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Category Archives: New Hampshire

Reuters: South Carolina in Mind, Republicans Stress Social Stances

January 10, 2012 – 12:30 pm

A look at what's ahead, after today's voting in New Hampshire:

...Abortion rights and same-sex marriage were among the issues that came up in the ABC News debate at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire.

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum led the charge at the ABC News debate, declaring that marriage is a federal issue that should be defined as being between a man and a woman - even though he said in the same breath that the question of same-sex couples to adopt children was a "states rights" issue.

... South Carolina, which holds its primary on January 21, has a heavy concentration of social conservatives who are thought more willing to assess a candidate based on his or her views on abortion or gay marriage.

As in Iowa, where Santorum's campaign sprang to life, about 60 percent of Republican voters in South Carolina typically identify themselves in exit polls as born-again or evangelical Christians. Among that demographic in Iowa, Santorum finished first, with 32 percent support; Romney was at 14 percent, according to the Pew Forum on Religion and Republic Life. -- Reuters

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage Election Watch, New Hampshire, South Carolina | Comments (2)

Early NH Voting: Romney - 7, Paul - 5, Huntsman - 4, Obama - 3

January 10, 2012 – 10:30 am

The Washington Post on the first results of primary day in New Hampshire:

Dixville Notch and Hart’s Location — the two northern New Hampshire communities that traditionally vote at midnight on primary day — cast the first votes of the first-in-the-nation primary early Tuesday.

Romney tied with former Utah governor Jon Huntsman (R) in Dixville Notch, with each candidate winning a total of two votes out of nine cast. Former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) took one vote, as did Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas). The remaining three voters cast their ballots for President Obama.

In Hart’s Location, Romney took five votes, compared to four votes for Paul. Huntsman took two votes, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) took one and Gingrich took one.

The results mean that — at least for the few hours until the rest of the Granite State awakens — Romney leads the field with seven votes, while Paul has a total of five, Huntsman has a total of four, and Gingrich takes two.

Hat tip: NRO's Brian Bolduc.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, New Hampshire | Comments (2)

WaPo Blogger: Why Town Hall Protesters Are Helping Rick Santorum

January 9, 2012 – 2:00 pm

Aaron Blake at Washington Post's The Fix blog:

If you didn’t know better, you’d think Rick Santorum enjoys being grilled by protesters.

In fact, he probably does. And he should.

The former Pennsylvania senator has been inundated at his New Hampshire events with questions from unsympathetic voices in recent days, pressing him mostly on gay rights but also on issues like the separation of church and state...

...The questions are generally posed by members of a coterie of young political activists who stake out Santorum’s appearances early in hopes of catching him off-guard with questions on social issues.

It hasn’t worked yet. And in fact, one could argue that this is exactly what Santorum wants.

By debating social issues with what are often not-so-versed young antagonists, Santorum is creating oodles of YouTube clips and conflicts that the media loves to cover. And that footage can probably only help him in a Republican presidential contest.

It’s essentially Chris Christie light (so to speak). Santorum invites the jousting because he knows he can handle it and come out on top – at least in the eyes of the socially conservative voters he relies upon.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, New Hampshire | Comments (7)

Ken Starr: Can I Vote for a Mormon?

January 9, 2012 – 12:00 pm

Ken Starr in the Washington Post:

Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary looms large on the political horizon. In the midst of lively public debates over taxes, jobs, the national debt and similarly important questions related to the future vitality of our nation, a different kind of question continues to privately occupy the minds of some prospective voters: Can I vote for a Mormon?

This is an important question in our constitutional democracy. Without endorsing or even praising (much less criticizing) any candidate, I strongly encourage Americans who would ask this question of themselves to consider and weigh thoughtfully our nation’s constitutional traditions. At their best, those are traditions of welcoming religious forbearance.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, New Hampshire | Comments (3)

The National Organization for Marriage Continues Campaign in New Hampshire Opposing Ron Paul's Position on Marriage

January 9, 2012 – 11:47 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2012
Contact: Anath Hartmann or Elizabeth Ray (703-683-5004)

"Many people think that Ron Paul is a conservative, but his 'anything goes' position on marriage isn't conservative—it's radical." —Brian Brown, NOM President—

Manchester, NH – The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today announced that it is mounting a $50,000 independent expenditure effort in New Hampshire to educate state voters about Ron Paul's "unacceptable" position on marriage. The group began running television commercials online last Friday, as well as calling tens of thousands of voters to bring Paul's position to the attention of voters.

