Primay results September 14, 2010

travelkingnh Wednesday, July 14th at 10:34AM EDT (link)

As it turned out I was wrong, at least when it came to the photo finish.  I predicted Ovide by a nose, and in fact it was Ayotte by half a nose.  Disappointing for me for sure, but a win over Binnie is a win……and the party gets behind Ayotte for the fight against Paul Hodes:

2010 GOP PRIMARY RESULTS

Ayotte- 38%

Lamontagne – 37%

Binnie- 14%

Bender-9%

Others-2%

Another telling set of numbers from highest to lowest……..Campaign cost/vote:

Bill Binnie-$319.08

Ovide Lamontagne-$7.71

So at least my prediction that Bill Binnie could not buy an election in NH held up……..although he had people worried for awhile in the summer.  The problem is that all the polls back then were driven by name recognition, so if you have lots of money to spend, the numbers go up…….he had lots of money to spend.  Ultimately, as the race went along and his numbers were not moving up, he went negative on Ayotte and his numbers dropped like a rock……..well below the 20% I thought he could get.

Bender finished up just about where I thought he would at around 10%.

Ovide ran a textbook grass roots conservative campaign.  He came up just short of victory during the wee hours (as predicted) of the next day after primary day………..it actually took until the afternoon for the Secretary of State to certify the vote…….and he was 1668 votes short of a victory.

Now it is up to Ayotte and the rest of the party to chart a course to victory in November.  Even before primary day, Paul Obama Hodes was running commercials as a “fiscal conservative”, trying to distort his record, and run to the right. Just check out his latest video at  http://paulhodesforsenate.com/?no_splash=1.  In the days and weeks ahead it will get nasty…….really nasty, as the democratic smear machine ramps up against Ayotte……we only hope she is up to the task.

There is one real consequence already to the Ayotte victory……..the republicans can no longer attack sitting Governor Lynch on the FMR ponzi scheme fiasco or the $110M JUA fund taking, because Ayotte was attached to both as his AG.  This has allowed a bunch of RINO’s to come to Lynch’s aid and sign on to “Republicans for Lynch” (  http://www.theunionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Long-time+Gregg+chief+of+staff+joins+former+Executive+Councilor+on+%27Republicans+for+Lynch%27&articleId=b4f7c613-8e4a-440c-99d9-340735829588   ).  Not surprisingly, most of these RINO’s have close ties to Senator Judd Gregg, Ayotte’s original sponsor in the the US Senate race.

As a final note, it is worth peeking in on Ovide’s facebook page to get a feel for the passion that was evident in his supporters: http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=119091611471842&share_id=138128472887693&comments=1#!/pages/Ovide-Lamontagne-for-US-Senate-2010/177440823738?ref=ts

Ovide’s new burden or gift, depending upon what he wants, is to figure out what to do with all this support he now has.  My guess is, at the very least,  that one (Romney) or more 2012 presidential candidates takes a strong interest in getting his support.  Then of course there is the ironic twist that Lynch’s gain from Ayotte’s win permits him to stay in office one more term with a win over 2010 GOP nominee John Stephen…….giving Ovide an easy shot at the Governor’s seat in 2012.

And then finally, there is the possibility of a Shaheen – Lamontagne battle for the other US Senate seat in 2014……….but that seams like an epic re-match from their 1996 race that would be  too good to be true.  Who knows what the voters will be looking for in 4 years.  Maybe a true conservative has no chance after Shaheen runs to the middle for the next four years.

]]> http://www.redstate.com/travelkingnh/2010/09/18/ovide-lamontagne-for-senatethe-rest-of-the-story/ NEW HAMPSHIRE-With three weeks to go, things are really heating up in this race.  The biggest fur is flying between the Ayotte and Binnie camps, with both candidates running attack ads on radio and TV against each other.  The latest from Binnie attacks Ayotte’s record as Attorney General from the right…….on illegal immigration and guns…….two of the issues I have highlighted in the past on Redstate.

In a surprise article yesterday from Ayotte’s home town newspaper  ( http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/832042-196/do-as-he-says-not-as-he.html ), the Nashua Telegraph, respected reporter Kevin Landrigan lays out five issues relating to Ayotte’srecord as AG that Binnie could take issue with.  Again, all five of these issues are in my previous Redstate posts:

“Out in the open

Where would Binnie go next if he wished to press the attack against Ayotte in the stretch run?

