Ron Paul Supporters Burn GOP

The chips have fallen where they may and the Grand Old Party is looking less grand especially in New Hampshire.  Governor Romney’s loss is not much of a surprise for many given the startling similarities between him and President Obama.  Even during the primary many polls showed him losing to Obama in the general election and yet the Republican Party put a great deal of effort into squelching the one candidate who could beat Obama, Dr. Ron Paul.

Supporters of Ron Paul did not forget and when the time came to back Romney in the general election, the votes were just not there.

Both of New Hampshire’s seats to the U.S. House of Representatives were held by Republicans and both were lost to Democratic ousters.  One in particular has some interesting numbers to note:

C. Shea-Porter Dem 49.8% 172,356
F. Guinta (i)    GOP 45.8% 158,482
B. Kelly           Lib     4.3%    14,968

Brenden Kelly captured enough of the vote to deny Frank Guinta another term in office.  Had the GOP been able to court more support from libertarians and independents the results may have turned out differently.

Soda Tax seeker Catherine Mulholland won a seat in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.  With quotes like,“To be addicted to sugar is just as bad as being addicted to alcohol or tobacco,” New Hampshire residents will have another legislator looking to impose nanny-state sin-taxes.  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg instituted a ban on super-sized beverages but Mulholland has a different approach, “That’s a great idea, but tax it. Don’t restrict the size.”

Tim O’Flaherty captured more than just the vote this election season.  He also captured the attention of bloggers at Comedy Central with an interesting post about running in a race against his roommate Dan Garthwaite.  The post became much more intimate with a funny response from Tim indicating that there was more at stake than a seat when jokes about the bedroom were made.

New Hampshire voters came out against the income tax with a majority voting in favor of a Constitutional Amendment though the total fell short of the two-thirds majority needed.  The topic shaped the debate with Governor-elect Maggie Hassan vowing to veto a personal income tax and general sales tax as Governor.

With the election over the campaign signs are disappearing like so many political operatives and shadowy money.  Now perhaps New Hampshire residents can get back to real, tangible, and productive work and the airwaves will have less negativity spewing forth.