, MAYBE PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION. BUT IN THE NORTH COUNTRY, I DON'T THINK THEY REALLY ARE YET. I AGREE WITH THAT. I DON'T THINK PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION NECESSARILY, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE US WHO ARE PAYING ATTENTION. THERE IS THIS INTERESTING DYNAMIC. INSIDE CONCORD WE TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS. BUT OUTSIDE LOOK AT HIS POLL NUMBERS, HIS POLL NUMBERS DROPPED TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT HE WAS OVER 50% OR MORE EVEN DURING ALL THIS BUDGET STUFF GOING DOWN. SO CLEARLY A LOT OF THE ETHICS AND QUESTIONS THAT GET BROUGHT UP CONSTANTLY, REALLY DOESN'T PLAY VERY WELL,. I DON'T THINK SO IT'S SO MUCH A MATTER OF POLL NUMBERS, AS IF THERE'S ALWAYS A DISCONNECT, WHAT GOES NONCONCORD AND HOW IT'S RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC, WHO DOESN'T REALLY NEED GOVERNMENT ALL THAT MUCH. BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IS WHAT IS HIS LEGACY GOING TO BE, WHAT IS HE HERE TO DO ANYTHING SUBSTANTIVE. HE SAYS HE WANTS CHANGE. BUT YOU CAN'T ACCOMPLISH CHANGE BY YOURSELF. I THINK HE FOUND THAT OUT WHEN HE VETOED THE BUDGET AND HAD A MINORITY OF CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS HELP HIM SUSTAIN HIS VETO, BUT THEN GOVERNMENT KIND OF GROUND TO A HALT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GO ANYWHERE WITH A MINORITY. I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY WHAT NORMA SAID BEFORE WHICH IS HE'S LIKE A CEO GOVERNOR, HE'S ALSO LIKE A CEO WHO PAYS NO ATTENTION TO HIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS. AND HE'S JUST FORGING RIGHT AHEAD, AND IN TERMS OF A CORPORATION, A REGULAR COMPANY, THAT'S DISASTER FOR A COMPANY FOR ONE PERSON TO ACTUALLY BE MAKING ALL DECISIONS AND NOT LISTENING TO ANY ADVICE, WHICH I'M NOT SAYING HE'S LISTENING TO NO ADVICE, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE RELATIONSHIP HE HAS DEVELOPED WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THERE'S NOT MUCH GIVE AND TAKE THERE. |
| Intro Budget Fight Return to index of stories... |
In Concord - Governor Craig Benson and the state legislature spent much of 2003 locked in a battle over the state budget. |
| Budget Discussion Return to index of stories... |
THAT VETO STAMP WAS SPECIALLY ORDERED FOR THAT EVENT AND AS A MATTER OF FACT WORD THAT HE WAS ACTUALLY IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES", SHOWN AS ONE OF THE GOVERNORS OR ONE OF THE STATES VETOING THE STATE BUDGET. HOW MUCH OF THAT IS POLITICAL MANEUVERING FOR THE NEXT ELECTION? WELL, YEAH, AS NORMA POINTED OUT BEFORE THE BUDGET THAT HE VETOED WAS LESS THAN THE BUDGET THAT ACTUALLY CAME OUT AFTER THE THREE MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE LEGISLATURE. AND IT STILL REMAINS TO BE SEEN ABOUT THESE BUDGET CUTS THAT APPARENTLY THE NEW HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSIONER IS EAGER TO COME UP WITH, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN VERY CONTROVERSIAL IN TERMS OF CUTTING SOME PROGRAMS THAT MANY PEOPLE THINK ARE ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDING BASIC SERVICE, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO CITIZENS. I THINK THAT THE PICTURE PLAYED REALLY WELL, THE VETO STAMP PLAYED REALLY WELL. I THINK THAT'S PART OF, THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS THAT HAPPENED DURING THIS FIRST YEAR, THE VETO STAMP AND THE TOLL BOOTHS WHERE HE MADE THEM ONE WAY FOR A FEW WEEKS. AND THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS PEOPLE LIKE, THEY LIKE TO SEE THAT STUFF. AND THE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. AND