There are several possibilities. In no particular order, they include:

n Joint Underwriting Association: Americans for Job Security was the first to rough up Ayotte with a direct mail and Web video campaign lumping Ayotte and Lynch together for pushing the unconstitutional grab of surplus money the JUA had built up over three decades.

n Stimulus: Letters to the editor, blogs and forums have noted Ayotte’s support for getting stimulus money from the Obama administration and her current call to cancel the program and use any unspent money to lower the deficit.

n Climate change: As we already know, she opposes the cap and trade legislation. But as attorney general in 2005, Ayotte signed a letter opposing a Bush environmental bill because it failed to restrict carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.

The Concord Monitor reported a year ago this month that Ayotte believed global warming was a “real issue.’’ On Wednesday night, she told a Seacoast Federation of Republican Women crowd in Portsmouth that she didn’t think global warming was proven science.

“If global warming isn’t scientifically proven, it sure was a waste of our tax dollars for Attorney General Ayotte to spend her time fighting to limit carbon emissions,” said Emily Browne, press secretary with the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

n Illegal immigration: Ayotte strongly supports a law in Arizona giving state officials the authority to arrest suspected illegal aliens. While she was AG, Ayotte’s office advised police in Hudson and New Ipswich that they couldn’t charge suspected illegal aliens with criminal trespass. State prosecutors told local police it was a matter for federal authorities to pursue.

n Gun owner rights: Ayotte’s backing from the law enforcement community is legendary, but many activists disliked that she backed Lynch’s veto of legislation that supporters said would give someone under attack outside the home a right to defend him or herself.

Sure enough, on Friday, the Binnie campaign placed a new commercial on WMUR-TV in which Clegg criticized Ayotte on gun rights and immigration.

Let the fur fly.”

More telling, Landrigan goes on to talk about who is best positioned to step in as the alternative to Ayotte and Binnie:

Taking up positions

The other two major Senate candidates are hoping to emerge as the real alternative while Ayotte and Binnie fight it out in the muddy trenches.

Ovide Lamontagne, of Manchester, released a signed letter from 40 supporters, including Dr. David K. Murotake, David Mitchell and Keshia Alicea, all of Nashua; Carolyn McKinney, of Amherst; and Shannon McGinley, of Bedford. The letter makes an explicit contrast with all the other candidates, including Jim Bender, of Hollis, who’s working hard to become the stand-in on Sept. 14 should Binnie fall by the wayside.

At week’s end, Lamontagne had designs on a big victory in a straw poll at a Manchester Republican Committee outing Saturday, as that would give him another grass-roots victory to crow about.

Watch for Lamontagne’s long-awaited advertising campaign to begin on radio soon and then migrate toTV.”

Yesterday I listened to an extensive interview with former Senate Majority Leader Robert Clegg of Hudson on “Bulldog Live” WTPL 107.7FM, outlining his experience with Ayotte in the NH legislature on the guns (veto of the expansion of the Castle Doctrine) and immigration (it was his home town that the police chief detained illegal aliens in 2005) issues.  Although Clegg clearly supports Binnie and appeared in a recent Binnie campaign ad this week against Ayotte on these two issues, he made a compelling case against Ayotte’s past record.

Today, Landrigan did a follow-up article on the Ayotte-Binnie war over guns and immigration issues:

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/833266-196/binnie-ayotte-soft-on-gun-laws.html

There were two significant grass roots GOP events held this past weekend in Manchester and Stratham NH.  In addition to the major NH candidates speaking, the Manchester event   ( http://www.manchestergop.com/newsArt.php?n=54   )  also had guest appearances from Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), Steve Forbes, and  Mary Pawlenty, wife of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.  The straw poll results for US Senate were:

Jim Bender – 134

Ovide Lamontagne – 119

Kelly Ayotte – 59

Bill Binnie – 13

In Stratham, the Tri-Town GOP held their annual picnic and straw poll  (http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20100824-NEWS-8240332).  The straw poll results for US Seanate were:

Ovide Lamontagne-69

Kelly Ayotte-56

Jim Bender-29

Bill Binnie-10

I know the vote totals won’t impress people outside New Hampshire, but these are the type of local NH grass roots events that take place around the state leading up to the primary on September 14th……..fundamental to the activists being energized to get out the voters for the candidates they support on primary day.

