NRSC - Disingenuous Shaheen, Democrat Senate Candidate's Cover Up Scheme

WASHINGTON , D.C. -- Failed former Governor and Democrat Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen is back to her old tricks. Today, Shaheen is attempting to mislead voters about her record on taxes by blaming Washington for the current state of New Hampshire's economy.

In an op-ed in today's New Hampshire Union Leader , Shaheen argues that it's the failed policies of Washington that are the underlying reason why "... New Hampshire families fell further and further behind...". ( New Hampshire Union Leader , 4/2/08)

Shaheen continues by noting, "We need new leadership in Washington to take our country in a new direction. In the U.S. Senate, I'll fight to restore the middle class and make the economy work for New Hampshire families again...". ( New Hampshire Union Leader , 4/2/08)

Oh really?

So Shaheen's tax increases have nothing to do with what she calls "the crisis facing middle-class families" that "has been years in the making"? ( New Hampshire Union Leader , 4/2/08)

As for Washington and the tax cuts Shaheen's op-ed calls "failed economic policies of the Bush administration" -- Shaheen herself supported them in 2002. The Hartford Courant even reported, "In New Hampshire, Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, locked in a tight race with Rep. John E. Sununu, praised the Bush tax cuts." ( Hartford Courant , 11/8/02)

Is the new direction Shaheen wants to take the country in similar to the direction she took New Hampshire in? In 1999, Shaheen signed a statewide property tax -- the FIRST STATEWIDE TAX in New Hampshire.

• Shaheen also proposed a cigarette tax increase.
  
• The same year, Shaheen proposed a 4.5 percent capital gains tax.
  
• In 2001, Shaheen proposed a 2.5 percent sales tax.
  
• And, in 2000, Shaheen vetoed a repeal of the inheritance tax in New Hampshire, which has the nation's third highest inheritance tax.

"Today's op-ed is nothing more than a smokescreen Jeanne Shaheen is trying to erect in an effort to cover up her true record," NRSC Communications Director Rebecca Fisher said. "Jeanne Shaheen is being utterly disingenuous in a failing attempt to play politics with issues that matter to New Hampshire voters."

NRSC Website

Mayor Guinta: Pearl Street fire victims need your help

MANCHESTER (April 2, 2008) – Mayor Frank Guinta made the following statement regarding the four-alarm fire that left more than 100 Manchester residents homeless:

“I want to first state that I am thankful that there were only a few minor injuries. While many people lost most of their prized possessions, our health is the most important possession, and I want to thank the brave fire fighters from Manchester and beyond that fought this devastating blaze and making sure that there was very little physical harm to the victims.

“I have been on the phone with safety and relief officials since hearing about the fire last night. In these conversations, they’ve stated the need for monetary, non-monetary and food donations “Monetary donations, preferably checks, can be dropped off or mailed at the Greater Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross; 1800 Elm St.; Manchester. The facility is capable of accepting donations during business hours and can be reached at (603) 624-4307. For those that want to during other hours, they can do so by www.redcrossmanchester.org.

“The Salvation Army in Manchester is coordinating the acceptance of non-monetary donations. The immediate need will be for toiletries and small household items. Those can be dropped off at Milly’s Tavern through Thursday. Starting Monday, April 7, the need will be for furniture and other larger goods to get the victims re-established. They can be accepted at the Salvation Army’s facility on 121 Cedar St. in Manchester. For details, call (603) 627-7013. In addition, donations can also be made at https://secure.unionleader.com/customercare/firefund.aspx.

“Food donations for the victims will be accepted by the New Hampshire Food Bank, which is located at 62 West Brook St. in Manchester. They will be accepting non-perishable goods and monetary donations, which can be dropped off between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“Time and again, Manchester has stepped up to provide help, comfort and support for those in need, whether it was during the Mother’s Day floods of 2006, providing food for the needy during the holidays, or helping victims of fires. I am asking everyone to do what they can again.”