THE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, WHICH APPARENTLY HE'S DOING WOULD YOU TALKING TO THE F.D.A. OR ANYTHING, DOESN'T WANT TO TALK TO ANYBODY ABOUT ANYTHING LIKE THAT, SO IT'S PAR FOR THE COURSE, BUT THOSE ARE POPULAR THINGS. AS YOU SAID ACTION IS THE KEY WORD THERE THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON SAYS HEY, HE'S GETTING SOMETHING DONE. ABSOLUTELY. AND WHERE IT SHOWS UP IS IN PLACES LIKE THE COUNTY BUDGETS. WELL, THERE IS SOMETHING TO MAKE SURE EYES GLAZE OVER. I GET TO GO TO COUNTY BUDGET HEARINGS, AND VERY FEW PEOPLE DO. AND IT'S GOING, YOU KNOW, THIS IS COST SHIFTING AT ITS HEIGHT, AND MORE TO COME. BUT BY THE TIME PEOPLE ACTUALLY GET THE NEXT COUNTY TAX, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ASSOCIATE IT WITH THE VETOED BUDGET AT THE STATE LEVEL. AND ALSO THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILLS ALSO. RIGHT, AND THE PROPERTY TAX. IN HIS FIRST YEAR, A COUPLE THINGS SOCIALLY, HE ALSO WANTED GARY DANIELS ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, AND ANOTHER PERSON ON THE WOMEN'S, THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION. AND ALL THESE THINGS PLAY WELL WITH THE CONSERVATIVES, AND IT'S MAKING SURE THAT HE WON'T HAVE A PRIMARY. I THINK HIS MONEY IS MAKING SURE HE WON'T HAVE A PRIMARY. I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF DISSATISFIED MODERATE REPUBLICANS THAT IF HE WERE NOT AT WEALTHY AS HE IS WOULD CHALLENGE HIM. THAT'S A VERY GOOD POINT, AND IT'S APPARENTLY, IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE NOWHERE TO GO ON THIS ONE. BUT IF A MODERATE REPUBLICAN CAME THROUGH, AND IT WAS A PRIMARY, IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. BUT YOU NEED TO HAVE MORE THAN $10 MILLION TO SPEND BECAUSE HE CAN UP THE ANTE AFTER THAT TOO. YOU THINK IT WILL BE MORE THAN TEN MILLION THIS TIME AROUND? NOT AFTER THIS. HE ONLY SPENT WHAT, A MILLION, TWO MILLION. VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY DEFEATING MARK FERNAL. BUT HE DID END UP SPENDING FOR A FOLLOWING MORE PER VOTE THAN ANY OTHER ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, ANOTHER BILLIONAIRE IN NEW YORK, AND PEOPLE WHO SPENT UNLIMITED AMOUNTS OF MONEY. BUT HE SPENT MORE THAN ANYONE. I'M NOT SURE HE'S HAVING SUCH A WONDERFUL PRIME, THOUGH. I THOUGHT HE'D REALLY HAVE A GOOD TIME BEING GOVERNOR, WHY WOULDN'T HE. BUT HE DOESN'T APPEAR TO ME TO BE HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME. SO I'M INTERESTED THAT YOU JUST MAKE THE ASSUMPTION HE'S GOING TO RUN AGAIN. HE'S ALREADY ANNOUNCED. THAT'S RIGHT, HE ALREADY SAID SO. I KNOW, BUT PEOPLE DO CHANGE THEIR MINDS. THAT'S A GOOD POINT. WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN 2004. |
| Primary Politics Return to index of stories... |
When talking about the New Hampshire primary in early 2003, it wouldn't have been surprising to hear some people ask "Howard who? But this year the Dean machine certainly changed that. In the crowded democratic presidential race, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean has taken a commanding lead in the New Hampshire polls. As most of the other eight candidates criss-cross their way around the granite state, Dean has managed to capture the national media's attention. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, who was once considered the likely party nominee, seems to have faltered. James what happened?? |
| Primary Discussion Return to index of stories... |
