Republicans to get their woman in NH?

Posted: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:05 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Republicans, 2010

From NBC's Mark Murray
With New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg (R) retiring and with Democrats getting Rep. Paul Hodes (D) to run to replace him, this seat had once seemed like perhaps the top Senate pick-up opportunity of 2010.

Maybe not any more.

As Chuck Todd had reported late last month, Republicans have been courting state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, who was appointed to her position by former GOP Gov. Craig Benson and re-appointed by Democratic Gov. John Lynch.

Now Ayotte says she's resigning (effective July 17) and is now officially exploring a Senate bid. "Recently, many New Hampshire citizens have urged me to run for United States Senate," she said in a statement. "I appreciate their confidence in me. After discussing this matter with my husband, Joe, and our family, I have decided to resign as Attorney General in order to explore a campaign for the United States Senate."

The National Republican Senatorial Committee welcomed the announcement. “Kelly Ayotte has been an effective Attorney General on behalf of the people of New Hampshire, and we are pleased that she is considering opportunities that many could not have anticipated even months ago. Clearly, Kelly Ayotte will be a formidable candidate for the U.S. Senate if she decides to run.”

Democrats, however, are pouncing on news that Ayotte broke a pledge to Lynch to serve a full term as state attorney general. “When it comes to electoral politics, Kelly Ayotte is unproven and untested," said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman Eric Schultz. "And considering her first move out of the gate is to break a pledge she made to the people of New Hampshire, she also seems unprepared."

Lynch's office released this statement: “This morning I received Kelly Ayotte's letter of resignation. I thank her for her service. The attorney general’s office is a critical function of state government. I will move quickly to appoint a new attorney general.”

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Comments

Kelly Ayotte? She's a Republican woman, just like Palin. And we don't like those kind of people.

Democratic Soul (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:20 PM)

Looks like musical political chairs in New Hamshire.
Who will end up with no chair when the music stops, is anyones guess..

Hey Cornyn...watcha gonna do when they boo you? LOL

Ed, San Antonio (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:22 PM)

Notice a lot of congressional positions that just months ago seemed like sure bets for the Democrats have turned around completely to be for the Republicans. Wait until Obama keeps screwing up the economy and keeps apologizing to every little league dictator he can find. The Republicans will retake the House and put a huge dent on the Democrats lead in the Senate.

Ginny J., Tulsa OK (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:23 PM)

Smug leftists...counting their spoils a bit too soon. Aye, Aye, Kelly Ayotte! To Hades with Hodes. Knock 'em dead, Kelly!

Resolute, Concord, NH (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:28 PM)

Lets Dance (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:32 PM)

So, New Hampshire lets the GOP keep one Republican seat in the Senate; ditto Florida.

Looks like a lot of Democrats are going to have to find new careers in 2011-they didn't learn after 1994. And, heaven knows, Obama makes Clinton look like Hayek on economic issues.

If they have any sense, they bag the Obama agenda, and hide out as long as they can.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:34 PM)

Congratulations Sen. Franken, I wish you well.

For those of you who make nasty comments about our new Senator and his previous line of work, you are in for a surprise. Senator Franken is a very bright and intelligent man, having graduated from Harvard, he is a classic case of don't judge the book by the cover.

gingerbread mamma, Jupiter, Fl (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:42 PM)

Steven Rennie, Fillmore, NY (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:42 PM)

I read the four posts here and wonder why you all bother reading any informational pieces at all - your minds are already made up on everything - all you need to do is sit home watch movies and when election day comes - pull down either the Dem or Repub lever - god it sounds like a boring life - everything already decided.

attaturk, wildwood, fl (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:49 PM)

ok and Obama broke a pledge to fulfill his office too.
Barrak Obama is unproven and untested and look where he is.

Tim, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:50 PM)

Senator Franken is a very bright and intelligent man, having graduated from Harvard, he is a classic case of don't judge the book by the cover.

gingerbread mamma, Jupiter, Fl

GW Bush graduated from Harvard. Do you think the same about him?

MB Anderson (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:51 PM)

filmore NY writes "god forbid they ever have an original thought of their own" - I doubt you or most or most of the commentators have - I have never seen a Dem plan you liked or a Repub plan you didn't and just the opposite for the Dem bloggers - it's why this country gets no where.

attaturk, wildwood, Fl. (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:53 PM)

Ayotte is a snake and I for one will be sending money to the Democratic ticket of that state!

LB, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:58 PM)

Obama ran against Bush, not McCain, and won. The same will be true for the Republicans. They'll run against Obama and Pelosi, and that will get them their seats in the House and Senate next year. It's going to fun to watch.
Lets Dance (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:32 PM)

--------------------------------------------------
Um that wont happen lets dance, wake up and get out of that dream world you are in!

Greg Remington (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:58 PM)

University of New Hampshire, the only polling organization I've found, had both Bass and Sununu within the margine of error with Hodes as of June 30, 09.

