Some Smith supporters not going with Sununu after primary loss

Associated Press / SFGate

[RCW2001]

HARRY R. WEBER, Associated Press Writer
Monday, September 30, 2002
©2002 Associated Press

URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2002/09/30/politics2209EDT0808.DTL

(09-30) 19:09 PDT CONCORD, N.H. (AP) --

Three weeks after U.S. Sen. Bob Smith lost the Republican primary to Rep. John E. Sununu, some of his supporters have not followed the party line, either launching write-in campaigns or throwing support to Democrat Jeanne Shaheen.

A Smith spokeswoman said Monday that the senator supported Sununu, but would not stop the write-in campaigns on his behalf.

"No, he's not going to ask these people to stop," Smith spokeswoman Lisa Harrison said. "It's not his place."

Former state Sen. Mark Hounsell is leading the most recent write-in campaign.

"We're doing it to send a message, which is, `Don't take away our champion as conservatives and then have the audacity to ask us to support the guy you used to take him out,"' Hounsell said Monday.

Gov. Shaheen appeared Monday with several former Smith supporters at a "Republicans for Shaheen" event. Shaheen, who said she shares Smith's independent streak, released a list of over 120 Republicans in the state who have endorsed her.

"This is not about what party you support," Shaheen said. "It's about doing what's right for the people of New Hampshire."

Late Monday afternoon, Sununu released a list of about six Smith supporters who are backing him. He said there is "very strong unity in the party."

One observer said the wavering support could affect the 38-year-old Sununu's campaign against Shaheen.

"It could depress turnout a little bit if Smith supporters decide to stay home, but for conservatives who favored Smith, most will probably hold their breath and vote for Sununu," said Dartmouth College government professor Dean Spiliotes.

---

On the Net:

Shaheen: www.shaheen.org

Sununu: www.teamsununu.org

©2002 Associated Press  

[hchutch]

And the true friends you speak of are not the "princple" crowd who bolts when they don't get what they want.

[Howlin]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but it helps is your "principles" are correct.

[Howlin]

Exactly!

[rightwing2]

Former state Sen. Mark Hounsell is leading the most recent write-in campaign. "We're doing it to send a message, which is, `Don't take away our champion as conservatives and then have the audacity to ask us to support the guy you used to take him out,"' Hounsell said Monday.

Amen to that. Finally someone is speaking truth to RINO power.

Late Monday afternoon, Sununu released a list of about six Smith supporters who are backing him. He said there is "very strong unity in the party."

ROTFLOL! Yeah right, Sununu. Six Smith supporters backing you statewide shows what great strides you have made towards party unity after your Commie-smear campaign against pro-life conservative GOP champion Senator Bob Smith. With that kind of GOP primary crossover appeal, there is a very good chance that this election will go to the RATS.

"It could depress turnout a little bit if Smith supporters decide to stay home, but for conservatives who favored Smith, most will probably hold their breath and vote for Sununu," said Dartmouth College government professor Dean Spiliotes.

Sununu is about the most depressing thing for a good conservative GOP turnout I have ever seen. Hold their noses more like it.

[hchutch]

Backstabbing is NEVER right.

And that is what these Smith supporters are doing. Of course, since you're working with John Warner, who's done a little backstabbing of a conservative in his own right (remember Ollie North?), I guess you think that it is okay.

And please convey to Senator Warner that atg least ONE Republican is going to be casting a write-in vote for Ollie North rather than vote for a backstabber!!

[Mudboy Slim]

"...at least ONE Republican is going to be casting a write-in vote for Ollie North!!"

Make that two Ollie North write-in votes...MUD

[rightwing2]

Backstabbing is NEVER right. And that is what these Smith supporters are doing. Of course, since you're working with John Warner, who's done a little backstabbing of a conservative in his own right (remember Ollie North?), I guess you think that it is okay. And please convey to Senator Warner that atg least ONE Republican is going to be casting a write-in vote for Ollie North rather than vote for a backstabber!!

Backstabbing is exactly what Johnny Sununu in helping the RATS defeat the greatest Christian conservative Senator that America has seen in well over a decade! Sununu is the very definition of backstabbing having engaged in one of the most negative Commie smear campaigns in American history with his accusations that Smith was a “disgrace” and an “embarrassment” to New Hampshire, which is exactly what Sununu represents with his extreme pro-terrorist and anti-US national security stands and votes. Anyway, they should seriously add the word “Sununu” as a new word to the dictionary to signify backstabbing. Obviously, with his lying attacks against Smith’s strong conservative principled stands, Sununu feels that conservatism is a “disgrace” and an “embarrassment” to America as well so the feeling is mutual.

As for Ollie North, I took it very personally when he lost, but hey Senator Warner has grown quite a bit since that ill-fated election in 1994. He isn’t going to have any trouble at all getting re-elected despite your best RINO efforts.

[Coop]

Go Smith men, send the pointy heads in DC a message!!!

This is exactly the self-centered, childish behavior I expected many Smith supporters to exhibit. Unfortunately.

[Coop]

You remind me of Bob Torricelli or Bill Clinton in your obsessive desire to ignore facts and blame everything and everyone except the actual cause of one's demise.

[rightwing2]

You remind me of Bob Torricelli or Bill Clinton in your obsessive desire to ignore facts and blame everything and everyone except the actual cause of one's demise.