Joe McQuade, editor of New Hampshire’s largest newspaper the Manchester Union Leader, has focused on attacking Bill Binnie for the last several weeks and has yet to endorse a candidate in the US Senate race.  At least we know clearly where he stands on Mr. Binnie.  There has been no recent polling released, but the activists who dissect this end of things tell me his numbers have been plummeting since he took on the influential Mr. McQuade:

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Joseph+W.+McQuaid%3a+Mr.+Binnie%27s+big+problem&articleId=99805b60-bc6d-477b-9529-f86933561ca1

http://www.unionleader.com/columns.aspx/Opinion?channel=7eec33e1-2fac-459d-871c-d69218f4c530

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Ayotte+defends+her+latest+ad+calling+Binnie+%27liberal%27&articleId=21a98f73-7034-4550-8f0d-6f0fd8540fe4

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Publisher%27s+Notebook%3a+Candidates+show+true+colors&articleId=c6afdd68-20ee-41b0-a3b5-232c98e47dfa

If anything is certain, it is that this race is wide open as to who will actually win.  It is unlikely that Binnie, will all his money, will stop attacking Ayotte’s record on the issues between now and the primary……..and her “conservative” credentials.  In fact, he may have only started with the first two this week actually dealing with facts not fiction.  It is equally likely that Ayotte will have no choice but to counter attack Binnie to defend her record and undermine his “conservative” platform.  Of course both Ovide Lamonatgne and Jim Bender won’t ask them to stop anytime soon, as their more positive messaging is competing for air time and voter attention.

As I have posted previously, Ovide’s my pick and the candidate I want to represent me in Washington.  I will stick with my previous primary predictions:

travelkingnh Wednesday, July 14th at 10:34AM EDT (link)

Authenticity in a Candidate—What is the measure of a candidate’s true political compass? I would guess that the majority of people who voted for Barack Obama in 2008 did so on the IMAGE of who candidate Obama was, and chose to ignore the details of his public record. They got what they deserved. Unfortunately, the rest of us who didn’t vote for him got screwed too. For them at least, we can see some buyer’s remorse now. For us, validation for having tried to call it as we saw it then…but too few listened.

The same thing happens when a RINO gets most of the support in a GOP primary race, and a true republican conservative languishes behind because of it. Sometimes it happens when the RINO gets all the “party” and special interest money backers behind them in the primary and the conservative has to try to win just with grass roots support…..usually with far far less money to work with to get the message out and reinforce the IMAGE. The more RINOs we elect, the weaker the fight against the progressives….and the faster we all take one step closer to the left because of it.

Much to that exact point, I will put forward my position that this is exactly where we are right now in the New Hampshire US Senate race. Republicans outside of New Hampshire remain simply gaga over Kelly Ayotte in this race and continue to just eat up all the PPP (Democratic) polling data. PPP is the only pollster that continues to spew this data from 400+ likely voters (whoever they are) in the GOP primary…. that Ayotte has 47% of the primary vote. As a NH republican activist, I can tell you with no uncertainty that this is completely BOGUS. Yes, she still remains the front runner in the race, but a far more unbiased UNH-WMUR poll (http://www.unh.edu/survey-center/news/pdf/gsp2010_summer_senate072810.pdf ) this week will tell you that 91% of Republicans and 95% of Independents have not yet decided who to vote for….and they are the only ones eligible to vote in the GOP primary. Even 70% of the Democrats polled were undecided, and they have only one candidate running—Paul Hodes!

The last “official” breakdown of registered voters in NH had 29% DEMS, 42% IND, and 29% REP. The 42% voting group of independents is the one that keeps encouraging us to elect RINOs in the general elections……and their votes are the cause of the recent ’06, ’08 victories for Democrats like Hodes, Shea-Porter, and Shaheen in the general elections. We already know from polling and simple boots on the ground activism that the Independent voters are not going to swing democratic in 2010……and we have President Obama to thank for that. The GOP primary winner may win the primary with only about 35% of the votes cast and certainly less than 40%……….so up to 65% of the voters will have voted for the losers!

