I doubt it with Shaheen. She cannot even answer a question, won't let people into her meetings and needs a human 'sheild' with her at all times.

When asked if she supported the right of unions to take away secret ballots, she answered that it was about having a union. That was not even an appropriate answer and a dodge. She was the worst governor NH ever had and thus her days are numbered as a candidate as well.

Posted by: NH | Jul 17, 2008 10:39:47 PM

Shaheen was our worst governor, broke her no tax pledge and is a pathological liar.

Anybody but Shaheen!

Endangered also is the Lynch governor...who all he cares about is raising taxes and gay marriage and abortions for 11 year olds.

He's a goner too.

Posted by: NH | Jul 17, 2008 10:41:15 PM

SHAHEEN’S CAMPAIGN SCHEME:
REFUSE TO TAKE A STAND ON THE ISSUES

Candidate Continually Declines to Take Positions

CONCORD – The Nashua Telegraph recently reported on Jeanne Shaheen’s campaign strategy of avoiding taking positions on major policy issues, noting that she is short on specifics, never veering too far from the talking points fed to her.

During her campaign for U.S. Senate, Shaheen has already refused to offer specific details on major issues and has rebuffed requests from the media to provide opinions on recent national security legislation and a landmark Supreme Court case. New Hampshire voters are also waiting for her to explain why she has refused to support legislation that will increase funding for the state’s acute care hospitals by over $20 million per year.

“Jeanne Shaheen’s decision to duck many of the major issues in this campaign shows her complete lack of political courage and inability to make any statements beyond her standard talking points issued by Washington insiders,” said New Hampshire GOP Chairman Fergus Cullen.

“Her unwillingness to answer simple questions about her positions reminds Granite Staters of the mediocrity and failed leadership that epitomized her six years in the corner office. It’s no surprise that Jeanne Shaheen wants to avoid a discussion on the issues given her history of election year flip-flops and her legacy of increased spending and higher taxes,” said Cullen.

Jeanne Shaheen Has Refused To Take Positions On Major Policy Issues:

The Nashua Telegraph: "[T]his is the posture Shaheen will take for as long as she can: Keep her own specifics to a minimum, except on those issues she believes are in her favor…In the meantime, the mantra is to keep this campaign in full metal jacket, attack mode against the incumbent… She tipped that strategy quite clearly during a Concord Monitor editorial board meeting late last month." ("State House Watch: Three Bills Waiting For Action” The Nashua Telegraph, 7/13/08)

The Eagle Tribune Reports That Jeanne Shaheen Failed To Take A Position On The Recent Supreme Court Ruling Affirming Second Amendment Rights: "U.S. Sen. John Sununu's office released a statement saying the Supreme Court ruling got ‘it right.’ Former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen did not return calls asking for a comment." ("N.H. residents, GOP politicians applaud high court gun ruling," The Eagle Tribune, 6/27/08)

The Keene Sentinel Also Reports That Shaheen Also Refused To Comment On The Ruling: "New Hampshire’s Washington delegation was nearly unanimous in its delight. Republican U.S. Senator Judd Gregg said the ruling was ‘a historic moment,’ adding, ‘I applaud the court’s ruling.’ Republican U.S. Senator John Sununu said the ruling ‘gets it right.’ All the candidates we heard from applauded the decision. We didn’t hear from Governor John Lynch or Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen, however.” (Editorial, "Firearm Clarity?," The Keene Sentinel, 6/30/08)

Jeanne Shaheen Refused To Say If She Would Vote For Or Against The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) According To The Nashua Telegraph: "Presidential candidate Obama is still stuck in some hot water with his liberal base for voting to support the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act legislation that gives retroactive immunity to telecommunication companies that cooperated in the wiretapping President Bush approved after the Sept. 11 attacks…So how would [Jeanne Shaheen] have voted? We’re still waiting for an answer to that question, posed Thursday afternoon." ("State House Watch: Three Bills Waiting For Action” The Nashua Telegraph, 7/13/08)

Posted by: NH | Jul 17, 2008 10:56:18 PM

The Franken-Coleman race is exciting in Minnesota. Al Franken has worked hard for the Democrats for many years. He has won our hearts. We can't wait to call him Senator!

Posted by: Randi Reitan | Jul 18, 2008 12:11:13 AM

It's crucial not to forget Rick Noriega in Texas.

http://acropolisreview.com/2008/06/2008-democratic-senate-candidate-races.html

Posted by: Sebastian | Jul 18, 2008 3:26:45 AM

In Minnesota, the question is: will Anybody-But-Coleman beat Coleman ?

Franken is an extremely flawed candidate … yes, the jokes and Playboy article did not help with his tax payment problems putting him on the defensive. His campaign has been horrible thus far … his first TV commercials were good with his old grade school teacher, but in his latest, he is charging that nameless ex-Congressmen-turned-lobbyists as a major issue … not gas prices, not foreclosures, not healthcare, not GWOT … it’s the wrong issue to highlight. Using the TV analogy, Franken is the second banana that is being given this own show and is failing. Franken was great in Minnesota for years in being able to help down-ballot candidates … appearing in events and raising money … that endeared him to the party insiders, but his general public image is not good.

Coleman is a pure politician … he will respond to however the wind blows. When he saw problems moving up the political chain because who was ahead of him in the party, he became a Republican. He won the Senate race after Paul Wellstone’s Memorial Service diabolical. He thought the Hardcore Republican image would give him the national spotlight he wanted, so that’s what he became. As the 2006 elections were developing, he read the landscape and started switching to more moderate positions and since the Dems took over, he has been able to hide behind the 60-Vote cloture votes to side with the Dems on a lot of issues knowing that the Republicans would always keep it below 60.

Calling Jesse Ventura’s Governor election was not hard … nor Congressman Tim Walz’s unseating a 10-year Republican incumbent … nor current Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty’s two narrow wins … they all won because of they completed against flawed candidates.

Franken doesn’t need Obama … he needs Hillary Clinton. He has to get women behind him and they are angry about the Playboy stuff.

Minnesota is an important state for the GOP … besides Coleman they have three seats that will be competitive … Bachmann, Kline and the retiring Ramstad. There will be a lot of 527 money coming our way … and Franken is not going to help the situation. If the state party was smart, they would have convinced Congresswoman Betty McCollum to run against Coleman and it would be all over already.

BTW, the poll that you cited is the only poll that has Franken winning … most have him down … some in double digits. Right now, in my view, Coleman will win by 8 points. Although Ventura is not running, Dean Barkley will most likely represent the Independence Party. Barkley replaced Wellstone and has some statewide name recognition … he will steal votes from both candidates. FYI : the strength of the Independence Party’s Governors candidates in the past two elections took votes away from the Dems giving Pawlenty the victory.

And then, it will be Norm Coleman’s turn to move the spotlight from focusing on the Senate to launching his 2012 Presidential campaign … he will be a twice-elected Republican Senator from a Blue State and not up for election until 2014. That’s how important it is that Franken get his message focused on the issues that matter (but first he has a September primary to win.)

Posted by: Minnesota Central | Jul 18, 2008 8:25:52 AM