Some NH Democrats will write in Biden, others say no way: Letters

I like Biden, but I won't be writing him in on Jan. 23

Jan. 17 − To the Editor:

I am a liberal Democrat who has followed Joe Biden’s career for decades. I have written letters for him, I have contributed to most of his campaigns going back to a 2016 campaign to persuade him to run against Hillary (I didn’t dislike her … I just liked Joe better), I’ve attended his rallies, and on election day, I rang doorbells for him in the morning and then held a Joe Biden sign at the polling place in the afternoon. I disagree with him on several issues that are important to me, but I believe Joe Biden deserves another four years.

That said (even though the prospect of another Trump presidency is too terrifying to contemplate), writing Joe Biden in on a ballot that he refused to run on, in an attempt to kill our beloved New Hampshire primary forever, will not get him any closer to defeating Trump, and it is no way to thank him for paying New Hampshire back for his primary loss here in 2020.

New Hampshire Democrats do, however, need to send a message to the DNC that naked, political payback is not appreciated and will not be forgotten here, and that our first-in-the-nation primary will never die, and that these shenanigans will likely cost Joe Biden votes he can barely afford to lose in November.

None of the foregoing makes Dean Phillips an acceptable alternative in my opinion, so looking upstream, I will be writing in Gavin Newsom.

J. Michael Donovan

Hampton Beach

Protect our Democracy: write-in Joe Biden

Jan. 17 − To the Editor:

The focus of this election cycle is singular;  protect our democracy. That is what is at stake if we enable Trump to take back power. We cannot change the fact that DNC reordered Democrat’s primary schedule, which were largely the same for decades. Changes were radical and they were for political reasons. New Hampshire was not the only change, yet Granite Staters and legislators bristled and dug in. The state decided to uphold our constitutional law that New Hampshire be first in the nation.

The result: Biden is not on the ballot.

We know that Biden is not 100% great, but at least he is not 95% bad!  And he is the only candidate who will be on all the primary ballots, the only one who can beat Trump, and our democracy is at stake. That is our focus.  I repeat, THATis our focus.  It is a waste of time and energy to harbor a grudge for the past actions of DNC, the state, or Biden. Let it go.  I believe and trust the New Hampshire election results will be valid, counted, and meaningful to this year's election. This is not the year to elect a newcomer that you like either. Maybe another year. The stakes are too high… show the rest of the country you support our president and our democracy by showing up to VOTE and WRITE-IN Biden on the bottom of the ballot.  Tell your friends and family to get out and vote.  Side note:  Did you know, less than 15% of registered Republican voters showed up at Iowa caucus on Monday?  Let’s show the country we care about this primary and do your civic duty! Vote!

Cheri Bach

Portsmouth

Why Dean Phillips has my vote

Jan. 16 − To the Editor:

Hand to heart look at someone in the eye and tell them you can watch President Joe Biden speak for 10 minutes without feeling uncomfortable. Then listen to Dean Phillips speak for 10 minutes.

I supported President Biden for the right reasons, and now I’m supporting Dean Phillips for the right reasons. Our current President is hardly in charge, and if he’s elected, he will be less in charge every day until there will be no one representing us.

Trump is not a threat anymore, which is why I refuse to relinquish democracy in order to “save democracy." I also don’t like to be bribed with reproductive rights in return for unfettered power.

If the United States is going to stand up to enemies, we need bravery and courage more than any other characteristic from our leaders. Dean Phillips is the bravest and most courageous politician in the US right now. He is also intelligent, funny, energetic, empathetic, and coherent.

We all need to move on, which is why I’m voting for Dean Phillips.

Katherine Harake

Hampton

Joe Biden's experience is vital, his age is not an issue

Jan. 13 − To the Editor:

Ron McAllister, in his editorial on Jan. 10, "The White House is no country for old men," makes the case that President Joe Biden is too old to have a second term.  After giving a nod to some of Biden's past successes, McAllister brings up the current and emerging dangers worldwide that present challenges to any president.  He argues that age 80 is a red line after which folks statistically lose energy, and develop cognitive issues, not to mention the onset of physical, psychological, and social decline.