So now the real choice and challenge for New Hampshire voters in 2010 is to try to figure out who to vote for in the Ayotte-Binnie-Lamontagne-Bender GOP primary. I contend that Ayotte is a moderate RINO, Binnie closer to a liberal RINO, Lamontagne a conservative Republican, and Bender a moderate Republican. However, they ALL claim to be conservatives in their campaign branding. I want an AUTHENTIC conservative to be nominated and elected to the US Senate in 2010 to push back against the progressive movement in this country…that’s why I’m backing Lamontagne over Bender. Whoever wins the GOP primary in September wins the election in November against Hodes…….NH is not going to elect Congressman Paul Pelosi Hodes to the US Senate in November.

I know, why bother with the details of actually looking at a candidate’s record rather than the IMAGE they have been selling us. Can you say “Barack Obama”? I contend that electing former AG turned candidate Ayotte won’t get us any further ahead than electing millionaire candidate Bill Binnie, who I personally can’t stomach. In 2010 we have the opportunity to elect a conservative senator of the caliber of some of our past NH conservatives (Sen. Gordon Humphrey and Sen. John Sununu) in the person of Ovide Lamontagne. Lamontagne will fight for conservative principles, won’t be beholding to party bosses and special interests, and will take it to the progressives in Washington. Forget about the self serving Palin endorsement for a moment and look deeper at Ayotte’s supporters: Sen. McCain, Sen. Rudman, Sen. Gregg, the Washington GOP crowd, the Washington special interest PACS. Do you really think that this first time candidate, who was handpicked to run for the seat just a few months after promising our Democratic governor to serve another 3 years as AG, can stand on her own two feet and say NO to all the forces in Washington? My bet is on Lamontagne….the only authentic conservative.

Below is a brief outline of the history of Ayotte’s RECORD on some of the issues that should distinguish a RINO from a true conservative, you decide and vote:

SUPREME COURT

She supported the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, but now opposes Elena Kagan’s nomination.

http://www.edmosca.com/?tag=kelly-ayotte

IMMIGRATION

In 2005 she forbade state police from enforcing trespassing laws against illegal aliens and using them to take the aliens off the street, but now supports Arizona’s right to defend itself.

http://www.concordmonitor.com/blogentry/ayotte-on-immigration

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/23/AR2005082301273.html

http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/republicans-want-ayotte-to-appeal-ruling-on-illegals

CASTLE DOCTRINE

She repeatedly urged Gov. Lynch to veto the expansion of the Castle Doctrine in 2006 (SB318) and 2009 (HB160).

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Panel+urged+to+reject+expanded+deadly+force&articleId=2dbc72a0-547e-4804-8837-f4ab7ab9e213

$110M NH JUA FUND GRAB

She was responsible for supporting Gov. Lynch’s attempt to raid the $110M JUA fund in 2009.  This attempted private property taking by our government was stopped by a lower court and confirmed by the NH Supreme court.

http://www.redstate.com/nhsteve/2010/03/20/nh-money-grab-back-in-the-news/

http://granitegrok.com/blog/2010/04/more_reaction_to_frans_amendment_to_raid.html

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/statenewengland/680490-227/question-of-jua-support-dogs-ayotte.html

ENVIRONMENT

She lobbied for stricter environmental regulations.

http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/new-hampshire-others-sue-epa?page=0,0

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20071129-NEWS-711290405

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2005/2005-03-31-03.asp

STIMULUS SPENDING

She spearheaded the state’s efforts to apply for Federal stimulus funds and was responsible for their administration, but now candidate Ayotte opposes the stimulus spending.

http://www.nhinsider.com/press-releases/2009/11/18/dscc-kelly-ayotte-on-stimulus-she-was-for-it-before-she-was.html

WASHINGTON ESTABLISHMENT-INDEPENDENCE

She has been heavily financed by the Washington GOP establishment and special interests.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0709/NRSC_fundraising_for_Ayotte.html

http://www.nhinsider.com/press-releases/2010/7/13/nhdp-senator-gregg-helps-kelly-get-cozy-with-wall-street-spe.html

http://www.bu.edu/washjocenter/newswire_pg/fall2009/stories/tseng/AYOTTE.htm

HEALTH CARE REFORM

She was against association buyer’s groups for health insurance, but now she is for it.

