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 Show OpenReturn to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Hello Return to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Richard Ager. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. As temperatures dip - things seem to be heating up on the campaign trail. Does it mean trouble for Howard Dean?? We'll have the latest. And temps are rising at the state house - there's controversy over the state of the state address. |
| Roundtable Return to index of stories... |
But first let's introduce this week's guests. Joining us from the statehouse in Concord - Josh Rogers of N-H-P-R and Colin Manning of Fosters Daily Democrat. And here with me in Durham, Jeff Feingold of the New Hampshire Business Review, and James Pindell of Politics-N-H-dot-com. Thank you all for joining us. |
| Polls Return to index of stories... |
LET'S START OFF WITH SOME PRIMARY POLITICS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A NEW POLL COME OUT THIS WEEK SHOWING THAT WESLEY CLARK IS PULL WITHIN A FEW POINTS OF HOWARD DEAN, UPSETTING THE PECKING ORDER THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE FOR A FEW MONTHS, AND JOHN KERRY SEEMS TO BE SURGING AS WELL. JAMES WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS? WELL, IT'S AN AMAZING RACE. THREE WEEKS AGO RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS WE SAID THIS THING WAS OVER, REMEMBER, HOWARD DEAN WAS THE OBVIOUSLY WAS GOING TO BE THE NOMINEE, WAS GOING TO WIN IOWA, WIN NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND NOW IT'S WIDE OPEN WITH JUST FOUR DAYS TO GO BEFORE IOWA VOTES, AND ELEVEN DAYS AGO BEFORE NEW HAMPSHIRE VOTES, AND IT'S A VERY EXCITING TIME. WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS WESLEY CLARK IS MOVING UP IN THE POLL NUMBERS, BUT NOT ONLY JUST THE POLLS, I'VE GONE TO SEVERAL PROBABLY HALF A DOZEN TOWN HALL MEETINGS IN THE LAST WEEK OR WEEK AND A HALF. AND THE NUMBERS ARE THERE, HE'S GETTING MORE NUMBERS TO SHOW UP AT THESE TOWN HALLS, 450 PEOPLE IN REPUBLICAN BEDFORD LAST WEEK. AND HOWARD DEAN HAS OBVIOUSLY SPEND MORE TIME AT THE STATES LIKE IOWA. WE'RE GOING TO -- DO YOU THINK I'M PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO SHOP AROUND NOW, MAYBE SOME FEARS RAISED ABOUT HOWARD DEAN? THERE'S BEEN RELENTLESS ATTACKS ON HIM RECENTLY. I THINK THAT COMES INTO PLAY, BUT MOST OF WHAT CLARK'S NUMBERS FOR UNTIL NEW HAMPSHIRE SPECIFICALLY REFLECT, HE'S FILLING A VACUUM, HE'S THE ONLY GUY HERE, BUT LIEBERMAN TOO, BUT HIS NUMBERS DON'T REFLECT MUCH OF ANYTHING. BUT THEY'RE ALL OUT IN IOWA EXCEPT FOR WESLEY CLARK, HE'S GOT THE FIELD TO HIMSELF. I THINK THE POLLS REFLECTED HE'S MAKING INROADS. BUT THE OTHER POINT IS, YOU HAVE IN IOWA, AND WE DON'T WANT TO TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT POLLS, BUT IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT THAT HAS BECOME A FOUR-WAY RACE, AND THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF MAKING NEW HAMPSHIRE THIS FREE FOR ALL, BUS YOU MIGHT COME OUT OF, JOHN KERRY HAS THE POTENTIAL OF WINNING IOWA, JOHN EDWARDS HAS THE POTENTIAL OF DOING VERY WELL THERE, SO YOU'LL HAVE EDWARDS, KERRY, DEAN AND WHO KNOWS ABOUT GEPHARDT COMING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE WITH A STOPPING CLARK, IT'S GOING TO MAKE NEW HAMPSHIRE IMPORTANT. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE NUMBERS ON THOSE IOWA POLLS RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE DEAN AT 22%, KERR REQUIRE AT 21%, GEPHARDT 18, AND EDWARDS AT 18, VERY DIFFERENT FROM A WEEK BEFORE. DO WE GET A SENSE HERE THAT EDWARDS AS WELL IS DOING SOME SURGING HERE? HE'S DOING HIS SURGING A LOT IN IOWA, THAT'S WHERE HE'S GETTING A LOT OF THE CREDIT FOR IT, HE'S GETTING LARGER AUDIENCES, SPENDING MORE TIME THERE, THERE'S AN ENERGY AND THERE'S A SURGE IN IOWA. IF YOU NOTICE JOHN EDWARDS NEW ADS SAYS THERE'S TWO AMERICAS, TWO EDUCATION SYSTEMS, TWO HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS, THERE'S ALSO TWO CAMPAIGNS FOR JOHN EDWARDS, THERE'S THE IOWA CAMPAIGN THAT'S SURGING AND THE ONE I HEAR HAS BIPARTISAN FROM THE LINED FOR WEEKS AT 3%, BUT HE'S GONE UP SLIGHTLY TO 6% TOWARDS THE END OF THE WEEK. EDWARDS GOT A PRETTY BIG CROWD IN EXETER A FEW DAYS BACK. DO YOU GET THE SENSE THAT ALTHOUGH PUNDITS WERE ABOUT READY TO DECLARE NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR DEAN THAT THE VOTERS ARE ABOUT TO SAY WAIT A SECOND I'M NOT READY YET? I THINK CERTAINLY THE OTHER CAMPAIGNS ARE TRYING TO PEDDLE THE NOTION OF DEAN FATIGUE IS WHAT THE GEPHARDT CAMPAIGN IS CALLING IT. AND I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING TO THAT. I ALSO THINK THAT THE CRITICISMS THAT DEAN HAS HAD FROM THE OTHER CAMPAIGNS ARE STARTING TO TAKE THEIR TOLL A BIT. AND I GUESS WE'LL SEE IF THE DEAN SORT OF HAVE BEEN PROMOTING THEIR ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITYS AND NOW WE'LL SEE HOW GOOD THOSE ARE. WE ALSO SAW THE FACT THAT LIEBERMAN, ALTHOUGH HIS NUMBERS AREN'T THAT HIGH, BUT WES CLARK SKIPPED IOWA, SO THEY'VE HAD PRETTY UNIMPEDED OPPORTUNITIES AT LEAST FOR THE LAST WEEK HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. I THINK