Mike Huckabee Book Tour Schedule

On Monday, Mike Huckabee will kick-off a 12-state book tour to promote his latest literary masterpiece: A Simple Government: Twelve Things We Really Need From Washington (and a Trillion That We Don't!). Notably absent from the list of stops: New Hampshire. Don't worry. The Mike Huckabee for President 2012 train has not derailed. Huckabee will make stops in the key early voting states of Florida, Iowa, and South Carolina.

Huckabee - A Simple Government Book Tour Schedule

Ron Paul Returns to New Hampshire March 25, 2011

The newly formed Dover Republican Committee has arranged for Congressman Ron Paul to be their guest speaker at their inaugural Lincoln-Reagan dinner on March 25th. This will be Congressman Paul’s first visit to New Hampshire of the 2011-2012 election cycle. The Texas Congressman is widely assumed to be contemplating another run for President, and has a considerable base of support in New Hampshire from four years ago. Paul was the second place finisher of the WMUR straw poll at the Republican Annual Meeting, and enjoys support among both TEA Party Republicans and Independents.

“We’re thrilled the Congressman chose to attend as our special guest,” said Chris Buck, Chairman of the Dover Republican Committee. “Congressman Paul has a history of advancing innovative ideas about the role of government, and we are looking forward to hearing what he has to say. This is a big deal for Dover Republicans.”

NH GOP Chairman Jack Kimball (himself a Dover resident) will also speak, and will take the opportunity to welcome the potential presidential candidate to New Hampshire.

The event is expected to draw attendees from across New Hampshire, and likely Maine and Massachusetts as well. To accommodate all the guests, the Dover GOP decided to hold the event at The Hellenic Center on Long Hill Road in Dover.

“We looked at what the Dover Chamber did for their meeting as a template,” says Buck. “The feedback on that event was universally positive.” Bon Ami Catering will cater the dinner, and tickets cost $60.

More information is available at www.DoverGOP.org. Click here to buy tickets here.

Gary Johnson in Manchester, NH this Friday and Saturday

As the early stages of the 2012 election get underway here in the Granite State, come share a pint with former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson at Murphy's Taproom in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire:

When: 

Friday, February 25, 2011 from 8:00 to 9:30 PM

AND

Saturday, February 26, 2011 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Where: 

Murphy's Taproom
494 Elm St.
Manchester, NH 03101

The conversation is sure to be interesting. Potential conversation points:

• Gary Johnson for President 2012?
• Legalizing pot
• Ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

Supporters are hoping that Gary Johnson will wage a Ron Paul style revolution within the Republican Party in 2012. His decision to run may hinge on Paul's own plans for next year's election. The Texas Congressman is rumored to be thinking about making a third run for president in 2012. 

Gary Johnson at UNH this Wednesday

Former New Mexico Governor and possible 2012 GOP presidential candidate Gary Johnson will be at the University of New Hampshire in Durham tomorrow (Wednesday, February 23, 2011). Johnson will be discussing his decidedly Libertarian vision for America, which includes auditing the Federal reserve, legalizing marijuana, and ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There's sure to be something about the Constitution thrown in there for good measure as well.

The event kicks off at 6:00 PM in Room 336 of the Memorial Union Building and is being hosted by the Young Americans for Liberty at UNH.

Update: 


Excellent coverage of this event by The New Hampshire:

No excuses offered from presidential candidate during visit - Faris Al-Hashmi

Presidential candidate Andy Martin in NH today

Andy Martin, the only Republican who has officially announced his candidacy for president in 2012, will be in New Hampshire today to open a "fighting camp" to "take down the Republican Party lynch mob" in a "Chicago style 'bloodbath'", according to a press release posted on his blog. The target of his rage? New Hampshire GOP Chairman  Jack Kimball, who, in a recent statement, distanced his party from Martin's candidacy:

“At the time that the Contoocoock Valley Republicans invited Mr. Martin to address their organization, they were unaware of his past statements regarding Judaism.  Mr. Martin’s virulent, anti-Semitic views do not reflect the values of the Republican Party and they are abhorrent to all decent people.
 
