Posted on 11/12/2006 5:16:21 PM PST by freespirited
John McCain's New Hampshire supporters yesterday welcomed news the Arizona senator is expected to launch a Presidential exploratory committee this week.
Establishing the committee is a formal step that allows the four-term senator to raise money and travel the country as he decides whether to seek the nation's highest office.
McCain ran unsuccessfully for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2000, although he handily won the New Hampshire primary over President George W. Bush, who went on to become the GOP nominee.
Co-chair of McCain's 2000 New Hampshire Presidential primary effort, Executive Councilor Peter Spaulding, R-Hopkinton, said yesterday the exploratory committee "is a great idea. It's just exactly what the party needs at this point in time: he's a fresh face with fresh ideas who appeals to young people, independents and conservative Republicans."
With the drubbing Republicans candidates received in last week's election, McCain's candidacy should be a shot in the arm for the party, Spaulding said.
Spaulding said "(McCain has) got a great sense of humor and if there's anything we need today it's someone with a great sense of humor."
Spaulding said McCain's 2000 organization is still basically in place. "We've picked up an incredible number of people who were not McCain supporters last time or not involved and that's very encouraging," Spaulding said.
Manchester Republican Rep. Keith D. Hirschmann, who lost his bid for re-election last week, rode the Straight Talk Express with McCain during the 2000 campaign and expects to again in the next Presidential Primary.
Hirschmann said McCain's candidacy has very much been expected. "I'm looking forward to John coming back up here where he has a good following as he does nationwide," he said.
Hirschmann said he expects McCain will benefit from the fact that the Nevada caucuses have been added between Iowa and New Hampshire, adding that Arizona is right next to Nevada.
"Between New Hampshire and Nevada, John McCain will do very well," he said.
Hirschmann said a McCain candidacy would help the Republican Party on a national level, because the senator has a high profile, is a strong supporter of the war in Iraq and is a statesman.
Former state Republican Party chairman and current McCain supporter Steve Duprey of Concord said "In light of the tough election results last week it's encouraging sign to see someone like Sen. McCain step up and say 'let's start rebuilding right now.'"
While some in the Republican Party criticize Sen. McCain, Duprey said, "(McCain) is a conservative Republican with a good conservative record who has always reached out to other side to reach a compromise to get results."
McCain has tremendous experience in foreign policy and military matters which are going to be critical over the next decade, Duprey said.
Former state Republican Party chairwoman Jayne Millerick, who supports McCain, said he would be an excellent candidate for a number of reasons including his foreign policy experience.
At this time in our nation's history, he is the type of leader we need and is the person who can tackle a lot of the challenges our nation faces around the world," she said.
Millerick said McCain has shown he is someone who garners a lot of grass roots support. "His popularity here in New Hampshire can really be a benefit to our state party," she said.
In recent polls, McCain is the front-runner for the Republican Presidential nomination. Other possible Republican candidates include Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Who really cares what a tiny little puke state like New Hampshire thinks. Their only claim to fame being the first primary.
Which party?
Anybody But McCain
I would crawl over broken glass to vote for McCain if the alternative is a President Hillary coupled with a Democrat rubberstamp Congress.
OK. People who supported McCain in 2000 want him to run again. What else is new?
face it...if it comes down to supporting McCain over a Hillary win...it's McCain all the way for me. At this point I KNOW he can beat Hillary....and until someone else steps up with those credentials....
Oh for pity sakes, we might as well give the democrats ALL the seats in the houser and senate. We will NEVER go for this man. He is responsible for a lot of the damage we have had in the past 6 years. Think finance "reform", creating the "gang of 14" stopping our judges... On top of it all, he is not a stable personality. Think Nancy Reagan, just say NO.
Well this is good. It's like the first new show of the Fall TV season. It never lasts. It's too long a stretch, and he'll stumble and fall again and again. Oh, well.
I will take Newt over this egomaniac party traitor any day.
Yes, but if I was forced to vote between him or any Marxist, namely Hitlery, I would support McCain. Half a chance at saving this country is better than NONE AT ALL.
Maybe the party ought to look at the poll on FR.
You can't do that! You're supposed to hold your nose and enjoy the RINO stink! <RINO SCREECH> After all, conservatives are unelectable!! *whiiiiiiine!!* </RINO SCREECH>
Help us Iowa Republicans.
I welcome a full field of candidates, and this is not a full field. The article failed to mention that Duncan Hunter has also made known his intent to run.
Hence my tagline!
The MSM is never gonna pimp the candidates that stand a chance of winning so we gotta pimp them ourselves. =)
That's why we should put the pressure on and Draft Sanford instead. That way he'll withdrawal his support. XD
Anyhoo last I heard he hadn't said who he was endorsing. Said he wanted a chance to take a look at all the candidates.
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