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 Hello |
Goodnight |
| Intro Benson/Profiles |
Founders |
| BENSON |
key: state politics / government |
| HUMPRHEY |
key: state politics / government |
| KEOUGH |
key: state politics / government |
| Tomorrow |
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| Hello |
Goodnight |
| Intro Benson/Profiles |
Founders |
| BENSON |
key: state politics / government |
| HUMPRHEY |
key: state politics / government |
| KEOUGH |
key: state politics / government |
| Tomorrow |
| Hello Return to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Richard Ager sitting in for Allison McNair. Welcome to the special Labor Day edition of NH Outlook. |
| Intro Benson/Profiles Return to index of stories... |
It's down to a week of campaigning for primary candidates. According to the polls Craig Benson, Gordon Humphrey and Bruce Keough are the main contendors in the Republican race for Governor. In this program, we're bringing you an encore presentation of three reports we brought to you over the summer. In alphabetical order, we begin with Craig Benson. |
| BENSON Return to index of stories... |
Soundup: Benson Campaigns Tape 2 **2:04:46 Benson walks up to man and says "Hi, how are ya?" Man says "Mr. Benson, right?" Benson says "Yeah, Craig Benson, good to see you." Man says "Yeah, I see ya on the movie, on the tv, that's why I recognized you right off." Track: Probably no one in NH has ever become so well known so quickly as Craig Benson. Before his ad campaign began running last fall, Benson was known mostly in business circles as one of the two partners who founded Cabletron. In the months since then, Benson has been running for governor, telling his story through public appearances, ads and media interviews. Soundup: Benson Campaigns Tape 1 1:14:40 "Come on, you can come in." Track: On this day, he spoke about his boyhood in New Jersey with columnist Kurk Simoneau of the Telegraph in Nashua. Bite: Benson Campaigns Tape 1 1:19:06 I was a very bad asthmatic when I was a kid. Inhalers, I had to get three shots every week. My mom had to give me the shots. Bite: Benson Campaigns Tape 1 **1:23:05 Closeup of tape recorder on table and Kurk's hand writing on legal pad while Benson talks "And it just taught me that you gotta face your fears and you gotta deal with them." Track: Benson also overcame a speech impediment, earned a business degree and worked in Boston before starting the high-tech startup called Cabletron. Bite: Benson Rotary Club tape 00:12:13 Benson "We did it a different way.. We moved to Rochester. We hired people from the shoe industry. A town that was down and out turned it around because we moved there because we gave people a chance to participate in a high tech company." Track: Cabletron made many of the components of what became the Internet, and in the process earned Benson hundreds of millions of dollars. But in recent years, the company has faltered, shedding most of its work force and share value and splitting into four parts last year. Bite: Benson Campaigns Tape 3 3:13:05 YOU'RE SAYING ONE OF YOUR STRONG POINTS HAS BEEN YOUR MANAGERIAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS IN BUILDING THIS UP, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT HAS, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, COLLAPSED. Well, it's a tough market right now, and I haven't been running the company, nor been employed by any of these of these companies for over three years now. BUT YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Yes, but we don't run the companies. We just come in on an advisory basis. So it's not like we're sitting there, day to day, managing the activities of what goes on. SO WHAT KIND OF ADVICE DO YOU FIND YOURSELF GIVING? I KNOW YOU ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE MARKET CONDITIONS. SHRINK? Unfortunately. RIDE OUT THE STORM? Unfortunately… unfortunately, the market place is very tough right now. Every single company is and has shrunk from where they were. We have put ourselves in a great position because we have a lot of cash on hand. And the cash on hand will allow you to weather the storm. Soundup: Benson BBQ tape 01:16:04 "We'll be all right. With your help, we'll be all right. Hi, I'm Craig Benson." "I know you are.""Enjoy." Track: Now Benson is riding out a different storm - the Republican primary. Soundup: Benson ad tape: The Claremont case has been dragging on for more than 11 years. The student who was in kindergarten when the case started is now getting ready to graduate from high school. Track: In his ads and speeches, Benson says…. Bite: Benson Rotary Club tape 00:13:22 This election comes down to one thing. It's a young lady named Wendy Woodman who just graduated from Stevens High School in Claremont NH a couple of weeks ago. Bite: Benson BBQ tape 01:29:40 She was in the first grade when the Claremont lawsuit was filed against the state of NH and unfortunately, her entire school life was spent in a system that is broken. Now the political solution to that is to bury our heads in the sand and hope the problem goes away. The practical