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 Show #1239 |
Eaton & Campaign |
| Hello |
Baines |
| Phone jaming trial |
Parking ? |
| Primary |
Goodnight |
| Romney |
Primary |
| Wrenn/Exec Council |
Tonight at 7:30 |
| Ethics |
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| Show #1239 |
Eaton & Campaign |
| Hello |
Baines |
| Phone jaming trial |
Parking ? |
| Primary |
Goodnight |
| Romney |
Primary |
| Wrenn/Exec Council |
Tonight at 7:30 |
| Ethics |
| Show #1239 Return to index of stories... |
THIS SHOW DOES NOT EXIST. SNOWSTORM DAY. WE RE-AIRED #1223 |
| Hello Return to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. THIS SHOW DOES NOT EXIST. SNOWSTORM DAY. WE RE-AIRED #1223 |
| Phone jaming trial Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--GOP Phone Jamming, TOPS Witnesses' stories differ on Tobin's phone jamming role bywstklm XX UPDATES with McGee and Raymond differing on Tobin's role, but agreeing phone jamming wouldn't have happened without him. Minor edits throughout. XX CONCORD, N.H. - Two men involved in a plot to jam Democratic phone lines on Election Day 2002 are telling different stories of a third man's role in the plan. In federal court today, Chuck McGee, former executive director of the state Republican party, testified that James Tobin only provided a phone number for a possible phone-jamming contact. But the contact -- Allen Raymond -- told jurors Tobin told him about the plan about two weeks before Election Day. Raymond, who says he acted as the middleman, says he and Tobin spoke about the phone jamming many times before and after Election Day. But McGee and Raymond agree on one point -- that the phone jamming couldn't have happened without Tobin. McGee says he wouldn't have pursued the plan if Tobin had told him to stop. Raymond says he wouldn't have helped McGee without a reference from Tobin. Tobin faces up to 19 years in prison and one million dollars in fines if convicted on all four counts. AP-NY-12-07-05 1723EST Two men involved in a plot to jam Democratic phone lines on Election Day 2002 are telling different versions of a third man's role in the plan. In Concord today, Chuck McGee, former executive director of the state Republican party, testified James Tobin only provided a phone number for a possible phone-jamming contact. But the contact -- Allen Raymond -- told jurors Tobin pitched the phone-jamming idea to him a couple of weeks before Election Day 2002. Raymond, who says he acted as the middleman, says he and Tobin spoke about the phone jamming many times, both before and after Election Day. McGee and Raymond have pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiring to commit phone harassment. Part of their plea deals include agreements to testify against Tobin. Tobin, of Bangor, Maine, faces a total of four counts, including one of violating others' right to vote. RECALL FIGHT |
| Primary Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Clinton-Primary ime again for that quadrennial cliff-hanger, the Perils of the Primary. Will the dastardly Michigan Gang tie little New Hampshire to the railroad track just as the locomotive comes over the horizon? Will Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean save the day? Or will Dean let the Commission on Presidential Nomination Timing and Scheduling work its will when it meets this weekend? Political activists will be on the edge of their seats. Every four years one of the major political parties decides it can achieve an electoral advantage by tinkering with the scheduling of the primaries and caucuses that select a presidential nominee. This year it's the Democrats; but it hasn't been that long since the Republicans shifted their schedule, leaving many states holding caucuses for one party on one day and for the other a few months later. Lynch: Hillary Clinton backs New Hampshire primary kwman CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch says Hillary Clinton has told him privately that she supports the state's first-in-the-nation presidential primary. A Democratic Party commission studying the presidential nominating process is supposed to issue its recommendations Saturday. Several commission members appear to favor moving some larger, more racially diverse states ahead of New Hampshire. But New Hampshire law says the secretary of state must set the primary a week ahead of similar contests in other states. Right now, only the Iowa caucuses are held before the New Hampshire primary. Lynch says he's been lobbying Clinton on New Hampshire's behalf. He asked her to back a plan to put more diverse states a week or so after New Hampshire. Lynch says the four other possible Democratic contenders have also told him they support keeping New Hampshire in first place. The Republican Party plans to keep the traditional calendar. AP-NY-12-07-05 0553EST CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch says Hillary Clinton has told him privately that she supports the state's first-in-the-nation presidential primary. A Democratic Party commission could recommend moving some larger, more racially diverse states ahead of