http://www.dscc.org/blog?blog_entry_KEY=587

FEDERAL EARMARKS

She was for Federal earmarks before she was against them.

http://www.nhinsider.com/press-releases/2010/7/16/nhdp-calls-on-ayotte-to-disclose-earmark-requests-she-made-a.html

PRO LIFE

I will take her at her word for being pro-life without having to “prove” it, as it not something most people are willing to make up for election day. However, she was doing her job as NH’s AG when she defended NH’s statute to the Supreme Court……and she didn’t WIN the case as Palin would claim….so don’t use that case as proof of her compass.

http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/about-ayottes-supreme-court-win

http://bluehampshire.com/diary/10430/lets-be-clear-ayotte-lost-supreme-court-case

http://pewforum.org/Abortion/Supreme-Courts-Decision-in–Ayotte-v-Planned-Parenthood-of-Northern-New-England.aspx

]]> http://www.redstate.com/travelkingnh/2010/08/01/new-hampshire-senate-race-who-is-authentic/ OK all you Kool Aid drinking Kelly Ayotte fans who only want to see her beat Bill Binnie (who I dislike) , check out what the Editor of our state’s largest newspaper had to say today ( Manchester Union Leader ):

http://www.theunionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Joseph+W.+McQuaid%3A+Palin’s+new+pal&articleId=68ebf937-f17c-4d62-b9be-f351f895a8a8. 

Does this sound like a ringing endorsement of either Palin or Ayotte?  Who do you think he might be leaning towards endorsing in the primary?  I guess we will all be sitting on the edge of our seat.  Have you bothered to read any of our local newspaper or blog reports lately?  Do you really know where this race is right now with 55 days to go?

Take a lookat what we see and hear in New Hampshire:

http://nhpr.org/node/33344

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/07/20/calculus_for_primary_is_all_new_in_nh/

http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/gop-senate-race-wide-open

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?articleId=a9c2ec83-d877-41ae-bb53-d93bda1dedef&headline=Granite+Status%3A+Primary+remains+wide+open

http://nhpoliticalcapital.com/blog_archives.php?month=07&year=2010

http://granitegrok.com/blog/2010/07/latest_straw_poll_results_are_in.html

http://granitegrok.com/blog/2010/07/yesterdays_liberty_rally_at_senator_gord.html

The overwhelming consensus is that this Senate race is “wide open” even though Kelly Ayotte entered the race in July of 2009, yes 2009, as in a year ago or 12 months or 365 days whatever you prefer. This is a prime example of what New Hampshire votes do.  We wait and wait and wait to the very end to make our choice and cast our vote.  We are politically spoiled because every 4 years we start a new Presidential election………which then runs for 2 more years before the actual election.  People here are used to having sitting Presidents, Senators and Congressmen come to talk to them in their homes before ever Presidential election.

Now I’m not going to say Ayotte can’t or won’t win……….I can’t say that about any of the four top GOP candidates.  What I am saying is that despite a full year long effort of actively raising money and campaigning ………the nomination is completely up for grabs with 55 days to go.   Throw the polls out the door…….they will have now bearing on the outcome.  Things are just starting to heat up around here:

-Hode’s second TV attack add against Ayotte was just released this week………so Ayotte will come back with her own.

-Binnie’s first compare and contrast TV add against Ayotte just came out this past weekend……..so Ayotte is bound to respond with hers.

-Bender’s first (unconventional) TV came out within the last two weeks

-Sarah just jumped in for Ayotte this week

-Sen. Gordon Humphrey just endorsed Ovide and hosted a Liberty Rally last Saturday.

-Union Leader Editor Joe McQuaid gave us his first hint today of where he is leaning

-Tomorrow: Who knows!

That’s New Hampshire for you, where politics is a serious sport.

The real fun has just begun…………….hold onto your chairs for the next 55 days………..anything is possible.  Support whoever you want.  I support the only true blue tested conservative………………Ovide Lamontagne…………. and proud of it!