What are some factors that provide hints at where an 80+ person is on the degenerative spectrum?  First would be our genes and the age of death of our parents. Biden's mom was active till her death at 92, and his dad, Joseph Biden Sr. died at 86. Other factors include diet, exercise, sleep, and most importantly, family who give love and support.  Biden is thin in size, a big plus for longevity. I'm guessing he is 150 pounds or so, or about half the size of his expected challenger. We also know that he has a personal trainer and works out regularly at the White House.  The benefits of strenuous exercise extend to mental acuity as well as physical stamina.  And of course, as the head of a large extended family, we know he is loved, watched, and fussed over.

There are so many 80-plus folks out there defying the odds and thriving:  Primatologist Jane Goodall is 89, Warren Buffet 93, Robert Kraft 83, and Henry Kissinger who recently passed away at 100, all continue to or have contributed to society way beyond 80. We might say for some folks, 80 is the new 60!  The world threats McAllister spoke about, seeming to worsen by the day, specifically require Joe Biden to stay at the helm.  He knows all the heads of state of our allies and many of our enemies.  The world knows and respects him.  Surely you saw how quickly he was able to restore confidence in America after the last president left.  This is a time for continuity, both for the benefit of world stability and also because Joe Biden will continue to fight to keep our democracy intact.

Angela Bell

Newmarket

Historic floods just the latest impact of climate change

Jan. 17 − To the Editor:

Unfortunately, the flooding last Saturday that ruined Andrea Long’s house and closed Warren’s Lobster House, has been long predicted by scientists; nationally, 2023 had the most billion-dollar damage events on record. This situation will continue to get worse until the burning fossil fuels that have us living in a greenhouse is radically reduced.

The United States is among the largest CO2 emitters. Meanwhile, we have the least urgency about addressing this matter according to polling among 23 countries.  Later is too late.

This is a national problem and demands a national response. While the Inflation Reduction Act will help, it does not have the power of just making fossil fuels more expensive. The Congress and the President must act to price carbon. That will happen when we, the citizens, demand it.

Later is too late.  Action is needed now. Like voting, each of us can make a difference by speaking out time and again to get us relief from our warming planet.  How many times have each of us put off contacting our national leaders in favor of sports or bills or whatever.  Later is too late.

Wes Tator

Portsmouth

Climate activist with Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Jackie Cali-Pitts for Portsmouth Ward 1 House seat

Jan. 15 − To the Editor:

At Tuesday's first-in-the-nation presidential primary there's a special election on the Democratic ballot for New Hampshire Legislature.  Jackie Cali-Pitts would be an excellent choice.

One of the good things about our New Hampshire House in Concord is that among the 400 members there's vast variation of ages, experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge.  Jackie has long been one of Portsmouth's best public servants, involved in recreation, energy issues, education, health care and diversity.

She has been a steady presence and powerful leader fighting for causes of climate change, science, environmental issues, social justice, women's choice, and equality.

On one issue close to me, Jackie was a leader who made the difference. In 2009, I sponsored the bill creating marriage equality, making ours just the 5th state at that time to approve gay marriage.

Sometimes we forget how difficult it was to pass the bill.  The first vote on March 26, 2009, was 183 opposed, 182 for passage. We lost by just one.  We had a quick 15 minute "recess," and Jackie helped persuade other legislators.  The second vote was 186 in support, 179 opposed.  We won, and Jackie was an important part of that victory.

We need the talent and skills of this remarkable leader in our legislature.  For all she has done, and for what she will do, she deserves to be elected.

Jim Splaine

Former state senator

Portsmouth

Nikki Haley will win presidency and restore GOP control of Congress

Jan. 15 − To the Editor:

Remember Nancy Pelosi denied funds to build a wall when Donald Trump was president?  As speaker of the House she had the purse strings and made anything the Republicans want merely a fantasy wish list. If Nikki Haley gets the GOP nomination for POTUS, the Congress and Senate will follow her coat tails to a control of both by the GOP.  She is predicted to smash Biden in the election by 17 points. Independents and women will vote for Nikki Haley, they will not vote for Trump and his revenge tour.  Please consider Nikki, and let us take this country back.

Mark Schlieper

Rye

Another cloud of inflammatory and misleading verbiage from Azzi

Jan. 15 − To the Editor:

In his Jan. 14 opinion piece, Robert Azzi has once again released a cloud of inflammatory and misleading verbiage in an effort to undermine American support for Israel.  Strangely, he does so by claiming that Claudine Gay suffered a “public lynching” after journalists revealed that she had plagiarized other authors’ academic work and after she declined to affirm before Congress that calls for genocide against Jews constituted a violation of Harvard’s code of conduct.  It should be clear, however, that her resignation from the presidency of Harvard is the consequence of those two factors, not systemic racism.

