Are they paying attention - do they even care?

Bud Martin is a good, kind man. He is very well liked and there is no one who can argue effectively against his years of dedication to the people of New Hampshire. Yet, as the Democratic nominee for the open District 3 State Senate race he lost, and he lost big, to the Republican nominee, former U.S. Congressman Jeb Bradley. Bradley won going away with about 63% of the vote.

Bradley won 15 of the 17 towns of the district. He won Conway with 57% of the vote - which has been supportive of Democrats in recent elections.

The issues were well defined and very clear. They were taxes, broken promises by the legislature, gay marriage and transgender bills.

The question is simple, is the House Majority paying attention - do they even care? If not, they could very well be relegated to the "cheap seats" in 2010.

All eyes are now on the State Senate. Will their heed the warning of malcontented citizens from District 3? If not they too could see their numbers dwindle.

For now it is clear the pendulum of Independent voters is swinging from left to right.

Comments

[moed]

Again senator, you have hit the ball over the fence, and we will wait and see if the message was heard.

[E of Concord]

Congratulations Jeb! Now go to Concord and bring some common sense to the Senate.

[Sawbuck]

Different republican, same story. What we really need in this state is a fair tax. Income or sales, and then we could tackle the real problems facing this state.

[Twin Mt. Dem.]

This shallow victory will be short-lived for the hapless republicans. The equal rights gay marriage and gender neutral bills will pass and our good governor will sign them into law. It's a new day in NH. ! Don't let Jeb's blip on the screen dampen your joy. We have started on a new journey that won't be soon discarded. Have hope!

[Rowland]

The mentality Sawbuck expresses IS the real problem facing this state.

[Jim Splaine]

I do think people of the state care about fairness and equality. I think they care about car safety and using seat belts to save lives. I think they care about allowing people in great pain to be able to have medical relief. I think they care that our budget be balanced, that the property tax burden not be increased, and that we respond to the economic downturn in positive ways. Democrats at the State House have been leading on those causes, and I think voters will appreciate their efforts. Democrats are fighting for the real New Hampshire Advantage -- and not playing politics like so many Republicans are doing.

[Mark Hounsell]

Rep. Splaine,

Jim, with all due respect, I think the people of this state know the difference between the state balancing the state budget and the state shifting cost unto the local property tax payers. i.e eliminating state school building aid from the state budget to the tune of $45 million, which is a broken promise made by the state.

[Syndi White]

Mark,
I am glad you are acknowledging the accomplishments and character of Bud Martin. He is indeed a man of high quality and integrity. He would have made a fine senator.
The Republicans ran their campaign by fueling the irrational fears of their members, and I must say you did a good job of feeding into their paranoia. I am especially disappointed that you and the other Conway selectmen chose to endorse Jeb as a Board. Were you speaking as the voice of the town of Conway? Since NONE of these selctmen are Democrats, I think this move was highly inappropriate. When we vote for the town offices, it is a nonpartisan election.

[Syndi White]

continued from above...(I accidentally sent it before I was done)

We entrust the selectmen to run the town, NOT make endorsements of candidates for state or federal office.

[Mark Hounsell]

Syndi,
It is still America and we as individuals still have the freedom to support who we want, when we want. The four of us DID NOT act as the BOS, we simply voiced our thoughts.
As far as feeding into anyone's paranoia, I suggest you not go there.
By the way neither Bud, nor you objected when I endorsed both of you last November.
As far as your other comments, I will simply file them under sour grapes.

PS I am neither a Republican, nor a Democrat

[Twin Mt. Dem.]

Mark sounds like a republican to me Syndi.

[Mark Hounsell]

independent

[Syndi White]

Of course you have a right to voice your opinion and endorse whomever you choose. That was not my point. The Conway Sun ran a story about the board of selectmen endorsing Bradley. From the article..."members of the board of selectmen wrote a letter in support of Bradley's candidacy." ..."Hounsell, who agreed that the mailing of a letter of endorsement was unprecedented in Conway's history." I stand by my statement that an endorsement of a political candidate by a board of selectmen is not appropriate.

[d.rano]

Mr. Hounsell is an Independent just as I am...difference being is that he likes something about both sides, I on the other can't stand either side!

[Glen Karam]

I was glad to hear that Jeb Bradley won. This current crop of representatives cares less about the will of the people and more about their liberal agenda. They seem to prefer to tow the democrat line then protect the concerns of the state. Voting and re-voting issues to get the outcome they want is just childish.

I hope there is a radical change in the house come next election, and I plan to help see it happen. Congratulations Senator Bradley.

[Southern NH Patriot]

I agree with Syndi that the Conway Board of Selectmen were way out of bounds by endorsing Jeb Bradley or any other candidate for office. They were not elected to be partisans. They are there to serve the interests of the people of Conway. That kind of red-neck politicking wouldn't fly down here in the southern part of the sate.

[Mark Hounsell]

Glad I don't live down there in the southern part of the state then.

[Teacher]

Sawbuck, it's sad that all you can do is think of extracting more money from people to cover up for the insanity of this 28% governor. If you like taxes that much, please move to Massachusetts. The 'real' problem in this state is PEOPLE LIKE YOU.

And where is the outrage from you Syndi when schools use kids for mules sending home political information with them, or use the school's email, newspaper or phone alert system to carry political messages? This is not only bad, but it's illegal.

The whole MVRSD is going to be taken over by some wacky UN program too. Now where is the outrage on that?

[Sawbuck]

Teacher, a broad based tax will bring equality to our tax structure thereby lowering EVERYONE'S tax burden. I so simple you would think republicans and independents would get it.

[Jim_NH]

The tide is changing. I am actively supporting Bob Bestani for Congress. I am a registered Independent who believes in a TWO party system