"As Republicans we are the party of Lincoln, the party of Reagan.  We have always stood and fought for freedom and liberty for all people and we embrace the free exchange of ideas and differing political philosophy.  However, as decent human beings, and as Republicans, we all draw the line when it comes to hate.   As such, the CVR Chairman, JP Marzullo, and I have agreed that it would be inappropriate for Mr. Martin to address their organization and he has been notified accordingly.
 
"As defenders of freedom and individual liberty, the Republican Party will always stand with the Jewish people when it comes to combating anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric.  I want to be very clear - both as Chairman of the NHGOP and as an American, I fully reject Mr. Martin's statements in this regard.”

Andy Martin was originally scheduled to address a meeting of the Contoocoock Valley Republicans tonight, but the event has been removed from the New Hampshire Republican Party's official online calendar. He's trying to put together a last minute press conference in Manchester, where he'll respond to Kimball's accusations. When? 4:00 PM today. Where? Who knows. One thing is for sure - the 2012 New Hampshire Primary just got crazy.

If you are in the mood for a good laugh - or a good scare - take a look at the official press release from Andy for President: 

Andy Martin gets ready to “take down” the “Republican Party lynch mob” in New Hampshire

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Republican Party Presidential Candidate and conservative columnist Andy Martin, who fought organized crime in Chicago and sent Crime Syndicate hoodlums to federal prison, will turn his guns on the “Republican Party lynch mob” that smeared his candidacy. Martin launches a Chicago-style “bloodbath” against Jack Kimball & Co. that could cost New Hampshire the “First Primary.” “Revenge is a dish best served cold, New Hampshirecold,” Andy says.

“Presidents’ Day, join the New Ronald Reagan Revolution”

NEWS FROM:

ANDY MARTIN /2012

“The Right Republican” for President of the United States

www.AndyMartinforPresident.com

E-mail: Andy@AndyMartinforPresident.com

Campaign mail:

P. O. Box 1851

New York, NY 10150-1851

Tel. (866) 706-2639

Blogs:

www.AndyforPresident.blogspot.com

www.AndyforPresident.wordpress.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ATTENTION NEW HAMPSHIRE DAYBOOK/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

Republican Presidential Candidate Andy Martin holds a Manchester news conference today, Monday February 21st to announce he is going to “take down the Republican Party lynch mob in New Hampshire” that smeared his candidacy.

Martin will open a “fighting camp” in Manchester as he takes measure of the clowns that attacked his candidacy with lies and distortions.

“I aim to teach Jack Kimball and his girls a lesson they won’t soon forget,” Andy says. Martin will announce the “New Ronald Reagan Revolution” in a New Hampshire speech later in the evening on Presidents’ Day. Andy will explain how Reagan had a profound influence on Andy’s life as a corruption-fighter in Illinois.

Andy is the only officially-announced Republican presidential candidate.

(MANCHESTER)(February 21, 2011) Republican Presidential Candidate Andy Martin holds a Manchester news conference today, Monday February 21st at 4:00 P.M. to respond to the “Republican Party lynch mob” behavior of Jack Kimball and his associates. At 7:30 P.M. Martin will deliver an address, the “New Ronald Reagan Revolution.”

Martin will tell the news conference that he intends to “make Kimball pay for his abusive behavior and groundless attacks.” Later in the week Martin will file suit again the whole cast of clowns, from the radical lesbian rabbi to the incompetent Republican state chairman.

“Before Jack Kimball preens about what a good Christian he is, maybe he should learn some Christianity and some manners,” Andy says. “Kimball’s behavior is going to have consequences when I extract my payback nationally. Kimball and his girls smeared me on their web site without even calling me as a courtesy, or giving me an opportunity to respond. What kind of manners are those? Kimball & Co. may be ready for New Hampshire, but they are obviously not ready to handle a national platform; they are not ready for prime-time. Maybe Michelle Bachmann can help them raise money to pay their lawyers.

“I’ll tell you what an incompetent clown Kimball is. I tried to fax him my letter to the fax number they list. It isn’t working. They are such incompetents they turn off the fax machine.

“I have an unblemished record of forty-five years of public service, fighting corruption, standing up for the little guy. And guess what? When you fight big time corruption, whether in politics or the courts, you make enemies, not friends. The ‘system’ likes things just the way they are. Maybe they don’t realize that in the backwaters, Mr. Kimball.