Someone asked me to predict the primary outcome in an earlier post, and this was my response:

travelkingnh Wednesday, July 14th at 10:34AM EDT (link)

1) Any theory that we all have to somehow rally around Kelly Ayotte to guarantee that left center Republican Bill (“I’m Bill Binnie”) Binnie doesn’t get the nomination is pure folly.  Binnie is projected to spend up to $10M in this primary (he has already loaned himself $3.5M).  Nobody has ever managed to “buy” a New Hampshire election…….so far.  We New Hampshire voters pride ourselves in fully vetting our candidates.  No disrespect to Binnie, but his only claim to fame is that he created jobs as a businessman…….that is his message and he is sticking to it. Big deal.  He has no standing in the NH business community…….None, Nada, Zero.   Do you really think that those are the only qualifications we are looking for in a Candidate?  If somehow he managed to get elected so he can put another “trophy” next to his race car trophies, it won’t kill us…….but we will have missed the opportunity to put a real conservative like Ovide in the Senate.  If he wins the nomination, he beats Paul Hodes.

2) Any claim that Kelly Ayotte is a proven true blue conservative means that you have simply been drinking the Kool Aid.  No disrespect to Ayotte, but all she has ever proven is that she did her job as our top law enforcement official to prosecute bad people (which is exactly what she was paid to do) and defend our laws in court, which again she was paid to do.  Those actions alone don’t earn you credentials as a conservative…………everything else she has presented is what she has told us as a first time candidate that she is.  I hope for our sake, that if she is elected, she will be who she says she already is……….but there is where the rubber meets the road…….is she a real conservative?  I already laid out in my first post ( http://www.redstate.com/travelkingnh/2010/07/14/nh-senate-race-10-reasons-why-kelly-ayotte-is-not-a-conservative/  ) why she wasn’t conservative enough for me, based upon the factual information I have to go by.  If she wins the nomination, she beats Paul Hodes.

3) I’ll put more meat on the bone in my next post on Ovide Lamonatgne to demonstrate, point by point, why he is a proven true blue conservative. He was our conservative GOP nominee to be our Governor in 1996 when he defeated a more moderate party favorite in three term sitting Congressman Bill Zeliff.  Ovide was then Chairman of the NH State Board of Education and we were the only state that declined to partcipate in the Federal Goals 2000 program under his leadership……the first of many Federal educational power grabs.  The party bailed on him in the general election and didn’t get their resources behind him against a moderate democratic insurgant by the name of Jeanne Shaheen.  Yes, the same Jeanne Shaheen that went on to be elected two more times as governor and now as is our other US Senator (yes, you will have to forgive our transgressions).  Who knew back then that she would be the formidable candidate that she is.  I think everyone was caught a little flat footed, and having Bob Dole at the head of the party ticket didn’t help at all.  I seam to remember some guy named Clinton getting re-elected that year.  If the party had done its job, Ovide would have been our Governor.  He has spent the past 14 years burnishing his conservative credentials in the state. He is ready serve as a conservative now…….no training required. If he wins the nomination, he beats Paul Hodes.

If you are into polling (I am not) check the latest Rasmussen polls and you will see that all the top 4 candidates are projected to beat Paul Hodes. ( http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/new_hampshire/election_2010_new_hampshire_senate )

WWW.OVIDE2010.COM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b71kfCky8ls&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps_YIzhbXTM&feature=player_embedded

It is prominently displayed at www.ovide2010.com:

*

OVIDE’S OATH TO THE VOTERS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

“1. I pledge that I will use every means possible to repeal the trillion dollar Obamacare takeover of our country’s health care system that will increase healthcare costs, harm small business and decrease the quality and availability of care;

2. I pledge that I will refuse any earmark requests, and lead the effort to enact a permanent ban on these corrupting influences, while fighting daily to cut federal spending and government waste at all levels. I further pledge that if elected, my office expenses and schedule will be transparent and posted for all to see, so the people of New Hampshire can trust that their Senator represents their interests alone;

3. I pledge that I will introduce legislation that will repeal the failed $787 billion stimulus, and use the unspent portions of it to reduce our bloated national debt and reduce taxes for hard working Americans;

4. I pledge that I will introduce legislation establishing a constitutional Line-Item Veto for the President. The Governors of 43 states have this essential tool to veto individual examples of wasteful pork-barrel spending. It is time the President is given the same tool, to help eliminate budget busting spending programs;