THAT GENERAL CLARK, ANOTHER POINT WE'RE STRESSING IS THAT THERE'S STILL, IN ALL THE POLLS EVEN THE ONES THAT SHOWED FORMER GOVERNOR DEAN WITH A HUGE LEAD, THERE WERE A LOT OF UNDECIDED VOTERS. THEY HAVE TO MAKE UP THEIR MIND SOONER OR LATER. AND I DON'T NECESSARILY SEE THEM TRENDING TOWARDS GOVERNOR DEAN. COLIN, THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE BEEN KIND OF TOUGH TIMES FOR JOHN KERRY'S CAMPAIGN, AND NOW LOOKS LIKE THERE MAY BE SOME HOPEFUL SIGNS IN THE NUMBERS CHANGING. DO YOU GET THE SENSE THAT JEANNE SHAHEEN JOINING THAT CAMPAIGN A FEW MONTHS BACK HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY THEY'RE APPROACHING THE VOTERS? I THINK WHEN THAT SHEEN FIRST GOT ON BOARD I NOTICED A CHANGE RIGHT AWAY, JUST THE AMOUNT OF E-MAILS I WAS RECEIVING AND THE WAY KERRY WAS APPROACHING THE CAMPAIGN AS A WHOLE. BUT JOSH MADE A GREAT POINT, THERE ARE A LOT OF UNDECIDEDS OUT THERE AND NOW THAT THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER, WE'RE SEEING WHAT NEW HAMPSHIRE IS ALL ABOUT. PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUT THERE AND MAKING UP THEIR MINDS. SO WHEN YOU TAKE THESE POLLS PEOPLE ARE SAYING I'M NOT SURE ANY MORE, THEY'RE SAYING YEAH I WANT TO GO WITH THIS GUY, THAT GUY. I THAT'S HELPING JOHN KERRY RIGHT NOW. I THINK COLIN RAISES A GOD POINT BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN POLL AFTER POLL SHOWING THAT AMONG DEMOCRATIC VOTERS. JOHN KERRY IS REALLY STRONG, WHEN VOTERS SAY IF I DON'T REAL FEEL TOO COMMITTED TO HIM, I'LL GO WITH KERRY. THAT GOES FOR DEAN VOTERS, ALL ACROSS THE BOARD, AND THAT COULD BE HIS STRENGTH IN THE END. JOHN KERRY WHOSE CAMPAIGN SEEMS TO BE GETTING A LITTLE ENERGY. HE HAS HARPED ON THE THEME THAT YOU NEED SOMEBODY WHO CAN TAKE ON GEORGE W. BUSH ON THE ISSUES THAT HE WILL BE RUNNING MORE STRONGLY ON. AND I'M WONDERING, IS THAT SORT OF CASTING A FEARFUL LIGHT UPON HOWARD DEAN, BECAUSE HE MAY NOT HAVE THE STRENGTHS IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE LIKE. BUT IF YOU'RE HOWARD DEAN YOU WANT KERRY TO BRING UP ELECTABILITY. THAT'S ALL WESLEY CLARK IS TALKING ABOUT, IF KERRY COMES OUT STRONG THEY MAY SPLIT UP THIS ELECTABILITY VOTE. SOMEONE MENTIONED EDWARDS IN EXETER WHERE THEY SUPPOSEDLY HAD 500 PEOPLE. BEFORE THAT THEY HAD 57 IN MANCHESTER, SO MAYBE THERE WAS SOMETHING IN EXETER THEY GOT GOING ON. AND JEANNE SHAHEEN JOINED THE CAMPAIGN IN SEPTEMBER AND REMEMBER THE SLIDE THAT HAPPENED OCTOBER, FIRING HER CAMPAIGN MANAGER, GOING THROUGH ALL THESE PROBLEMS, AND WERE THIS RESURGENCE OF JOHN KERRY HAS HAPPENED IT'S OUT IN IOWA. SO I DON'T MEAN TO BE PUTTING DOWN JEANNE SHAHEEN, SHE'LL DIRECT IOWA STUFF, BUT THERE HASN'T BEEN A LOT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE IMPACT. THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, IF HE DOES WELL IN IOWA, THEN PEOPLE WILL START LOOKING AT HIM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, BUT UNTIL THEN HEAVES MOVING A LITTLE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, BUT IF YOU REALLY LOOK AT IT, IT'S WESLEY CLARK WHO IS OBVIOUSLY GAINED THE MOST FROM A RESURGENCE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. |
| Intro Frist Return to index of stories... |
WE'VE TALKED OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR, ALL ABOUT DEMOCRATS. BUT LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT A RECENT VISIT JUST THIS WEEK BY A REPUBLICAN. THE REPUBLICAN LEADER OF THE U.S. SENATE WAS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE THIS WEEK, PROMOTING THE PRESIDENT'S IMAGE, AND AGENDA. ALSO TAKING WESLEY CLARK TO TASK HE CRITICIZED CLARK FOR HIS COMMENTS THAT 9/11 COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED AND THAT THE IRAQ WAR WAS NOT PREEMPTIVE SINCE THERE WAS NO PROVEN THREAT TO THIS COUNTRY. |
| Frist P&E Return to index of stories... |
SEN. BILL FRIST - "THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FIND THAT OFFENSIVE, AND SO I THINK THE REMARK ITSELF, AND I GUESS IT WAS INTENDED AND FOCUSED AND I HOPE IT WAS JUST SORT IF THE HEAT OF A GOT TO DISTINGUISH MYSELF AS A GREAT MILITARY LEADER WHEN I'VE GOT, WHEN I'VE GOT OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE BEING VERY CRITICAL OF OUR MILITARY OVERALL. BECAUSE IT IS OFFENSIVE, AND IT OFFENDS THE SENSIBILITYS I THINK OF MOST AMERICAN PEOPLE. I THINK IT'S INAPPROPRIATE, UNTRUE, AND OFFENSIVE. WE HAVE HAD INTELLIGENCE THAT HAS BEEN WELL USED, IT IS MUCH IMPROVED NOW AS WE ALL KNOW BECAUSE OF THAT INVESTMENT, WHEN YOU THINK OF PHYSICAL SPENDING, HOMELAND SECURITY HAS REQUIRED AN INVESTMENT TO IMPROVE OUR INTELLIGENCE. AND WE'RE SEEING THE IMPACT OF THAT TODAY. BUT TO THINK THAT AN INDIVIDUAL COULD HAVE STOPPED THAT IS OFFENSIVE, I THINK." |
| Discussion Return to index of stories... |