“As soon as our ‘fighting camp’ is set up we’ll issue an email with the address so people can attend my news conference and speech if they wish (and hopefully liberals will picket and demonstrate against me).

“Later in the week my lawsuit against Kimball and his ‘rabbi’ will lay out the facts and the truth. The judges who were involved in that pissing contest thirty years ago paid a high price. Both I and the civil liberties lawyers who represented me at the time blocked one appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court (José ‘Cocaine’ Cabranes), and I blocked a second one alone (Jon O. Newman). The FBI took a look at what the crooks had done to me and said ‘uhuh,’ these guys are not Supreme Court material. That's how Boston's Stephen Breyer got the nod. ‘Cocaine Cabranes’ was probably high in court every day. He's not riding so high now; I destroyed his judicial career. And because I shot down two Supreme Court appointments they still hate me. 'Who loves ya baby?'

“Barack Obama is afraid of me because he knows only I have the Chicago-style bare knuckles fighting experience to defeat him in 2012. The other Republican presidential candidates are all nice people but they are complete patsies. They are CPAC rejects. I’m a real Chicago-style fighter and I aim to spar a few rounds with my new enemies in New Hampshire. We’ll see what the voters decide when I expose Kimball’s lies and when they learn about my record of fighting corruption and helping send crooked lawyers and judges to federal prison (please see www.AndyMartin.com).

“Kimball has just hours to make amends and settle with me. My legal team is already rolling, studying New Hampshire law. Once the battle starts, I fight Chicago-style. Just ask Obama what I have done to him; I have made Obama’s life miserable for the past seven years. My research and writing turned 100 million Americans into ‘doubters’ about who Obama really is. And Kimball wants to fight with me? We’ll send the radical rabbi back to New Jerseywhere she belongs. Kimball and his cronies are a disgrace to conservatives and the Tea Party.

“Last year I exposed closeted homosexual Senator Mark Kirk, and exposed he was a military fraud. All of my accusations against Kirk were completely confirmed by gay activists and the Pentagon. We almost nailed Kirk. We'll get him next time. We have his gay bars staked out. I am getting ready to embarrass Kirk again in a few days. I'm not through with the Kirkster.

“Tea Party people want to fight corruption. I have a 45 year track record of fighting corruption. ‘Who loves ya baby?’ Kimball wants to play with the big boys? I’ll give him a Chicago-style beating he won’t soon forget.

“Kimball may fumble away the ‘first primary’ in his scuffle with me. If I were Kimball I would be meeting with his lawyers. He’s gonna need a lot of them,” Martin will say at his news conference. “Next week I will be in Florida, encouraging them to take on New Hampshire for the ‘first primary:’

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/49720.html

“Once the first primary leaves New Hampshire it’s never coming back, Mr. Kimball.

“I took on organized crime in Chicago and helped send Crime Syndicate goombas to federal prison. They sent a hit man after me and missed. I lit the match that resulted in the wildfire of Operation Greylord. And Kimball wants to fight with me? He doesn’t know what he’s in for. The Chicago-style beatdown is going to teach Kimball’s lynch mob a lesson they won’t soon forget. Who knows, I might even win the primary as a result. They smeared Pat Buchanan with the same garbage and Pat won,” Andy will state at his news conference.

FEBRUARY 21ST MANCHESTER NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:

WHO:

Republican Party Presidential Candidate Andy Martin

WHAT:

Republican Presidential Candidate Andy Martin holds two (2) events, a 4:00 P.M. news conference and a 7:30 P.M. Presidents’ Day speech. Martin will slam the “Republican Party lynch mob” that attacked him. Andy is America’s most experienced political and judicial corruption fighter and the man Barack Obama fears most as the 2012 Republican presidential candidate.

WHERE:

To be announced

WHEN:

Monday, February 21st, 2011

News conference: 4:00 P.M.

Speech: 7:30 P.M.

Gary Johnson in New Hampshire this week

Former New Mexico Governor and potential 2012 GOP presidential candidate Gary Johnson will visit New Hampshire for the sixth time from February 23-26, 2011. A Republican with Libertarian leanings, Johnson is already generating a lot of buzz among voters who supported Ron Paul in 2012. He'll make stops in Concord, Durham, Keene, Manchester and Rindge.

