USFSP RTWH2020: October 2019

Friday, October 4, 2019

RTWH 2020 Planning Trip -- September 2019

I had a wildly productive few days in New Hampshire, planning for the Road to the White House 2020.

I met with 15 Democratic presidential campaigns and the Trump campaign, visited the NH Democratic and Republican party HQs, criss-crossed the state visiting campaign HQs and attending events (town halls and office openings). At the NHDP Convention I heard from 19 Democratic presidential candidates during 7 hours of speeches while also collecting artifacts for my class (lit, signs, stickers, etc).

There are many planning trip posts on this blog -- with pictures of the campaigns and the HQs around the state -- Manchester, Nashua, Conway, Concord, Laconia, and more.

Here are a few pics from my travels (not specifically campaign-related). New Hampshire is a beautiful state and it was good to be back. When we return in February, I expect these scenes to be blanketed in snow. I was getting nostalgic as I drove around the state. T Minus 121 days from today, we'll be back and ready for our adventure!

The State House in Concord -- in 2016 we were able to meet with then Executive Councilor Chris Pappas and to attend the State of the State Address with then Governor Maggie Hassan -- it was a great way for my students to learn more about the political landscape in NH

seen in a shop window in Concord, NH (there for a meeting with the Gabbard campaign at a coffee shop on Main Street) -- Live Free, or Die!

City Hall in Concord

campaign meetings were scheduled in this coffee shop on Elm Street in Manchester .....I loved the NH vacation guide poster....NH is such a beautiful state

Victory Park in Manchester

had to stop off for lunch at the Puritan Back Room

no -- I didn't get the famous chicken tenders -- but I did have a Greek salad with my quiche

stopped by for an ice cream as I was heading back to the MHT airport - it was a sweet trip to NH

I drove through the Lakes Region (Town Hall with Vice President Joe Biden in Laconia) and up to Conway (and White Mountains) (Office Opening with Mayor Pete Buttigieg

There is a Common Man Restaurant near our hotel - checking on pricing -- perhaps we will have one of our group dinners here? (pictured here--my lobster corn chowder)

RTWH2020 Planning Trip -- September 2019 -- NHDP State Convention 2019

I planned my weekend visit to NH for the planning trip around the NH Democratic Party Convention. I knew this was a way to make sure that I could see all of the Democratic campaigns in one fell swoop.

Of course, I worked hard to arrange as many appointments as possible before arriving in NH, but, if all else failed, I knew I could at least meet up with the campaigns at the Convention.

It was also a great opportunity to see old friends and former colleagues - many of whom will be able to meet with my students when we are in NH.

You may have not been able to be there in person at the Convention, but, you, too, can watch all 7 hours of the political speeches at the New Hampshire Democratic Party Convention - courtesy of C-Span:

https://www.c-span.org/video/?463579-1/hampshire-democratic-party-convention&start=22606

The Convention was held at the SNHU arena -- and it was a sell-out crowd, with more than 10,000 in attendance.

While I was there to be able to connect with the Presidential campaigns, the speaking program featured US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, US Senator Maggaie Hassan, US Representative Chris Pappas, US Representative Annie Kuster, (i.e., both US Senators and both Members of Congress are Democrats), Councilor Debora Pignatelli and Executive Councilors, Senate President Donna Soucy and Senators, Speaker of the House, several Mayors along with Mayor Joyce Craig, along with labor leaders and DNC leaders, and more.

Here are a few pictures so you can get an idea of what the inside of the convention hall was like:

the Convention Program

The vis as we approached the convention hall. I am sure these campaigns got there early to stake out their spot. Brought back memories...

John Bresler

Mike Firestone

raffle prize offered by the Pelham Democrats

Gus and I worked together on the NH voter file. Now he is the Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party!

with the President of the NH Senate, Senator Donna Soucy

John Knowles

The Rollos

former President of the NH Senate, former Senator Sylvia Larsen

Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli

I posted separately about Senator Elizabeth Warren's campaign organization -- it was a sight to behold

Rep Tulsi Gabbard leaving the Convention with her supporters

RTWH 2020 Planning Trip -- September 2019 -- Governor Steve Bullock

I met with Governor Steve Bullock's State Director. And I had the opportunity to hear Governor Bullock speak at the NHDP Convention.

For more about the campaign, see
https://stevebullock.com/

meeting NH Democrats at the NHDP Convention

RTWH 2020 Planning Trip -- September 2019 -- Senator Michael Bennet

I met with Senator Bennet's NH Deputy Political Director to talk about possible internship placements for my students. And, as with the other presidential candidates, I had the opportunity to hear Senator Bennet speak at the NHDP Convention.

But in a quintessential NH Primary way, I bumped into Senator Bennet - and former Senator (and former presidential candidate) Gary Hart (who has endorsed and who would be introducing Senator Bennet at the Convention the next day) - while out to dinner in Manchester. (It was a real treat to dine with my former boss, the former Chair of the NHDP, the incomparable Kathy Sullivan.)

For more about the Bennet campaign see
https://michaelbennet.com/