solution is to do something with it and stop the rhetoric. Unfortunately, politics is too much about rhetoric and not enough about results, and it's time to turn that around. Track: So Benson has worked on selling his 'common sense' education plan - on this day, to the editorial board at the Telegraph. Bite: Benson Campaigns Tape 4 3:42:08 "How would it work?" "Can I talk about the whole thing, Kevin? Because I think it's important." Well, sure." "I'm trying to look at education as, more than just funding. To me it's got a significant quality aspect associated with it. You have to fix the whole education program, and then fix the cost aspect of it." Bite: Portsmouth forum tape 2 07:52:58 We're now sending around $900 million to schools in the name of education. Most of that money isn't even ending up in the classroom, unfortunately. What I would do under my Common Sense Education Plan is freeze that amount of money because we're only making the problem worse by sending significantly more funds around. That would protect that towns that are getting it now and it would also mean that they know how much money they are getting. The other thing I would like to do is tell them exactly how much they are getting over the next five years. Bite: Benson Campaigns Tape 4 3:45:05 WHAT DO YOU FEEL ABOUT VOUCHERS. I believe we need choice in public schools, because competition creates better product. You know, when I was in business, we had a lot of competitors. I have to tell you, I hated every one of them. But they made me a lot better than I was the day before that, I'll admit to it. WHERE DO YOU SEE THE COMPETITION COMING IN - IS IT WITHIN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OR OUTSIDE OF IT? Well, both. I want to see choice outside of public schools, so that, if you hate the Nashua public school, you want to send you're child to Hudson, you can as long as there's an opening. The money transfers with the student. And, so I think that creates competition amongst public schools. And I'd also like to see charter schools. Bite: Benson BBQ tape ***01:25:34 "I'm in Rye too." "Well I want to cap your property tax so your money is not all going to property tax. Capping it at 6,8 or 10 percent of your income - that's it. Bite: Portsmouth forum tape 3 08:23:36 As governor, would you support and sign legislation similar to HB 140 which passed the House this past session, that would sunset the state property taxes as of April, 2004? " Bite: Portsmouth forum tape 3 8:24:10 I would not. I would look at - that particular bill was meant to create an income tax or a sales tax and I don't think that's what we need in the state of NH. My long term goal is to eliminate the statewide property tax but first we need to get rid of the donor towns. Benson Campaigns Tape 2 02:04:05 ** "I'm not a big fan of gambling, but we'll look at that." Soundup: Benson Campaigns Tape 2 **2:07:35 "Now's the time for a conservative Republican governor." "Craig Benson, a conservative Republican? Track: That counterpart, Republican candidate Gordon Humphrey, has run a number of ads attacking Benson's record, including a case in which a female Cabletron employee who was fired sued for sex discrimination. Bite: Benson Campaigns Tape 3 3:23:42 WHY DO YOU THINK YOU ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY A $2 MILLION SETTLEMENT? What we had in Cabletron was a very fast and dynamic organization. We went from a couple hundred people to a couple thousand people in the blink of an eye. And the capability of people to keep up with that wasn't always- it's not always possible for people to keep up with that rate of growth. Some people outstripped their capabilities to keep up with that type of growth and keep their job responsibilities. We tried the best we could to find them new opportunities and so on and so forth, sometimes we did need to make the change, and it was hard. Track: Not surprisingly, Benson is reluctant to talk directly about the issues raised by his opponents, including Benson's donations to Jeanne Shaheen's last gubernatorial campaign. Bite: Benson Campaigns Tape 3 3:26:34 So I did have to support some people to get electricity deregulation done, and now we did get it. Bite: Keough tape 2 04:00 I think that in listening to Gordon talk about it, he was personally offended that as the nominee for the party in the last election, the Bensons chose to support Jeanne Shaheen over Gordon Humphrey. I think it's a little bit personal for Gordon. Bite: Benson Campaigns Tape 3 3:26:56 I don't know what the motivation is. But I will say that three hundred and fifty thousand was raised at my house for George Bush, that went to the state Republican party to use, to put into the state and federal race at the time he was running for president, so, Gordon Humphrey, his campaign benefited hugely from that fundraising I did, so I think he, if that's the case, needs to remember that party. Soundup: Benson Campaigns Tape 2 02:31:45 "That guy won't stop with that nastiness." "Just ignore it." Track: Benson has responded with his own ads… Soundup: New Benson ad Track: And he has kept his sense of humor