Johnson will join NH GOP Chairman Jack Kimball for a reception with the New Hampshire Republican Volunteer Coalition at Murphy's Taproom on Elm St. in Manchester on Saturday, February 26. The event is slated to kick off at 11:00 AM.

Florida's January 31 Primary Date

The battle to host the first-in-the nation presidential primary in 2012 is heating up. Florida is currently scheduled to hold its primary on January 31, about two weeks before New Hampshire's February 14 primary date. If Republicans in the Sunshine State get their way, presidential candidates could spend the next year working on their tans and sipping fresh squeezed orange juice, far removed from the Granite State's snow covered hills.

Braving the New England cold has become a right of passage for presidential candidates, a tradition that NH Secretary of State William Gardner is not about to give up without a fight. If Florida commits to a January 31 primary date, look for Gardner to move New Hampshire's primary back to January as well. Granite State voters could be facing another year of non-stop campaigning, with no break for the winter holidays. Instead of baking cookies for Santa Claus, we'll be serving up hot cocoa to door-knockers hoping to win last minute votes for their candidates. Its a sacrifice the citizens of the Live Free or Die State are ready to make. 

Florida, you may succeed in stealing our seniors away every winter, but you will never take away our first-in-the nation presidential primary. 

Fred Karger Interview on Gay Marriage, Student Voting Rights

I caught up with openly gay Republican presidential hopeful Fred Karger outside Breaking New Grounds in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire earlier today. We talked about yesterday's gay marriage repeal hearing at the State House in Concord, where the longtime GOP operative testified in support of same sex marriage. Fred also told me about his recent trip to Hanover, where he rallied with Dartmouth College Democrats, Libertarians, and Republicans in unified show of opposition to NH House Bill 176. That bill would effectively ban many college students from voting in their college towns.

Gay Marriage Repeal Hearing Video Highlights

Yesterday, the Judiciary Committee of the New Hampshire House of Representatives held hearings on HB 437 and 443, two bills aimed at repealing the state's same sex marriage law. The hearings put the issue of gay marriage in the spotlight just one year before the Granite State's first-in-the-nation presidential primary.

Here are some video highlights from the first 3-4 hours of the hearing:

Early in the day, former State Rep Mo Baxley, now Executive Director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, notes that gay marriage supporters outnumber opponents 540-45.



Gay marriage supporters respond with cheering and applause as a committee member puts
Republican State Rep David Bates, a sponsor of HB 437, on the spot with a tough question about minority rights.



A Republican State Rep makes some rather strange remarks about gay marriage and polygamy in Canada, evoking a response from supporters of same sex marriage. 

Gay Marriage Repeal Hearing Live Blog

They just opened the doors to Representatives Hall at the State House, where the Judiciary Committee of the New Hampshire House of Representatives is set to hear testimony on two bills - HB 437 and 443 - aimed at repealing New Hampshire's gay marriage law. Republican lawmakers will face opposition to the repeal from within their own party when openly gay presidential hopeful Fred Karger, a longtime GOP operative, takes to the mike to voice his opposition to both bills. Stay tuned for more updates and video live from the Granite State.

Update: 10:30 AM

Full house here at the State House in Concord, with the vast majority of the crowd wearing red, signifying their opposition to Republican sponsored bills aimed at repealing New Hampshire's gay marriage law. Major show of strength for gay marriage supporters just one year before the state's first-in-the nation GOP presidential primary:



Update:


Chairman of the Judiciary Committee just announced this hearing will continue to the "wee hours of the morning" if necessary, evoking an outburst of applause from the decidedly pro-gay marriage audience.  Given the number of people here to testify, he might be right. The Chairman also asked for civility, noting that marriage itself is proof that good people can disagree and still get along.

Update 11:15 AM


The sponsors of HB 437 and 443 just made the case for their respective bills. Representative David Bates (R-Windham), the sponsor of HB 437, asked the committee to  put his bill on retainer until next year. Gay marriage supporters erupted in applause when one committee member asked Bates to comment on the role the law should play in protecting minority rights.

