New Hampshire College Republicans

Racism Is...Everywhere!

2009-07-20T23:58:00.004-04:00

I know I have not posted in a long time, but I am sure that everybody is tired of hearing about bad news everywhere. Anyways, I love how academics automatically think an arrest of a black person is a racist act. Hilarious. Unfortunately, this university ranks #1 in the world (of course Dartmouth should be first). Think twice before you send your children off to school at an elite institution. Yes, I go to an Ivy League college, but just remember that this stuff exists in the Ivory Tower, where being an eminent scholar means you can yell at an officer of the law. You would assume that scholars should know that claiming fallacies are what lead to societal problems like racism. But that would mean they are living in reality.

Hooray Taxes! Hooray Lost Jobs! Hooray Debt!

2009-06-27T16:12:00.004-04:00

Apparently, this type of thinking is what the Democratic leadership and 8 Republican "cap-and-traitors" want. 44 Democrats voted against the Waxman-Markey energy bill yesterday, but 8 Republicans (Bono-Mack, Castle, Kirk, Lance, LoBiondo, McHugh, Reichert, and Smith) helped cover them as the unprecedented bill passed the House on a 219-212 vote. The bill, which was pushed through with a 300-page amendment in the wee hours of the morning (or late evening if you are a night owl), is set to raise taxes and increase energy costs through the roof and destroy jobs. Great job, representatives in Washington. Not. Also, it seems to be a developing trend for the legislators in the Capitol to not read legislation before they vote to pass it. Hopefully, this bill dies in the Senate. I have heard from some sources that the bill will not get through and projections from others that it will be loaded with even more pork than the House version.

A Scandal Every Week...

2009-06-24T16:58:00.003-04:00

What has gotten into the minds of potential (not anymore) presidential candidates for the Republican Party in 2012? First John Ensign, Senator from Nevada, and now Mark Sanford, Governor of South Carolina. Unbelievable. Now, many Republicans (especially those of the libertarian wing) do not find the personal lives of our elected officials as pertinent to their actual competency in office, but I am certainly not from that strain of thought. Public servants should be faithful to the people and to their families; they have made commitments to both. Fidelity is a reflection of moral character, and regardless of how honest they were about their cheating behavior (some conservatives tried to find a bright spot after the Sanford announcement), these men should step down from their positions of leadership. Perhaps a bit radical, but they are definitely out of the running in my book for any future office. What a shame.

And now people are joking that we will have Mitt Romney as our nominee by default. Also undesirable (see 2008 Presidential Election).

It's Sotomayor

2009-05-26T10:51:00.001-04:00

I do not believe this is what judges are supposed to do...

More later

Two Comments

2009-05-04T02:28:00.006-04:00

Check out what Arlen Specter has to say about Jack Kemp's passing. I originally was not going to post about either event, but this article disgusted me enough and compelled me to comment. I find it completely classless for people to advance their ideological or political opinions when someone leaves this world for a better place. If Sen. Specter wants to hold onto his seat, he should quit suggesting that the Republican health care position killed Jack Kemp. I wish Kemp was here to respond because a war of words and ideas would certainly ensue.

As everybody is probably aware of now, Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania has decided to switch his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat, and Jack Kemp, one of the most illustrious men to grace the conservative movement, has passed away after fighting cancer.

Senator Specter's official jump barely made a mark on my political radar because the man has not been much of a conservative. A self-proclaimed moderate, he seems to vote with or capitulate to the holders of power in Congress. Former Representative Pat Toomey's primary challenge scared Sen. Specter enough to try to save his electoral prospects. Unfortunately for the Senator, the political breezes appear to point towards his demise no matter what party he belongs to. Good luck Senator; at least you are honest about your reasons for holding political office. In further related news, I am worried about the possible primary battle between Toomey, former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, and Representative Jim Gerlach (PA-6). I do not want a prolonged tug-of-war between three heavyweights, when we should be devoting resources against the Democratic nominee (who may or may not be Specter).

Finally, a few words for Jack Kemp, a great quarterback, Congressman, Secretary of HUD, Vice Presidential candidate and thinker. His life has been a wonderful example of rising against the odds to bring forth new possibilities. He is most well-known for the Kemp-Roth tax cut and his advocacy of supply-side economics. May his work continue to influence current and future conservatives, and rest in peace. He sure has earned it.

Guinta is In

2009-05-01T17:54:00.002-04:00

CQ reported that Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta will be challenging Representative Carol Shea-Porter for the District 1 House Seat. Good luck to Mayor Guinta, and we look forward to working with him as the 2010 elections draw closer!!

Congratulations Marilinda Garcia

2009-04-29T19:07:00.002-04:00

It's official! Marilinda Garcia won yesterday's special election for Rockingham County's District 4 House seat. Members of College Republicans from across the state helped out in Salem and Windham, and the voters have rewarded their hard work. Congratulations to Marilinda, a rising star in the Republican Party.

6th Annual State Convention

2009-04-26T20:49:00.008-04:00

Yesterday we met at Murphy's Taproom in Manchester for our 6th annual state convention. We were joined by three wonderful speakers: state party chair and former Governor John H. Sununu, Mayor Frank Guinta of Manchester, and former Congressman and newly-elected State Senator Jeb Bradley. A special thanks also goes out to Keith Murphy, the owner of the establishment, for providing a space and food for the event.

This will be my last post on the blog. The past two years as state chair of the College Republicans have been an incredible experience that I will always remember. From rides on campaign buses to freezing early-morning sign waves to working with students and volunteers across the state, I have come to understand and appreciate the special place that is New Hampshire and its extraordinary people.