throughout the campaign, even about an unexpected arrival at the beginning of our interview. Bite; Benson Campaigns Tape 3 03:00:59 "Hello Jeanne, good to see you." "Hello , just here to have lunch." "Not easy, is it?" "You didn't ask for her vote, come on." "I don't know if I could count on it." Soundup: Benson Campaigns Tape 1 **1:13:02 Camera is on the driver- Craig "I'm working all the sweet shops throughout the state. I figure people who go in there are happy." Soundup: Benson campaigns tape 4 Ice cream shop - scooping ice cream Soundup: Benson BBQ tape 01:18:02 "Please, sit down. Enjoy yourself." "I am. This is really nice of you." "My pleasure." Track: Along with an ad campaign that has cost over half a million dollars Soundup: Bricks to clicks ad Track: and a sophisticated multimedia website… Soundup: Website sound Track: Benson has hosted a series of barbeques around the state, providing free meals, music and political paraphernalia. Bite: Benson Campaigns Tape 4 3:48:30 WHEN YOU DO THAT KIND OF THING AROUND THE STATE, YOU'RE GOING TO GET A REACTION - "HE'S TRYING TO BUY VOTES." I think New Hampshire people are smart, they're not necessarily going to take to that kind of thing. We have had some nice events, and then people go off, they make their own decision. But, I don't think you can buy someone's vote with a hot dog. Soundup: Benson BBQ tape 1:14:10 Benson's wife comes up, he kisses her and then she follows him around table, he introduces her, "this is my wife, Denise." Bite: Benson Campaigns tape 5 5:01:30 Craig understands the problems of this particular city- we don't care about Manchester but he understands the problems of Nashua, right Griff?" "Yes" Track: Though he has never held elective office, Benson has worked to get political endorsements for a contest that he regards as a cause. Bite: Benson Campaigns tape 5 5:03:45 It's time to stand up and fight for this state if we want to keep it the way it is. Bite: Benson Campaigns tape 5 5:03:45 We have issues in our education system. We have issues in our reform of state government. We have a health care system that is teetering on breaking, and then we have an economy that needs to be retooled. And I know we can do it without a sales or income tax even though a lot of people think those are necessary evils at this point in time. Track: And to reach his goal, Craig Benson is pursuing every supporter he can. Bite: Benson Campaigns Tape 1 **1:09:53 Benson looks down at list on lap and says "The Chief in Conway is undecided? Get out. How did we screw that up?" Track: For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. Bite: Benson Campaigns Tape 1 **1:10:40 Benson on phone "Hey Chief, it's Craig Benson. I want to talk to you about the Governor's race and uh some questions and concerns you may have regarding it. I was wondering if you could give me a call. |
| HUMPRHEY Return to index of stories... |
Humphrey campaigns tape 1 01;02:03 Hope you'll visit my website. I'm the tax fighter in this race." "You're the tax fighter." "Tax fighter." Humphrey campaigns tape 1 01;02:49 "All right, I'm the tax fighter." "Tax fighter?" "Tax fighter." "I'll remember that." "Remember that - that's not too hard, is it?" Track: It seems Gordon Humphrey has never met a tax he wouldn't fight. Born and raised in Bristol, Connecticut, he learned self-sufficiency at an early age. Bite: Humphrey campaigns tape 3 2:01:35 Father worked in a factory all his life. From the age of 16 until he retired at 65. My mother used to, when times were tough, which was not infrequent, mother used to pitch in, worked in a factory herself, so you know, they taught me a lot about the work ethic, dependability, faithfulness to one another and to children. Track: Humphrey served four years in the air force and became a professional pilot. He moved to New Hampshire and became politically active in conservative causes. Track: In early 1978, Humphrey flew around the state to announce he was running against Democratic Senator Tom McIntyre. Track: Defying most predictions, Humphrey defeated McIntyre, a three-term senator. Bite: LPA 225 00:48:35 I think they also voted for me because they're tired of high taxes, tired of these deficits that have led to this terrible inflation, inflation that has cut the dollar in half in the last ten years. Track: Washington did not exactly welcome Humphrey. His blunt manner aroused criticism and columnist Jack Anderson labeled him the dim bulb of the senate. Bite: LPA414 02:51:14 I didn't like that very much …. but you just have to try and shrug it off as best you can and move along, because if you worry about what other people think of you, you'll go nuts in this business. Track: The election in 1980 of Ronald Reagan was embraced by conservatives like Gordon Humphrey, who could now pursue their agenda including strengthening the military. Soundup: LPA349 01:29:54 USS Portsmouth - band plays - Humphrey in stand Track: Gordon Humphrey personally oversaw the launch of the USS Portsmouth, a nuclear attack sub. Soundup: LPA349 01:31:05 boat launched. Soundup: LPA 364 08:41:21 My fellow citizens … Track: But the greatest