THIS HAS BEEN THE YEAR OF HOWARD DEAN AND PEOPLE MAKE USE OF, ONE OF THE WAYS HE WENT IN IS BECAUSE HE WAS AN ANTI-WAR CANDIDATE AT THE TIME, HE WAS THE STRONGEST VOICE AGAINST THE WAR AT THE TIME. PEOPLE SAID THAT HIS OTHER OPPONENT LIKE JOHN KERRY DISMISSED HOWARD DEAN, WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE WAR, HE'LL GO AWAY, HE DOESN'T HAVE AN ISSUE, BUT THEN WHAT DOES HE DO. HE USES THE INTERNET TO HELP HIM DO VERY TRADITIONAL THINGS WHICH IS RAISE MONEY AND ORGANIZE. AND HE FOUND A NEW WAY OF DOING OLD STYLE POLITICS, AND HE WAS ABLE TO USE THAT TO CHARM THE MEDIA AND TO GET MORE MONEY, BE VERY GIMMICKY. JOHN KERRY AND THE OTHERS REALLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT AT FIRST, AND TOWARDS THE TEND THEY'RE LOSING. IS THIS GOING TO BE THE CAMPAIGNING OF THE FUTURE? I MEAN HAD IF THIS IS SUCCESSFUL FOR HOWARD DEAN, ARE WE GOING TO SEE A LOT MORE USE OF THE INTERNET? YEAH, BUT LET'S REMEMBER AGAIN HOW HE'S USING THE INTERNET. IT'S NOT JUST PIE IN THE SKY TYPE OF OH THIS NEW WAY. HE'S USING IT TO DO VERY TRADITIONAL CAMPAIGNING THINGS, RAISING MONEY, ORGANIZING PEOPLE, GETTING ON YOUR ISSUES. THESE KIND OF TECHNIQUES, SURE, THIS ALLOWS A CANDIDATE TO FUND RAISE MONEY AND CAMPAIGN AT THE SAME TIME WHERE THEY USUALLY ALWAYS HAD TO HAVE A TRADEOFF ON THAT. HE REALLY MADE HIS INROADS, AS JAMES SAID WORKS TAPPING INTO THAT ANGER ABOUT THE WAR IN IRAQ. AND I THINK THAT SENATORS KERRY AND EDWARDS, CONGRESSMAN GEPHARDT, THEY REALLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE DEPTH OF THE ANGER THAT THESE HARD CORE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTERS, AT LEAST IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND IOWA, HAVE, THIS FEELING ABOUT THE WAR IN IRAQ. BECAUSE THEY ALL VOTED FOR THE RESOLUTION, AND IT'S COME TO HAUNT THEM. SENATOR KERRY HAS SAID THAT, HE'S SAID THAT'S THE REASON DEAN WAS SO POPULAR. THAT'S WHY HE WAS INITIALLY POPULAR. BUT HE'S SMART ENOUGH TO REALIZE HE BUILT ON THAT MOMENTUM. SO IT'S NOT JUST ANTI-WAR SENTIMENT. JOHN KERRY HAD PROBLEMS DEFINING HIMSELF AND HIS VOTE. UP UNTIL SEPTEMBER, THE QUESTION ALWAYS CAME UP, HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE WAR, IT'S A VERY OBVIOUS QUESTION. IT STILL TOOK HIM 7 AND A HALF TO 8 MINUTES TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. WHY HE VOTED FOR THE WAR, BUT NOW HAS CONCERNS. I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY HARD FOR A CANDIDATE IS FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S AS THOUGH THEY HAVE NO PAST. HE THOUGHT HIS EXPERIENCE IN VIETNAM AND HIS ANTI-WAR STANCE CARRIED HIM A LONG WAY. WELL, THERE'S ANOTHER WHOLE GENERATION WHERE THE VIETNAM WAR IS SOMETHING THEY'VE STUDIED IN THE HISTORY BOOKS. DOESN'T RESONATE IN THEIR DAILY THOUGHTS. AND I THINK THAT'S THE HARD THING FOR AMERICA. YOU DON'T HAVE MUCH PAST. WE HAVE SHORT MEMORIES, I GUESS. VERY SHORT MEMORIES. HE'S DRAWN REALLY LARGE CROWDS THOUGH, HOWARD DEAN, HE DID SO FAIRLY EARLY ON, DIDN'T HE? HE DID OR DID NOT? HE DID. THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE SAID, WHAT'S GOING ON HERE, WHEN THEY SAW 2,000 PEOPLE AT WALPOLE ONE TIME. I THINK THAT WAS LABOR DAY. IN WALPOLE, IN THE WHOLE TOWN, AND PEOPLE JUST GOT BLOWN AWAY. THAT'S WHEN THE NATIONAL MEDIA STARTED PAYING ATTENTION. BUT WHEN HOWARD DEAN STARTED SHOCKING PEOPLE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER WHEN HE ANNOUNCED HE WAS GOING TO BE THE FUND RAISING LEADER AND BLEW AWAY THE REST OF THE FEEL. SO AGAIN IT'S NOT AN INTERNET THING, IT'S NOT EVEN THE ANTI-WAR, IT WAS MONEY THAT REALLY DROVE A LOT OF THIS EARLY COVERAGE FOR HIM. |
| Old Man Mountain Return to index of stories... |
When looking back at the big stories of 2003 we can't ignore the loss of the old man of mountain. People came from all around to pay there respects to the fallen monument. There was talk of rebuilding - but in the end the rocks will remain where they fell. |