Our new state board is composed of dedicated and energetic students. I congratulate our new officers and wish them the very best, and I look forward to hearing about their accomplishments.

Chairman: Tiffany Tai (Dartmouth)
Vice Chairman: Stefanie Williams (UNH)
Treasurer: Michael Randall (Dartmouth)
Communications Director: Katie Rhames (NEC)
Outreach Director: Rob Johnson (UNH)

Jeb Bradley talks with students:

Mayor Guinta addresses us as Governor Sununu listens on after his own speech:

Jeb Wins

2009-04-22T00:03:00.004-04:00

The Union Leader is reporting that Jeb Bradley has won the district 3 state senate seat. Several Dartmouth students were down in Farmington going door-to-door on Saturday, and it's great to see a positive result just several days later. We congratulate Jeb, a fine New Hampshire public servant.

What is he thinking?

2009-04-10T22:14:00.002-04:00

Obama Bows to Saudi King

2009-04-08T18:46:00.004-04:00

The image of an American President bowing to a foreign king is not only a violation of diplomatic protocol and tradition, but is also simply unsettling. The White House is now trying to explain it away, only adding fuel to the fire in my opinion. This might have been a harmless slip, but I think it is a clear, and perhaps sub-conscious, demonstration of what Obama really thinks about America. A telling sign is that even Camille Paglia didn't like it. Judge for yourselves (the bow occurs around 0:54):

Tea Party Plans

2009-04-08T18:34:00.003-04:00

The Dartmouth College Republicans are planning their own tea party, to be held in the afternoon on Friday, April 17th (which doesn't coincide with the April 15th tea parties across the nation, but is a much better campus-specific date). Plans are for an outdoor event with tea, croquet, and a display, followed by a discussion with professors about the implications of the Democrats' fiscal choices.

NY-20 Prediction

2009-04-06T17:56:00.005-04:00

The special election to fill Kirsten Gillibrand's House seat in NY-20 is now in the absentee ballot phase. I analyzed the numbers a bit today and am throwing out a prediction that, if all of the mailed absentee ballots are returned, Jim Tedisco (the Republican) will win by about 600 votes. This is based on Tedisco's current 97-vote lead, the Republican advantage in absentee ballot registration, and my estimate of a 60/40 breakdown in independets' absentee ballots in favor of the Democrat, Scott Murphy. We probably won't know the results until at least April 13th, the deadline for military absentee ballots to arrive.

Update: Well, I was way off. The absentee ballots broke significantly in favor of Scott Murphy and Jim Tedisco conceded the race on Friday. This just goes to show that such close elections are very difficult to predict. It was interesting to follow regardless.

The GOP's Alternative Budget

2009-04-01T17:37:00.005-04:00

Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, ranking Republican on the Budget Committee, outlines the GOP's alternative budget proposal in today's Wall Street Journal. The long-term implications for government spending are striking.

TOTUS

2009-03-20T18:36:00.001-04:00

Someone has launched a humorous blog chronicling the life of President Obama's teleprompter. It's called Barack Obama's Teleprompter's Blog and is definitely worth a look.

Convention Announced

2009-03-16T19:16:00.003-04:00

The 6th Annual New Hampshire College Republicans Convention will take place on Saturday, April 25th between 12 and 4pm at Murphy's Taproom. It's located at 494 Elm St. in Manchester, and we have the large back room reserved. Join us for food, drink, and great speakers, including state party chair Governor John H. Sununu. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Check out the details and RSVP on Facebook.

CPAC 2009

2009-03-01T14:40:00.005-05:00

A group of Dartmouth students attended the 2009 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this weekend. We heard speeches from John Bolton, Mike Pence, Mike Huckabee, Jim DeMint, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, and many others. We met and interacted with prominent Republicans including Newt Gingrich, Tom DeLay, Tom Coburn, Tim Pawlenty, and Jeff Sessions. We also met students and activists from all over the country, and were proud to be part of the over 8,500 registrants who made this the largest CPAC ever.

The Dartmouth delegation to CPAC would like to extend warm thanks to Governor John H. Sununu, Rob Kasper, the Hanover Republican Committee, and the Grafton County GOP for their unexpected and generous support of our trip. It would not have been possible without the help of some exceptional Republicans in New Hampshire.

Boehner Fights the Bill

2009-02-13T21:42:00.005-05:00

House Minority Leader John Boehner lashed out today at the Democrats' now successful attempt to ram the "stimulus" bill through Congress, with a total of only 3 Republican votes (Senators Specter, Collins, and Snowe, who have likely invited conservative primary challengers for their next elections).

Daylight Network

2009-02-13T13:33:00.001-05:00

Some students have launched a new website tracking the federal budget and the current "stimulus" bill. I haven't looked at it in-depth, but it's got some nice visuals of the budget and the legislation so you can easily see where your tax money is going. It's called the Daylight Network and you can check it out at www.daylightnetwork.com.

"Democrats have mismanaged the state"

2009-01-26T17:17:00.003-05:00

Several weeks ago, John H. Sununu had an op-ed in the Union Leader about how the Democrats have mismanaged New Hampshire. His article includes a couple of interesting links to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Pew Center on the States that back up his argument. Check it out here.

Valley News Looks at Dartmouth Voting

2009-01-26T17:15:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday, I attended the Hanover Republican caucus with Dartmouth CRs president Jenn Bandy and some other students. We had a good discussion with local Republicans and heard from Governor Sununu. The Valley News was on hand and published a story about our discussion of how Dartmouth student voting affects local politics. While the story is up, you can check it out here.