New Hampshire. The commission is expected to issue its report Saturday, but it won't have the final word. That will come next year from the full Democratic National Commission. Lynch: Hillary Clinton backs NH By JOHN DISTASO Senior Political Reporter 12 hours, 6 minutes ago CONCORD — Gov. John Lynch yesterday said potential 2008 Democratic Presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton has privately voiced her support for keeping New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary in its traditional role, behind only the Iowa caucus. Lynch said he has lobbied the New York senator on New Hampshire's behalf now that the primary's long-held slot behind only Iowa is being threatened by a Democratic National Committee advisory commission. He said he asked her to back a New Hampshire Democratic plan to place more ethnically diverse states at least a week behind New Hampshire, rather than ahead of it. CLINTON LYNCH The governor said in an interview that Clinton "has to decide for herself what public statement she wants to make, but she appeared very supportive of that model. Her response did not concern me." He said she was among five potential Presidential hopefuls who recently told him they support the New Hampshire plan. The governor said he is "ready to do battle" to ensure that the primary is not shoved down in the primary/caucus lineup. He said that if Secretary of State William Gardner finds it necessary to jump the primary to an early date to keep it second in line, he will "fully support" the move. Lynch said he will in the meantime continue to lobby potential Presidential candidates to back the state's traditional role in the nominee selection process. A commission reporting to the Democratic National Committee on Saturday seems poised to recommend placing at least two contests in ethnically diverse states between mostly white Iowa and New Hampshire. The recommendation will go to DNC Chairman Howard Dean, then to the DNC's rules committee — and finally, to the full DNC next year. Lynch said the New Hampshire Democrats' plan is the best model for the country, as well as the state. The New Hampshire plan also calls for the nationwide primary/caucus process to be spread out over three to four months. Lynch said that in addition to Clinton, he has asked four other potential 2008 Democratic presidential candidates to support the New Hampshire plan, including Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Virginia Gov. Mark Warner. All five, he said, have been supportive. Clinton's support could be critical to stopping DNC tampering. The former First Lady would probably be the instant favorite — at least of the party establishment — should she run. There has been speculation in the national media that her influential supporters want to water down New Hampshire's role because of its history of closely examining and, in some cases, knocking down front-runners — and because Clinton and her husband, the former President, are popular among African-Americans. Lynch said he has spoken to Clinton about the primary more than once. "I have been very clear in my request of the candidates," he said. "I have said that we support Iowa and then New Hampshire with no contest coming between us and then contests coming after New Hampshire. And the candidates with whom I have spoken have supported the model." Clinton appeared on Lynch's behalf at a fundraiser in Boston for the governor in late October, but she has — publicly, at least — stayed out of the primary/caucus debate. Lynch said he has pressed the candidates to be specific. "I don't take as a response, 'I support the New Hampshire primary,'" he said. He said he asks them specifically about the New Hampshire proposal. New Hampshire has a state law mandating the secretary of state to schedule the primary "seven days or more" before any "similar election." Gardner said last week he interprets the law broadly. If there is any doubt about whether an earlier election — caucus or primary — is similar, or if there are several dissimilar caucuses placed before New Hampshire, the law would be triggered and he would schedule the primary ahead of them, he said. "The intent of the law is to preserve our tradition," Gardner said last week, "nothing less." Lynch said he will support Gardner "fully in having the primary occur on whichever date is required to protect it." The governor said the national party commission began with laudable goals to increase voter turnout in primaries and caucuses, to end or lessen front-loading of the primary/caucus calendar and to increase ethnic diversity in early contests. He said he believes the process should also encourage increased voter participation, encourage little-known candidates to consider running and produce the most competitive nominee possible. "But now it appears that the commission is more intent on listening to the few who just want to bash New Hampshire, who want to take away New Hampshire's primary," Lynch said. "The commission didn't give us the primary, and they're not going to take the primary away from us." Lynch said it appears some commissioners have