Why does Azzi mount his unconvincing defense of President Gay?  I suspect the reason is that he wants to strengthen the “intersectional” coalition that opposes Israeli efforts to destroy Hamas after the barbaric attack of Oct. 7.   Azzi alleges that we are witnessing “ethnic cleansing and genocide in Palestine [i.e. Gaza].”  What he refuses to admit is that the IDF delayed its entry into Gaza for several weeks in order to permit Gazan noncombatants to evacuate Hamas strongholds.

During the past three months of combat, the IDF has eliminated 9,000 Hamas fighters.  An unknown number of Gazan noncombatants have also died, but their deaths have occurred despite IDF efforts to minimize civilian deaths.  Hamas could avoid any additional deaths by surrendering to the IDF, disarming its fighters, and releasing any Israeli hostages who remain alive after months of mistreatment. Tragically, the death cult known as Hamas fights on without regard for either Palestinian or Israeli suffering.

And what of “ethnic cleansing”?  It is Hamas that has tried to clear southern Israel of its Jewish residents by brutally attacking their towns and villages.  A quarter million Israelis have been refugees within their own country for the past three months as a result of the October 7 attack.  They cannot return home until the IDF eliminates Hamas as a threat to their security.  So, Mr. Azzi, let’s be clear about who is practicing ethnic cleansing and pursuing genocide.  It is Hamas and its Iranian sponsors: They are trying to drive Jews from their ancient homeland, the Land of Israel.  This effort will not succeed.

Richard England

Durham

Nikki Haley wrong to test competency of politicians over 75

Jan. 16 − To the Editor:

Nicky Haley has come up with a new proposal on who can run for Congress and it is very troubling. She wants to impose a competency test for people over 75 who run for Congress. (Of course short of a Constitutional Amendment, this would be unconstitutional). She wants the government to develop a test to be administered to all those over that age who are running for Congress. The government would  have to select people to administer the test and evaluate the results. Evaluating the results would be very much subject to opinions of those doing the evaluating. On a competency there are no absolute answers and different evaluators could reach different conclusions. In a case where the evaluator concluded the person was not competent, the person would undoubtedly appeal this decision to the courts where we would have the battle of so-called experts, each supporting a  different conclusion from the same results.

Do we really want a country where people like Dr. Fauci are deciding who is allowed to run for Congress? If left wing Democrats were making decisions on the test, it might include questions like how many genders are there? Someone who answered two instead of five or six (or whatever the “correct” number is ) might be found to be incompetent .

The bottom line is the U.S. Constitution and the voters, not government bureaucrats, are the only ones who should be deciding who is competent to serve in Congress. Ms. Haley, please admit you made a mistake and retract this horrible idea.

Rep. Mike Harrington

Strafford District 18

Strafford

Appeal to Heaven flag has an important place in US history

Jan. 16 − To the Editor:

John Denton's op-ed of Jan. 6 was not only inaccurate but also openly hateful to people of faith.  Referring to the "Appeal to Heaven" flag as some sort of emblem of hate shows how little he knows about our country's founding.  The "Appeal to Heaven” flag was commissioned by George Washington after he was named commander of the Continental Army in 1775.

The flag flew over the six frigates Gen. Washington purchased, and it was not only to identify Continental naval forces but a way to indeed ask for Providential help for the cause of independence.  In 1776, Gov. John Hancock used the same flag for the naval ships of the State of Massachusetts.

The founders knew that facing the most powerful army of their day would require unprecedented effort far beyond their capabilities; so they visibly and openly appealed to God for supernatural help. The fact that we are still here almost 250 years is clear evidence that Providence did intervene.

The flag is seeing a resurgence today among those who understand history and realize we need providential help again, to correct the course we are on.

Councilor Denton understands neither history nor religion, but seems more interested in amplifying the current leftist political talking points than in his image on the City Council. 

He needs to remember there are many patriotic, practicing people of faith among his constituency who are offended by his biased opinions in the paper. That this kind of rhetoric is not only offensive but contrary to the discernment  expected from a  City Councilor.

Sue Polidura 

Portsmouth

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Some NH Democrats will write in Biden, others say no way: Letters