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A super-early look at the 2016 N.H. GOP presidential primary
The Concord Monitor ^ | February 26, 2014

Posted on 02/27/2014 3:12:30 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Who’s likely to do well in New Hampshire’s 2016 first-in-the-nation presidential primary? It’s a preposterous question, here in 2014, but what the heck? We asked six experts to weigh in on some of the biggest political players. Our analysts are Wayne Lesperance, political science professor at New England College; Phil Boynton, president of the University of New Hampshire College Republicans; Peter Burling, Democratic national committeeman; Dante Scala, professor of political science at UNH; Jess Steever, vice president of the Plymouth State University Democrats; and Brandon Lemay, public relations officer for the PSU Democrats.

Today, our panelists consider the Republicans. Tomorrow, the Democrats.

N.H. Sen. Kelly Ayotte's chances in N.H. for 2016

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Lesperance: Speculation about Kelly Ayotte as part of a presidential ticket peaked during the 2012 election cycle when Mitt Romney reportedly considered her as a VP choice on his ticket. She has emerged as a powerful voice in the Senate and is often associated with other Senate leaders like John McCain and Lindsey Graham. While there’s no evidence she’s interested …

Former Mass. senator Scott Brown's chances in N.H. for 2016

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Lesperance: Senator, governor, president of the United States. Scott Brown’s name has been associated with a variety of offices. He has yet to declare his intent to run for any of them. Still, we cannot rule out the possibility. Brown’s is a national name. He can raise money and he has been popular with moderates and independent voters, the latter …

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush's chances in N.H. for 2016

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Lesperance: Jeb Bush is equal parts exciting and troubling here in New Hampshire. For more establishment types and moderates, Bush is an exciting candidate because he’s not from the more-to-the-right Tea Party wing of the party. Still, there is plenty of concern about the Bush brand post-George W. Bush. And others are concerned about the idea of a Bush Dynasty …

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's chances in N.H. for 2016

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Lesperance: Up until what his opponents are affectionately calling Bridgegate or Bridgenado, Chris Christie was considered a top-tier candidate for president. Now, in the aftermath of the scandal, his brand is damaged, and as long as this story remains in the news, his path to a New Hampshire primary win is less clear. Boynton: Tough, no-nonsense and a straight shooter, …

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's chances in N.H. for 2016

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Lesperance: For some, Ted Cruz is the embodiment of the spirit of John Stark’s “Live Free or Die.” In the aftermath of last year’s government shutdown, Cruz is positioning himself as the Republican willing to take on the establishment of his party and shut down the government over fiscal principles. The challenge for Cruz: That approach plays well with a …

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's chances in N.H. for 2016

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Lesperance: A dark horse candidate according to most polls, whatever excitement once existed for a Jindal candidacy seems to have waned. Still, Jindal will be in New Hampshire in March and does seem to be gearing up for a run. He’s one to watch and will benefit from the type of campaign that the New Hampshire primary is known for: …

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul's chances in N.H. for 2016

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Lesperance: Rand Paul has walked a very interesting divide someplace between his father’s populist approach and one of a more pragmatic candidate. He is loved in Tea Party circles and feared in more establishment ones. His brand of politics will play well in the Granite State, especially if he can find a way to attract younger voters to his candidacy. …

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's chances in N.H. for 2016

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Lesperance: The future of the Republican Party rests in its ability to break up the Obama coalition of Hispanics, women and young voters. Marco Rubio has been heralded as a candidate who can draw Hispanic voters back to the GOP. His efforts with immigration reform are an example of his work in support of this key constituency. Unfortunately, it’s not …

Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan's chances in N.H. for 2016

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Lesperance: New Hampshire has a long history of supporting fiscal conservatives. Yankee frugality lends itself to those who at least speak to fiscal responsibility. Paul Ryan should do well with that segment of voters. But there will need to be a second and third act to draw enough support to win the primary. Boynton: Honestly, I don’t think Paul Ryan …


TOPICS: Florida; Kentucky; Louisiana; New Hampshire; New Jersey; Texas; Wisconsin; Campaign News; Issues; Parties
KEYWORDS: 2014election; 2016; 2016election; 2016gopprimary; bobbyjindal; chrischristie; demagogicparty; election2014; election2016; florida; jebbush; kellyayotte; kentucky; louisiana; marcorubio; memebuilding; newhampshire; newjersey; partisanmediashill; partisanmediashills; paulryan; randpaul; scottbrown; tedcruz; texas; wisconsin
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To: Din Maker
I'm in KY; he'll never get my vote, Ted Cruz is my pick.

21 posted on 02/27/2014 10:18:31 AM PST by skinkinthegrass (The end move in politics is always to pick up a gun..0'Caligula / 0'Reid / 0'Pelosi)
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To: wny

It only took me a few seconds to realize that your screen name, wny, is a shortened version of “whiney”. Very appropriate.


22 posted on 02/27/2014 11:22:53 AM PST by Din Maker (If Ted Cruz gave Rand Paul one of his balls, they'd both have one.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I doubt if Christie or Jeb would pick Ayotte.

Ayotte could lose her Senate seat. Even Scott Brown could primary her from the right.


23 posted on 02/27/2014 8:15:19 PM PST by ObamahatesPACoal
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To: Din Maker

aren’t you clever.....


24 posted on 02/28/2014 4:05:19 AM PST by wny
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