| old Man Discussion Return to index of stories... |
APPARENTLY THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHICH ROCKS CAME FROM THE OLD MAN. IT'S PRETTY HARD TO DO. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET IN A HELICOPTER THAT DAY AND GO SEE THE, WHERE THE OLD MAN HAD BEEN. AND I THINK IT WOULD BE PRETTY HARD TO IDENTIFY WHICH ROCKS WERE WHICH. BUT IT WAS A -- IT'S LIKE SELLING THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE TO SOMEONE. IT WAS A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM, I MYSELF WAS QUITE SURPRISED AT HOW REALLY SAD AN OCCASION IT WAS, AND I HADN'T, I KNEW OTHERS FROM MY PAPER WOULD THERE, I THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE A MASSIVE TRAFFIC JAM. AND IN ACTUAL FACT EVERYTHING WAS HIGHLY ORGANIZED. IT WAS AGAIN A TYPICAL NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT IN WHICH THE POLICE TOOK OVER, THEY PROVIDED HELICOPTERS, AND REALLY IT WAS QUITE SOMETHING TO ACTUALLY BE THERE. THEN I WASN'T AT ALL SURPRISED THAT IT CAME OUT WITH A TASTEFUL RECOLLECTION AND REMEMBRANCES OF THE OLD MAN. BUT NOT A REBUILD. THERE WERE ALL KINDS OF WILD THOUGHTS ABOUT MAKING IT OUT OF, NOT PLASTIC, BUT STYROFOAM, FIBER GLASS. |
| Gay Bishop Return to index of stories... |
Making news in New Hampshire and around the world this year was the consecration of the first openly gay Episcopal bishop - Reverend Gene Robinson. In December Robinson was named person of the year by the gay newspaper the Advocate. His consecration has divided the Anglican Church. |
| Bishop Discussion Return to index of stories... |
WELL, MAKING NEWS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND AROUND THE WORLD THIS YEAR WAS THE CONSECRATION OF THE FIRST OPENLY GAY EPISCOPAL BISHOP, REVEREND GENE ROBINSON. HE WAS NAMED PERSON OF THE YEAR BY THE GAY NEWSPAPER, THE ADVOCATE. HIS CONSECRATION HAS DIVIDED THE ANGLICAN CHURCH. EDITH, YOU WERE MENTIONING TO ME BEFORE WE STARTED THAT WE HAVE SOME INTERNATIONAL STORIES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE THIS TIME AROUND, AND THAT WAS ONE OF THEM. THIS CERTAINLY IS ONE OF THEM, I THINK THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY IS ONE. THE FALL OF THE OLD MAN. AND GENE ROBINSON. I DON'T THINK WE'VE SEEN ANYWHERE NEAR THE REVERBERATIONS THAT WILL COME FROM THAT STORY. I THINK IT'S JUST BEGUN. THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH NOTICE NEW HAMPSHIRE IS VERY SMALL. SOMEONE TOLD ME THEY ESTIMATED MAYBE 50 PARISHES. BUT IT'S REVERBERATION THROUGH THE COUNTRY, AND INTERNATIONALLY, I THINK IS GOING TO BE LONG STANDING. THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH HAS PRIDED ITSELF ON BEING A BRIDGE TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, SOME DAY HOPING THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECONCILIATION, THAT THEY WOULD BE THE GROUP THAT WOULD BRING THE PROTESTANTS AND THE ROMAN CATHOLICS TOGETHER, I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER STEP AWAY FROM THAT. SIMILAR TO THE CONSECRATION OF WOMEN BISHOPS IN THE CHURCH. SO THIS STORY HAS A LOT MORE LEGS TO WALK ON THAN WHAT WE'VE SEEN. ANY COMMEND FROM YOU IN CONCORD? I AGREE WITH EDITH THAT THIS STORY HAS GOT, IT'S JUST BEGUN. I THINK ULTIMATELY BISHOP ROBINSON WOULD RATHER NOT BE EVERY TIME HE SEES A STORY IN THE PAPER CALLED THE OPENLY GAY BISHOP. HE IS THE BISHOP. IT'S LIKE WHEN GOVERNOR SHAHEEN WAS THE FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, SHE TRIED NOT TO BE THE WOMAN GOVERNOR. YOU WANT TO BE WHO YOU ARE AND JUST UPON THE MERITS OF THAT. I DON'T KNOW IF WE'LL GET THERE, I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE. IT'S REALLY TOO BAD IN A WAY THAT IT'S BEEN SO DIVISIVE. BUT