YOUR COMMENTS

First of all, I would like to know if any of these potential candidates have a degree in common sense, Thats what I'm looking for. A politician with alot of common sense. It seems to be a very important trait that most of them lack. Ater all, if they had used any common sense in governing our great country, would we be in the mess we face today?Or, is it just that are more interested in their political careers than the welfare of their country?
- Linda Dupere, campton

Mr. DiStaso:

To ignore the ideological component to this race is to fail completely in your job as a reporter. Clearly, Kelly Ayotte's strategy of trying to avoid discussing issues is not going to work now that Ovide Lamontagne is in the race. Everyone who knows politics in this state knows that Mr. Lamontagne represents the core of the Republican Party while Ms. Ayotte was seeking to present a more moderate face. You should stop trying to help the Republican Party win the senate seat and start doing some real reporting: ask Kelly Ayotte what she stands for. Then you will see how ideology affects this race. (And that will benefit Mr. Lamontagne.)
- David H. Mirsky, Exeter

I hope the candidates will be asked questions dealing with Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights by the media.
- Ken Stremsky, Manchester, NH

Screw the 'loyal to the party' crap. I want someone in office who is loyal to the constitution and his/her constitiuents. I don't care about the Democratic or Republican Parties, I want my State and Country back!
- Dave B, Londonderry

Specifics will be a must. Generalizations are fine for a quick quote, but provide no long-term solutions.

Also, this presumption about party loyalty is crap. Independents, or "undeclared" as we are registered in NH, should be a target demographic for Republicans during the primaries as the Democratic primary is essentially already decided. Target independents now, and you will not have to draw as many "new" voters during the final election. Cultivate independents by a conservative fiscal and a hands-off the social issues approach. Bender and Binnie just moved up my list.
- Jay, Nashua

Let's just hope whoever wins represents traditional, conservative values that make NH great. We need to differentiate ourselves from the foreign lands (MA, ME, VT) that border us on all sides.
- Rick, Windham

When I make my decision of who gets my vote in the primary their positions on fiscal matters (this stimulus package bad idea), not looking for moderatres like Charlie Crist who are RINOs seeking office as a Republican. I will NOT vote for any candidate who has assisted the Democrats in defeating Republicans. One who will at minimum not hide from the right of an unborn baby to be born.
I want a senator or congressman to put America first while not forgetting our real friends in other parts of th world. And I have to trust you - that is the hard part!
bnyoung@metrocast.net
- Niel Young, Laconia

It would be nice to see each candidate list the federal spending that affects NH that they would cut.
Since the election will largely be about solving the fiscal mess... and all the candidates will be for cutting spending... specifics are the only thing that will separate them.
Wishy-washy generalizations aren't going to cut it in a field this big.
- John Edward Mercier, Belmont