PrioritiesNH will comment on candidates’ federal budget statements

CONCORD, N.H. – PrioritiesNH ,the organization with the most aggressive Presidential bird-dogging operationin New Hampshire, will be a visible presence at the Presidential debates atSaint Anselm College in Goffstown Sunday and Tuesday nights.

A special guest – Cookie Mom—will join PrioritiesNH staff and volunteers to wave the campaign’s “pocket pies”(flexible pie charts depicting the discretionary budget) and call for sensible budget priorities outside the Thomas Sullivan Arena at Saint Anselm College. For the last two months, Cookie Mom has attended Presidential campaign events, chatted with voters and candidates, and connected their issues with the need for sensible federal budget priorities.

Cookie Mom urges voters to listen for the “how are you going to pay for it” details behind candidates’ vague promises, and leaves them with her informative and yummy “calling card” – sugar cookies frosted with PrioritiesNH’s budget pie logo.

PrioritiesNH, a project of Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities (BLSP), is working to change America's budget priorities to reflect a national commitment to education, health care, energy independence, job training and deficit reduction – at no additional taxpayer expense– by shifting $60 billion that is currently spent to develop and build obsolete Cold War weapons and maintain a stockpile of 10,000 nuclear warheads. Details are in the Korb Report,on the PrioritiesNH Website.

BLSP has full-time Priorities campaigns in NewHampshire and Iowa to capitalize on the attention paid to their early Presidential primary and caucus, respectively.

Priorities’ budget-shift goals are shared by the vast majority of Americans. When presented with the facts about the federal budget by the PIPA/Knowledge Networks Poll in March 2005, two-thirds of Americans said they would change U.S. budget priorities and shift funding away from the Pentagon and into programs that benefit communities and families. Likewise, almost two-thirds of New Hampshire adults support such a shift, according to a Research 2000 poll conducted in February.

Since early January, PrioritiesNH has bird-dogged Presidential candidates as a way of raising federal budget priorities as a campaign issue. New Hampshire activists have asked nearly 100 budget priorities-related questions at campaign events. They then report the answer back to Priorities staff, who tighten the question and relay it to the volunteer bird dog attending the next event for that candidate. Priorities hopes to get every candidate on the record either for or against shifting money from the Pentagon budget to human needs.

PrioritiesNH director SteveVarnum will be available for comment after the debate and for interview anytime. Please call him on his cell phone at (603) 748-0317.

Conservation Voters Buy Ad Time for Debates

Concord, NH -- The Granite State Conservation Voters Education Fund today announced that they will be airing their first television advertisements in the lead-up to the upcoming Democrat and Republican presidential debates.

The :30 ad, being run in conjunction with the League of Conservation Voters , features Robert Redford, and will begin airing on cable networks across the state this weekend. The advertisement is part of The Heat Is On, a non partisan campaign to make global warming a priority issue during the presidential primaries and beyond. The Heat Is On campaign is active in the four early voting states: New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada.

“We have seen that the issue of global warming is on peoples’ minds across New Hampshire and across the country,” said Bruce Clendenning, Projects Manager for the Granite State Conservation Voters Education Fund. “When campaigning in New Hampshire, all candidates for president should be prepared to tell the public what they plan to do as president to take a leadership role in cutting carbon emissions and solving global warming.”

In addition to the television ads, the two organizations will be partnering to run several statewide newspaper advertisements to raise the debate on global warming.

“Here in New Hampshire, 164 towns passed a climate change resolution at Town Meeting specifically calling for federal action to reduce the carbon emissions that cause global warming,” continued Clendenning. “It is clear that people here expect the next president to make solving global warming a top priority.”

In the New Hampshire Primary tradition, the public is encouraged to ask all candidates questions about their ideas on solving global warming. The Heat Is On campaign will make candidates’ responses, video clips, blogs, and more available on its website, www.HeatIsOn.org, throughout the primary campaign.

Transcript of the 30 second television ad:

Redford: In every generation there are a few defining moments when we have the chance to chart a new course that will leave our children a better world.

Our time is now and our challenge is to solve global warming.

Television Announcer 1 : The evidence of global warming is quote unequivocal

Television Announcer 2: Humans are responsible for global warming

Television Announcer 3 : A looming climate catastrophe

Redford: We need to challenge all of the Presidential candidates to make solving global warming a top priority. Go to www.heatison.org and seize the future…our future.

McCain Campaign on Romney and Immigration

Sen. McCain Campaign sent out these responses to Gov. Romney's Immigration position.