conservative cause was what became known as the Reagan tax cuts. Bite: LPA 364 08:41:45 We must radically change the structure of a tax system that still treats our earnings as the personal property of the Internal Revenue Service. Bite: LPA 364 08:45:02 It's going to be a brutal fight because every group that enjoys a special deal under the tax code is going to be fighting like blazes to preserve that special deal, and if we are to succeed in this, we must resist them all. Track: The tax cuts passed, tax rates dropped, and deficits soared. Despite his conservative credentials, Humphrey defied his party on issues like banning flag-burning, saying it posed no danger. Track: After some equivocation, Humphrey honored a pledge he made when first elected. Bite: LPA414 02;52:17 I'm here to announce that two terms is plenty. Bite: Humphrey campaigns tape 3 2:03:33 I strongly believe it's not good for our country that people like Ted Kennedy or anyone else makes a career of it. I think we'd be much better off if we had a constant turnover, you'd have a higher level of idealism and I think the country would be much better off, so that's why I did it. Track: But Gordon Humphrey was not satisfied to just come home after doing his civic duty. He decided to run for state Senate. Bite: LPA414 02:57:49 One usually serves in the state legislature and then the Congress after, but I like doing things backwards. I like challenging the conventional wisdom, and I would consider it an honor. Track: Humphrey also challenged the gentile ways of Senate business, forcing many roll call votes and annoying a future governor. Bite: LPA 100 22:15 ** I suggest that most of us here really are liberal on some issues and conservative on others. So trying to categorize all of us with labels is not really appropriate. Track: After one term in the state Senate, Gordon Humphrey left public life for his home in Chichester, to make, as he puts it, an honest living with his consulting business. Bite: 2000 Debate tape: 07:54:22 "There'll be no income tax if I'm governor. I make you that pledge and it's not a gimmick." Track: Two years ago, Humphrey was back, losing the governor's race by 6 points to Jeanne Shaheen. Bite: Humphrey campaigns tape 3 2:06:45 It's always tough to unseat an incumbent and we didn't quite make it. So I decided the next morning, to tell you the truth, after chatting with my wife, to stay right on the campaign trail. So I've been on this for three years in pursuit of a job that has a two year term. Track: Over the past legislative session, Humphrey became a fixture at the statehouse, expressing his views on various bills and issues, including more high-speed internet connections. Bite: OL52 01:16:27 It's ready to deliver anything the internet can deliver. The problem is there's a gap. Verizon refuses to connect this stuff. Track: He also called gambling a scummy, sleazy business and vowed to veto any bill…. Bite: OL44 01:07:06 "that will expand gambling in the state of NH." Track: Which upset many in the thoroughbred racing community. Soundup: OL44 01:07:14 "I don't feel I'm scummy or sleazy." Track: But for Humphrey, it's all been a part of getting his message out, and reestablishing his name recognition. Bite: Humphrey campaigns tape 1 **1:11:18 "Did we meet yet?" Woman says "I know you, you're the tax fighter" Humphrey says "You get an A, very good, yes.". Bite: Humphrey campaigns tape 2 1:17:52 Walk and talk- Richard "DO YOU THINK THERE IS SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT NH'S POLITICAL CULTURE THAT IS GOING TO DEFINE THIS ELECTION? "Well, there's certainly something unique about NH, it's called freedom. I mean if you look at Vermont, you look at Massachusetts, taxation. Here, we have a lighter burden, that's called freedom. That's what makes our state special. This is why we have a strong economy, this is why we have more jobs and opportunities for ourselves and our children. This is what attracts people to our state, makes it a prosperous place, a happy place. The keyword is freedom and that's what we have to protect." Track: But Humphrey says that freedom does not extend to our school system. Bite: Whippersnappers tape 01;11:37 The fundamental problem with education is that it's a monopoly. Sure there are lots of schools, but when you order parents to send their children to the nearest public school and no other, then with respect to that nearest public school and the community it serves, that's a monopoly. Track: His solution? Bite: Portsmouth forum tape 1 7:31:35 I propose a program of tuition tax credits which over a few years will empower more and more parents to choose another public school if they wish, a charter public school, a private religious school, private secular school, or home schooling with no strings attached. Track/Standup: Humphrey expects the credits, which could be applied against state business and property taxes, would cost about $20 million the first year. Soundup: Whippersnappers tape 1:02:01 Well for crying out loud, what is this thing? It doesn't say anything about the campaign. Go to the car and get some brochures out of the