No, in actuality it is my obsession with the facts and truth which moderates like you apparently find so patently offensive. I guess its too much to ask to ask the more moderate members of our party to back their incumbent Senators for re-election in this critical election which will determine Senate control and the fate of the President's agenda. I'll go ahead and tell Senator Warner that you, hchutch, and Mudboy will be voting Ollie North in November instead of our incumbent Republican Senator whose ouster you apparently support just as you did in New Hampshire. Sheesh!

[hchutch]

Sorry, but, this is no different than what Warner did to North. And Smith did a lot of that to himself by bolting from the GOP in 1999 - I remember that well, and I also remember that he is the ONLY politician who Ingrid Newkirk donated money to.

Furthermore, I, for one, will not consider voting for John Warner until the Senator apologizes to North for the backstabbing, and then proceeds to back Colonel North for an adminsitration slot, preferably replacing Geroge Tenet.

I do not like backstabbers, be they moderates like Warner, or conservatives like Smith. The fact that you are working for the backstabbing John Warner makes me believe that you consider thsi acceptable.

Well, I intend to work at taking the GOP back from those who condone backstabbing.

[hchutch]

John Warner stabbed Ollie North in the back. I cannot trust someone who does that.

[Coop]

Once again, you LIE to support your rants. What a shame. You know quite well that I did not choose either Smith or Sununu in the primary. Heck, you had no problems being my pal when I would defend Smith from unfair attacks. You also have absolutely no clue as to how I will vote in VA's Senatorial election.

If you're not on medication, I hope you soon will be.

[Mudboy Slim]

"Senator Warner has grown quite a bit since that ill-fated election in 1994. He isn’t going to have any trouble at all getting re-elected despite your best RINO efforts."

If you believe a vote for Jawn Wahnah on 5 November is anything but a full admission of yer RINOism, you is sorely mistaken!! The only way I'd Vote fer Warner again would be for him to lead the rally for Re-Impeachment of Slick Willie on the grounds that he was WRONG to vote NotGuilty on one of the two impeachment articles!!

SHEEEESH, the dude's such a RINO that even the RATS figger there's no reason to replace him...MUD

[rightwing2]

Sorry, but, this is no different than what Warner did to North. And Smith did a lot of that to himself by bolting from the GOP in 1999 - I remember that well, and I also remember that he is the ONLY politician who Ingrid Newkirk donated money to. Furthermore, I, for one, will not consider voting for John Warner until the Senator apologizes to North for the backstabbing, and then proceeds to back Colonel North for an adminsitration slot, preferably replacing Geroge Tenet.

Your’re right what Sununu did to Smith was no different than what Senator Warner did to Ollie North. FYI, Senator Warner is not about to yield to your RINO pressure to apologize for something that happened eight years ago.

I do not like backstabbers, be they moderates like Warner, or conservatives like Smith. The fact that you are working for the backstabbing John Warner makes me believe that you consider thsi acceptable.

Oh, I see you only like backstabbers if they are moderates and named John Sununu. Sorry, but you are not presenting a very coherent argument. I on the other hand believe in supporting our Senate incumbents 100% at a time when Senate control and the future of the President’s agenda is at serious issue.

Well, I intend to work at taking the GOP back from those who condone backstabbing.

Good, then maybe you can start by defeating backstabber Sununu and banishing yourself from the Republican Party.

[rightwing2]

Once again, you LIE to support your rants. What a shame. You know quite well that I did not choose either Smith or Sununu in the primary. Heck, you had no problems being my pal when I would defend Smith from unfair attacks. You also have absolutely no clue as to how I will vote in VA's Senatorial election. If you're not on medication, I hope you soon will be.

No, it is you who have lied by trying to compare a principled conservative like me to someone as dishonorable and dispacable as Bill Clinton and Toricelli who you know I have vehemently opposed all my life. In fact, with your lying rants it is you who is in urgent need of professional mental care.

[hchutch]

"Oh, I see you only like backstabbers if they are moderates and named John Sununu."

Have you read my condemnations of the MODERATE John Warner?

"Senator Warner is not about to yield to your RINO pressure to apologize for something that happened eight years ago."

Get this striaght, I'm a conservative, who backed a conservative that was stabbed in the back by John Warner. No apology from Warner to me and other Ollie North supporters, no vote from me for Warner.

"Good, then maybe you can start by defeating backstabber Sununu and banishing yourself from the Republican Party."

Sununu challenged Bob Smith in a primary - that was something he had a legitimate right to do, particularly in light of Smith bolting from the GOP in 1999. Primaries are not just for open seats.

I am talking about the backstabbing of a Republican nominee, something that John Warner is intimately familiar with, having done it on one occasion. In this case, you're saying it's okay to stab a Republican nominee in the back because he is a "moderate."

I have never bought double standards before, and I will not begin to do so now. You ask for one - defending a backstabber, then alleging a backstabbing by another one. I do not buy that, and I will NOT vote for Warner barring the apology I and every other Republican who voted for Ollie North have EVERY right to demand. Others might let it slide - NOT ME.

[Coop]

Ahhh, I see. The "I'm rubber, you're glue" response.

I do hope you have a low co-payment for prescriptions.

[Mudboy Slim]

"I intend to work at taking the GOP back from those who condone backstabbing."

It may take another six years, but let every Ollie North vote be a warning to BigBadJawn...Warner Shall Be Retired From Politics in 2008!!!

FReegards...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

"I am talking about the backstabbing of a Republican nominee, something that John Warner is intimately familiar with, having done it on [more than] one occasion."

Let's not forget Michael Farris for Lt. Gov. and of course, Mr. Obenshain.

MUD