Today, Mitt Romney Sends "Vague And Seemingly Inconsistent Messages" On Immigration And Refuses To Offer Solutions For The Problem

Time Magazine: "[W]hen Romney Slowed Down And Focused On A Single Issue - Immigration - At A Press Conference In Dover, N.H., The Brazen Cynicism Of His Candidacy Became Almost Embarrassing." (Joe Klein, "Mitt Romney's Disappointing Campaign," Time, 5/31/07)

Palm Beach Post: Romney Offered "Mixed Message On Illegal Immigrants Saying He Supports Allowing Them To Apply To Become Permanent Residents But Opposes Current Legislation That Would Allow Them To Do Just That." "Mitt Romney offered a mixed message on illegal immigrants Thursday, saying he supports allowing them to apply to become permanent residents but opposes current legislation that would allow them to do just that. ... While Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, said he would 'not deny' illegal immigrants the 'opportunity to apply for permanent residency or citizenship,' he would not say how he would change the proposed legislation to make such application acceptable." (Brian Crowley, "Romney Skirts Solution To Immigration Issue," Palm Beach Post, 5/25/07)

The Boston Globe: Romney "Has Offered No Specific Solutions Of His Own To The Immigration Crisis ... [And] Is Facing Increasing Questions About What He Would Do About The Problem." "[W]hile Romney has been aggressive with his barbs, he has offered no specific solutions of his own to the immigration crisis. With McCain and his surrogates pushing the issue hard, Romney is facing increasing questions about what he would do about the problem." (Scott Helman, "Critics Press Romney On Immigration View," The Boston Globe, 6/1/07)

Hotline Blog: "[I]f You're Wondering Precisely What Mitt Romney ... Would Actually Do With The 11-12M Illegal Immigrants Already Here, Well, You'll Have To Wait A While. No Specific Proposals Are Forthcoming, We Are Told." ("McCain Is A Lone Wolf On Immigration," The Hotline's "On Call" Blog, 5/23/07)

The Politico: "Romney Continues To Punt On What To Do With The 12 Million Illegal Immigrants In The Country." (Jonathan Martin, "The A' Word," The Politico, 5/25/07)

Tampa Tribune: Romney "Sent Vague And Seemingly Inconsistent Messages" On Immigration. "As immigration reform continues to divide the candidates in the Republican presidential primary, Mitt Romney sent vague and seemingly inconsistent messages on the issue in a campaign swing through Florida Thursday. [R]omney said he opposes the current reform package in the Senate, but wouldn't say what it would take to fix it." (William March, "Romney Vague On Immigration," Tampa Tribune's "March On Politics" Blog, 5/25/07)

Romney's Description Of Immigration Reform As "Amnesty" "Markedly Different" From Previous Statements

The Boston Globe: Romney's Current Immigration Rhetoric "Markedly Different" From His Past Statements, When He "Described Immigration Proposals By McCain And Others As Quite Different' From Amnesty ..." "When Mitt Romney swooped into the heart of John McCain country this week, he brought a pointed message on illegal immigration: McCain's approach is the wrong one. ... But that is markedly different from how Romney once characterized McCain's bill, elements of which are receiving new attention in Congress and from President Bush. ... In a November 2005 interview with the Globe, Romney described immigration proposals by McCain and others as 'quite different' from amnesty, because they required illegal immigrants to register with the government, work for years, pay taxes, not take public benefits, and pay a fine before applying for citizenship." (Scott Helman, "Romney's Words Grow Hard On Immigration," The Boston Globe, 3/16/07)

The Associated Press: Romney "Sounded More Open To Immigrants" Last Year, When Said That Some Illegal Immigrants "Should Begin A Process Toward Application For Citizenship ..." "Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney opposes the deal because it would allow virtually every illegal immigrant to remain indefinitely. A year ago, he sounded more open to immigrants. 'With these 11 million people, let's have them registered, know who they are,' Romney told a New Hampshire newspaper. 'Those who've been arrested or convicted of crimes shouldn't be here; those that are here paying taxes and not taking government benefits should begin a process toward application for citizenship, as they would from their home country.'" (Ron Fournier, "Election-Year Posturing Threatens Future Of Immigration Deal," The Associated Press, 5/18/07)

Tampa Tribune: "In The Past, Romney Has Appeared To Support Allowing Illegal Immigrants To Apply For Citizenship Without Having To Leave The Country First." (William March, "Romney Vague On Immigration," Tampa Tribune's "March On Politics" Blog, 5/25/07)

