A bridge to the new GOP?

You may have missed it, but the former guv of NJ, Chris Christie, was in town th’other day to let NH voters kick the tires on his possible prez campaign in ’24. Of course, the last time he tried something like that back in ’16, his prez run ended up with four flat tires on his way out of the good ol’ State of Granite.

But hope springs eternal, even in Jersey, so CC tried out his shtick with newly inflated all-weather radials at the Politics and Eggs soiree.

Essentially, the ex-guv is selling himself as Not Trump, disparaging the ex-prez’s invisible “leadership” during the 1/6 insurrection and putting himself forward as the guy who can take the GOP into a Trumpless future.

In that anti-Trump mode, one of CC’s key points was that the GOP should not be about “settling scores,” a not-so-veiled reference to the ex-prez’s paper-thin skin.

But, for even occasional sporadic followers of the ex-NJ guv’s career, that line may have been a bridge too far. Considering that it was supposedly CC’s need to settle a score that led to the infamous closure of several entrance lanes to the George Wash. Bridge and a massive traffic jam in Fort Lee, NJ, back in 2013. Turns out a bunch of CC associates got the message to shut the bridge down as a way of getting even with the Dem mayor of Fort Lee, because he had the utter audacity of not endorsing CC in his guv reelect bid.

If you wanna hear the whole story, give Matt Mowers a call.

Spreading the blame

Funny how politicos never seem to accept the blame when their campaign loses.

The latest such example comes courtesy of Victoria Sullivan, who most recently lost her bid to become a Ward 9 alderman in Manch., losing to Jim Burkush, who pulled in about 60% of the vote.

That came after she lost back-to-back mayoral races in ’19 and ’21, and a loss in ’18 after two terms as a state rep from the Queen City. So by that score, she’s on a four-election losing streak — even after relegating herself to a ward alderman race following her run in the Premier League of two mayoral campaigns.

But VS apparently thinks voters in her ward, and around Manch., have no problem with her campaign(s). The problem is … well, redistricting. And unions. And the Manch. Dems.

In other words, everyone but her. Not her message.

Not her campaign operation. Not her platform.

But, like all good politicos, she’s ready to come back for more, telling the UL “the results do not mean I will not run in the future.”

What’s the over/under on when she finally gets the message?

Every vote counts

As you may have seen in F&J in recent months, there’s a group of state reps who just aren’t feeling the love for America anymore. And their dream of showing just how popular that feeling is sorta came true on 3/10.

That’s when the folks at Reps Hall actually got a chance to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow NH voters to vote on seceding from the US of A.

The vote result was not surprising: 323 against secession and 13 in support. Unless, of course, you’re one of the Delusional Thirteen.

Per Rindge GOP rep Matthew Santonastaso, of the DT’s, who told the House: “This is not a fringe idea. #NationalDivorce trends on the internet. There’s a similar movement in California which will flourish again when Republicans take the U.S. Congress later this year. National divorce is going to happen. It’s inevitable, and we have an opportunity to get ahead of this.”

Whatever you say, MS.

BTW, in case you’re wondering, here’s the full roster of DT’s:

• Max Abramson, Seabrook

• Glen Aldrich, Gilford

• Glenn Bailey, Milton

• Alan Bershtein, Nottingham

• Dustin Dodge, Raymond

• Dennis Green, Hampstead

• Raymond Howard, Alton

• Diane Kelley, Temple

• Matthew Santonastaso, Rindge

• Michael Sylvia, Belmont

• Paul Terry, Alton

• Mark Warden, Manchester

• Josh Yokela, Fremont

All of ‘em, BTW, are GOPers. F&J’s printing this list not only as a public service but, if you’re so inclined, as a clip-n-save. Because the next time you see any of the DT’s running for office, giving a speech, or even making a statement proclaiming that they’re patriotic or that they “love America,” you have permission to tell them they’re lying.

MAKING THE ROUNDS

Nothing says more about party discipline, or lack thereof, than the vote to take some of the teeth out of the state’s 24-week abortion ban. The measure to allow exceptions in cases of rape, incest and fetal abnormality — as well as remove criminal penalties against doctors who perform later abortions — lost by two votes, 165-163. Per Kevin Landrigan, not enough Dems could stay around for the vote, which wasn’t up until 9:30 that evening. And, obviously, enough GOPers did.

Not for nothing, but you’d think NH Dems would have promoted someone who’s actually cast a vote since 3/11/20 to be their acting minority leader following the death of Renny Cushing. Not that David Cote may not be worthy, but is it really worth giving GOPers a talking point?

The numbers in the guv’s internal polls must be pretty impressive, considering he’s almost making a habit of sticking his thumb into the eye of his fellow GOPers.