Kelly Ayotte needs to be primaried in 2016

[GraniteHills]

I completely agree that it doesn't carry over nationally, although Sununu was 1 of the top 5 in the US Senate in his day. He even spoke at a Liberty Forum. Actually, the US Senator before him, Smith, was also 1 of the top 5 in the US Senate in his day. Things seems to have changed with national elections in NH for the worse (and actually slightly better for the nation as a whole as when it comes to national stage Republicans). Oh well. I don't care much. I'm more focused on state and local elections because that stuff is substantially more important and I can actually have an impact. If we free NH, we can focus on freeing other states and national stuff

I agree 100% that local elections are what really matter. Like you, though, I'm sure, I do wish we could finally push someone through toward a position of prominence and influence. I've been waiting all my life here for the kind of "local libertarianism" that has long existed here to finally break through...what a long road!

 

[FSP-Rebel]

If we free NH, we can focus on freeing other states and national stuff

The problem is that NH shifts in the winds of the national political mood by and large, went fluorescent red in 2010 then back to navy blue in 2012. Despite the change, if you guys are savvy enough to fend off that gas tax hike you'll still be in good business. If not, that'll be a major blemish on the fiscal score card just like the prepared meals tax was.

 

[CaptLouAlbano]

I am not a fan of Ayotte, but as was pointed out by Keith and stuff in post #3, she can be counted on for some good votes.

The issue you face in NH, is that if someone successfully defeated Ayotte in the primaries, there is a chance (maybe as much as 50/50) that they will lose in the general, and instead of having an Ayotte who will vote our way the majority of the time, you may wind up with another Shaheen who will vote our way rarely, if ever.

Considering there will be 34 Senate seats up for grabs in 2016, and there will likely be a nice amount of them as open seats, there are other states where we can focus on that offer a much better risk/reward ratio.

 

[supermario21]

Smith was actually so good he left the party around the time Buchanan did, but rejoined all while in the Senate. Then Sununu (another good guy) came up. Laura Ingraham has been right on the money about the GOP the last few days, and she got this one right before virtually anyone else did. Sarah Palin helped spawn Akin by propping up a weak Steelman, Deb Fischer when Stenberg had a good shot, and this Mama Grizzly who just wants to bomb Iran like McCain.

 

[compromise]

Akin wasn't so bad. He opposed CISPA. Had he been elected, I'm certain he would Stand With Rand. Sure, there were better candidates in his race, but we shouldn't join in the libtard trashing of him and Mourdock.

Ayotte is going to be impossible to primary out in moderate NH. She's also not particularly unpopular, while Graham is. She voted against Brennan in the end. Best to focus on Graham and the open seats.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Liberty Democrat opportunity? That guy from L4All SuperPac should be interested in that.

Y'all have convinced me that this is the way to go. Ayotte herself may lose to a Dem, better that it's a liberty Dem.

 

[sailingaway]

Y'all have convinced me that this is the way to go. Ayotte herself may lose to a Dem, better that it's a liberty Dem.

But a primary challenge also has benefits, remember when Ron was 'causing trouble' so they primaried him in the 14th district w a guy who had promised not to run against him as long as he was running? It distracted his presidential run. They aren't setting her up as a presidential candidate, not in 2016 in any event, but I am pretty sure she is the VP they have in mind if Hillary is winning the Dem nomination. It doesn't have to be a primary, just a strong challenger, though.

Just saying.

I agree we should run someone, and the candidate will have to decide which party they should run in, imho

 

[Brian4Liberty]

But a primary challenge also has benefits, remember when Ron was 'causing trouble' so they primaried him in the 14th district w a guy who had promised not to run against him as long as he was running? It distracted his presidential run. They aren't setting her up as a presidential candidate, not in 2016 in any event, but I am pretty sure she is the VP they have in mind if Hillary is winning the Dem nomination. It doesn't have to be a primary, just a strong challenger, though.

Just saying.

I agree we should run someone, and the candidate will have to decide which party they should run in, imho

Yep. We should have liberty candidates everywhere. Run a Dem and Rep. We'll see who steps up to the challenge.

 

[Spoa]

Yep. We should have liberty candidates everywhere. Run a Dem and Rep. We'll see who steps up to the challenge.

I agree with liberty Democrats although I have rarely found them. Is a Democrat who supports Obamacare a "liberty Democrat"? Even Kucinich (as much as I like him and consider him one of my favorites) voted for Obamacare and so I can't consider him a "liberty Democrat" although in his district, I would rather have him than Kaptur.

I really agree that Graham and McCain have to go. I'm not convinced that Ayotte is so bad that she has to go yet. If we kick out Graham, then maybe she'll see the light. Her record is better than theirs. I will concede that her record has been a little more disappointing than I would like.

 

[sailingaway]

I agree with liberty Democrats although I have rarely found them. Is a Democrat who supports Obamacare a "liberty Democrat"? Even Kucinich (as much as I like him and consider him one of my favorites) voted for Obamacare and so I can't consider him a "liberty Democrat" although in his district, I would rather have him than Kaptur.