trunk. Track: Humphrey has also proposed other ideas such as a reading initiative and greater ease in establishing charter schools. And he even has a kind word for Jeanne Shaheen. Bite: Humphrey campaigns tape 3 2:21:48 One of the things she's done, as have other governors around the country and in our region, is to bring states together into regional compacts so that they can pool their buying power in the purchase of prescription drugs and get a better deal and then pass those savings on to those who need to access drugs, prescription drugs. That's a good idea and needs to be expanded. Soundup: Ad Tape "Can you trust Craig Benson's record? Employees did, and his company eliminated 85% of it's NH workforce. It even had to pay millions when Benson fired a manager simply because she was a woman…. Track: Of course, there's been no kind words for rival candidate Craig Benson. Bite: Humphrey campaigns tape 3 2:18:35 DO YOU THINK THE TONE OF YOUR ADS DAMAGES YOUR CAMPAIGN IN ANY WAY? Well the ads are factual. I think candidates actually perform a public service. This isn't after all a game of croquet. It's rough and tumble. And this kind of campaigning, as long as candidates stick to facts, certified facts, helps voters form judgements. If I weren't talking about the mismanagement of Craig Benson's company. How it's only a shadow of its former self, stock is under a dollar, 85 percent of the NH workforce has been eliminated, people wouldn't know it. Bite: Humphrey campaigns tape 1 01:30:30 I think candidates perform a valuable service when they surface information about other candidates. It's all factual and I make no apologies, and I back off not one inch." Bite: Portsmouth forum tape 3 8:25:21 I would gladly work for repeal and support repeal of the statewide property tax when we can do it right. Which means when we can do it with no danger of an income tax. No danger of a sales tax. No danger of an increase in the business enterprise tax. No danger of an increase in the business profits tax or a gambling casino on every corner. Track: To bring that day forward, Humphrey supports a constitutional amendment to keep the court out of education funding, and he also wants to get rid of at least some of the justices. Bite: Whippersnappers tape 1:26:25 It's time to draw a line in the sand, it's time to make some changes in the supreme court. I will advocate, I am telling you this morning- first time in public- I will encourage the legislature to bring a bill of address against certain members of the supreme court. Track: Humphrey won't say which members should go, but there is little doubt that Chief Justice David Brock, who wrote the original Claremont opinion, is among them. Soundup: Humphrey campaigns tape 1 01:24:36 "Jim, Gordon. Sometimes known as the tax fighter. People like that. It's catchy. So I'm adopting that. I'm introducing myself as Gordon Humphrey, tax fighter. Track: Whatever the label of the moment Gordon Humphrey has clearly always been been one thing - to quote Tom Rath, state Republican chairman when Humphrey left the US Senate…. Bite: LPA414 02:55:45 ** He is a different sort. Track: For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. Soundup: Humphrey campaigns tape 1 26:08 That's the tax fighter ad, right? We can't say that too often. |
| KEOUGH Return to index of stories... |
Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:31:07 ** "How are you." "Bruce Keough." "I've read your name. And you're from Dublin, aren't you." "Yes I am." "Intending to go to Concord?" "That's right - but only during the day." Track: Bruce Keough would like that day job to be in a corner office at the statehouse. He's running for governor, he says, because the state is in trouble. Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:01:00 The education funding system in the state has to be fixed or we're going to face a future of higher and higher taxes. Track: Born and raised in Berlin, Keough says lessons learned in childhood have shaped his lifelong beliefs. Bite: Keough tape 3 03:04:42 I grew up in a real working class family. My dad drove a truck, my mom was a secretary in the high school. My older sister was the first person in the family to go to college and - but I never grew up thinking we were poor. Most households in Berlin really had to live within their means. Track: Keough says that self-reliance makes for strong families and a strong community. It's a central theme in his major campaign proposal, which he brings to forums like this one in Portsmouth. Bite: Portsmouth forum tape 1 7:35:00 My plan eliminates the statewide property tax. There is no better way to get rid of donor towns than to eliminate the statewide property tax. And having grown up in NH, I can tell you that people in NH are smart enough to know that renaming local property taxes state taxes should not be confused with real help from the state. Track: Keough says under his plan, the state would still provide about $450 million from other revenues for targeted school aid to the neediest communities. But that money would no longer be sent as a block grant to each community. Bite: Keough tape 02:11:07 I think a better way to do it would be to assign matching rates to communities and have the program work in such a way that state dollars only match local dollars that are actually spent in schools. So there would always be a local effort alongside the state help. I think that's the proper role for the state in NH's education system. Standup: Any move to eliminate the statewide property tax could face serious legal challenges. In the Claremont school suit, the state Supreme Court declared the state must provide an adequate education for every child, and to ensure that school taxes are not disproportionately burdensome. As it stands, that has meant that every town, needy or not, must receive the same amount of state money for each student. Bite: Keough tape 2 02:17;26 I think the court's Claremont 2 decision was pure undiluted legal mischief. Track: Keough opposes the court's involvement in education funding, but says the Claremont decisions do leave more room to manouever than some may think. Bite: Keough tape 2 02:14:27 The court seemed to go to some length to explain that they were not requiring a uniform expenditure per pupil in every district in the state. The important thing I think in a political campaign is not to define the debate in terms that are acceptable to the court. A political debate in an election ought to be about comparing competing visions for how we ought to fund our schools. Bite: Keough tape 2 02:15:21 There probably are going to be legal hurdles. The court may determine that my plan is unconstitutional and that a constitutional amendment is required. But we are in a much better place at that point in time if we've had an election and the public has had an opportunity to speak out on this and we've passed a piece of legislation that shows where the legislature's will is. Track: Keough says the oral arguments earlier this year demonstrated some on the court would like to be free of further involvement with Claremont. Bite: Supreme Court Oral Argument tape 09;36:53 We have a government of three separate branches. Why should we sit as a superlegislature and isn't that what you're asking us to do? Isn't that the first question we have to answer? Whether we should do that? Bite: Keough tape 2 02:18:40 It seems to me that some on the court know they have a tiger by the tail and they'd like to figure a way out to let go of it, and I hope they view my plan as an opportunity to let go of that tiger's tail. Soundup: Portsmouth forum tape 1 7:30:45 The right way to repeal the statewide property tax is, as I have already suggested, amend the constitution. Bite: Keough tape 2 02:20:55 THE OTHER TWO REPUBLICANS SAID THEY WOULD LIKE TO, BUT IT'S A DANGEROUS STEP. AND I'M WONDERING WHAT YOU THINK OF THAT. I think it's baloney. I think it's a dangerous step for them politically and that's why they haven't taken the position that I have taken. When you talk about eliminating the statewide property tax, you leave yourself open to those who would say 'you're cutting state aid in half'. And the other Republicans recognize this and they don't want to touch that rail. Track: Benson and Humphrey have proposed caps on the statewide property tax to help low-income seniors - a move Keough opposes. Keough tape 2 02:22:58 Because in capping property taxes for a certain group of local taxpayers, what you've done is create a new group of people that is still involved in local spending decisions, and they bear none of the costs associated with those spending decisions. I think over time, this will seriously undermine the financial discipline that we've gained through local control in NH. I think it's a bad idea, I oppose it and I'm going to continue talking about it Track: Keough concedes eliminating the statewide property tax may not lower home-owners' tax bills, but says it at least restores freedom of choice. And more choice is Keough's approach to providing health care - which would start with a health care summit of medical providers and consumers. Keough tape 3 03:09;52 I want to stop the blame game that we've been listening to for the last several years and get them all at a table and say how can we move toward a health care system that will involve lots of competition, lots of choice for NH citizens, and that will help control costs in the long run. Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:12:15 "Sounds like you're on the uphill swing." "Yeah, that' s right. Just in time." Track: As the Republican race for governor developed over the past year, Keough registered last in the polls. But his support surged from 6% in February to 15% in late June. Bite: Keough tape 3 03;01:58 I think people have had almost a full year of seeing Craig Benson's television ads and hearing the Cabletron story over and over and over again, the part of the story that has Cabletron growing and doing well. And I don't think - people are just getting to know me. Track: And a favorable editorial hasn't hurt. Soundup: TV Ad tape 02:28:42 The Union Leader says Bruce Keough is focused like a laser on solving the state's education and budget problems. Track: Not surprisingly, Keough is an upbeat campaigner these days. Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:29:20 they approach Lindy's "I like this place" Soundup: Keough tape 2 02;05:10 I'd love a tuna salad sandwich on wheat toast. Track: Sitting with a reporter from the Keene Sentinel, Keough discussed a wide range of issues including the other candidates. Soundup: Keough tape 2 02:03:49 Craig Benson's support for Democrats is a legitimate issue in a Republican primary. We're talking about who is going to be the nominee of our party. Track: It's all a part of getting his message out around the state. Bite: Tape OL60 01:17:24 In my view if the state of NH could authorize over 200 million dollars in bonding capacity to redevelop Pease Air force base and get that area back on its feet, it can help the North country out with infrastructure improvements to get the North country back on its feet as well. Bite: Tape OL60 01:19:23 We've consistently led the northeast in job growth, we've led the northeast in income growth, this has created tremendous prosperity an opportunities for NH families and I firmly believe we have enjoyed that kind of economic performance because we don't have an income tax or a sales tax. As governor, I will veto either. Track: There are issues Keough has a position on - but aren't part of the campaign. Bite: Keough tape 3 03:10:52 I support vouchers. I think that ANY LIMITATIONS ON THEM? We have big hurdles to overcome in NH to be able to implement a system of vouchers. I think vouchers are the cleanest most direct way to provide for school choice and I think school choice is a good thing. SO YOU WOULD ALLOW THEM TO BE USED FOR RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, HOMESCHOOLING? Ideally, yes. Track: But, first things first - such as getting elected. Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:24:30 ** Hi Daryll, how are you. I met you at the dinner over at Keene St. College two springs ago. " "Yeah, that's right"…. Track: If political skills like remembering people's names are important, Keough seems well-equipped for the rest of the race. Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:05:15 "My wife is a member of the garden club." " Jane, is that right?" "Jane, oh you have a good memory." Track: And it's the art of knowing what to say. For example, when meeting the owner of a framing shop… Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:24:57 ** "I really like framing shops." Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:25:22 Store owner peels off Keough sticker from Eaton and puts it on. "Look at that, that's what I like to see." Track: And when agreeing to meet with a police group. Keough tape 1 01:24:20 I'll bring the donuts." Track: Keough believes this election will present voters with a choice of which road to take. Bite: Keough tape 3 03;13:50 It really gets to the heart of what kind of state are we going to be. Are we going to continue to be a state that works hard to keep the role of state govt. relatively small and targeted, or are we going to go down the path of Massachusetts and Connecticut and have a much weaker local govt. system and much stronger state system. I clearly want to honor the traditions that have made us a successful state and will fight to defend them. Track: For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. Soundup: Keough tape 1 01;28:45 Bicyclists go by as they approach, singing "It's the kind of walk you walk, when you're being camera shy. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
Next time on New Hampshire Outlook - The Democrats in the race for Governor. Profiles of Mark Fernald and Bev Hollingworth. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's all for this edition of Outlook. Thanks for joining us. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Richard Ager. Allison McNair will be back with you tomorrow at 10. |
| 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 Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| key: state politics / government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time:9/02/02 / 2200 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 8:30 In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a profile of republican candidate for governor Gordon Humphrey. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Gordon Humphrey, R - Candidate for Governor |
| key: state politics / government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time:9/02/02 / 2200 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 8:30 In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a profile of republican candidate for governor Craig Benson. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Craig Benson, R - Candidate for Governor |
| key: state politics / government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time:9/02/02 / 2200 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 8:30 In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a profile of republican candidate for governor Bruce Keough. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Bruce Keough, R - Candidate for Governor |