WELL, JOSH, THERE'S AS I'M SURE YOU'VE SEEN AS WELL THERE'S BEEN A VERY PROMINENT REPUBLICAN PARADE IN RECENT MONTHS, THE PRESIDENT, THE VICE PRESIDENT. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, HOMELAND SECRETARY TOM RIDGE, AND OTHERS. WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PURPOSE IS IN THIS KIND OF APPEARANCE AND THE TIMING? WELL, I CERTAINLY THINK IT'S, YOU KNOW, I GUESS NOW EIGHT DEMOCRATS RUNNING AROUND, AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE REPUBLICANS TO GET THEIR POINT OF VIEW OUT BEFORE THE PEOPLE. AND CERTAINLY SENDING PEOPLE SUCH AS BILL FRIST AROUND IS MORE SEEMLY THAN, YOU KNOW IT'S A CAMPAIGN APPEARANCE, BUT PRESIDENT BUSH CAN ATTEND TO HIS OFFICIAL DUTIES AND LET OTHER PEOPLE DO THE POLITICKING. NOT TOO EARLY FOR THAT? I DON'T KNOW, THAT'S A DETERMINATION MADE BY PEOPLE WHO SPEND THEIR TIME THINKING ABOUT THOSE SORTS OF THINGS. I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THOUGH, I WOULD TEND TO DOUBT THAT MANY PEOPLE WOULD HAVE FOUND GENERAL CLARK'S STATEMENTS OFFENSIVE. THEY MAY HAVE FOUND THEM DUBIOUS, BUT I DON'T SEE WHY YOU'D TAKE OFFENSE. I THOUGHT THAT WAS VERY INTERESTING. THE THINGS THAT, THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS EVERY PRIMARY SEASON, YOU KNOW, THE WHITE HOUSE SENDS SURROGATES TO NEW HAMPSHIRE TO KIND OF COUNTER ACT THE DEBATE BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN HAMMERED FOR THE LAST YEAR OR MORE BY A BUNCH OF PEOPLE CRITICIZING THE PRESIDENT, CRITICIZING THE ADMINISTRATION'S POLICIES, THAT'S WHY THEY'RE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AND THIS IS THEIR WAY OF COUNTERING THAT SOMEWHAT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T LET ALL THESE THINGS GO UNANSWERED. IT WOULD BE POLITICAL SUICIDE TO DO THAT. BILL FRIST WILL BE ONE OF MANY GUESTS COMING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE, JOHN MCCAIN IS ALSO GOING TO COME AND CAMPAIGN FOR THE PRESIDENT AS WELL AS MASSACHUSETTS GOVERN MITT ROMNEY. AND THE COMMERCE SECOND WAS HERE LAST WEEK. AND WE ALSO HAD RICK SANTORO HERE THIS WEEK, A PENNSYLVANIA SENATOR. SO THEY WANT TO STUMP AND THEY ALSO WANT TO GET THEIR NAME OUT, BECAUSE -- ONE THING, EVEN REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING THE SAME THING. OBVIOUSLY A LOT GOING ON, IOWA CAUCUSES EARLY NEXT WEEK, OUR OWN PRIMARY THE WEEK AFTER THAT. |
| State Legislature Return to index of stories... |
BUT THERE'S A LOT GOING ON AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE AS WELL. SOME VERY INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS THIS WEEK. THERE WAS A BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE PENALTIES FOR STUDENT RIOTS, LIKE THE ONES THAT PLAGUED UNH AND DURHAM LAST YEAR. COLIN, I THINK YOU COVERED THAT. WHAT WAS THE INTENT? WHAT THE BILL WOULD DO IS MAKE IT A FELONY FOR ANYONE PARTICIPATING IN A RIOT THAT THROWS AN OBJECT AT A POLICE OFFICER. THERE WAS SUCH SUPPORT FOR THE BILL THAT THEY WANT TO EX PANEL IT TO INCLUDE NOT JUST POLICE OFFICERS BUT ALL UNIFORMED EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL. THERE WERE COMPLAINTS BY POLICE LAST YEAR, WEREN'T THERE, THAT THEY WERE HAVING OBJECTS THROWN AT THEM FROM ROOF TOPS AND WINDOWS AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS BEING FIRED AT THEM? EXACTLY, AND BY MAKING THIS A FELONY THEY'RE LOOKING AT IT AS A DETERRENT, AND IF STUDENTS STILL PERSIST IT'S A HEAVIER PENALTY AND MAKES IT EASIER TO PROSECUTE IN COURT. WE HAD LAWMAKERS FROM DURHAM, PLYMOUTH AND KEENE, ALL THE COLLEGE TOWNS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, EVEN OFFICIALS FROM UNH ARE SAYING THIS IS GOING TO GIVE THEM ANOTHER TOOL TO TRY AND QUELL THE PROBLEM. THERE'S ALSO TWO OTHER BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD MAKE A BAN ANY STUDENT CONVICTED IN A RIOT, BAN THEM FROM CAMPUS FOR ONE YEAR. IF THEY'RE CONVICTED OF A FELONY, THAT WOULD BAN THEM FOR TWO YEARS. SITES A CLEAR INDICATION THAT LAWMAKERS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING THESE REPORTS AND EVERYONE WILL BE WATCHING DURHAM AN SUNDAY TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE PATRIOTS. HEY, COULD YOU EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO ME, IT'S NOT A FELONY RIGHT NOW TO THROW SOMETHING AT A POLICE OFFICER? WELL, THE WAY IT IS, THERE'S A FELONY, IT'S A FELONY TO ASSAULT AN OFFICER. THE PROBLEM IS IN A RIOT SITUATION IT'S PRETTY DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS INTENT TO THROW SOMETHING, IF YOU INTENDED TO HIT THE OFFICER OR WHAT NOT. SO THIS WAY IF THERE ARE FLYING OBJECTS AND YOU'RE CAUGHT FLOWING SOMETHING, EVEN IF IT HITS A STOP SIGN A BLOCK AWAY, THEY CAN PROSECUTE YOU. SO BASICALLY IT'S GOING TO BE, SOUNDS TO ME LIKE IT'S A LAW THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T THROW ANYTHING IN A RIOT BECAUSE IT MIGHT HIT A POLICE OFFICER AND THEN IT'S A FELONY, IS THAT WHAT IT'S COMING DOWN TO? WELL, LET'S BE HONEST, THEY'RE STILL WORKING ON THE BILL, THEY'RE STILL TRYING TO, THEY'RE GOING TO INSERT THE WORD KNOWINGLY, TO SHOW CLEAR INTENT THERE. THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO DO SOMETHING TO STOP THE RIOTS ON THE BOOK, YOU KNOW, RIGHT OR WRONG, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE A TON OF SUPPORT FOR THIS. |
| Intro Code of Ethics Return to index of stories... |
SPEAKING OF BEHAVIOR, GOVERNOR BENSON ANNOUNCED A NEW CODE OF ETHICS FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES THIS WEEK. THE EFFICIENCY COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THE MOVE TO HELP PROTECT THE STATE FROM COSTLY LAWSUITS. THE CODE COVERS SEXUAL HARASSMENT, AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. LET'S LISTEN TO WHAT HE SAID. |