I really agree that Graham and McCain have to go. I'm not convinced that Ayotte is so bad that she has to go yet. If we kick out Graham, then maybe she'll see the light. Her record is better than theirs.

No, a liberty democrat would not support Obamacare. Robin K of Blue Republicans didn't, nor did Jane Hamash of Firedoglake, Jane does support single payer but recognized when it was being turned into a corporate insurance company fantasy, and fought the bill. Had Kucinich not sold out for a ride on AirForce One, the progressives would have had a rallying point on this.

But if we disagree on some things, we always will, and those will be on areas where we have support elsewhere to fight it. Right now the corporatists in the 'center' of the parties (who go wherever the lobbyists want) are 'bipartisan' ignoring the points of difference on other issues to work together, and we need to. Our OWN candidates would be more us, but they would highlight civil liberties and fighting corporatism and too great expansion of the police state when running as Dems. At least, that is the script I personally like.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

I agree with liberty Democrats although I have rarely found them.

They're rare, but we've had a few running since 08.

 

[sailingaway]

I agree with liberty Democrats although I have rarely found them. Is a Democrat who supports Obamacare a "liberty Democrat"? Even Kucinich (as much as I like him and consider him one of my favorites) voted for Obamacare and so I can't consider him a "liberty Democrat" although in his district, I would rather have him than Kaptur.

I really agree that Graham and McCain have to go. I'm not convinced that Ayotte is so bad that she has to go yet. If we kick out Graham, then maybe she'll see the light. Her record is better than theirs. I will concede that her record has been a little more disappointing than I would like.

I see her as a sleeper cell, not someone like Snow etc who truly vote their convictions, but you could be right. The company she keeps is revolting, though. And her votes on civil liberties are terrible, that I've seen.

I don't see her as bad as Graham, but to some extent it is going to depend on where the truly good candidates come up.

 

[Keith and stuff]

They're rare, but we've had a few running since 08.

The only place they have been able to even win state rep races in NH. I don't think that translates to much higher office. I think maybe 1 of the liberty Democrats in NH could win a state senate seat or maybe higher but he has to run for state senate first, which he hasn't.

Frankly, I'm pretty surprised a bunch of people that don't live in NH are thinking about a 2016 election in NH (a not very important 1, either). If you want to primary someone, primary someone that doesn't have a decent voting record and do it in 2014. Of course, Ayotte is an about average Republican in the US Senate so there are 10 other Republicans you should consider spending millions of dollars to primary before her. In NH, we have elections on Tuesday, that's what I'm thinking about. Then I'm thinking about 2014 primary elections (mostly for state rep).

 

[sailingaway]

The only place they have been able to even win state rep races in NH. I don't think that translates to much higher office. I think maybe 1 of the liberty Democrats in NH could win a state senate seat or maybe higher but he has to run for state senate first, which he hasn't.

Frankly, I'm pretty surprised a bunch of people that don't live in NH are thinking about a 2016 election in NH (a not very important 1, either). If you want to primary someone, primary someone that doesn't have a decent voting record and do it in 2014. Of course, Ayotte is an about average Republican in the US Senate so there are 10 other Republicans you should consider spending millions of dollars to primary before her. In NH, we have elections on Tuesday, that's what I'm thinking about. Then I'm thinking about 2014 primary elections (mostly for state rep).

I think of her because of the people who are backing her and why they are backing her. they have been coddling her career since they bumped her over Rands' head for a seat on the Finance committee when he had more seniority, and immediately McCain took her on a fieldtrip to Afghanistan, all in her first months in the Senate. She came back parroting the neocon party line on no civil liberties and war, ever since. They took her to dinner with Obama while Rand was fillibustering. She is on a VERY short list, with Rubio and maybe one or two others, of 'establishment rising stars' and it may be harder to stop her later.

She isn't as important to me as Amash in the Senate if he runs, but my focus is on where our best candidates are. NH has some really good potential candidates. On the other hand, we don't want to sling them against a brick wall, either.

 

[Corto_Maltese]

Sorry double post

 

[Corto_Maltese]

The bit*h is crazy. Just look at this

 

[Anti Federalist]

+rep and me too

Love this.

Kelly rode the "Palin MILF" wave. I'm not even trying to be crude, or funny - it's true. She certainly never was "Tea Party" in my eyes; maybe I missed something, but I live here and follow closely. She has always been the "former AG, tough on crime, I love cops" candidate - statist all the way.

She is an utter disappointment, right up there with her colleague, Jeanne "I Will Never Go Away from NH Politics" Shaheen. Don't count on a R of any stripe to primary her; she has too much influence with TPTB.

 

[Anti Federalist]

I appreciate all this - really, I do - and I am "one of us," so to speak - but the liberty streak doesn't carry over in NH to the national stage.

It's one thing to jam the State House with us, quite another to fight the old Sununu/Merrill/Bass guard and make it to the other side. Concord is as rotten a machine town as any of them.

I'd rep this too.

As good as my local representation is, is as awful as my federal representation is.