Portman for Senate

2009-01-14T14:54:00.004-05:00

Rob Portman, a 1978 graduate of Dartmouth and one of the College's most distinguished alums, has announced that he is running for the Ohio Senate seat being vacated by George Voinovich in 2010. Portman was a six-term Congressman from Ohio's 2nd district and served as U.S. Trade Representative and OMB Director under President George W. Bush. He recently visited Dartmouth as part of an alumni panel assembled to analyze the 2008 election. You can find his campaign website here.

Fergus Cullen & John H. Sununu on WMUR

2008-12-30T16:02:00.003-05:00

Fergus Cullen, the current chairman of the NH GOP, and former governor John H. Sununu, likely the next chairman of the state Republican Party, appeared together on WMUR's Close Up to discuss the future of the party.

An Inconvenient Tax

2008-12-06T14:43:00.005-05:00

There's a new movie in the works highlighting the flaws of the current tax code and providing views on reform from many respected individuals on all sides of the issue. It's called An Inconvenient Tax and includes interviews with Steve Forbes, Mike Huckabee, John Linder, Dick Armey, Michael Graetz, Leonard Burman, and many others.

The Tax Reform That Wasn't

2008-11-22T13:16:00.003-05:00

In January of 2005, President Bush convened the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform, with Connie Mack III as chair and John Breaux as vice-chair. Its final report, issued on November 1, 2005, was clear and concise in calling for a fundamental simplification and restructuring of the tax code. The bipartisan panel fully endorsed two proposals, both of which would have simplified the individual tax form, eliminated convoluted phase-outs, closed loopholes, reduced double taxation of corporate profits, lowered top marginal rates, and decreased the paperwork burden on small businesses.

The report is an excellent starting point for the tax reform effort that should have taken place during this administration but didn't. It will be a useful set of principles and information as the incoming Obama administration prepares its own tax reform agenda.

The report can be found in its entirety on the panel's website.

Republican Websites

2008-11-11T15:27:00.006-05:00

It seems to me that Republicans have been significantly underperforming in terms of campaign and party websites. The Obama campaign website was more consistent, easier to use, and more visually appealing than the McCain campaign's. The same can be said about the current RNC and DNC websites. Republicans have also not utilized online social networks such as Facebook as effectively.

There is no reason for Republicans to cede the online space to our opponents. We should be just as capable at creating visually appealing sites that reinforce the strengths of our candidates, rather than frustrate supporters and potentially turn away undecided voters. If I remember correctly, Mitt Romney's primary site was comparable to Democratic efforts.

The Republican Party needs to bolster its online efforts to better compete for the youth vote.

Draft Sununu for RNC

2008-11-11T14:59:00.003-05:00

An effort is underway to draft New Hampshire's own John Sununu to run for Republican National Committee chairman. He would be an excellent leader for the party, just as he has been an independent and principled leader in the Senate. Check out the site and the facebook group.

Update: Senator Sununu has stated publicly that he is not interested in pursuing the job and wants to spend more time with his family after a long campaign. Let's hope his outstanding public service continues in the future.

Krauthammer's Wisdom

2008-11-09T14:47:00.003-05:00

In his post-election article, Charles Krauthammer ended with a couple of sentences that perfectly encapsulate this long election:

"But before our old soldier fades away, it is worth acknowledging that McCain ran a valiant race against impossible odds. He will be -- he should be -- remembered as the most worthy presidential nominee ever to be denied the prize."

The Concession

2008-11-05T20:31:00.002-05:00

John McCain's final speech in this long campaign, a testament to the greatness of this humble American.

And so it goes...

2008-11-04T23:27:00.003-05:00

Senator Barack Obama has won the presidential election. His historic triumph is to be celebrated as an extraordinary moment in our history. John McCain gave a touching concession speech in which he called on all Americans to welcome our new president-elect with goodwill and to work together to face our common challenges. And so we all must.

John McCain waged a spirited campaign in the most difficult of circumstances for the Republican party. He was a tough, courageous, and compassionate candidate who overcame incredible odds to come so close to the nation's highest office. His acts of heroism and decades of service have enshrined him in the nation's firmament as a leader to be admired for future generations. And so he will be.

Arnold in Ohio

2008-11-01T01:08:00.001-04:00

The Governator campaigned for Senator McCain in Ohio today, and did an outstanding job firing up the crowd.

Today's MTP

2008-10-26T14:08:00.007-04:00

Senator McCain appeared on Meet the Press this morning from Iowa. The first segment appears below. Follow the links on the MTP site for the rest of the interview.

Joe Lieberman at Dartmouth

2008-10-23T15:19:00.011-04:00

Senator Joe Lieberman held a Country First forum this afternoon at Dartmouth's Hopkins Center. He spoke about why he, as a Democrat, is supporting the Republican nominee, citing John McCain's experience and record of extraordinary accomplishments. Senator Lieberman particularly credited Senator McCain with caring about the issue of global warming. He stressed that at this time, with wars abroad and an economic crisis at home, we need a president who has been tested.

Approximately 120 students and community members attended the event.

McCain POW Footage

2008-10-23T11:15:00.006-04:00

This doesn't seem to be getting much press, but the French national archive has released footage of John McCain being interviewed in Vietnam after his plane was shot down. Here is a brief story from Sky News, and the video is below.

Update: The videos I link keep getting taking down, but different postings of the same video can be found through this YouTube search.