5. I pledge that I will work to amend the Constitution to establish term limits for all Members of Congress, to end the cycle of entitlement and inside dealing with the special interests. Our Forefathers envisioned a citizen Legislature, not a permanent political caste of powerful insiders insulated from regular Americans. In addition, I pledge to limit myself to only two terms in office, if elected;

6. I pledge that I will work to amend the Constitution to establish a Balanced Budget Amendment, a tool nearly every state has, to compel legislators and the government to balance its checkbook and end the all too familiar DC culture of debt, deficit spending and bailouts;

7. I pledge that I will work to fundamentally reform the IRS and scrap the incredibly complicated and loophole filled federal tax code, replacing it with a fairer, flatter, simpler tax code that frees families and small businesses held hostage annually by high tax rates and complicated rules and regulations;

8. I pledge that I will support the appointment of only those judges who have proven that they will adhere to the Constitution and rule of law, shown due regard and respect for private property rights, and who have shown that they will not legislate from the bench. With that in mind, I have publicly opposed the nominations of Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court without hesitation, because they are activists who do not pass this fundamental test;

9. I pledge that as Senator, one of my top daily priorities will be the security of our country and her people. In particular, I pledge: (a) to continue support for our operations against terrorists abroad, and provide support for our troops in the field with the resources they need to defend freedom, while ensuring that they receive the finest care and treatment possible upon their return home; (b) to work to ensure that we treat foreign terrorists as enemy combatants subject to military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay, not as criminal defendants; and (c) to stand firm against allowing a nuclear Iran to emerge, while supporting our proven allies throughout the world, including our staunch friend Israel;

10. I pledge that I will read and understand the legislation that I am asked to vote upon, to respect and advocate for the principles of federalism articulated in the 10th Amendment of the Constitution, and look first to the Constitution for guidance on whether any proposed federal legislation is constitutionally permissible;

11. I pledge that I will not move to Washington to become part of the establishment culture there. If elected, I will live in my home in Manchester – the same home that I grew up in – and commute to my job each week on behalf of the people of New Hampshire. I further pledge that I will hold regular town hall meetings with my constituents, understanding that elected officials must be held accountable to the voters and prepared to explain their actions to them;

12. I pledge that in all aspects of my job as U.S. Senator, I will work to uphold and support the dignity of human life, from conception to natural death;

13. I pledge that I will work tirelessly to end illegal immigration. While I support the recently enacted Arizona immigration law, the federal government must finally live up to its obligation to address this serious issue. As Senator, I will work to see that our borders are secured once and for all, that we turn off illegal immigration magnets by aggressively enforcing laws against employers who hire illegal aliens, and that we ensure there is no amnesty for illegal aliens;

14. I pledge to be a strong and unrelenting advocate for the individual right to keep and bear arms, as embodied in the 2nd Amendment, and to ensure that this fundamental right is not infringed upon;

15. I pledge to oppose any iteration of the ‘Employee Free Choice Act’ and its card check provisions, which would deny workers the right to a secret ballot when considering unionization. I believe inthe private ballot, and I further believe in right to work laws that give workers the right to decide for themselves whether to join a union or not.”

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SOME BLOG/PRESS REACTION:

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“Ovide’s Oath: a 15 point pledge to New Hampshire voters that will deliver conservative change to Washington. In an age when so many politicians prefer to be vague and leave themselves lots of wiggle room, it’s a surprisingly comprehensive list of promises to the voters. – Drew Cline, Union Leader Blog”

“Ovide has made his stances clear in plain language – I would find it foolhardy for anyone to mis-categorize these stances or try to twist them other than what they here.- Skip, GraniteGrok Blog”

“Now here’s a candidate that is not mincing words nor making fluffy promises. Here’s a candidate that can shake away your apathy.-Anita Lorah Hinkle, Merrimack Journal”

Lamontagne said, “As I have traveled across New Hampshire during these past several months, it has been made clear to me time and time again that our fellow Granite Staters are tired of the status quo in Washington. Like me, they are hungry for real change, real reform, and real results – right now. So today, I am proud to formally enter the race for U.S. Senate, and I am pleased to share with the voters of New Hampshire ‘Ovide’s Oath’ – my pledge to reform Washington, eliminate the culture of spending, corruption and entitlement there and end the reign of the special interests once and for all.”-NHPolitics.com