Update 11:22 AM


Differing points of view on religion and the definition of marriage as state Reps and Senators (past and present) testify first at the gay marriage repeal hearing in Concord.

Update 11:30 AM


A third bill, HB 569, is also up for discussion today's hearing. The bill's Republican sponsors seem to want to take the definition of marriage out of government's hands. They advocate for making domestic unions the sole means for regulating relationships between individuals, regardless of gender. I suggest reading the text of the bill to learn more.

Update 11:45 AM


Craig Stowell, a Republican ex-marine from Claremont, just broke down in tears as he testified against repealing gay marriage in New Hampshire. His brother is gay. Struggling to control his emotions, Stowell told the committee that no one has the right to tell his brother who he can and can't marry. Naturally, I forgot to hit the record button on my Flip cam before he took the mike.

Update 11:55 AM


Kevin Smith, Director of Cornerstone Action, is testifying in favor of repealing New Hampshire's gay marriage law. He's arguing that homosexual relationships do not produce children. Now he's refusing to take questions from the committee, resulting in a chorus of boos from gay marriage supporters.

Update 12:45 PM


Internet at the State House is intolerably slow today, making it hard to both post video in close to real time and provide regular updates on the proceedings. In the interest of capturing as much video of the testimony as I can, I'll be focusing on collecting footage and posting it later, but will post text updates from time to time. Too much testimony too cover it all!

The past hour of testimony has seen a surprising number of clergy/pastors standing up to support gay marriage in New Hampshire.

Update 1:06 PM 


Just saw Governor John Lynch in the hallway outside Representatives Hall, where testimony on legislation to repeal New Hampshire's gay marriage law continues. Will he testify today? No sign of the governor in the room yet.

Update 1:34 PM

I've recorded so much testimony that the old Flip cam has kicked the can! Meanwhile, an opponent of gay marriage just quoted Mitt Romney in her testimony.

Update 2:33 PM


Had to exit hearing early, with many hours left of testimony remaining. Will be posting video highlights from the first 4 hours ASAP. Tons of great footage. Stay tuned!

Spotlight on Gay Marriage Repeal

I just arrived in downtown Concord, where the Judiciary Committee of the New Hampshire House of Representatives is scheduled to hold hearings on two bills aimed at repealing the state's gay marriage law starting at 10:30 AM today. With the early stages of New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary already under way, the timing of the repeal could prove awkward for Republican Party.

House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt, who's sponsored one of the bills, wants to push the repeal off until next year. He's probably hoping the delay will make gay marriage a non-issue in the 2012 New Hampshire primary. Sponsors of the second bill don't want to wait. They are expected to push for a vote on repealing gay marriage this year at today's hearing.

There are early signs that gay and lesbian Republicans won't be giving their party a free pass on core gay rights issues like same sex marriage and Don't Ask Don't Tell in 2012. Openly gay GOP presidential hopeful Fred Karger is making his 12th trip to New Hampshire this week. Karger wants to make gay marriage the law of the land, a position that puts him at odds with the Republican Party establishment. He plans to testify against both gay marriage repeal bills at today's committee hearing in Concord. Last week, the Log Cabin Republicans took an early shot at Tim Pawlenty after he threatened to reinstate Don't Ask Don't Tell.

Internal strife over the issue of gay marriage could make things interesting for Republican presidential candidates as they seek to hit the ground running in the Granite State. Candidates who publicly oppose same sex marriage could already face protest from local progressives. The last thing they need is dissent from within their own party.

I'll be posting live reports from Concord today as gay marriage repeal hearings get underway at the State House. Stay tuned!

Presidential Candidates Visits to New Hampshire for March 2011

Here is a sneak preview of the potential Republican presidential candidates who will be visiting New Hampshire in March:

Michele Bachmann:


The Tea Party Congresswoman is scheduled to visit New Hampshire in March:

March 11: NH GOP VIP Reception with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann 

March 12: NH GOP Brunch with Congresswoman Bachmann


Herman Cain:


Herman Cain will return to the Granite State on March 11 for the Hillsborough County Republican Committee's Lincoln-Reagan Gala in Nashua.