Senator McCain Visits St. Anselm

2008-10-22T15:03:00.004-04:00

Senator McCain made his 5th visit to New Hampshire since announcing his candidacy for president here this morning. The senator appeared at St. Anselm College in the Sullivan Arena hockey rink. Congressional candidates Jeb Bradley, and Jennifer Horn, Gubernatorial candidate Joe Kenney and Senators John Sununu and Judd Gregg also spoke at the event. Senator McCain emphasized that in these tough economic times we don't need government "spreading the wealth around". There was a large CR presence on the floor and on the stage behind Senator McCain. The crowd was fired up. Our mens and womens hockey teams were there in uniform as were eight students who were shirtless and had letters on their chests spelling out "maverick". The creativity got alot of play from the press.

Candidates at Al Smith Dinner

2008-10-20T23:04:00.004-04:00

Both John McCain and Barack Obama participated in the 63rd annual Alfred E. Smith Dinner in New York City. Their speeches spoofed all of the latest happenings on the trail. The entire event was a great moment for the campaign as the candidates came together to poke some fun at each other.

Obama on Taxes

2008-10-20T19:10:00.002-04:00

"I think when you spread the wealth around it's good for everybody."

Gov. Lingle Campaigns at Dartmouth

2008-10-01T13:11:00.002-04:00

Governor Linda Lingle of Hawaii visited Dartmouth today to campaign for John McCain and Sarah Palin. Her talk with students and members of the community highlighted her own experience with running for office and serving as a Republican governor in a predominantly Democratic state, as well as the benefits of having a governor on the ticket. Gov. Lingle spoke personally about Gov. Palin, focusing on her courage, character, hands-on experience, and high popularity in her home state of Alaska. She contrasted this with Barack Obama's "present" votes in the Illinois legislature and his emphasis on talk rather than action. She noted that while Sen. Obama talks about change, Sen. McCain has a proven track record of actually delivering it. America needs a president who is ready to lead and not run from controversial issues.

Senator John Sununu Visits Dartmouth

2008-09-30T22:48:00.004-04:00

Senator John Sununu stopped by Dartmouth today to chat with students, present his views, and answer some questions about pressing issues. Sen. Sununu highlighted some of his legislative accomplishments, such as keeping the internet tax-free, fighting for stronger safeguards in the Patriot Act, and increasing oversight of Fannie and Freddie. He handled questions on a variety of topics. On foreign policy, he discussed the role of Lebanon in the Middle East as well as his opposition to travel restrictions to Cuba. He also weighed in on the financial bailout plan defeated by the House.

Sen. Sununu demonstrated why he has been such an effective representative of New Hampshire in the United States Senate. He is keenly intelligent and insightful, possesses a tremendous grasp of many issues, and is highly personable. We will be working to make sure that Sen. Sununu's clear and independent voice remains in the Senate.

McCain at Saddleback

2008-08-17T17:27:00.004-04:00

Here's a highlight reel of John McCain's conversation with Rick Warren at the Saddleback Civil Forum. The contrast with Senator Obama's performance was pretty clear, as Rich Lowry points out on NRO.

Raisin' McCain

2008-08-02T21:05:00.005-04:00

John Rich of music duo Big & Rich wrote this song in honor of Senator McCain. You can download the single on Rich's website.

Love

2008-07-22T23:00:00.000-04:00

"Don't hope for a better life. Vote for one."

"John McCain, Prisoner of War: A First-Person Account"

2008-07-22T22:57:00.002-04:00

Check out this story, which originally appeared in the May 14, 1973 issue of U.S. News & World Report. In it, then-Commander John McCain describes his time as a POW in Vietnam.

Tim Russert 1950-2008

2008-06-13T16:00:00.005-04:00

Tim Russert, the esteemed host of NBC's Meet the Press, passed away today of a heart attack. Russert presided over the most insightful and hard-hitting political program on television. The Sunday morning shows just won't be the same without him.

One of the many reasons for a Republican victory in 2008

2008-06-12T17:13:00.001-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b73_hKWiSmc&feature=related

Republican For A Reason

2008-05-31T17:37:00.002-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y5_q-rWMkg
Take a look at the link above. It's very inspirational.

McCain Blogette

2008-05-29T20:30:00.004-04:00

For those of you who haven't run across this site yet, McCain Blogette is probably the best source for a behind the scenes look at the McCain campaign. It's run by the Senator's daughter Meghan and has lots of pictures from the road.

Links

2008-05-29T19:49:00.007-04:00

Hey everyone! Here are some great websites for keeping up to date with the latest political news. You probably know them already but if you don't, here's what I use on a daily basis.
http://www.politickernh.com
http://www.drudgereport.com
http://www.economist.com
http://thepage.time.com
http://www.politico.com

McCain on SNL

2008-05-18T13:53:00.000-04:00

John McCain on The Daily Show

2008-05-08T12:10:00.001-04:00

Part 1:

Part 2:

McCain Generation

2008-04-11T20:46:00.001-04:00

Here's a great unofficial video from Ethan Eilon, Executive Director of the CRNC:

CR for State Rep

2008-04-07T18:16:00.003-04:00

Our outgoing Executive Director, Shaun Doherty of Rivier College, is currently exploring a run for State Representative from the Pelham/Hudson/Litchfield area. We wish him luck and look forward to helping his campaign, as well as seeing a College Republican in the State House. Check out Shaun's site at www.JoinShaun.com.

Convention Recap on Politicker

2008-04-07T13:02:00.003-04:00

Brian Lawson has a summary of our convention up over at PolitickerNH.com.