decided to listen to New Hampshire's loudest critic on the panel, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan, to avoid a confrontation with him. "We are ready to do battle if that's what it takes to keep the Presidential primary first and to keep the model that we have in place," Lynch said. If the commission votes on Saturday to dilute the New Hampshire primary, "We'll have to look at the vote and see what the next step is," he said. "I will continue to talk with potential Presidential candidates, with former Governor Dean and with DNC members so they know that our position is very clear." Lynch also did not rule out the possibility that the dispute could end up in court. "Anything could end up in court," he said. "Hopefully, that won't happen." Print Article | Email a FriendSite Search |
| Romney Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Romney-New Hampshire Romney meets with activists, Senate leader in first primary state BEDFORD, N.H. - Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney hasn't announced yet whether he will run for president, but he sounded like a candidate during a visit to New Hampshire tonight. Romney touted his success in closing a budget deficit in Massachusetts, pushing for better schools and expansion of private health insurance as he made a foray into the first presidential primary state. Romney addressed Republicans at the Wayfarer Conference center in Bedford, where his speech was cut short after about 25 minutes when a fire alarm sounded. Romney also pointed to his work with Massachusetts' heavily Democratic Legislature as an example of how partisan divides can be bridged. Romney says he will not make a decision until December 20th. AP-NY-12-07-05 2238EST Romney to address Manchester GOP Holiday Party. Gov. Mitt Romney will be the featured speaker at the Manchester Republican Committee's Holiday Party Dec. 7. Romney was been to the state several times this year exploring a presidential bid. Last year's keynote speaker was former State Sen. Bruce Keough. |
| Wrenn/Exec Council Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Corrections Commissioner Curry asks corrections employees to support their new commissioner dewcon CONCORD, N.H. - Within minutes of hearing he had been replaced as corrections commissioner, Stephen Curry cleaned out his office yesterday and sent employees a message asking that they support the new commissioner. The Executive Council yesterday confirmed Governor John Lynch's appointment of Hampton police Chief William Wrenn to replace Curry. In a farewell e-mail, Curry told corrections employees they have a responsibility to educate Wrenn and support him. Wrenn says he's negotiating a departure date with Hampton officials and does not know yet when he'll take over the Corrections Department. AP-NY-12-08-05 0608EST AP-NH--Corrections Commissioner TOPS Lynch pick for corrections gets approval from Executive Council kwnmlklmfnfls HOPKINTON, N.H. - The Executive Council confirmed a new corrections commissioner today. Hampton police Chief William Wrenn was confirmed by a vote of three-to-two. When Governor John Lynch first announced the nomination, Councilor Ruth Griffin of Portsmouth said she would vote against him, even though he was a good personal friend. She said there was too much turnover in the job. But apparently she changed her mind. Today she joined Councilors Debora Pignatelli and Peter Spaulding in supporting Wrenn. Wrenn will become the eighth corrections commissioner to serve in the past ten years. He will replace Stephen Curry, whose term ended in October. AP-NY-12-07-05 1122EST HOPKINTON, N.H. - The Executive Council is expected to confirm a new corrections commissioner today. Governor John Lynch has said he wouldn't call for a vote on Hampton police Chief William Wrenn until he had the support of three executive councilors -- a majority. Two newspapers are reporting today that Executive Councilor Ruth Griffin has changed her mind and agreed to back Wrenn. Councilors Peter Spaulding and Debora Pignatelli have already announced their support. When Lynch first announced the nomination, Griffin said she wouldn't support Wrenn -- even though he's a close personal friend -- because there's been too much turnover in the job. If he's confirmed today, Wrenn would become the eighth corrections commissioner to serve in the past ten years. He would replace Stephen Curry, whose term ended in October. HOPKINTON, N.H. -- The state has a new corrections commissioner. The Executive Council confirmed Hampton Police Chief William Wrenn, 3-2, on Wednesday. Councilors Ray Wieczorek and Ray Burton objected. Gov. John Lynch had said he would not call for a vote on Wrenn until he had the support of three of the five councilors. Councilor Ruth Griffin, R-Portsmouth, apparently changed her mind and agreed to back Wrenn, some newspapers reported Wednesday. Councilors Peter Spaulding, R-Hopkinton, and Debora Pignatelli, D-Nashua, had already announced their support. =============== When Lynch first made the nomination, Griffin said she would not support Wrenn, whom she described as a close