Shaheen, Bass Welcome Arrival of Crusader Aircraft to McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

Congress of the United States

Washington, DC

Historical aircraft, part of series tested by New Hampshire’s Alan Shepard, on long-term loan

CONCORD, NH – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Congressman Charles F. Bass (R-NH-02) today welcomed the arrival of a vintage 1956 U.S. Navy XF8U-2 Crusader jet to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord.  The aircraft was one of the series of jet planes tested by New Hampshire’s own Alan Shepard, the United States’ first astronaut.

Shaheen and Bass worked with the U.S. Navy’s National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida and the Department of Defense to secure a long-term loan of the aircraft, which will soon be on display at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.

Shaheen said, “This display is one that I hope would have made Astronaut Shepard proud.  The Crusader is a proud piece of naval aviation history and American innovation.  I hope it can help inspire a new generation of New Hampshire students to reach for great heights.”

Bass said, “The arrival of this great piece of history is terrific news for New Hampshire and reflects the tremendous achievements made in American innovation.  It will be a welcome addition to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center’s already comprehensive collection and a fitting tribute to an accomplished New Hampshire native.  I encourage Granite Staters to visit this remarkable new exhibit when it opens.”

“This Crusader will serve to inspire a new generation,” stated Discovery Center Executive Director Jeanne Gerulskis. “What forms will flight take in the future?  How did engineers in 1950 envision the breakthroughs that led to the development of the Crusader?  How can New Hampshire citizens be involved in designing ground-breaking new technologies that will help us all soar to new heights?  Thanks to Senator Shaheen and Congressman Bass, we will be able to draw visitors in with this exciting new exhibit, and engage them in science and engineering exhibits and programs that can answer some of these questions.”

Derry native Alan Shepard took to the skies years before his first space mission.  An accomplished and capable pilot, Shepard enrolled in the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School and became a Navy test pilot during one of the most exciting times in aviation history, the advent of the jet plane.  Shepard put his life on the line time after time as he tested the Navy’s new and modified planes, including the F8U Crusader.

Originally built by Vought Aircraft, the Discovery Center’s new Crusader aircraft has been refurbished and was recently on display in Dallas at the Vought Aircraft Heritage Foundation before arriving at its new home in New Hampshire.  The Crusader, originally an F8U-1, was the fifth airplane to come off of Vought’s Crusader production line and was the first production Crusader to be delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps.  Later, it was returned to Vought, which modified it into the second XF8U-2 prototype. 

The Crusader was the fastest Navy fighter of the 1950s.  Most of the Navy fighter aircraft developed during this time could fly at only high subsonic speeds.  Just two of these 1950s aircraft could break the sound barrier: the Grumman FIIF Tiger (max speed, Mach 1.1) and the Vought F8U Crusader (Mach 1.75).  The aircraft flew its first combat missions as part of photo reconnaissance flights over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and later logged strike and combat air patrol flights during the Vietnam War.

NH GOP - Latest Campaign Stump Offers More of the Same: Increased Spending, More Debt

Instead The White House Should Send An Explanation To N.H. Seniors Facing Medicare Cuts

Concord, NH -- New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Wayne MacDonald released the following statement in advance of the latest campaign stump pushed by the White House.  Today, Cory Booker, the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, will be in the state to try and sell President Obama's second stimulus plan.

“It doesn't matter who the White House sends to New Hampshire to stump for votes and help muscle through another round of stimulus spending.  While the latest official to offer spin for President Obama is Cory Booker, the message is the same -- more spending and bigger government.  Just like me, Granite Staters are frustrated and angered by the amount of spending we've seen from this Administration, especially in light of our nation's national debt topping $15,000,000,000,000 recently.

“Instead of continuing this push for a second stimulus bill, President Obama and his allies should start to explain why they cut Medicare benefits for 7,600 seniors in New Hampshire.  The trouble is that Obama's White House is solely focused on its re-election campaign and doesn't care to talk about how the President's agenda has made matters worse.”

Additional Information on the President's Medicare Cuts

NH UNION LEADER (12/1/11): “Remember when President Obama said that if his health care ‘reform’ law passed, you’d still get to keep your doctor? Medicare Advantage participants in the Granite State are finding out what a lie that was… New Hampshire has a high percentage of Medicare Advantage enrollees. Last month, 7,600 of them received notices that their coverage was being cancelled… As a result, thousands of Granite State seniors are being forced to switch doctors because they have to switch coverage.  This is just a taste of what is to come if Obamacare takes effect in full force.”

Read More: ObamaCare Democrats Owe N.H. Voters An Explanation

NH GOP - Will Shaheen Host a Town Hall to Explain her Medicare Cuts to Seniors?