"Many people think that Ron Paul is a conservative, but his 'anything goes' position on marriage isn't conservative—it's radical," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "NOM helped drop Paul from first to third in Iowa, and we are committed to making sure that New Hampshire voters know the truth about Ron Paul's views on marriage."

Paul is the only major candidate in the race to refuse to sign NOM's Marriage Pledge, committing himself to take specific actions as president to support marriage. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry have each signed NOM's pledge. Paul has said "sure" to gay marriage. He even believes that civil marriage should be eliminated altogether.

"We encourage voters to go to www.wrongonmarriage.com to learn more about Ron Paul's dangerous position on marriage. We have not endorsed a candidate in the race and support each of those who have signed our pledge. However, Ron Paul is unacceptable as a Republican nominee and we urge New Hampshire voters to reject him on Tuesday."

NOM will continue its campaign against Paul in South Carolina and other states.

To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), eray@crcpublicrelations.com, or Anath Hartmann, ahartmann@crcpublicrelations.com, at 703-683-5004.

###

Paid for by The National Organization for Marriage, Brian Brown, president. 2029 K Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006, not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. New § 68A.405(1)(f) & (h).

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, New Hampshire, Press Releases | Comments (7)

Video: GOP Candidates Debate Marriage in New Hampshire

January 9, 2012 – 11:00 am

The GOP candidates all do a good job (with the exception of Jon Huntsman and Ron Paul) of defending the institution of marriage and distinguishing the reasons to support it from the false excuses used by activists to redefine it.

The moderators clearly think opposing gay marriage is a losing issue for the candidates, but the candidates in their articulate defense of marriage prove how much the media has to learn about the issue:

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, New Hampshire | Comments (9)

Video: Romney and Santorum Repel MSM Attempts to Portray Their Marriage Views as Bigotry

January 9, 2012 – 10:30 am

NBC, not to be left out of the mainstream media effort to equate protecting marriage with bigoted views, goes after Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum for their views on marriage. Both men handle the line of attack easily. The last jab at Santorum, asking him what he would do if one of his sons were to come out to him as gay, well - see for yourself:

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Media, New Hampshire | Comments (19)

New PPP Poll: Romney Headed for Easy New Hampshire Win

January 9, 2012 – 9:30 am

PPP Polling:

Mitt Romney continues to be headed for a comfortable win in New Hampshire. PPP's final poll there finds him with 35% to 18% for Ron Paul, 16% for Jon Huntsman, 12% for Newt Gingrich, 11% for Rick Santorum, 3% for Buddy Roemer, and 1% for Rick Perry.

...If you think momentum is a major factor Huntsman probably bests Paul for 2nd and Santorum probably beats out Gingrich for 4th.

Full results here.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, New Hampshire | Comments (1)

Latest New Hampshire Poll: Romney Slips; Paul, Huntsman, Gingrich, Santorum in the Hunt

January 9, 2012 – 8:00 am

The New Hampshire State Column:

The latest 7 News/Suffolk University poll of likely voters in the New Hampshire Primary is great news for the Paul campaign and troublesome news for the Romney campaign. Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX), a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, surged 3 points to 20 percent of the votes in a 7 News/Suffolk University poll released Sunday. On the other hand, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney dipped 4 points to 35 percent of the votes in the same poll.

Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman is the only other candidate to earn double-digit support in the latest New Hampshire poll. Mr. Huntsman garnered 11 percent of the votes to finish in the top-tier, but former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, who has been riding a recent wave of momentum following his 2nd place victory in the Iowa Caucuses, pulled in 8 percent of the votes. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who once was a serious contender for second place in New Hampshire, earned just 9 percent of the votes.

Suffolk University’s Saturday poll of likely New Hampshire Primary voters found Mr. Romney in first place with 39 percent and Mr. Paul in second place with 17 percent of the votes. Mr. Huntsman and Mr. Santorum were tied with 9 percent of the votes each.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, New Hampshire | Comments (1)

Gary Bauer Endorses Rick Santorum

January 8, 2012 – 3:30 pm

Alexander Burns at Politico:

Social conservative leader Gary Bauer will endorse Rick Santorum for president this weekend, a Santorum campaign source confirmed.

The endorsement, which was first reported by the Washington Post, will come during Santorum's planned visit to South Carolina.

The support from Bauer, a former Family Research Council leader who ran for president in 2000, may help Santorum position himself as the consensus Christian conservative candidate in the GOP field.