Newt Gingrich:


If memory serves right, the last time Newt Gingrich visited New Hampshire was way back in January of 2010, when he spoke at a social media conference for conservative activists. The former House Speaker be playing a decidedly different role when he appears as a special guest at the Wild Irish Breakfast in Nashua on March 17.

Rudy Giuliani


The former Mayor of New York City will be the special guest at the Manchester Republican Committee's Lincoln-Reagan Dinner on March 18.

Ron Paul


The Texas Congressman will be the guest speaker at the Dover Republican Committee's Inaugural Lincoln-Reagan Dinner on March 25.

Mitt Romney:


This is the big one. On March 5, Mitt Romney will be the guest speaker at the Carroll County Republican Committee's Lincoln Day Day Dinner in Bartlett, NH. Could the former Massachusetts governor be planning a big announcement for the first week of March?

Rick Santorum


It may not be paying off in the polls just yet, but Rick Santorum has been spending a lot of time in New Hampshire of late. He's scheduled to be the featured speaker at the Strafford County Republican Committee's Lincoln/Reagan Dinner Fundraiser in Durham
on March 11.

Fred Karger to testify on gay marriage repeal

Tomorrow morning, Republican presidential hopeful Fred Karger will be at the State House in Concord to testify on HB 437 and HB 443, two bills aimed at banning gay marriage in New Hampshire. Karger, who hopes to become the first openly gay candidate to run for President of the United States, launched a presidential exploratory committee back in April of 2010. Since then, he's probably spent more time in New Hampshire than any other contender for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. This will be his 12th visit to the Granite State.

Gay marriage became legal in New Hampshire just last year and tomorrow's hearings will mark the start of a long journey that could end in repeal. NH House Majority Leader D. J. Bettencourt (R-Salem) has indicated that he'd prefer to wait till next year to take up the issue, but opponents of gay marriage are eager to start the process. 

As the early stages of 2012 election get under way here in New Hampshire, an interesting debate about gay rights is playing out within the Republican Party. Just last week, the Log Cabin Republicans issued a statement condemning Tim Pawlenty's call to restore Don't Ask Don't Tell. It's too early to tell what kind of role these gay rights activists will play within GOP as 2012 approaches, but if Fred Karger gets his way they certainly won't be silent. 

WMUR Granite State Poll: Mitt Romney Early Frontrunner in NH

With one year remaining before New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary, a new poll shows former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney continuing to enjoy his status as the early frontrunner here. Jumping into second place in the latest WMUR Granite State Poll: Rudy Giuliani. Here's how the numbers broke down:

Mitt Romney 40%

Rudy Giuliani 10%

Tim Pawlenty 7%

Mike Huckabee 7%

Newt Gingrich 6%

Sarah Palin 6%

Ron Paul 6%

Donald Trump 3%

Rick Santorum 1%

Haley Barbour 1%

The poll was conducted by the UNH Survey Center and has a margin of error of 3.5%.

With CPAC 2011 Over, Time To Pay Attention To New Hampshire

Last week, the national media focused its evil eye on Washington, fixated on the political dramas playing out at the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference. Ron Paul won the 2011 CPAC Straw Paul for the second year in a row. Donald Trump was both booed and cheered for his headline grabbing quote, "Ron Paul cannot get elected, I'm sorry." And voters got an early preview of the would-be Republican presidential candidates who may compete in the 2012 election.

Meanwhile, this blogger suffered through feelings of inadequacy as the spotlight temporarily turned away from New Hampshire. We here in the First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary State did our best to compete with CPAC 2011, hosting two - count 'em two - potential candidates for presidents over the weekend: Rick Santorum and Herman Cain. On Monday, local ABC affiliate WMUR made viewers take a night off from Fitz Weatherby and NH Chronicle so it could air "Commitment 2012 Kickoff", a special reminding voters that the 2012 New Hampshire Primary is just a year away. Andy Smith and the UNH Survey Center even released the umpteenth poll showing Mitt Romney as the "early frontrunner" here in the Granite State.

Voters in other states may look upon New Hampshire's ritual hosting of the First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary with wonder, asking themselves, "Why does such a small, insignificant state deserve to play such a critical role in choosing the president every four years?" A little perspective:

1. Daniel Webster (pictured on left) - Though somehow overlooked by Stephen Vincent Benet in The Devil and Daniel Webster, legend holds the legendary New Hampshire statesman won his home state's  right to host the First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary during his epic battle of words with Old Scratch.