5th Annual State Convention

2008-04-06T13:27:00.007-04:00

Last night we held our state convention at the Hanover Inn on the Dartmouth campus. We had representation from six chapters, as well as guests from the NH GOP, Congressional campaigns, the McCain campaign, and ONE. Attendees were welcomed by Professor Andrew Samwick, Director of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center, and state party chairman Fergus Cullen. Thanks to everyone who was able to make it, and congratulations to the new state executive board:

Chairman: Greg Boguslavsky (Dartmouth)
Vice Chairman: Adam Bungert (UNH)
Treasurer: Christian Ginez (Dartmouth)
Communications Director: Joe Doiron (NEC)
Outreach Director: Tiffany Tai (Dartmouth)

1st Congressional district candidate John Stephen listens to guests:

2nd Congressional district candidate Grant Bosse chats with students:

NH GOP Chair Fergus Cullen talks politics with some Dartmouth students:

2nd Congressional district candidate Sen. Bob Clegg addresses the convention:

1st Congressional district candidate Congressman Jeb Bradley addresses the convention:

Mr. Ogonowski Goes to Washington

2008-04-06T11:55:00.006-04:00

Last fall, as mentioned in an earlier post, some Dartmouth CRs had the pleasure of campaigning for Jim Ogonowski down in Massachusetts. Jim is now mounting a bid to unseat Senator John Kerry. I want to share this excellent campaign video:

Grant Bosse Speech

2008-04-06T11:39:00.003-04:00

Here is Grant Bosse's address to the NHCRs State Convention last night. A full recap of the event will follow.

Iced Tea and Croquet at UNH!!

2008-04-03T19:06:00.004-04:00

The UNH College Republicans will be hosting a croquet and iced tea party on Wednesday April 23rd from 11:00-3:00. All are invited! RSVP to Bill Hunt at Bill.Hunt@unh.edu. Keepin' it real from New Hampshire to Vermont, from the Maine line to Greenwich!

Take Back NH Tuesdays

2008-04-03T18:59:00.003-04:00

The NH Young Republicans have been hosting Tuesday night socials. The drinks flow and there are appetizers. It has gained so much popularity that they have started doing two each week. This coming Tuesday 4/8, they will be at Biddy Mulligans in Downtown Dover and at The Peddlers Daughter. Both events start at 5:30pm. All are welcome!

Grant Bosse visits Dartmouth

2008-02-27T17:57:00.006-05:00

Grant Bosse '94 visited the Dartmouth College Republicans last week to announce his upcoming bid for the Republican nomination to replace Congressman Paul Hodes in the second congressional district of New Hampshire. He discussed the priorities of his campaign which include cutting taxes and regulation, securing the borders, and keeping the nation safe. Though Hodes won with a comfortable margin in 2006, the district could be up for grabs, particularly with the ever popular Senator John McCain as the potential top of the ticket. The seat was also held by a republican for the last 12 years, which indicates independent leanings in the district. With a successful presidential campaign and energetic grassroots volunteers, Hodes could prove to be vulnerable in November.

As a Dartmouth alumnus, Bosse was particularly well suited to answering questions about the practical experience with government on state and national levels. He recounted sitting as a Dartmouth undergraduate, listening to former Congressman Bass and his primary competitors ask for the support of what was then known as the Conservative Union at Dartmouth. Though Bosse will face at least three other competitors for the nomination, he has experience in the political spectrum as a former legislative staffer for Senator John Sununu and as Senior Legislative Assistant to the New Hampshire Majority Office.

For more information on his campaign, visit http://www.bosse2008.com/.

Rivier College Republicans Interviewed by FOX & NBC

2008-02-17T15:49:00.012-05:00

Rivier College Republicans with statue of Daniel Webster in Capitol Building
From left to right: Elizabeth Villemaire, Treasurer Anoosh Nahikian, Vice President Mike Amaral, Historian Shaun Doherty, Brittany Puleo

Treasurer Anoosh Nahikian interviewed by NBC

Not only did the Rivier College Republicans meet and hear top conservative speakers at CPAC and take part in interesting workshops, but some members were also interviewed by FOX News and NBC. The Rivier College Republicans also received a private tour of the Capitol Building and were personally escorted to the CPAC conference. The Rivier College Republicans also met and had their photos taken with Senator John Sununu. Visiting Washington, D.C. and attending CPAC gave the Rivier College Republicans many experiences that most people may never have. The future is bright for the Rivier College Republicans.

Historian Shaun Doherty with Jim Angle of FOX News

Ann Coulter delivered a stirring speech criticizing John McCain

Rivier College Republicans in front of the GOP mascot at the Museum of Natural History
From left to right: Brittany Puleo, Vice President Mike Amaral, Historian Shaun Doherty

Vice President Mike Amaral with Jim Angle of FOX News

Historian Shaun Doherty inteviewed by FOX News' Griff Jenkins about Senator John McCain

After the Primary

2008-01-15T21:46:00.000-05:00

Now that the New Hampshire primary is over and the nominating contest has moved on, our focus will turn again to strengthening our organization's network. We'll be working on communication, recruiting, and fundraising as we prepare for the 2008 election. Stay tuned for updates.

Media Update

2008-01-01T12:20:00.000-05:00

Here are some recent media spots that I was lucky enough to do.

A segment on ABC World News Sunday
A follow-up interview on NPR Weekend Edition Saturday
A State Department video

Traffic Light: Week of Dec. 17

2007-12-16T23:28:00.000-05:00

Another week of developments on the campaign trail go to show that this a dynamic and exciting primary. Huckabee remains atop the spin cycle, McCain scores several endorsements, and Ron Paul rakes in the big bucks. Romney holds tight, Rudy switches gears, and Thompson moves to Iowa. The subjective lights remain, but the race is wide open.