| Code of Ethics - Pepin & Kerns Return to index of stories... |
GOV. CRAIG BENSON - "I THINK SOMETIMES THEY GET THEMSELVES IN TROUBLE BECAUSE THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND EITHER THE SITUATION THEY'VE PUT THEMSELVES IN OR THE APPROPRIATE LAWS THAT ARE AROUND THOSE SITUATIONS, AND SO THEY END UP DOING SOMETHING NIGHT LEAVELY, NAIVELY, WHICH HAD THEY HAD FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION, THEY WOULD NEVER PUT THEMSELVES IN THIS SITUATION." |
| Discussion Return to index of stories... |
WELL, RIGHT NOW, AS IT STANDS, THE CODE DOESN'T STEAM HAVE MANY TEETH. GORE BENSON SAYS HE WILL SET UP A WEBSITE TO TEACH EMPLOYEES ABOUT THE CODE, BUT NO ONE AT THIS POINT WOULD BE FIRED FOR VIOLATING IT. JOSH, WHAT'S THE BACKGROUND ON THIS, WHY THIS, WHY NOW? WELL, I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU LOOK AT IT. CERTAINLY THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTHEN THIS, TO STRENGTHEN AND CLARIFY STANDARDS. IT'S ALSO PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT IT COMES IN THE WAKE OF ETHICS SCANDALS INVOLVING THE BENSON ADMINISTRATION. YOU COULD POINT TO COMMISSIONER'S RESIGNATION EARLIER WHEN HE HAD CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. THERE'S A COUPLE OF CASES UNDER INVESTIGATION. YES. I WAS GETTING TO THOSE. THE INVESTIGATION OF THE FORMER BENSON HEALTH CARE ADVISOR, LINDA PEPIN'S ROLE IN THE CONTRACT PROCEDURE REGARDING A CONTRACT WITH CHOICE LINKS, THAT'S UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND ALSO A STATE PERSONNEL DIRECTOR IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT AS WELL. CERTAINLY IN TERMS OF THE CONTRACT IT WAS WHETHER OR NOT MISLEADING INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL WHEN THEY VOTED ON THE CONTRACT AND ALSO WHETHER OR NOT LINDA PEPIN INAPPROPRIATELY RECEIVED BROKERS FEES AS PORTION'S OF THE STATE'S HEALTH AND DENTAL CONTRACTS. WHAT KIND OF RECEPTION HAS THIS PROPOSED CODE GOTTEN SO FAR? WELL, SO FAR HE JUST ROLLED OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING THIS WEB TUTORIAL YESTERDAY AND OBVIOUSLY HE SAYS THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A CONDITION ANYONE'S EMPLOYMENT, THEY'RE GOING TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SAY THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE SUFFICIENT. DEMOCRATS IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD TIGHTEN CODES AND ESTABLISH PENALTIES, AND I GUESS CERTAINLY I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RELEASES THE REPORT THEY'RE EXPECTED TO COME OUT WITH REGARDING THIS WHOLE ISSUE WITH THE BENSON VOLUNTEERS AND THE HEALTH CARE CONTRACTS, WHAT SORT OF MOMENTUM THAT BRINGS. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS EXPECTED WERE GOING TO BE DONE AT THE END OF THE MONTH, SEEMS THAT MAY TAKE LONGER. THEY'VE INTERVIEWED A LOT OF PEOPLE, COLLECTED A LOT OF DOCUMENTS. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THE SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION WAS WIDE. I THINK IT'S HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT JOE D'ALLESANDRO WILL REMAIN. DO YOU GET A SENSE THAT THERE'S A NEED FOR CLARIFICATION OF CODE OF ETHICS? I KNOW THERE IS IN MANY BUSINESSES THESE DAYS, AND I GUESS GOVERNMENT IS SORT OF FOLLOWING ALONG? YEAH, WELL, YOU KNOW, BACK ALMOST 15 YEARS AGO NOW, I REMEMBER COVERING THE WHOLE CREATION OF LEGISLATIVE ETHICS CODE, WHICH WAS DONE BY THEN CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE JOINT COMMITTEE, CHARLIE BASS, AND THEN FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MERRILL WAS THE COUNSEL HEAD. AND THEY CAME UP WITH THE SAME, IT WASN'T VERY WIDELY COVERED, I WAS THE ONLY JOURNALIST THERE. AND IT WAS A LONG PROCESS AND IT WAS A PRETTY DECENT ETHICS CODE WHICH THEY'RE USING TODAY WITH REPRESENTATIVE CURRANS NOW IS UNDER SCRUTINY. BUT IT'S INTERESTING THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH MANY YEARS SINCE THEN, AND THERE REALLY IS NO ETHICS CODE WITH ANY KIND OF TEETH. GOVERNOR SHAHEEN HAD BASICALLY SAID THIS IS, YOU CAN'T DO THIS AND ALL THAT STUFF, BUT THERE'S NO, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAS NEVER REALLY MADE THAT GREAT AN EFFORT TO SAY, WELL, WE'LL MONEYY UP JUST THE WAY THE LEGISLATURE HAS, AND I'M NOT CONVINCED THAT THIS THING THAT THE GOVERNOR WORKS THE WEB TUTORIALS NECESSARILY IS GOING TO DO IT EITHER. FROM WHAT I READ IN THE ETHICS, REPORT I THINK THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT A LITTLE MORE THAN READ SOMETHING AND SAY WELL YOU'RE FINE NOW. THE GOVERNOR'S POSITION ON ETHICAL STANDARDS HAS VACILLATED A BIT IN THE WAKE OF THE COMMISSIONER'S RESIGNATION. HIS FIRST RESPONSE WAS THAT IT WASN'T NEEDED BECAUSE EITHER YOU HIRE GOOD PEOPLE OR YOU DON'T. WHEN THAT RESPONSE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE PARTICULARLY POPULAR, HE THEN SAID, WELL, WE NEED TO TIGHTEN IT UP. IF HE THINKS THAT WHAT HE PROPOSED YESTERDAY IS GOING TO ARE SUFFICIENT, MAYBE PEOPLE WILL SEE IT THAT WAY, BUT IT SEEMS PRETTY UNLIKELY THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SAY IF PEOPLE JUST WATCH A WEB PRESENTATION AND IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY PENALTIES, I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO FLY. I THINK THERE'S A MORE CONCRETE ETHICS STORY IN PLACE RIGHT NOW, THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN CURRANS WHO HAS BEEN NOW FACING SOME ETHICS CHARGES. WHAT'S THE STORY THERE? WELL, THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMITTEE CAME OUT THIS WEEK WITH THREE CHARGES AGAINST REPRESENTATIVE CURRANS, THERE WERE COMPLAINTS A FEW MONTH BACK THIS SUMMER WHEN REPRESENTATIVE CURRAN THOSE LIVES IN DOVER BECAUSE HE IS A STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITIES OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, EVEN THOUGH HE REPRESENTS BEDFORD, HAD PARKED HIS CAR IN A SCHOOL LOT AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PLACED A FLIER TELLING HIM HE COULDN'T PARK THERE BECAUSE THERE'S A NEW PERMIT POLICY. HE PROCEEDED TO LEAVE SOME ANGRY VOICE MAILS WHICH WERE FORWARDED TO HOUSE LEADERSHIP WHO FORWARDED THEM TO THE ETHICS COMMITTEE. THEY TRIED TO RESOLVE THIS INFORMALLY, BUT THE ETHICS COMMITTEE, THE REPRESENTATIVE CURRANS FAILED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ABOUT THREE OR FOUR TIMES. AND NOW IT'S MOVING ONTO A FORMAL HEARING, WHICH WILL BE IN EARLY FEBRUARY. AND IT'S KIND OF MOVED BEYOND THE WHOLE PARKING ISSUE AS WELL. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE SEAN JASPER OUT OF HUDSON RELEASED OVER 100 E-MAILS BETWEEN HIMSELF AND THE REPRESENTATIVE CURRANS DISCUSSING THE ISSUE AND SOME OF THE LANGUAGE REPRESENTATIVE CURRANS IS VERY STRONG AND ACCUSATORY. SO WE MAY SEE HOUSE LEADERSHIP COME IN WHO CAN SANCTION A HOUSE MEMBER WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE ETHICS PROCESS, BUT THEY MAY COME IN AND TRY TO TAKE SOME MEASURE TOS SANCTION HIM AS WELL. SO IT'S VERY HAIRY SITUATION AND VERY RARE ACTUALLY. WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE PENALTIES THAT HE'S FACING? HE COULD FACE ANY NUMBER OF PENALTIES, IT COULD BE A SLAP ON THE WRIST OR CENSURE, OR EVEN EXPULSION FROM THE HOUSE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REPRESENTATIVE CURRANS IS ALLEGED TO HAVE DONE IN THE DOCUMENTS WAS HE BOUNCED A CHECK FOR $4,000 TO, I'M NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS FOR,. HE WAS BUYING FURNITURE. OKAY, AND ON THE CHECK IT SAID HONORABLE, YOU KNOW,. HONORABLE, STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND THAT'S ODD BEHAVIOR. SO IN THE LEGISLATIVE HAS BEEN BOOK, HIS E-MAIL ADDRESS AT THE TIME WAS CONGRESSMAN, SO I GUESS HE'S FORTUNATE HE DIDN'T CLAIM TO BE A -- THE WHOLE THING ABOUT BOUNCING A CHECK, THAT WAS A KNOWN QUIETLY ITEM, BUT BECAUSE HE FAILED TO SHOW UP TO RESOLVE THIS, IT APPEARS THEY GAVE HIM A LOT OF CHANCES TO DO SO, THEN THEY DECIDED WE HAVE TO MAKE ALL THESE THINGS PUBLIC BECAUSE IT SHOWS A PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR, ESPECIALLY WITH HIS COMMUNICATION WAS COMMITTEE. HE HAS SHOWN A LOT OF ARROGANCE OVER THIS WHOLE PERIOD WHERE HE SAID I DON'T HAVE TO BE THERE, HE REALLY WAS JUST ARROGANT. AND I THINK AT SOME POINT HE JUST TICKED OFF ENOUGH PEOPLE. THIS THING HAS GONE ON FOR SUCH A LONG TIME, YOU WOULD THINK SOMEONE WOULD SET HIM DOWN. |
| CACR2 Return to index of stories... |
I'D LIKE TO MOVE ONTO WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS GOING TO BE THE BIG STORY, BUT IT'S BEEN PUT OFF FOR ANOTHER WEEK, THAT IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED TO AIMING AT TAKING THE SUPREME COURT OUT OF EDUCATIONAL ISSUES. BASICALLY TO END THE CLAREMONT LAWSUIT. ANY IDEA OVER THERE IN CONCORD, WHY WAS IT PUT OFF UNTIL NEXT WEEK? I GUESS THE SIMPLEST ANSWER YOU HEAR IS THEY COULDN'T HAVE THE VOTES TO PASS IT'S. IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR IS STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF, HOUSE HERESHIP HAS BEEN PUSHING IT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SAY LET'S PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT. BUT WHEN THEY WENT TO TALLY THE VOTES I GUESS THEY FOUND OUT THEY CONE DO IT. SO UNDER THE GUISE OF FLY TRYING TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULDN'T BE AS EXTREME, THEY DECIDED TO SPECIAL ORDER IT TO NEXT WEEK AND TRY TO PRY AN AMENDMENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THEY SAID THAT TO GIVE HOUSE MEMBERS TIME TO READ THE AMENDMENT AND UNDERSTAND IT. BUT IF SOMEONE COULD EXPLAIN IT TO ME I'D BE MORE THAN WILLING TO LISTEN. THE AMENDMENT DOESN'T SEEM TO REALLY CHANGE THE BILL AT ALL, IT, THE LANGUAGE IS A BIT SOFTER, IT DOES, IT SAYS THE JUDICIARY SHALL STILL HAVE OVERSIGHT AS LONG AS IT'S A RATIONALE BASIS, AND I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO GET INTO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RATIONALE AND STRICT SCRUTINY, BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S REALLY ANY CHANGE. THE LEADERSHIP IS SAYING THEY'RE TAKING A BELT AND SUSPENDER AS PURCHASE, BUT WITH THE LAWMAKERS AS THE BELT, COURT AS THE SUSPENDERS, BURY THINK THE INTENTION TOYS HAVE THE BELT CINCHED ON SO TIGHT THAT THE -- SO WHAT'S STANDING IN THE WAY HERE, OBVIOUSLY THE DEMOCRATS BY AND LARGE WOULD OPPOSE THIS. BUT. WELL, THE DEMOCRATS. ARE THERE A LARGE NUMBER OF MODERATE REPUBLICAN THOSE DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS? THE DEMOCRATS HAVE SEE THERE ARE AROUND 40 OR SO REPUBLICANS WHO SAID THEY WON'T SUPPORT THIS, AND IT'S THREE FIFTHS OF WHO EVER SHOWS UP. SO YOU CAN DO THE MATH. LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO BE PUTTING THE PUSH ON IN THIS NEXT WEEK, OBVIOUSLY THE GOVERN WANTS THIS A GREAT DEAL. AND IF IT MANAGES TO GET THROUGH IT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY IS INVESTED INTO GETTING VOTERS TO SUPPORT THIS. THERE WAS A POLL THAT SHOWED THE POPULAR OPPOSITION TO SUCH AN AMENDMENT AT THREE TO ONE. SO IT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS IS SOLD IF IT MAKES IT OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE. |
| State of State Return to index of stories... |
SPEAKING OF THE GOVERNOR, WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE AND A HALF LEFT, AND THERE'S ONE OTHER ITEM THAT CAME OUT THIS WEEK, ANOTHER INDICATION THAT GREG BENSON LIKES TO TWEAK TRADITION, HE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS WILL BE MADE AT PLYMOUTH STATE UNIVERSITY. THIS IS AN ADDRESS THAT IS CUSTOMARILY MADE AT THE LEGISLATURE, IT'S RUFFLING SOME LEGISLATIVE FEATHERS. WHO WANTS TO TACKLE WHY HE'S DOING THIS? WELL, I THINK THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO COME OFF AS SOMEONE WHO BRINGS ABOUT CHANGE AND DOES THINGS DIFFERENTLY, BUT THE PROBLEM EVERYONE IS HAVING UP HERE, IT SOUNDS GREAT TO SAY I'M TAKING IT TO THE PEOPLE, BUT THE WHOLE REASON IS TO ADDRESS THE LEGISLATURE, AND THE LEGISLATURE SITS IN REPRESENTATIVES HALL IN THE STATE HOUSE. THE BEST THING I HEARD THIS WEEK IS SOMEONE EQUATING IT TO WHAT IF THE PRESIDENT MOVED THE STATE OF THE UNION TO ST. LOUIS, IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN. HE ADDRESSES THE CONGRESS IN THE STATE OF THE UNION. IN FAIRNESS TO THE GOVERNOR, THERE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT THAT DO YOU IT, IT TRADITION HERE, SO CERTAINLY HE'S ENTITLED TO DO IT WHERE HE WANTS. AND I WILL SAY HE TENDS TO BE A BIT MORE ARTICULATE OUTSIDE OF CONCORD THAN HE IS AROUND HERE. BUT PEOPLE ARE ANGRY, HOUSE SPEAKER CHANDLER WHEN I ASKED HIM ABOUT IT SAID WELL I'LL SEE IF MY SCHEDULE IS FREE. I HAVE TO SAY ANOTHER THING ABOUT THIS, THOUGH, I THINK IT DOES PLAY, IT'S LIKE THE TOLL BOOTHS, THE GOVERNOR KNOWS THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT IT, HEY, THAT'S A GOOD IDEA BRING TO IT PLYMOUTH. BUT THE OTHER THING IS THAT THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION THAT HE'S MANAGED TO TICK OFF THE LEADERSHIP, THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND HOUSE SPEAKER BEFORE ANYTHING REALLY GETS UNDER WAY. AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BENEFIT OF THAT IS. AND THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE THE FINAL WORLD THIS WEEK, BUT IT WILL MAKE FOR AN INTERESTING SESSION. THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE. THANKS FOR BEING HERE. |
| Goodbye Guests Return to index of stories... |
Well that's all we have time for this week. James Pindell and Jeff Feingold thanks for being here. And up at the statehouse, Colin Manning and Josh Rogers thanks to you also for being with us. |
| Next OutlookTease Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - We'll sit down with Political Pundit Mark Russell - to hear the laughter of Politics. Monday at 10. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this week's Friday Edition. I'm Richard Ager. We'll see you next time. Thanks for joining us. |
| 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 |
| Monday Promo Return to index of stories... |
Monday on New Hampshire Outlook. We'll sit down with Political Satirist Mark Russell - to hear the laughter of Politics. Join us Monday at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Tonight at 10 Promo Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. We'll sit down with Political Satirist Mark Russell - to hear the laughter of Politics. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| key: Media Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 01/16/04 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 26:46 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, as temperatures dip - things seem to be heating up on the campaign trail. Does it mean trouble for Howard Dean?? We'll have the latest. And temps are rising at the state house - there's controversy over the state of the state address. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager, Jennifer Vachon NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Josh Rogers\NHPR, Colin Manning\Fosters Daily Democrat, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review |
| News Briefs Return to index of stories... |
Here's a look at other stories making news this Friday. |
| Intro Braun/Dean Return to index of stories... |
And then there were 8. Carol Mosely-Braun dropped out of the race this week, citing financial problems - and endorsed Howard Dean. Here's what she had to say on Thursday. |