2. Live Free Or Die - As home to the nation's greatest state motto, New Hampshire has set itself apart from the other 49 states. This memorable quote is attributed to local Revolutionary War hero General John Stark, who they say single handedly won America's freedom at the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Battle of Bennington. NH Secretary of State Bill Gardner is said to summon the spirit of General Stark and his loyal army of ghost militiamen any time a threat to to the state's First-In-The-Nation status arises.

3. Free State Project - We had the Tea Party before it was the Tea Party. Often overlooked as a fringe group of outsiders, this dedicated band of Libertarians has been making politics interesting in New Hampshire since 2003. Thus the bands of Ron Paul loyalists hoisting "Don't Tread on Me Flags" all over downtown Manchester back in 2008.

UNH Survey Center: Obama Has 46% Approval Rating in NH

The latest polling numbers out of the University of New Hampshire's Survey Center may not relate directly to the 2012 election, but they do provide some incites into where President Barack Obama currently stands among voters in the Granite State. Obama's approval rating in New Hampshire remains steady at 46%, according to the UNH's latest survey.

"Political scientists consider 46% the 'break even' point for reelection," according to Andy Smith, Director of the UNH Survey Center. "Presidents with approval rating above 46% typically get reelected while an approval rating below 46% typically results in electoral defeat."

Meanwhile, a NH Journal/Magellan Data and Mapping Strategies poll shows Obama with a 52% favorability rating in New Hampshire. That poll also asked New Hampshire voters to choose between the president and a number of the top contenders for the Republican Party's 2012 presidential nomination, "If the election for President was being held today..." Here's how they responded:

Barack Obama 48%     Mitt Romney 44%

Barack Obama 51%     Mike Huckabee 38%

Barack Obama 57%     Sarah Palin 34%

Barack Obama 56%     Newt Gingrich 33%

CPAC 2011: Donald Trump Video

Donald Trump is think about running for president in 2012 under the Republican Party banner. On Thursday, he addressed the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. "Ron Paul can't win," Trump told his audience, sparking a blizzard of headlines and commentary across the blogosphere. Watch The Donald's full speech online:

CPAC 2011: Mitt Romney Video

Mitt Romney is the top pick to win the New Hampshire first in the nation presidential primary in 2012, and on Friday he addressed the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. Watch his full speech online:

CPAC 2011: Rick Santorum Video

Former Senator and likely 2012 Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum was one of the first speakers to address the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. Here is the full video of his speech:

CPAC 2011: Newt Gingrich Video

Former Speaker of the House and potential 2012 Republican candidate for president Newt Gingrich addressed the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday. Full video of his speech can found below:

CPAC 2011: Video of Ron Paul's Speech

"I'm glad to see the revolution is continuing," Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) told a cheering crowd as he prepared to add address the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. on Friday. Paul was among a number of possible contenders for the Republican Party's 2012 presidential nation to speak at CPAC 2011. Watch the full video of his speech below:

New Harris Poll: Who should run for President in 2012?

A new nationwide Harris Poll asked voters of all stripes to answer the question, "Who do you think should run for Republican 2012 Presidential nomination?" Here is how they responded:

	Total	Political Party			Political Philosophy			Moderate Independent
		Rep.	Dem.	Ind.	Conservative	Moderate	Liberal
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
Mitt Romney	23	35	15	26	31	21	16	25
Mike Huckabee	23	39	13	25	36	19	11	23
Sarah Palin	21	31	17	18	31	13	23	14
Rudy Giuliani	21	25	17	24	20	22	18	27
Newt Gingrich	13	23	5	15	23	9	5	13
Tim Pawlenty	9	15	4	12	16	7	5	9
Michele Bachmann	6	10	3	7	11	3	6	6
Rick Santorum	5	10	2	7	10	3	4	4
Haley Barbour	5	8	2	6	7	4	3	5
Mitch Daniels	4	5	2	5	5	3	2	4
Not sure	43	25	52	40	30	48	49	40

Click here for more information about the poll.