FOR SOME PEOPLE THIS IS SUCH AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE. I HAD ALWAYS WONDERED AT THE INCLUSIVEITY OF CHURCHES WHEN THEY TRY TO EXCLUDE. WITH THIS CONSECRATION TOO THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE THAT WERE NOT INVOLVED WITH THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOULD THEN GET INVOLVED. YEAH, AND ON THE OTHER SIDE IF YOU NOTICED THERE'S A LOT OF THE OPPOSITION CAME FROM OUTSIDE THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AND IT'S AS NORMA SAID, HE'S HAPPENS TO BE APPARENTLY A PRETTY SPECIAL PERSON, FROM, TO BE ABLE TO RISE TO THIS LEVEL, THIS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF PEOPLE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE BEFORE HE WAS, HIS NOMINATION WAS APPROVED BY THE NATIONAL CHURCH. I THINK THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH ITSELF IS VERY INTERESTING. I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT HOWARD DEAN WAS RAISED EPISCOPALIAN. WENT TO AN OLD LINE EPISCOPAL PREP SCHOOL. HE GAVE UP BEING EPISCOPAL APPARENTLY OVER SOME ISSUE WITH A BICYCLE PATH BEING PUT BEHIND THE CHURCH HE BELONGED TO AND HE SLIPPED AWAY INTO ANOTHER DENOMINATION. PRESIDENT BUSH OF COURSE WAS RAISED EPISCOPALIAN AND BECAME A METHODIST. SO THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH DOES HAVE A PROBLEM THAT MAYBE PEOPLE ARE NOT AS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT IT, AND IT IS AN OLD LINE CHURCH THAT IS HAVING TROUBLE STAYING RELEVANT. GENE ROBINSON IS SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE IT MORE RELEVANT, WHETHER THAT WORKS OR NOT IS UNCLEAR. YOU GET THE FINAL COMMENT. I DIDN'T MEAN TO JUMP ON TOP OF YOU, SORRY ABOUT THAT. THAT IS IT FOR THIS EDITION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK. |
| Guest Goodbye Return to index of stories... |
Well thats it for 2003, Edith Tucker, Jeff Feingold and James Pindell thanks for being here. And up at the statehouse, Norma Love and Colin Manning, thanks so much, for being with us. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
Until then, thanks for joining us. And Happy New Year. |
| Founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Stratford Foundation |
| Tonight at 10 Promo Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| key: Media Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 01/01/04 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 26:46 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, a Special Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Coming up a look at New Hampshire's top stories of the year. Craig Benson brings a new management style to Concord - the former Cabletron CEO takes the reins as New Hampshire's 79th Governor. Dean dazzles the democrats in the race for the white house. And the face of the granite state comes tumbling down. Joining us from the statehouse in Concord - Norma Love of the Associated Press and Colin Manning of Fosters Daily Democrat. And here with me in Durham, Edith Tucker of the Coos County Democrat, James Pindell of PoliticsNH.com, and Jeff Feingold of the New Hampshire Business Review. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair, Jennifer Vachon NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Norma Love\Associated Press, Colin Manning\Fosters Daily Democrat, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, Edith Tucker\Coos County Democrat |
| News Briefs Return to index of stories... |
Here's a look at other stories making news this Friday. |
| Next OutlookTease Return to index of stories... |
That is it for our year in review program. Our guests return next time with a look ahead to 2004. We hope you'll join us. |