COMMENTARY

Retail Politics Alive and Well in New Hampshire

October 2002

By Donald J. Pfundstein*
for New Hampshire Business Review

I recently attended the old-fashioned corn roast hosted by House Speaker Gene Chandler. The festivities took place at a lovely family campground in Glen. The food was great. Thank you, Chairman Mock and crew.

My only regret was that I did not have enough time to point my truck further north before returning to Concord. Although the Crawford Notch to Conway ride along Route 302 is truly beautiful, I enjoy the Great North Woods and Dixville Notch even more.

The corn roast was New Hampshire retail politics at its best. Republican candidates for all major offices were there working the hungry crowd.

The legislative redistricting didn’t keep people from coming together to discuss the State’s business with the candidates and their neighbors. There were intense, but healthy debates all over the campground. Councilor Burton, a North Country icon, even seemed to know everybody’s first name.

There was much talk in Glen about the need to elect Craig Benson our next Governor. Mr. Benson visited with all who wanted his ear — not a small number.

Somewhat surprising were the widespread picnic-table discussions about the need to avoid an income tax. I thought this would be a given. The Yankee ingenuity and wisdom of folks north of the notches are well-understood phenomena. We should listen to them.

Many have lamented that the number and size of the new electoral districts will change New Hampshire politics forever. The Supreme Court drew the maps after the Legislature and Governor were unable to resolve their respective differences on where the political advantages should lie.

The biggest changes were in the House. The Court collapsed 195 districts into 88. Candidates now run in multiseat, larger districts. Small communities are disadvantaged by their lack of population and votes. Money may be more important than shoe leather.

Yes, there were a lot of TV ads during the primary. There will be many more in the general election. I’m convinced that at least one primary candidate’s strategy was to drive voter turnout down with heavy, negative advertising. That strategy failed. New Hampshire voters came out in droves!

Maybe things will be different. It’s still too early to tell. But you wouldn’t know it if you waited in line for your burger, beans and corn. Frankly, the Glen corn roast was one of the more refreshing events of this campaign season. I saw “real people” not pols, lawyers, lobbyists, consultants and party activists dominating the event.

Larger electoral districts and TV saturation may change some things — but they won’t change the character of New Hampshire citizens. New Hampshire voters will still expect to meet and grill their would-be leaders. New Hampshire retail politics is not just alive and well — but thriving.

As an aside, I am voting (again) for Craig Benson for Governor. I hope you will consider doing the same. You, our children and our state’s economy will be better off if you do...

*Donald J. Pfundstein is admitted in New Hampshire.

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