Boston Herald: "What [Romney] Thinks Ought To Be Done About The Millions Of Illegal Immigrants Already In The Country Depends On Whether You Asked Him POC (Pre-Official Candidacy) Or AOC (After-Official Candidacy)." (Virginia Buckingham, Op-Ed, "Immigration Stance Improv," Boston Herald, 3/14/07)

Romney's Rhetoric Changes From State To State, Repeatedly Saying "Amnesty" In South Carolina, But Refusing To Utter The Word In Florida Just Days Later

In South Carolina, Romney Repeatedly Labeled Immigration Deal As "Amnesty." "The crowd at South Carolina's Republican convention ... cheered as presidential candidate Romney told them: 'One simple rule: No amnesty.' During his speech and before his remarks, Romney said a proposed new visa for immigrants amounts to amnesty if it can be renewed indefinitely. 'If that's not a form of amnesty, I don't know what is,' Romney said." (Jim Davenport, "S.C. Republicans Cheer Romney As He Attacks Immigration Bill," The Associated Press, 5/19/07)

• Romney In South Carolina: "I think we should not call it the 'Z visa,' we should call it the 'A visa' because it's amnesty and that's what it stands for." (Jim Davenport, "S.C. Republicans Cheer Romney As He Attacks Immigration Bill," The Associated Press, 5/19/07)
  
• Watch Romney Speak To South Carolina Audience On Immigration.

But In Florida, Romney "Refused To Use The Word 'Amnesty'" To Describe Immigration Deal. "Although he refused to use the word amnesty,' as other opponents of the current immigration bill have, Romney said he doesn't mind if illegal immigrants apply for legal work visas, but not before those who have obeyed the law by staying in their own country to apply have done so first." (Bill Rufty, "Romney Speaks To County Republicans At Dinner," Lakeland Ledger, 5/25/07)

• Romney In Florida: "There are some who get involved in whether it is technically amnesty or not, and I'm not really trying to define what is technically amnesty, I'll let the lawyers do that." (Mitt Romney, Interview With The [Lakeland, FL] Ledger, www.theledger.com, Accessed 5/25/07)
• Watch Romney Speak To Florida Reporters On Immigration.

John McCain On "The O'Reilly Factor," Part II

"I Believe My Whole Life, My Inspiration, My Heroes, And My Experience Have Qualified Me To Serve. I Am Committed To Seeing This Nation Through One Of The Most Difficult Periods Of Our History." - John McCain

Excerpts From "The O'Reilly Factor"
May 31, 2007

"If it was not for the issue that we were just discussing, that 9/11 changed this country and the world and our challenge, I would not be running. I believe my whole life, my inspiration, my heroes, and my experience have qualified me to serve. I'm not the youngest candidate, but I'm the best prepared. I am committed to seeing this nation through one of the most difficult periods of our history, and like Ronald Reagan, I approach it with optimism, with hope and belief in the American people, in the future of this nation, and that our best days are ahead of us." (FOX News, "The O'Reilly Factor," 5/31/07)

"I think that most Americans appreciate the fact that this is a titanic struggle between everything we stand for and believe in and radical Islamic extremism. We have to win. We can win. We will win. We will never surrender. They will." (FOX News, "The O'Reilly Factor," 5/31/07)

"I will say that this strategy has only been going on for about four or five months. Neighborhoods in Baghdad, I emphasize, are safer, not safe, and there have been improvements." (FOX News, "The O'Reilly Factor," 5/31/07)

Watch John McCain's entire interview on "The O'Reilly Factor."

In case you missed the first half of John McCain's interview with Bill O'Reilly, you can watch it here.

Political Chowder Sunday at 11am on MyTV featuring Congressman Paul Hodes

This Sunday Political Chowder is dedicated to the letter "C"

 Constitutions and Congressman

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly:  The new and "Improved" education amendment. The big vote in the House of Representatives is next week.

Puppy Dogs, ethics bills, funding the Iraq war – the life and votes of a freshman congressman

 All this and more, Sunday @ 11am on Political Chowder

Political Chowder with host Arnie Arnesen is New Hampshire's newest political television show. Tune in Sunday, June 3 from 11 to Noon EST on MyTV (WZMY-TV – Comcast 18 or Comcast 6 and Dish and DirecTV ). Political Chowder re-airs during the week on 48 public access stations, serving over 80 cities and towns across NH. Check local listings for times and dates.

Round One: The Constitutional Amendment

Representative Neal Kurk

Representative Gary Richardson

 Attorney Martin Gross

Round Two: The Interview

Second District Congressman Paul Hodes

Go to www.politicalchowder.com at noon on Sunday for podcasts and google video of the program (archive materials available).