personal friend, because there has been too much turnover in the job. Wrenn becomes the eighth corrections commissioner to serve in the past 10 years. He replaces Stephen Curry, whose term ended in October. The state prison workers' union had objected to Curry's leadership. =========== I t looks like the state's prisons will have a new boss. Executive Councilor Ruth Griffin of Portsmouth told people she will join two other councilors in giving Gov. John Lynch the votes he needs to make Hampton police Chief William Wrenn the new corrections commissioner, according to sources who asked to remain anonymous. Lynch is expected to put Wrenn's name before the Executive Council this morning. If confirmed, Wrenn would replace current Commissioner Stephen Curry, who has been the department's head for 16 months. As recently as yesterday morning, it wasn't certain that Lynch would have the votes to make the switch. Councilors Peter Spaulding, a Hopkinton Republican, and Debora Pignatelli, a Nashua Democrat, have been the only two councilors to say publicly they would vote for Wrenn. Councilors Ray Burton, a Bath Republican, and Ray Wieczorek, a Manchester Republican, said they would not. That left only Griffin, a Portsmouth Republican who had said she likes Wrenn personally but wanted to keep Curry on the job. Monday, Griffin renewed Lynch's hopes by saying she hadn't decided how she'd vote. Yesterday, she and Lynch met privately to discuss the nomination. Griffin could not be reached yesterday but reportedly told others that she would not reveal her position until this morning, at the Executive Council meeting. But sources who spoke on the condition they not be named said Griffin will support Wrenn. ---ADVERTISEMENT--- Wrenn could not be reached last night and Pam Walsh, Lynch's spokeswoman, declined to discuss the meeting between Lynch and Griffin. Spaulding said last night that he too had heard that Griffin would vote for Wrenn but said he could not confirm it. The council will meet this morning at 10 at Hopkinton High School. Nominations are the first item on the agenda. ------ End of article ANNMARIE TIMMINS Monitor staff Related articles: Mental care at prison on trial -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Ethics Return to index of stories... |
The Executive Council is at the HEART of another brewing controversy --regarding a "revised" ETHICS bill aimed at enforcing an ethics code for the Executive Branch. Governor John Lynch calls the new bill a "mockery" -- saying it has no partisan balance. Q TOM/KEVIN: What's all the fuss about? Q The original bill called for 3 Republicans, 3 Democrats and 1 Undeclared member on the commission. With Governor getting 5 nominations. How is THIS bill different??? * Governor objects to Executive Councilors naming and confirming the majority of members of the Ethics Commission? Q So, the Executive Council would have TRUE CONTROL of the Ethics Commission. Q Next week. the Election Law Committee WILL vote on this revised bill. Is it likely to REJECT the subcommittee's bill and demand a non-partisan commission??? Q Is there a brewing POWER struggle with EXECUTIVE COUNCIL & Governor?? |
| Eaton & Campaign Return to index of stories... |
Eaton & campaign money. a.g. office looking into situation Gatsas: Eaton won’t turn over money from Republican PAC By TOM FAHEY State House Bureau Chief CONCORD — Senate President Ted Gatsas said yesterday that his efforts to straighten out campaign fund transactions by former Senate president Thomas Eaton is “getting messy.” Nearly $25,000 in PAC money that Eaton said he intended to transfer to two Republican committees has either never been transferred, or the offer has been retracted without explanation, Gatsas said. Eaton, a Keene Republican, was ousted as Senate president in September during the middle of his second two-year term in the post. Usually, an outgoing president gives his successor control of a Senate political action committee that raises campaign funds and dispenses them at election time. Instead, Eaton has created continuing controversy over use of the funds from a PAC that raised money to elect Republicans to the Senate. Rather than cede control of the Senate Republican Leadership PAC to Gatsas, he decided to distribute much of the money in bulk. Some of that money came from the earlier leadership-led Committee to Elect Republican State Senators. Gatsas learned from his bank yesterday that Eaton put a stop-payment order on a $16,000 check that he had written to the Republican State Committee from the Leadership PAC account. State party chair Warren Henderson had endorsed the check over to a new PAC that Gatsas hadformed, Senate Republican Victory PAC. Gatsas said he has not received another check for $8,800, which Eaton has said he mailed him. Eaton also has a PAC report on file at the Secretary of State’s office that is $5,000 out of balance. He has yet to amend the Leadership PAC report, although he said nearly two weeks ago that he intended to fix the mistake right away. Eaton could not be reached for comment at his home or on his cell phone yesterday. He has said