Green Light: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Ron Paul

Yellow Light: Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney

Red Light: Fred Thompson

Mike Huckabee

Huckabee is feeling the heat, and is holding his Iowa lead and national gains, while pundits argue if his star will fade. A recent Rasmussen poll has him leading in Florida. He got pummeled by Romney for criticizing the Bush administration's foreign policy, but hit back. He has appeared on Fox News several times in the past days, and recently signed on 1984 Reagan veteran Ed Rollins as his campaign chair.

John McCain

McCain scored endorsements from both the Boston Globe and the Des Moines Register. Tomorrow he is expected to announce the endorsement of Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, an independent who may draw such voters into the Republican primary. As Giuliani focuses his attention on Florida, McCain is poised to launch a formidable challenge to Mitt Romney.

Ron Paul

Today was another blockbuster fundraising day for the Congressman from Texas. The "money bomb" event was tied to the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. The running total on the campaign home page is fast approaching the $18 million mark, well past the initial $12 million goal for the 4th quarter. This may net Ron Paul the single-day primary fundraising record, previously set by John Kerry in 2004 at $5.7 million.

Rudy Giuliani

Giuliani delivered a speech in Florida this week described as the "closing argument" in his case for why he should be the Republican nominee. The campaign launched with the much-debated big-state/Feb.5 strategy, then went for competitive bids in the early states, and now with polls sagging everywhere has shifted attention back to Florida. The same Rasmussen poll placing Huckabee 1st in Florida puts the Mayor in 3rd, behind Romney.

Mitt Romney

Romney saw a small uptick in his national poll numbers and put in a respectable performance on Meet the Press. He also scored the endorsement of Robert Bork. However, his early-state strategy is faltering, with Huckabee maintaining his lead in Iowa and McCain steadily approaching in New Hampshire. This is Romney's moment to regroup and recoup lost ground.

Fred Thompson

Thompson has abandoned all other states for a grand tour of Iowa lasting until the Jan. 3 caucus, with the exception of a Christmas break. He'll need to convince Iowa voters why he is a better alternative to Romney and Huckabee, and hope that they'll caucus for him. Of the "top 5" candidates, Thompson arguably has the longest road to the nomination.

Huckabee & the Upper Valley

2007-12-12T11:28:00.002-05:00

Two Dartmouth students, Jenn Bandy and I, were briefly mentioned in a Valley News story today concerning Mike Huckabee's presidential bid.

Traffic Light: Week of Dec. 10

2007-12-10T18:36:00.000-05:00

Not much has changed from last week. Huckabee continues to surge, McCain is gaining ground in New Hampshire, and Giuliani appears to be stalled.

Green Light: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Ron Paul

Yellow Light: Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney

Red Light: Fred Thompson

Mike Huckabee

Huckabee continues to be the main political story of the moment. He has followed his surge in Iowa with a quick gain in national polls, which may indicate growing name recognition. At the same time, the negative attacks have started coming over pardons and comments on homosexuality, AIDS, and religion. He is spending the weekend in New Hampshire with Chuck Norris, which will likely attract strong crowds.

John McCain

McCain just wrapped up a week-long New Hampshire barn storm. Reports, including in Time, indicate that crowds were large at all of his town halls and campaign stops. The Senator has returned to the type of campaigning he knows best, and New Hampshire appears to be responding. On top of his endorsement from the New Hampshire Union Leader, McCain has also received positive coverage from the Wall Street Journal and The Economist.

Ron Paul

The Congressman from Texas is just shy of having raised $11 million this quarter, according to the latest total on his site. Supporters are also planning another super fundraising day on November 16th commemorating the Boston Tea Party. Paul will find himself flush with cash to spend in the remaining weeks before the primary.

Rudy Giuliani

Huckabee has so eclipsed the political spin cycle that little has been heard from the former Mayor, other than the squabbles with Mitt Romney over illegal immigration. His poll numbers have fallen a bit, but he remains the national front-runner. Some argue that Huckabee's rise is to Giuliani's benefit by potentially precluding a sweep of the early states by one candidate.

Mitt Romney

Romney delivered his religion speech, and the reviews were mixed but generally positive. His words were rather vague and his emphasis on religion appeared a clear appeal to Huckabee's evangelical base, but the photo-op with George H.W. Bush may have been worth all the fuss. It's time to see whether he can regain lost ground in Iowa and maintain his position in New Hampshire.

Fred Thompson

Thompson seems to have taken a dive in national polls. Again, from the New Hampshire perspective, little can be said. Some still argue that he is the clear, consistent conservative, and may benefit if McCain fails to capitalize on his undeniable position as the most experienced candidate.

McCain Interview

2007-12-08T19:48:00.000-05:00

As promised, my interview with/article on John McCain is now up on The Dartmouth Review site.

XM

2007-12-05T16:16:00.000-05:00

I'm doing an interview on XM's channel 130 tonight at 7:50 pm with host Adrienne Mitchell. We'll be talking about student involvement in politics and what's going on with the primary. Tune in if you get XM, and stick around for my friend and Dartmouth College Democrats president Andy Reynolds at 8:30 pm.

Bill Stumps for Hill

2007-12-04T18:00:00.001-05:00

It's not every day that you get to meet a former president. Yes, I know he's a Democrat, but curiosity led me to attend his event at Lebanon High School. The former president was in town on behalf of the senator who bears his name. The centerpiece of the speech was that Hillary Clinton is a problem-solver and people who know her like her, and apparently she's indispensable to America right now. Needless to say, I wasn't convinced, but I was glad to hear in person one of the great politicians of recent history. He certainly had a hypnotic grip on the audience.