Lamontagne concluded by saying, “I make my oath today to the voters of New Hampshire solemnly and with great appreciation for the high stakes we face in changing Washington once and for all. I will campaign, and if elected I will serve, with the decorum and dignity that are worthy of, and rightfully expected by, the citizens of New Hampshire. As the only authentic constitutional conservative in this race, we will wage an aggressive grassroots primary campaign over the next three months, and earn the right to challenge and defeat Paul Hodes and his liberal agenda in November. Together, standing on conservative principle we will deliver a message that the elites in Washington cannot ignore.”- NHPolitics.com

After reading this site for the better part of the last year……..and the posts relating to the New Hampshire GOP US Senate race, I decided that it is time for me to say my piece.  I admit to being a “classic” New Hampshire conservative in the Ronald Regan or compassionate conservative tradition.  I dislike labels, but I think it helps frame me for the discussion.  I am not a New Hampshire native, but I married one and have lived here for the past 33 years……..and  by now I feel I have earned my conservative stripes.  Owning a business has also hastened that conservative development process……well enough I think to know a true conservative when I see one.  Former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte is no true conservative.  She has labeled herself as a conservative to run for the US Senate seat, but that is completely self described and not supported by her record as AG.  Her labeling offends my sensibilities.

Her experience as our AG is the sole basis for the legitimacy of her candidacy…..so it is fair game for me to use it, and it alone, as the basis for my contention that Kelly Ayotte is not a true conservative.  If you don’t fancy yourself a conservative or feel that conservative principles are what is needed to turn our country around, then vote for her anyway as it doesn’t matter.  However, if you believe like I do, that now is the time to send true, authentic conservatives to Washington to fix this Obama driven mess, then I offer the following examples:

1) She was responsible for supporting Gov. Lynch’s attempt to raid the $110M JUA fund in 2009.  This attempted private property taking by our government was stopped by a lower court and confirmed by the NH Supreme court.

2) She repeatedly urged Gov. Lynch to veto the expansion of the Castle Doctrine in 2006 (SB318) and 2009 (HB160).

3) She supported the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor,  but now opposes Elena Kagan’s nomination.

4) She previously supported Federal earmarks before changing her position, as candidate Ayotte, to oppose them.

5) She spearheaded the state’s efforts to apply for Federal stimulus funds and was responsible for their administration, but now candidate Ayotte opposes the stimulus spending.

6) In 2005 she forbade state police from enforcing trespassing  laws against illegal aliens and using them to take the aliens off the street, but now supports Arizona’s right to defend itself.

7) In 2006 she testified in favor of HB1713 requiring a photo ID to buy cold medicine.

In 2007 she testified against HB906, informing juries of their right to nullify.

9) In 2009 she opposed part1, article 8 right to hold public officers accountable in HB312.

10) In 2008 she testified in support of broad application of state DNA testing  in HB1640.

In addition to the above, there are many other controversial issues involving AG Ayotte that many people feel have never been fully vetted,  the ongoing FMR ponzi scheme case and the 2007 Liko Kenney -Bruce McKay shootings in Franconia to name just  a few.  Just spend a little time with your search engine and you’ll find them.  I take most of them to be related to her performance as our AG, as opposed to defining her true ideological principles, so they won’t make this particular list.  I think when you have spent nearly your entire professional career working for the government, prosecuting people and businesses in the AG’s office, it’s hard to turn the switch and represent, work for, and defend the rights of everyday people.

Like other examples of truth in advertising, I have no problem with Kelly Ayotte saying she is a moderate and holding true to her past positions and her record as our AG.  But a true conservative she is not, because a true conservative’s record as AG she doesn’t have.  I don’t think of her as a bad person and have no personal history that would predispose me to dislike her.  Maybe if I spent more time looking at her performance I could get there, but already knowing I wouldn’t support her it doesn’t matter.  If a presumed pro-life, tough on crime moderate Republican is your cup of tea, well you are all set…….hitch a ride on Kelly’s wagon and take the ride…….. in sort of the pro-life version of Rudi Giuliani.  However, if you are like me and want the real deal, true blue conservative Republican who doesn’t have to change his positions to run to the right …….vote for Ovide Lamontagne in the truest tradition of Ronald Regan.  I think the choices would be pretty clear if both the labels were on correctly.