in the past that he has every right to control the Leadership PAC money because he worked to raise it. The PAC spent $35,000 according to Eaton’s original report filed Nov. 2. The check Eaton wrote to the state GOP was money that party chairman Warren Henderson wanted no part of. He signed it over to the Victory PAC, saying he hoped Senate Republicans would start mending fences. “I think it’s a shame that evidently the matter is not yet resolved,” Henderson said yesterday. “Honestly, Senate Republicans need to resolve this... as amicably as possible.” He hasn’t talked to Eaton since he told him he planned to give the check to Gatsas. Gatsas, who does not accept PAC money for his own campaigns, said the bank told him yesterday that a stop payment order had been put on the $16,000 check. Gatsas said he has asked Eaton about the $8,800 check in writing twice, most recently by certified mail sent yesterday, with a return receipt requested. Gatsas said he had asked Eaton to put a stop-payment on the smaller check, since Eaton’s PAC report states he made it out to Gatsas personally. Gatsas said he’d rather have it written to the Victory PAC. |
| Baines Return to index of stories... |
By JAMES W. PINDELL PoliticsNH.com MANCHESTER, Dec. 5 - As he prepares to leave the office of Manchester Mayor, Bob Baines, a Democrat, spent time with about 200 supporters, including Gov. John Lynch , who paid tribute his six years in office and who all still remained a bit stunned he lost his re-election just a month ago to Republican Frank Guinta. Baines joked several times about looking for a new job and said he leaves the job with his head held high knowing that he "left Manchester a better place than he found it". The mood was uneasy. Baines even joked, "I thought I had come to my own wake". A year ago he was the biggest office holder state Democrats had. Five weeks ago Baines was the biggest hope that Democrats had in knocking off Congressman Jeb Bradley. Then came his loss for re-election to Guinta, an Alderman. The loss, by less than 300 votes out of some 19,000, shocked the state. Yet, even after his shocking loss, Baines isn't totally out of the game. And while some of the admission charged will pay for any campaign debt, the rest could go for a future campaign. What campaign that would be and when it would be - and if there would even be one - were what supporters discussed under their breath. Those closest to Baines seemed to be of the impression that a Congressional run this year would be unlikely unless House Democratic Leader Jim Craig or someone like him doesn't run. At that point he could be convinced to run. Then again, as he likes to point out, Baines remains to be a "hometown guy". And while he was totally joking when he said "since I have so many people here I want to announce tonight that I am running for Mayor two years from now", some said that would be the right move. Lynch called Baines a "great mayor" who left "a legacy of accomplishment and achievement." And about his loss Lynch said that politics was a "fickle business". "I will leave with my head held high know that I left Manchester better than the place I found it," Baines said. |
| Parking ? Return to index of stories... |
A parking and office squeeze at the capitol -- spurs a plan to add a new office building and hundreds of parking spaces. Q TOM: What's the plan and will it ease parking and office crunch? |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
I'm Beth Carroll. Thanks for watching. We'll see you next time. |
| Primary Return to index of stories... |
By John Milne Staff writer ============================== T This Story Is Continued. Please Note: This article can be read in full with a Plus Edition account Click here to find out more about our Plus Edition. Time again for that quadrennial cliff-hanger, the Perils of the Primary. Will the dastardly Michigan Gang tie little New Hampshire to the railroad track just as the locomotive comes over the horizon? Will Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean save the day? Or will Dean let the Commission on Presidential Nomination Timing and Scheduling work its will when it meets this weekend? Political activists will be on the edge of their seats. Every four years one of the major political parties decides it can achieve an electoral advantage by tinkering with the scheduling of the primaries and caucuses that select a presidential nominee. This year it's the Democrats; but it hasn't been that long since the Republicans shifted their schedule, leaving many states holding caucuses for one party on one day and for the other a few months later. This Story Is Continued. Please Note: This article can be read in full with a Plus Edition account Click here to find out more about our Plus Edition. |
| Tonight at 7:30 Return to index of stories... |
Monday on New Hampshire Outlook: Join us Monday at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Public Television. =============================== Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook: Join us tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Public Television. |