| Political Ads Return to index of stories... |
January 16, 2004 Gephardt slams Dean in Medicare ad; Dean, Kerry run new spots; Lieberman airs radio ads By LIZ SIDOTI Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential hopeful Dick Gephardt took his sharp criticism of Howard Dean from the campaign trail in Iowa to the television airwaves Thursday, broadcasting a commercial that attacks him on Medicare and Social Security. "How much do you really know about Howard Dean?" an announcer asks in the ad, which includes various clips of Dean talking. "Did you know Howard Dean called Medicare ‘one of the worst federal programs ever’? Did you know he supported the Republican plan to cut Medicare by $270 billion? And, did you know Howard Dean supported cutting Social Security retirement benefits to balance the budget?" Gephardt, shown speaking to a group of Iowans, then says, "I will be a president who will fight to protect Medicare and Social Security." The 30-second spot is meant to energize Gephardt’s core supporters and tap into anti-Dean sentiment from voters who may be taking a second look at the former Vermont governor’s candidacy. Dean and Gephardt are in a close fight in Iowa, which holds its caucuses Monday, along with John Kerry and John Edwards. Dean dismissed the ad. "These ads that go on in the last minute are completely silly. We’re not going to even get into that. We’re going to run a positive campaign. You won’t see us running any ads that are anything like that because it’s silly," Dean told reporters while campaigning in Carroll, Iowa. However, Dean is running an ad in Iowa that criticizes Gephardt, Kerry and Edwards for supporting the congressional resolution authorizing the war against Iraq. Pressed on that, Dean said: "All we’re doing is laying out the facts. There are some negative ads on. Ours are not one of them." The ad wars heated up this week with Dean’s Iraq commercial. On Thursday, he also was to start running a closing ad asking Iowans for their support. And, Kerry planned to roll out his last Iowa ad Friday, featuring the endorsement of Iowa’s first lady. Edwards’ final ad includes a clip of his endorsement from the Des Moines Register. Gephardt is taking a risk by airing a spot that assails his rival because Iowa, the Missouri congressman’s must-win state, traditionally rewards candidates who don’t go negative on the stump or on TV. The ad could backfire by causing potential Gephardt voters to support Kerry and Edwards, whose ads are positive and who are trying to stay above the fray. Dean also could use the attack to mobilize his own base, which he has done in the past. Gephardt has questioned Dean’s position on Medicare and Social Security — and comments he has made about the federal programs — throughout the campaign. He did it again Wednesday in a speech that assailed Dean on several fronts. Iowa Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin, who has endorsed Dean, said the Gephardt ad distorts Dean’s positions. "They’ve just gone overboard on Howard Dean. They’ve taken things out of context. I know Howard Dean. I mean, to leave the impression he’s opposed to Medicare? That’s just bizarre," Harkin told reporters while traveling with Dean on a bus tour of Iowa. Dean’s new ad is meant to ensure his supporters participate in Monday’s caucuses. "Our campaign doesn’t just talk about change," Dean says. "We’re empowering the American people, so that, together, we can demand health care for all and a government that works for people again. That’s what’s at stake on Monday. So please, don’t stay home." Kerry’s new ad features Christie Vilsack, the wife of Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack, who has said he will not endorse a candidate before the caucuses. In the ad, the first lady tells viewers why she supports the Massachusetts senator and names newspapers that have endorsed him. "I’m standing with John Kerry because he’ll fight for us. He has a lifetime record of taking on special interests," she says. Meanwhile, Joe Lieberman, who is not competing in Iowa, has started running radio ads in Delaware and South Carolina, featuring political leaders from each state. Sen. Tom Carper in Delaware and three state senators in South Carolina urge voters to choose the Connecticut senator for president. One of the ads, which are the first to mention Lieberman’s religion, is running on gospel stations. ——— Associated Press writers Nedra Pickler and Ron Fournier in Iowa contributed to this report. Watchdog study finds more criticism of Dean than other Democrats on network news LOS ANGELES — Howard Dean received significantly more criticism on network newscasts than the other Democratic presidential contenders, who were the subjects of more favorable coverage, according to a study released Thursday. More than three-quarters of the coverage of Dean’s foes by the nightly news programs was favorable, while a majority of attention to Dean was negative, the Center for Media and Public Affairs found. The study by the Washington-based media watchdog also found that network attention to the campaign was down by 62 percent compared to the last race involving an incumbent president, in 1996. Researchers examined 187 stories broadcast on the ABC, CBS or NBC evening newscasts in 2003, looking at elements including quoted remarks about candidates and how they were depicted in profiles. The study found that 49 percent of the coverage of former Vermont Gov. Dean was positive, compared to 78 percent of the rest of the Democratic field, collectively. Dean’s coverage rose to 59 percent positive in December after former Vice President Al Gore endorsed him, the study found. The networks were generally less attentive to the election preseason than in the past, researchers found. They devoted five hours and 20 minutes to coverage in 2003, which is a 32 percent drop from the seven hours, 49 minutes for the 2000 campaign, in which both party’s nominations were contested. In the 1996 race involving incumbent President Clinton, the networks spent slightly more than 14 hours on the campaign, according to the study. |
| Rioting Bill Return to index of stories... |
Riot law gets big support in Concord By COLIN MANNING N.H. Statehouse Writer CONCORD — Lawmakers heard overwhelming support on Thursday for tougher penalties for rioters. The Senate Judiciary Committee listened to testimony on Senate Bill 511, which would make it a felony to throw an object at a police officer during a riot. The measure is sponsored by Sen. Iris Estabrook, D-Durham, in response to the riots that have broken out after sporting events near the campus of the University of New Hampshire in the past year. But the problem isn’t just limited to UNH, senators were told. Patrice Scott, a resident of Plymouth, called the bill "sadly necessary" after she witnessed a disturbance in her neighborhood following a Red Sox game last fall. Scott showed members of the committee a photo of the path of destruction through her neighborhood, following a melee involving students from Plymouth State University. She told the senators that students lit fires, sprayed beer and shouted obscenities. Lawmakers and officials from the three state college towns — Durham, Plymouth and Keene — supported the measure, saying the picture Scott painted was all too familiar. "A real tragedy can emerge from these types of situations, one which I hope this bill will prevent," Estabrook said. "Of course, this is only addressing just a piece of the problem." Durham Police Chief David Kurz echoed many of those who testified, calling the bill "another tool" his department can use in combating the rioting problem, which he said is becoming a national trend on campuses. "We don’t want to lose a case against someone we have arrested in a riot because we don’t know what they were throwing or we can’t prove if the intended to hit someone," Kurz said. "This would allow us to better sustain a case in court." Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig handed the committee a letter detailing 10 disturbances in the town since 1997, all following sports events. "We see this as one of the solutions to this problem. We have been working very hard with the university, and they have been very responsive, and we view this as a mutual challenge," Selig said. Selig’s letter also included a copy of a resolution passed by the Durham Town Council last week supporting Estabrook’s bill. In October, about 2,500 students took to downtown Durham after a Red Sox playoff loss. This followed a larger riot in April after the UNH men’s hockey team lost in the national championship game. Police will keep an eye on the streets for Sunday’s Patriots AFC championship game, according to Durham officials. Anne Lawing, senior assistant vice president for student affairs at UNH, said university officials strongly support the bill and will continue to try and curb the problem through education. "This bill may act as a deterrent," Lawing said. "I’ve seen two riots firsthand and seen too many near misses of projectiles thrown at police. It is my strong hope that this becomes law." The state attorney general’s office and the Strafford County Attorney’s Office also offered support of the bill. Members of the committee not only appeared in favor of the bill, but asked if it could be broadened to protect all uniformed emergency responders from thrown objects, not just police. There are two other bills in the House to address penalties for rioting. One, House Bill 1351, with Timothy Easson, R-Farmington, as lead sponsor, asks that any state university or college student convicted of rioting be expelled and serve no less than 30 days in jail. It also would carry a 60-day minimum sentence for anyone convicted of hurting an animal assisting law enforcement or emergency personnel during a riot. That is in response to reports around the Statehouse of cigarettes being put out on police horses assisting in a riot at UNH. The other bill, House Bill 1361, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Smith, D-Durham, would ban from campus for one year any student convicted of a misdemeanor resulting from a riot, and those convicted of a felony for two years. It is similar to a Michigan law enacted after a riot at Michigan State University that occurred in 1999. |