Standards bearer

Regular F&J readers know all too well (and probably too much) about the GOP state rep from Deerfield, the scrutable Jim Spillane.

You may recall it was JS who used a .50 caliber muzzleloader back in ’19 to annihilate a squirrel, and display the result on social media for all the world to see and try to stomach.

Then, not too long ago, he raised his profile by lowering himself even further with a self-revealing, barely comprehensible Tweet that had more than a distinctive QAnon flavor.
Now, still in “Can You Top This?” mode, JS upped the ante even more.

This time he actually posted on Facebook something he called a “Public Service Announcement”: “If you see a BLM sign on a lawn, it’s the same as having a porch light on at Halloween. You are free to burn and loot that house.”

Obviously, a rather disturbing sentiment coming from a man who owns and apparently likes to use that .50 caliber muzzleloader.

The result? The AG’s office is said to be investigating whether JS violated the NH Civil Rights Act. And the Deerfield selectmen have voted not only to condemn the rep’s comments but asked for him to resign his post because of what they called comments that are “incongruous” with his role as a lawmaker. Ya think?

Funny thing is that there was barely a peep from NHGOP circles over JS’ latest escapade.

And that peep came from House Minority Leader Dick Hinch, who very quickly and very loudly calls for the resignation of Dems who insult his principles and intelligence. Asked to respond to the JS post, DH replied that it was “inexcusable,” but, “I trust he meant no harm to anyone.”

Added DH: “He deleted the post prior to news reports, which to me acknowledges he realized it was highly inappropriate.”

Standards. Double standards. Triple standards.

And Spillane standards.

“I believe it’s a disease, but I believe it is used by a control mechanism to enslave society.”

– Eric Gravel, a Trump supporter from Burlington, Vt., blasts off about Covid-19 at the Trump rally last month in Manchester.

And, no, he wasn’t wearing a mask.

Dept. of Rep Turnovers

Speaking of rep resignations, add the name of Robert Forsythe, a Boscawen GOPer, who’s decided to call it quits.

This time the reason involved news reports that he was charged with one felony count of second-degree assault and two misdemeanor counts of domestic violence in a case involving his pregnant intimate partner.

It’s interesting to note that almost immediately after the report was published, Guv Sununu called for RF’s resignation. And, almost immediately after that, RF obliged, saying he decided to do so after talking with some fellow reps and Minority Leader Dick Hinch.

But it’s also interesting to note that the Concord Monitor, which broke the story, found that court records show an “extensive” history of domestic assault allegations filed by multiple women against Forsythe. And that the victim of the most recent reported assault in June had previously obtained a restraining order against RF two months earlier. And that Forsythe had earlier violated another restraining order involving a different victim.

Boy, that Merr. County GOP sure knows how to vet their candidates, don’t they?

“If you can win a campaign in Covid, you can win a campaign any time.”

– Krysten Copeland, communications advisor for Dem guv wannabe Andru Volinsky.

It’s a probability

It’s possible that Annie Kuster, the 2nd District congressperson, helped shore up support for Dan Feltes in the Dem guv primary by announcing her support for him. In the process she not-sosubtly implied that DF’s opponent, Andru Volinsky, wasn’t worthy of her support because he doesn’t support abortion rights the way DF does.

Which just doesn’t pass the smell test, folks. Although it does smell, since there’s no truth to the implication.

It’s also possible that AK’s endorsement of DF managed to do what some other Dems in her position have done before: completely tick off a segment of Dem voters enough to stir up a backlash against DF.

It’s more than possible, actually — and more than probable, in fact — since it happened immediately, with plenty of folks in the (don’t forget how formidable it still is) Sanders wing of the NH Dems almost immediately pushing back.

Which may or may not help AV. But it Kuster: Feeling the Bern? sure won’t help AK.

MAKING THE ROUNDS

The disgruntlement displayed by some town moderators and local election officials over state support, or lack thereof, during the primary ain’t gonna be going away by Nov. 3.

So is Project Veritas going to keep an eye on double-voting down in North Carolina?

Was the Volinsky-Feltes double-team on commuting the death sentence for the killer of Manchester cop Michael Addison just a clever way of smoking out Kelly Ayotte in time for her 2022 GOP Senate run?