Shaheen Only Member Of Federal Delegation Not Hosting Town Halls

Concord, N.H. -- With news that 7,600 Granite Staters will lose their Medicare benefits as a result of ObamaCare, it's no surprise that U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen is dodging voters across the state.  Contrary to every other member of the federal delegation, Shaheen has failed to host an in-person town hall.

“Voters deserve the chance to see and hear directly from their elected officials, and in our state they expect it,” said New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Wayne MacDonald.  “Now that seniors are beginning to see the cuts Shaheen made to Medicare, Granite Staters should have a chance to question her for helping this reckless plan become law.”

In this weekend's New Hampshire Union Leader, the paper's editorial page included this:

“Rule No. 1 when thinking about health insurance: never take Jeanne Shaheen's advice.  Last month 7,600 Granite Staters who use Medicare Advantage were informed that their coverage is being discontinued.  They are understandably upset.” (Editorial, New Hampshire Union Leader, 12/4/2011)

On top of an already-struggling economy and massive government debt which recently topped $15 trillion, this latest news is sure to add to President Barack Obama's troubles.  Even Democrats as recently as a couple weeks ago suggested that N.H. Democrats have their work cut out for them ahead of the 2012 election season.

“Billy Shaheen, a longtime Democratic operative in New Hampshire and the husband of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, said Republicans' huge gains in the state during the 2010 midterm elections served as a wake-up call for the state's Democrats.” (WMUR, 11/22/2011)

Judging by Senator Shaheen's lacking town hall schedule, it seems like she either didn't catch this message or simply thinks she can get away with it when she's not on the ballot.  U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte has hosted a town hall meeting in every county, while Reps. Charlie Bass and Frank Guinta continue to hold these forums regularly all across their districts.

“It seems like Senator Shaheen believes she only needs to host town hall meetings when she's up for election,” Chairman MacDonald added.  “Not only is her record of more government, higher taxes and Medicare cuts a disaster for our state, but now she’s standing alone as the only member of the delegation refusing to hold town halls.”

NH GOP - Shaheen's Hypocrisy Reaches New Low

Friends,

Just when you think you've heard it all, Washington Democrats keep on surprising us!  This time it's Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

At a Democrat Party fundraiser this week, Shaheen took hypocrisy to a new low.  She joked that I'm originally from Massachusetts and that the dinner's guest, Governor Deval Patrick, should take me back to the Bay State.

Jeanne's only kidding herself.  It's her record that belongs in Massachusetts!  According to the Washington Post, her voting record is almost identical to Senator John Kerry's.  If that wasn't enough, Shaheen must forget that she's from Missouri and attended school in Pennsylvania and Mississippi.  

Just as a I told the media this week: “We will continue to bring fiscal responsibility to Concord, even as [Shaheen] continues to work to bankrupt the federal budget in Congress."  

She's on the ballot in 2014, but we already know that New Hampshire doesn't want a rubber-stamp who votes like John Kerry.  Help us send a message to Jeanne Shaheen by donating $50, $25 or $10 now!

Thank you for your generous support,

Bill O'Brien
N.H. House Speaker

P.S. With your help, we can restore fiscal discipline and preserve the New Hampshire Advantage.  Donate $50, $25 or $10 today!

NH GOP - SHAHEEN'S ONLY KIDDING HERSELF: IT'S HER RECORD THAT BELONGS IN MASSACHUSETTS

Concord, NH -- In news you probably missed over the weekend, United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen spoke to her only base of support -- a group of partisan Democrats.  During her remarks, she pulled off a new round of hypocrisy by joking that House Speaker Bill O'Brien is originally from Massachusetts and that the dinner's guest, Governor Deval Patrick, should take O'Brien back to the Bay State. Shaheen, however, ignored the fact that her voting record on Capitol Hill nearly mirrors John Kerry's when it comes to loyalty to party leaders.

"Senator Shaheen took hypocrisy to a new low not only because of her roots in Missouri and Pennsylvania, but mainly because she votes as if she represents Massachusetts, one of the bluest states in the nation," said New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Wayne MacDonald.  "Her big government, tax-and-spend record does not match the fiscally conservative and independent roots of New Hampshire voters."

The Washington Post rates Sen. Shaheen's party loyalty at 94 percent, a number almost equal to United States Senator John Kerry's 97 percent.

"For New Hampshire voters, 2014 just cannot come quickly enough," NH GOP Chairman Wayne MacDonald added.  

According to Project Vote Smart and her official biography, Shaheen was born in Missouri and attended school in Pennsylvania and Mississippi. The Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire reported in 2007 that more than half of New Hampshire residents are from out of state.