Newsmax - Obama Wants Huge Cap Gains Tax Increase

Breaking from Newsmax.com Obama: Huge Capital Gains Tax Increase Needed Citing advice from the sage of Omaha, Warren Buffet, Democratic presidential contender Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) has called for a massive increase in the capital gains tax. Read the Full Story — Go Here Now

Horn to Clegg: Return the Lobbyist Money and Apologize

NASHUA– Jennifer Horn, Republican candidate for Congress, issued the following statement in response to State Senator Bob Clegg’s defense of lobbyists:

“When given the opportunity to explain being the single largest recipient of lobbyist funds of all state lawmakers, Sen. Clegg defended the lobbyists instead of thevoters.

Sen. Clegg says lobbyists contribute to his campaign fund because his door is always open; I say when it comes to the influence of special interests on our lawmakers, sometimes that door needs to be closed.

Between scandal, special interests and lobbyists, Washington has become mired in corruption and backroom dealings. It’s no wonder Congress has the lowest approval rating in American history. The days of Jack Abramoff, Tom Delay and Duke Cunningham are over. Bob Clegg should stop defending taking money from lobbyist, apologize to the voters and return the money.

This is the only way Bob Clegg can prove to the voters of New Hampshire that he will represent their interests over the special interests.

We alreadyhave someone in Washington who is a friend to special interests. It makes no sense to replace one for the other. Paul Hodes continues to give nothing more than political lip-service to reform. Recently he helped pass a resolution that will create an independent panel to investigate the actions of House members. It only took him 14 months to work on something that he said would be his top priority if elected.

It seems more like a shell game than any real reform. With one hand, Paul Hodes is one of the largest earmarkers in D.C., mailed taxpayer funded letters to a State Democrat Party mailing list and refused to disclose how much taxpayer money he spent on mailings. In fact, USA Today named him one of the top 20 earmark spenders for the 2006 freshman class and that includes both Houses of Congress! With the other hand, Paul Hodes trumpets a resolution that will investigate House members – hoping the people will not notice what the other hand is doing.

In order to fix Congress we must reform it at its core. The time to tinker around the edges is over. We need real reform and we need it now.

First we start with the type of people we send to Congress. Career politicians, political operatives and lawyers have had their chance and they have failed.

When I go to Washington to represent my neighbors, I will not accept money from lobbyists. My door will always be open to the residents of the 2^nddistrict. I will fight to end corruption, to make Congress work for the people once again, and I will always put the interests of New Hampshire before all else.”

NH GOP - NH DEMOCRATS SNOW JOB

PLOT OR BIZARRE METEORLOGICAL-POLITICAL COINCIDENCE?

CONCORD –April Fools Day is a good time to consider a bizarre fact held in common by the winters of 1873-74 and 2007-08. Can you guess what it is?

Not only do you have to go back to 1873-74 to find a winter with more snow than this year, but that was also the last time New Hampshire Democrats held the governor’s office and majorities in both houses of the state legislature at the same time.

Either way, New Hampshire’s getting buried – both in record snow and the government knows best, nanny state legislation reflecting the priorities of the extreme left wing that dominates the New Hampshire Democratic Party. Some examples:

• Legalizing pot
• $250 fines for the release of helium balloons
• Wasting time debating impeachment resolutions instead of dealing with serious issues like Gov. Lynch’s growing budget deficit created by Lynch’s 17.5% increase in state spending; education funding; and the ed funding constitutional amendment
• Mandating the use of seatbelts
• Mandating smoking policies in private businesses instead of letting the free market decide
• Mandating the cooking policies of private restaurants instead of trusting individuals to make up their own minds about whether they need that hamburger

“It iswell-established that the weather can affect human behavior, but this may be the first time Democratic control has been linked to the weather. Either way, New Hampshire residents have the same response: Please, make it stop!” said Fergus Cullen, Chairman of New Hampshire Republicans.

Fergus Cullen

Chairman, New Hampshire Republican Party

10 Water Street

Concord , NH 03301