Maggie Skips Primary Debate, Scott Goes Climbing, and the Return of Rick

Here’s a roundup of the latest political news from around New Hampshire:

The first gubernatorial debate

It’s debate time, and the first gubernatorial debate was held at Franklin Pierce University, sponsored by the Fitzwater Center for Communication, NHPTV, and Monadnock Ledger-Transcript. The debate featured Republicans Walt Havenstein, Andrew Hemingway and Jonathan Smolin and Democrat Ian Freeman.

According to organizers, Gov. Maggie Hassan did not respond to the invitation to debate Freeman, a supporter of the Free State Project. Freeman was allowed to speak at the podium (watch video) and offered up thoughts about repression and government, as well as support to have New Hampshire secede from the union.

Aaron Jacobs, a member of the Hassan campaign team, did not return an email request for comment about whether or not the governor plans on attending any debates with Freeman.

WMUR-TV has coverage of the GOP side of the debate.

Henry Goodwin, Havenstein’s communications director, claimed victory at the debate.

“We’ve seen a clear distinction here tonight. The fact is, Walt is the best candidate to take on Maggie Hassan. Walt is the only candidate here tonight – or currently occupying the Governor’s office – who has the leadership and business experience to turn New Hampshire’s economy around.”

Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, said the candidates “showed their true colors working overtime to prove who is more in line with the disastrous Bill O’Brien/Koch Brothers agenda” and added that voters will ultimately support Hassan in the general election due to her “record of solving problems and getting things done for (the state’s) people, businesses and economy.”

Shaheen town hall ticker

The NH GOP launched a “Shaheen Town Hall Ticker,” a clock purporting to show how long it has been since U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, has held a town hall-style meeting with voters. Her last one, according to the GOP, was about this time two years ago, or, more than 714 days.

“Jeanne Shaheen is refusing to hold town hall-style meetings because she knows that she can’t defend her deciding vote for ObamaCare and her blind support for President Obama’s failed border security policies. Senator Shaheen continues to disregard New Hampshire’s tradition of open and accessible government because she is a typical Washington politician who is afraid to face her constituents,” said NHGOP Chairman Jennifer Horn. “After nearly two years of dodging questions its time for Senator Shaheen to hold the type of town hall-style meetings that Granite Staters expect from their elected officials.”

The party will be holding a “Smoothie Call Night” at 5:30 p.m. at the Concord HQ.

Patriot Picnic with Perry

Texas Gov. Rick Perry will be back in New Hampshire soon and will be the special guest at the Merrimack County/Concord GOP’s first “Stretch” Kennedy Patriots’ Picnic.

The event will be held at the home of former U.S. Sen. Gordon Humphrey and his wife, Patricia, in Chichester, at noon on Saturday, Aug. 23. Tickets are $25 and $50 for a family.

The event is being held to honor Kennedy (click here for details), a long-time Hopkinton activist and former state representative who passed away earlier this year.

For more than a year now, Perry has hinted that he would like to run for president again after his not-so-hot showing in 2012. According to a report in the Associated Press, the governor, who is not running for re-election this year, has hired lobbyist Mike Dennehy, of Dennehy & Bouley, to do some consulting. Dennehy also advised John McCain on his 2000 and 2008 runs. He is currently also consulting for the Save America SuperPAC that recently launched the real Scott Brown voting record website and is supporting Jim Rubens’ Senate effort. Rubens is a former Humphrey staffer and the former Senator has also backed his campaign.

Speaking of McCain …

He’ll be in the state holding a foreign policy town hall meeting in Derry with Scott Brown at Pinkerton Academy, in the Shepard Auditorium, on Monday, Aug. 18. The event starts at 10 a.m.

A campaign spokesperson said “the joint town hall will be focused on foreign policy, and how to restore America’s leadership standing in the world, which has been damaged under the failed policies of President Obama.”

The event is part of a swing of town hall meetings scheduled by Brown called “New Hampshire Speaks.” A meeting about the Affordable Care Act was held in Nashua on Tuesday, with about 45 people.

Brown also hiked Mount Washington with state Sen. Jeb Bradley and posted pictures on his Twitter account.

Dems: Brown wrong for seniors

The NHDP issued another statement attacking Brown for his previous votes in the Senate saying that the candidate can’t hide from his voting record.

Among the issues of concern for the party were proposed limits in increases to Social Security and Medicare as part of the Ryan budget proposal, a proposal to increase prescription drug costs (Medicare Part D) that was included in the ACA, and opposition to an emergency increase in Social Security for seniors instead of a cost-of-living adjustment at the beginning of the recession.

The press release was sent out about four hours before Shaheen met with seniors at Havenwood-Heritage Heights to host a roundtable discussion about prescription drug costs, Medicare, and Social Security.

More debates, events

Three of the Republican U.S. Senate candidates – Brown, Rubens, and former U.S. Sen. Bob Smith – will be debating at the North Conway Grand Hotel at 9 a.m. tomorrow. George Epstein as the moderator, according to press reports.

Then on Sunday, Aug. 17, Women for Bob Smith as well as pro-life activists will rally at the Statehouse with Smith, Hemingway, Karen Testerman, and 2nd Congressional District candidate Gary Lambert, along with other speakers. The event is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.

The Exeter Republican Town Committee, the Rockingham County Republican Committee, and the Seacoast Republican Women will also be hosting a candidates’ debate on Saturday, Aug. 23, in the Town Hall at the gazebo in the center of Exeter. Doors open at 4:15 p.m.

GOP candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and the 1st Congressional District will be participating with the gubernatorial candidates starting at 5 p.m., the Congressional candidates at 6:15 p.m., and the Senate candidates at 7:30 p.m.

Radio talk show host Jeff Chidester will be the moderator.