The Traffic Light

2007-12-03T20:39:00.000-05:00

This week we're trying a new feature on candidate dynamics. A lot of you may not have time to follow what's going on in the Republican primary race. To that end, below is a summary of my, and others', thoughts on the race right now.

Green Light: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Ron Paul

Yellow Light: Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney

Red Light: Fred Thompson

Mike Huckabee

The political news of the moment is that Mike Huckabee is surging in the polls. The latest have him leading or tied with Romney in Iowa. Given the amount of time and money Romney has spent in the state (and the money Huckabee hasn't), this indicates a potential upset brewing. If these numbers hold, Huckabee may be a serious contender for the nomination.

John McCain

Tonight John McCain appeared in an MTV/MySpace "presidential dialogue" at Southern New Hampshire University. He impressively held his own with straight talk on a broad range of issues, and MTV's live online polls had him winning over the online audience (though they didn't include vote tallies). McCain is campaigning in New Hampshire all this week, and continues to energize his campaign and build support.

Ron Paul

Though still considered a fringe candidate by many, Ron Paul is making a showing in the polls and is expecting a very impressive fourth quarter. The goal was $12 million, but Paul himself has been suggesting an even higher number. Keep watching this unpredictable candidate.

Rudy Giuliani

While still leading in national polls, Rudy Giuliani is facing increasing scrutiny over various spending and personal improprieties. At the same time, some social conservatives are warning of the implications of his nomination. The big question is whether Giuliani's big-state strategy will succeed.

Mitt Romney

The newest polls out of Iowa cannot be good news for Mitt Romney. They are likely the impetus for his long-anticipated speech this week addressing his faith. The Thursday speech at the George H.W. Bush library may be a defining moment for Romney, particularly as he faces Huckabee in Iowa.

Fred Thompson

At least from our perch in New Hampshire, Fred Thompson is invisible. He is still a presence in national polls, but he is far behind in Iowa and much farther in New Hampshire. Barring some incredible sweep of southern and other states, a path to the nomination for him is unclear.

ABC News

2007-12-03T10:16:00.002-05:00

ABC News has a story on Dartmouth's McCain town hall and student involvement in the primaries. Check it out here.

Sununu Delivers Keynote

2007-12-02T11:30:00.000-05:00

Senator John Sununu was at Dartmouth this morning to deliver a keynote speech for a National World AIDS Day Conference. He talked about his long-term involvement with the issue of debt relief and combating HIV/AIDS. Senator Sununu argued that this is a critically important issue for humanitarian, economic, and national security reasons.

During the Q&A portion, which also included Dr. Nils Daulaire of the Global Health Council, most of the questions were directed at Senator Sununu. He handled them very well, demonstrating knowledge about specific legislation and an understanding of the complex and interconnected dynamics of world health. He noted that the main obstacle to expanding political support for the issue is the wide range of other areas to which members of Congress have to devote their time.

Ray Burton

2007-11-30T22:55:00.000-05:00

Ray Burton, Executive Councilor for the first district, was the guest at the Dartmouth College Republicans meeting yesterday evening. He spoke about the structure of the state government, the responsibilities of the Executive Council, and his impressions of the governors during whose administrations he has served. He also brought handy copies of the state constitution.

Rudy at UNH

2007-11-29T14:22:00.001-05:00

The UNH College Republicans will host a townhall meeting with Rudy Giuliani on Saturday Dec. 1 at 3:45pm in Huddleston Hall in Durham. Come meet the mayor and grab a bite to eat. Doors 3:15.

Dartmouth Straw Poll Results

2007-11-25T18:59:00.000-05:00

The results are in for Dartmouth's first Republican straw poll. Please be aware that this was by no means scientific. An email was sent to the College Republicans list of about 300 students asking for a reply with a candidate preference. Students had about 4 days to respond. By way of disclaimer, I support Senator John McCain. While I'm pleased with the poll results, my preference did not influence the votes in any way. Each vote is backed by an email that I received. The results are below, after which I offer some personal thoughts.

McCain: 23 (25.6%)

Giuliani: 20 (22.2%)

Paul: 19 (21.1%)

Romney: 11 (12.2%)

Huckabee: 10 (11.1%)

Thompson: 4 (4.4%)

Undecided: 3 (3.3%)

Tancredo: 0

Hunter: 0

To me, there are several big stories here. First is Senator McCain's high level of support. I would have expected the winner to be Paul (by a landslide), Giuliani, or Romney. I believe Senator McCain's recent town hall at Dartmouth provided students with an opportunity to give his candidacy a look. Judging by the results, many find his experience, character, and straight talk appealing.

Another story here is the low level of support for Governor Romney, who received less than half as many votes as McCain. Anecdotally, Romney has the most extensive student organization in New Hampshire. At least at Dartmouth, this has not translated into volunteer activism.

I think Governor Huckabee, who has also visited Dartmouth, makes a strong showing. His brand of social conservatism and economic populism could be labeled a non-starter among students, but supporters are attracted by his personality and general optimism. Contrast this with the much lower level of support for the better-known Senator Thompson.

Finally, there are very few undecideds. Most students at least nominally support a candidate.

To recap:

Winners: McCain, Giuliani, Huckabee
Losers: Paul, Romney, Thompson

McCain Packs Alumni Hall

2007-11-18T14:37:00.000-05:00

Senator John McCain held a town hall yesterday at Dartmouth, packing Alumni Hall at the Hopkins Center. It was standing room only with people filling in every available space. My estimate would peg attendance around 450.