Bauer is one of a number of social conservative solons who have conferred in recent days in an attempt to coalesce behind a single Republican White House hopeful.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, New Hampshire, South Carolina | Comments Off

ADF: Media Spins Santorum Debate to Make Marriage Support Appear Politically Unpopular

January 8, 2012 – 11:00 am

The Alliance Defense Fund weighs-in on the question if Santorum's vigorous defense of marriage will help or hurt him among GOP primary voters:

Pro marriage voters in Iowa are largely responsible for Santorum’s catapult to front runner status. Marriage amendments have passed in every state where voters have had opportunity to decide. Honest poll questions show most Americans continue to support the traditional definition of marriage. Nevertheless, the media is trying to make it appear politically unpopular to support the traditional definition of marriage. See, e.g.,

CSMonitor.com: Rick Santorum compares gay marriage to polygamy. Will that help him with GOP? : “Rick Santorum, who was speaking to college Republicans in New Hampshire, was loudly booed. While GOP voters have consistently opposed gay marriage, a majority of Americans now disagree . . . ”

ABC News: Rick Santorum in the Hot Seat Again for Gay Marriage Stance

LaTimes.com: “Rick Santorum jeered after comparing gay marriage to polygamy”: “Are we saying everyone should have the right to marry? So anyone can marry anyone else?” Santorum asked, according to a video by NBC News. “So anybody can marry several people?”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage, Marriage Election Watch, New Hampshire, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (25)

Santorum in New Hampshire: "Marriage Provides Something Unique in Society"

January 8, 2012 – 10:00 am

Asked about marriage during a press conference on the campaign trail, Rick Santorum responds that marriage is a privilege, not an unalienable right, because "marriage provides something unique in a society":

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage, Marriage Election Watch, New Hampshire, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (48)

WSJ Blog: Gay Marriage Becomes Issue in NH GOP Primary

January 7, 2012 – 3:30 pm

The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire blog:

As New Hampshire gets ready for its first-in-the-nation presidential primary, the state legislature is expected to vote any day on one of its more controversial issues in years: whether to repeal a gay-marriage law passed in 2009.

The National Organization for Marriage, which has set up an operation in New Hampshire to push for the repeal, is pleased that the vote is coming when all eyes are on the state. “Right now it’s in the national spotlight and that’s very good,” said Brian Brown, president of the organization, which he says has been working in New Hampshire to “to encourage the candidates to stand up for marriage.” That would be marriage between one man and one woman.

... Meanwhile, local pro-repeal activists hope pinning down the presidential candidates on the issue can give clout to their cause, which would make New Hampshire the first state legislature to repeal a law allowing same-sex marriages.

They hit the jackpot with Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who recently told a voter at a Manchester diner: “I support the repeal of the New Hampshire law. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage Election Watch, New Hampshire, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (18)

Watch the Media Invent A False Narrative on Romney and Santorum

January 7, 2012 – 2:00 pm

Reuters asks the question: will Santorum's rise draw Romney into the culture wars?

"The sudden rise of Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum, who has emphasized his Christian faith on the campaign trail, is threatening to draw front-runner Mitt Romney into difficult territory - the culture wars."

It begins with the false premise that:

"Romney has talked about job creation on a daily basis, bashed Democratic President Barack Obama relentlessly, and cast himself as an experienced businessman who can fix the economy since launching his second bid for the White House in June. He has steered far away from divisive social issues like abortion and gay marriage."

Yes Romney, like Santorum, has emphasized jobs and the economy. Duh.

But he has never backed away or downgraded his stance on marriage. He's been rather good at debate--more comfortable than most other candidates--at defending his views.

The new prominence of "culture war" issues is coming from the ferocity of the attacks directed at Rick Santorum, fanned by the mainstream media.

And unlike what Reuters suggests this will be a net vote-getter for the GOP candidates. This is why Pres. Obama, according to senior advisers, is staying away from endorsing gay marriage before the election. He knows the issue will cost him votes and gain ones for the GOP.

By Maggie Gallagher | Posted in Election Watch 2012, New Hampshire | Comments (13)

Santorum Engages Pro-SSM NH College Students in Rational Conversation

January 6, 2012 – 2:30 pm

He's rather charming here. And patient. Why doesn't marriage equality include all marriages, including polygamous marriages, if the only principle at stake here is all people have a right to have their relationships treated equally if those relationships are important to their happiness? The students have no answer, so they try to claim its not a legitimate question: