• Judd Gregg,  Sarah Palin

    President 2012: Does the GOP Primary Process Help Sarah Palin?

    Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin looks down during the Pledge of Allegiance before speaking to the LIA (Long Island Association) Annual Meeting & Luncheon at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, New York, February 17, 2011

    Yes, according to former New Hampshire Republican Senator Judd Gregg.

    Because the nominating process has become so dominated by primary elections, with the vast majority of the delegates chosen by direct vote, it is entirely possible that with no presumptive winner or even favorites, a candidate who runs second or third in a great many primaries could go into the convention with a sizable block of delegates.

    Who would this favor? Does Sarah Palin come to mind? Although she is not viewed by most as strong enough to win, she is viewed by many as a person worth voting for to make a statement. And primaries tend to be populated by people who go to the polls with the purpose of making a statement.

    Finishing second and third isn’t really a big deal — until you get enough delegates to be the nominee. And picking a nominee who it seems would be easily defeated by President Obama might not be the best statement.

    As I have been saying over and over the past few months, the GOP Presidential nomination is really Sarah Palin’s to decline. She has an excellent chance to win Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada – all early contests. She would do very well in Florida. Then on Super Tuesday, she would likely win some and lose some.

    But, would any candidate, meaning Mitt Romney and/or Tim Pawlenty have sufficent numbers of delegates going into the convention to beat her on the first ballot?

    Probably not.

    Now, I am not positive that Sarah will run in 2012. She is simply NOT polling very well against President Obama and a Goldwater type of loss, while Quixotic, would hurt her brand and pocketbook.

    But, Sarah CAN win the nomination.

  • John Sununu,  Judd Gregg,  Paul Hodes

    Poll Watch: GOP Favored to Hold New Hampshire U.S. Senate Seat in 2010

    Even in a Democrat dominated United States Senate, the GOP sees a glimmer of 2010 electoral hope.

    If either former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu or current Republican Sen. Judd Gregg run for the Senate in New Hampshire next year, the GOP would be narrowly favored to hold the seat in the Democratic-trending state, according to a new poll.

    A Granite State Poll conducted by The University of New Hampshire Survey Center found Democratic Rep. Paul W. Hodes narrowly trailing Sununu in one potential match-up and significantly trailing Gregg in another.

    The poll of 503 adults was conducted April 13-22.

    Among the findings:

    A total of 52 percent of likely voters said they would support Gregg’s re-election bid and 36 percent said they would support 2nd District Congressman Hodes were the election held today. An additional 10 percent were undecided. Gregg has stated he will not run for re-election in 2010, though Republicans have been urging him to reconsider.

    Hodes also narrowly trailed Sununu among all likely voters: 46 percent for Sununu to 41 percent for Hodes and 11 percent undecided. Sununu has been courted by Republicans to seek a comeback in 2010. The Senator was ousted last fall by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen.

    Flap wonders if Judd Gregg’s aborted cabinet appointment by President Obama would give him the resolve to go another six years?

    Of course, this would be a perfect storm for the Republicans to hold this seat which the Democrats covet.

    Stay tuned……


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  • Barack Obama,  economics,  Judd Gregg

    Shocker: Obama Will BANKRUPT USA – Senator Gregg

    Gregg-Obama-bankrupts-usa

    Not really a shock.

    The top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee says the Obama administration is on the right course to save the nation’s financial system.

    But Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire also says President Barack Obama’s massive budget proposal will bankrupt the country.

    Gregg says he has no regrets in withdrawing his nomination to become commerce secretary. He pulled out after deciding he could not fully back the administration’s economic policies.

    The senator said Obama’s spending plan in the midst of a prolonged recession would leave the next generation with a country too expensive to live in.

    Obama and the Democrats must stop the spending and stop it NOW. Someone will have to eventually pay and that somebody is our children and grandchildren with a reduced quality of life.

    Just say NO to more government spending.


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  • Barack Obama,  John Sununu,  Judd Gregg

    Judd Gregg to Commerce – John Sununu to Senate?

    Judd Gregg for Commerce

    Lead negotiator for Senate Republicans in the financial bailout talks, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) speaks to reporters in the Capitol in Washington October 1, 2008. Standing on the right of Gregg is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

    Looks like GOP Senator Judd Gregg will be leaving his New Hampshire Senate seat to become President Obama’s Secretary of Commerce.

    Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire is the leading candidate to become President Barack Obama’s commerce secretary, an administration official said Saturday, in a decision that could come as early as Monday.

    Gregg’s appointment would add another Republican to Obama’s Cabinet at a time when the president is preaching a bipartisan message and working to build GOP support for his agenda.

    But it also could potentially tip the power balance in the Senate, if the Democratic governor of New Hampshire decides to name a member of his own party to take Gregg’s place.

    Jim Geraghty over at National Review has the poop on who will be appointed by a Democrat governor to replace Gregg for the remaing two years of his term. And, how this may mean a return to the Senate by former and recently defeated Senator John Sununu.

    My understanding is that a deal has been struck that Obama will appoint Judd Gregg and that Gov. John Lynch (a Democrat) will fill the seat with Bonnie Newman (a “Lynch Republican”) who will (most likely) commit to NOT running again in 2010, thereby leaving the seat open setting up a Lynch vs. John Sununu Senate race.

    Bonnie Newman will caucus with the Republicans and will likely be reliable on many spending issues, but she is NOT a supply sider by any means and will not shy away from tax increases.

    John Sununu lost his seat in the tidal wave of Obamamania – 52 to 45 per cent with 3 per cent voting Libertarian.

    The seat will be competitive for the GOP to retain.

    Stay tuned……


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