McCain was greeted with thunderous applause after being introduced by Rep. Jeff Flake. The Senator was completely at ease on the stage. He first provided a concise look at a few of his positions, including on global warming and the Iraq War. During the Q&A portion, he started by gallantly addressing an emotional question concerning medicinal marijuana. His responses on issues from nuclear power to education to foreign policy showed a complete grasp of the issues.

After the program, Senator McCain stuck around to shake hands, answer questions, and pose for pictures. He came across as incredibly experienced and entirely genuine, impressing in particular when he jumped off the stage on several occasions to hand a questioner the mic.

I also had the opportunity to ride down with Senator McCain from his town hall in North Haverhill, spending about an hour sitting next to him. I'll be writing up a story on the Senator for The Dartmouth Review and will post that link when it's up. In the meantime, here are a few tidbits: McCain's musical preferences include the Beatles and Elvis Presley, his favorite film is 1952's Viva Zapata! (directed by Elia Kazan), and he would pick Abraham Lincoln if he could have dinner with a historical figure.

Also, I highly recommend Senator McCain's book Faith of My Fathers. It's a must-read, and you can get it autographed next time the Senator is in New Hampshire.

Charlie Bass Visits Dartmouth

2007-11-14T17:39:00.000-05:00

Former Congressman Charlie Bass of New Hanpshire's second district spoke with the Dartmouth College Republicans yesterday. Congressman Bass, a member of Dartmouth's class of 1974, currently heads up the Republican Main Street Partnership.

He talked about the need for a moderate influence in government, which he believes would bring stability to the process. The Congressman believes that committee chairmen and party leaders tend to come from safe districts, and so can be more extreme in their views. Redistricting to create more swing districts would, according to Bass, cause a quick change in Washington politics.

His advice to the Republican Party to regain the majority is "to move to the center and attract independent voters."

Ron Paul at UNH

2007-11-08T15:01:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, Be sure to check out Ron Paul at UNH tomorrow, Friday, at 2:30 in the Strafford Room of the MUB. Start the revolution!

Save the Date

2007-11-07T19:19:00.000-05:00

The annual convention of the New Hampshire College Republicans will take place on the evening of Saturday, April 5th, 2008, at the Hanover Inn on the Dartmouth campus in Hanover, NH. In attendance will be members from all of our chapters, as well as party leadership, elected officials, and other guests. This will be the biggest and busiest convention in our history. Make sure not to miss it.

John McCain to Visit Dartmouth

2007-11-04T20:34:00.001-05:00

The Dartmouth College Republicans will be hosting Senator John McCain for a town hall meeting on Saturday, November 17th. Details can be found on Facebook.

Rivier College Republicans

2007-11-02T17:14:00.001-04:00

This week, members of the Rivier College Republicans met Mayor Rudy Giuliani at Bickford's in Nashua, NH.

Rivier College Republicans Treasurer Anoosh Nahikian with Rudy Giuliani

Last night at their meeting, the Rivier College Republicans received a call from the former White House Chief of Staff Andy Card, who congratulated them on their efforts. He also mentioned the importance of College Republicans, and how lucky we are to be in New Hampshire where we can truly make our voices heard in politics. He said that he has not yet endorsed a candidate, but he knows that having a Republican in the White House will be best for the country. He thanked the Rivier College Republicans for their support of the Republican Party and wished them good luck with their future endeavors.

For more information about the Rivier College Republicans, the issues they're discussing, and the events they are sponsoring, please visit their blog: http://www.rightatrivier.blogspot.com/

Sense of Humor

2007-11-01T11:28:00.000-04:00

A sense of humor is a great asset in these politically charged times. Here's a picture of Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) dressed up as Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) for Halloween.

Summer Round-Up

2007-10-28T17:23:00.001-04:00

Here is an article from August's issue of The Dartmouth Review, our independent conservative paper, recapping our activities from the spring and summer.

Media Links

2007-10-27T12:08:00.000-04:00

Here are a few links to media mention of the NHCRs.

Campaigning for Jim

2007-10-27T11:41:00.000-04:00

This is a bit belated, but deserves mention. A handful of Dartmouth College Republicans spent Saturday, October 13 campaigning for Jim Ogonowski in the special election in Massachusetts' fifth district. The results, which came in on the 16th, showed that Jim had lost to Democrat Niki Tsongas by about 6500 votes, a spread of around 6%. This was a strong showing nonetheless in a heavily Democratic district and indicates that the Republicans' electoral prospects may not be so bleak.

Some of the Dartmouth students pose with the candidate at campaign HQ.

Giuliani at Lebanon High School

2007-10-27T11:24:00.000-04:00

One of the great things about being a student in New Hampshire is seeing the primary process from a front row seat. On the 23rd, Rudy Giuliani was doing a town hall nearby, so the Dartmouth College Republicans got over 40 students to drive out and see him. The Mayor certainly noticed our presence, noting us in one of his answers. To paraphrase: "All these Dartmouth students here, I hope they're studying economics. That's how you get rich."

Welcome!

2007-10-26T21:04:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a new online resource of the New Hampshire College Republicans, the official College Republicans federation in the Granite State. This blog represents our organization's growth and the strengthening of our state network. Here you will find the latest updates from the state level, as well as from all of our chapters in New Hampshire.

Please contact me with any questions or comments you may have, and feel free to reach out to the chapter presidents on school-specific issues.