Across New Hampshire, Bush faithful rally at 141 house parties

Union Leader ^ | 3/26/04 | BENJAMIN KEPPLE and DAVID LAZAR

[kattracks]

MANCHESTER — Republican faithful from around New Hampshire rallied at a total of 141 house parties in the state last night, just hours after President George W. Bush talked up tax relief and job training plans in Nashua.

The GOP said more than 2,000 people attended the get-togethers, and the network of events was billed the first such event of its kind in the nation. They served as both a morale-booster and enthusiasm-generator among Republicans: both those who have been long-time volunteers, and those who said last night’s event was their first house party.

“I thought it was a great way to get people saying ‘Where are the Bush people, where are the signs?’ to come out and see that we are moving forward, and having a grass-roots effort here,” said Denise Herman, the hostess for one Manchester house party, adding later, “It’s just the Democratic primary has taken up a lot of space and air in Manchester over the past year — and now we’re ready to roll.”

Last evening, about 20 Republicans turned out at Herman’s Sullivan Street home about half-past six for the shindig. It was a friendly and congenial atmosphere, of which the outright political part took just over an hour. About seven or so, Herman read a letter from President Bush; then some of the partygoers watched a film in Herman’s living room. In the film, audio clips from Bush’s speeches, along with Bush recounting his achievements, were set to uplifting music. Still images served as a backdrop.

“My impression is there are a lot of dedicated people here willing to work towards getting ‘W’ re-elected,” said Mike Warden, of Hollis, who said it was the first house party he had attended.

Then came the highlight of the events: a state-wide conference call held with Gov. Craig Benson and Marc Racicot, the former Montana governor who serves as national chair for the Bush-Cheney campaign. At the Herman residence, folks listened attentively in the kitchen on a speakerphone; upstairs, Herman’s neighbors opened their kitchen and set up an Internet broadcast.

Racicot told those in attendance that Bush knows it will be a house-by-house, precinct-by-precinct fight in November.

“Obviously, we know how important New Hampshire’s going to be in the election. The opposition knows it as well,” Racicot said.

In Londonderry, more than 30 teens and parents jammed every square inch of sofa, railing, church chair and floor space in Londonderry High School senior Mark Lacasse’s living room for an event he hosted with classmate Matt Henry. Most were preparing to cast their first-ever ballots this fall.

“You want to know how many conservatives are in our class . . . you’re looking at them,” joked Lacasse, proudly flashing a photo he and Henry took with the President yesterday afternoon in Nashua. “This is going to be such a close race in the fall, and this state is going to be one of the few key states in the Bush campaign. If it’s possible for us to swing one person’s vote to Bush’s side at each of these meetings, we’ve won.”

Anchored by a campaign video of the President and a short speech by state Sen. Charles Morse, R-Salem, last night’s discussion drew out the GOP red-meat issues, from terrorism to taxes, abortion rights, the economy and, of course, John Kerry.

“Do I agree with the President on everything he does? No,” said Watts Road resident Maurice Ayotte. “I have some issues with, say, his prescription drug plan, and I’m getting close to the age where I could seriously use it . . . But unlike John Kerry, he’s a man who says what he means, he’s doing his best to protect this country, and he’ll have my support.”

[not-alone]

Love the part about the high school students.

[GraniteStateConservative]

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