John Clayton For Governor?

In the process of checking out the erroneous rumor begun on WGIR Radio that Ted Gatsas was going to announce his candidacy for Governor at yesterday's Manchester Chamber of Commerce breakfast, I came across an even more delicious rumor.

Keep in mind that this is only a rumor and although the source didn't ask me to remain anonymous until after he'd released the gem (a journalistic no-no), I'll honor the request and merely note that he (yes, it's a he) is a very credible source.  (For what it's worth, our conversation occurred on a famous stairwell).

Enough on the source.

On to the rumor which I don't beleive for a minute but will pass on nonetheless.  After all, if it turns out to be true, you'll always remember  where you read it first.

Popular (with readers apparently but not with me--I've never read a single paragraph he's penned in lo those many years) Union Leader columnist John Clayton is considering a run for governor.

This can't be true, I told my source.  His column deals in pablum, not real news (not that there's anything wrong with pablum).  Besides, what party's nomination would he seek, I asked my source.

He's a Democrat, I was told.  I suppose I could check registrations at city hall; I believe he lives in ward two.  I seem to recall running into him in that ward when I going door to door while running for alderman at large way back in 1997; and I believe I've seen him voting there since then (I handled voter registration for several years in ward two).

You may recall that last month I noted Manchester ward two is typical of the state as a whole.  It's the home of Mayor Ted Gatsas, Secretary of State Bill Garnder, Union Leader reporter Mark Hayward, the venerable Walter Stiles and other luminaries including gubernatorial wannabe John Clayton.

I don't believe it my own rumor, but hey, some rumors are just too good to pass up.  After all, this is only a blog, not a "legitimate" news source. 

Hmm, Gatsas vs. Clayton come next November, ward two vs. ward two.

No, Mayor Gatsas is not the source of this rumor. 

As for Gatsas running for governor, I continue to insist the decision has already been made.  It's a go.  Only the announcement date remains in doubt.  I'm predicting the Ides of March.  That's my story and I'm sticking with it.  For those unfamiliar with Caesar's demise, that would be March 15, in time for Mayor Gatsas to complete his city budget and not too late to heat the race up to the degree it deserves.  What poetic justice--the Gatsas rise begins the same day Caesar fell!

By the way, if you've heard the rumor that I will not be running for State Rep again because I've accepted the position as press secretarty for the next governor, keep it to yourself.

Comments

[Rep Steve Vaillancourt]

When I broke this little gem on my TV show taping today, the producer informed me that Clayton no longer writers for the Union Leader, that he's become a lobbyist/executive witht he state hospital association. That would explain the trial balloon of him running for governor. Cdog, you should have taken me to task for this. Goes to show how I neither read the Union Leader (except the press clips) nor listen to lobbyists.
Also fascinating that apparently the only way a Union Leader hack can get out William Loeb Drive alive is to become a hack lobbyist, Clayton and the vile Fahey!!

[C. dog]

Sorry. This factoid slipped my memory recall machine, probably the result of my utter lack of enthusiasm for a Clayton candidacy. Admittedly, I also have lost all hope of the NH Onion Leader presenting anything close to a pro-liberty point of view, which is why I hang out here so much.

These moderates just seem to morph seamlessly into one form or another as the mush is squeezed through the Grate Extruder. Why can't New Hampshire have a guy/gal like the Good Dr. Paul run for the big seat in Concord? Now that I could get excited about!
– C. dog