Sununu has announced that he is not seeking the seat-don't know about Bass. However, from what I've read on other sites, she will have a clear run at the nomination.

No polling yet on a head to head with Hodes; however, she seems to have that ever-popular 'bi-partisian' appeal.

Wave bye bye to the pick up in New Hampshire, Democrats.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:03 PM)

from an earlier board today:
Tim Stocken, Highland Lakes, NJ - Finally, I wish his detractors would stop calling President Obama a fascist.
************

Well, Tim, tell him to quit acting like a fascist and then maybe they won't call him that!

Dumbama (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:04 PM)

Democratic soul posted: "...And we don't like those kind of people". What kind of people is that? Republican women or women in general? I think the true Democratic soul has been exposed in that post. Democrats only like women who know their place, toe the line, march in lock-step to the leftist liberal agenda, and God forbid they ever have an original thought of their own. Thanks for sharing that post. Steven Rennie, Fillmore, NY (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:42 PM)

----------------------------------------------------
Not the best choice of words from democratic soul, but i got his/her gist.

Remember Steven,

We had a viable candidate that ran her own campaign...that received much support. But in the end was beaten by someone who the people thought had a better plan.

Sarah Palin was not allowed to talk, let alone think unless the McCain campaign let her do so...when she did finally speak, we found out why McCain was so protectionist.

So in this instance, I believe you have your criticisms backwards.

Greg P. NW Indiana (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:07 PM)

Why doesn't Judd Gregg do what any truly patriotic American would do -- now that he's officially a lame duck, he should resign ... just like Sarah Palin.

Okay, conservatives ... time to tell me why not. ;)

Anna Molly (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:09 PM)

Steven Rennie, Fillmore, NY (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:42 PM)

Are you on drugs? Seriously? They don't call the GOP monochromatic for nothing. Old, White and Male.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:11 PM)

I attended the Memorial Service for MJ and it was beautiful MSNBC,, excellent coverage. While I was gone I see the devils been busy.
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Tell me again how Obama is not a socialist! Again, no talk whatsoever about capping Trial Lawyers. Cap CO2 but not lawsuit payoffs!
Pete Roleum, Detroit, MI USA
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Pete, and this is gospel? You accept this crap because it is what you choose to believe. I can give you the "REAL" facts. I've been in this industry for SEVERAL YEARS and I know what is fact.

1. Insurance companies are the reason health care is unaffordable for the average American.

2. Insurance companies should pay their fair share of taxes. I would "ersonally like to see them out of business. They serve no good purpose.

3. The failing insurance won't be nationalize. this is pure bull shit. Are you saying that the President plans to "buy" up insurance companies? With what? You are out of your sick mind, where did you get such rhetoric from? Out of your butt?

Hell failing hospitals close, they aren't bought by the federal government. I work in the system, I know what the hell is going on. You are lying.

Trial Lawyers don't need capping, they need to be able to SUE the hell out of people that cause harm to citizens...especially corporations.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:15 PM)

again with democratic bedroom of boston thinking. We in the north of new hampshire(remember us)nope didnt think so. welcome her and her ideas for the rest of us

bret lane (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:29 PM)

Steven - you are so wrong there buddy. And what makes you an expert on how women think? Steven is a man's name. Before you go off spouting about what we women feel and think, you need to think.

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:42 PM)

Boy are you neo-cons going to be disappointed in 2010. Keep hoping though it's all you got. This is going to be fun to watch, as you neo-cons cry your eye's out.

Mo (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:44 PM)

No seats are sure bets but it is a long way to 2010. The GOP will probably pick up some seats but not if they run their "purest" candidates because independents and moderates don't like the views of of the extreme right wing. If the GOP finds some moderate candidates, they could win some of the vulnerable seats but I would add that the democrats could win some GOP seats also if the voters are in the mood to throw them all out.

Every day, it's like reading FOX's latest so-called news and it's always the same thing. Pres Obama did NOT screw up the economy. That award goes to Bush, Cheney and the GOP along with their fat cat banking and oil buddies. Pres Obama has not apologized to dictators but I guess if all you watch is FOX and listen to Limbaugh where the tall tales abound, you would get that impression since their news stories are figments of their collective imaginations which doesn't say much for their brain power. It's easy to spout that Obama caused the economic problems and apologized to dictators--but can you name the part of the economic collapse that Obama caused? Can you name any dictators he actually apologized to? The republicans blame Pres Obama and the democrats for today's problems because they can't face the reality that GOP policies utterly and completely failed--deregulation, tax cuts but spend, no oversight of banking, two wars and 90% of the national debt belongs to Reagan, Bush and Bush. That's the legacy of the GOP today--FAILURE.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:47 PM)

Well, if you are going to quit/resign, that's the way to do it, Sarah! First this, then that, here's why.
Duh.
Is this the PALIN LEGACY? No one can head for a better job or they
betray the people?

Deborah Greenlawn, NY (Sent Tuesday, July 07, 2009 5:02 PM)

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