Poll: Harris Moves Into 2nd Place In New Hampshire Poll

The latest New Hampshire primary poll conducted by Saint Anselm College shows Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) moving into second place while Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) drops to fifth place.

• Former Vice President Joe Biden 21% (-2)
• Sen. Kamala Harris 18% (+11)
• Sen. Elizabeth Warren 17% (+8)
• Mayor Pete Buttigieg 12% (+1)
• Sen. Bernie Sanders 10% (-6)
• Entrepreneur Andrew Yang 5%
• Se. Amy Klobuchar 3% (+1)
• Author Marianne Williamson 2% (new)
• Sen. Cory Booker 1%
• Rep. Tulsi Gabbard 1%
• Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand 1%

The survey did not include other candidates: former U.S. Housing Secretary Julian Castro, former U.S. Rep. John Delaney, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, U.S. Reps. Seth Moulton and Tim Ryan, Sen. Michael Bennet, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock.

NH Lawmaker Defends His Support For 'Ex-Gay' Torture

New Hampshire lawmaker Steve Negron

 New Hampshire state lawmaker and Republican candidate for Congress, Steve Negron, defended his decision to vote for allowing gay kids to be tortured through so-called "conversion therapy" during an interview with local station WMUR last month.

Via Talking Points Memo:

“I did not vote for that. I believe that’s something that, when you look at these young children that are trying to make a decision, and I remember when I was 15-16 I was confused, I had a lot of options in my life,” he said during a late August Facebook Live interview with WMUR, the state’s largest TV station.

“I think we need to be able to help them understand what it is, give them the right information, and let them get the treatment that they need to understand what the situation is,” Negron continued. “And I think the parents have a huge role in that as well.”

As I've reported over and over here on The Randy Report, major medical groups - including the American Psychological Association - have condemned the practice as extremely harmful saying it can lead to depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, hurt self-esteem and lead to substance abuse and risky sexual behaviors.

New Hampshire Approves Gender Identity Law, Bans "Ex-Gay Therapy"

New Hampshire's LGBT advocates celebrated GOP Gov. Chris Sununu for signing into law a new bill which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

The transgender rights bill passed the New Hampshire House by 195-129 votes, and in the Senate with all Democrats in favor and enough Republicans in support to pass it, 14-10.

“Discrimination – in any form – is unacceptable and runs contrary to New Hampshire’s Live Free or Die Spirit,” Sununu said in a statement after signing House Bill 1319.

But wait - Sununu wasn't done.

He also signed on Friday legislation banning so-called conversion therapy for gay minors.

Connecticut, California, Nevada, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Washington, Maryland, Hawaii and now New Hampshire all have laws or regulations protecting youth from this abusive practice.

A growing number of municipalities have also enacted similar protections, including cities and counties in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, Florida, New York, Arizona, and Wisconsin.

There is no credible evidence that conversion therapy can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. To the contrary, research has clearly shown that these practices pose devastating health risks for LGBTQ young people such as depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, homelessness, and even suicidal behavior. The harmful practice is condemned by every major medical and mental health organization, including the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association and American Medical Association.

Good on you, New Hampshire!

New Hampshire State Senate Approves Transgender Non-Discrimination Protections

The New Hampshire state Senate, by a 14-10 vote margin, has approved a bill that will add gender identity to the state's nondiscrimination law.

New Hampshire is the only state in the New England area without transgender protections in its non-discrimination law.

Notable - both chambers of the state legislature are controlled by Republicans.

Openly gay state Rep. Ed Butler (D) introduced the measure in the House as HB 1319, which was approved in March by a vote of 195-129, with 51 Republican votes.

Gov. Chris Sununu (R) has indicated he will sign the bill into law.

BREAKING: In bipartisan vote, #NewHampshire Senate passes H.B. 1319, extending nondiscrimination protections to #transgender Granite Staters. The bill now goes to Gov. Chris Sununu's desk. Congrats to @FreedomNH_! pic.twitter.com/Bvzs7oL9fl

— Trans Equality (@TransEquality) May 2, 2018

BREAKING: NH Senate votes to pass #HB1319 #TransBillNH 14-10 that would update anti-discrimination protections to include transgender folks across the state!! On to the @GovChrisSununu's desk for signing. #NHPolitics pic.twitter.com/XvxUhKgYkY

— ACLU_New Hampshire (@ACLU_NH) May 2, 2018

New Hampshire: 8-Year-Old Biracial Boy "Lynched" By Teenagers

(image via Facebook)

An 8-year-old bi-racial boy was hung from a tree by a 14-year-old boy in Claremont, New Hampshire.

Via RawStory:

According to the victim’s grandmother Lorrie Slattery, he was playing with a group of children and teens when they began to taunt him with racist epithets and throw sticks and rocks at him.

Someone stood on a picnic table and the group wrapped a rope from a nearby tire swing around the boy’s throat, then kicked him off the table.

The victim swung back and forth three times before he was able to free himself. None of the teens came to his aid.

NH1.com said Chief Chase refused to state whether the crime was racially motivated.

The incident, which took place on August 28, has locals up in arms as the police have appeared to be more interested in protecting the alleged perpetrator than finding justice for the victim.

Claremont Police Chief Mark Chase refused to comment on the case saying his department is still investigating. He also noted that those involved are juveniles and that they should be “protected.”

“Mistakes they make as a young child should not have to follow them for the rest of their life,” Chase said.

As the boy was being flown to medical treatment, his mother took to Facebook denouncing the attack, “So my son is being flown to Dartmouth after a 14-year-old kid decided to hang him from a tree. I don’t care if this was a so called accident or not. My son almost died because of some little sh*t teenage kids.”

Since Donald Trump's election, the U.S. has seen a spike in hate crimes.

Trump: I'd Have Won New Hampshire If Not For Illegal Voters Being Bussed In From Massachusetts

He. Just. Can't. Let. It. Go.

President Trump apparently went back into "voter fraud" mode yesterday during a bipartisan meeting of U.S. Senators meant to shore up support for Trump's nominee for SCOTUS, Judge Neil Gorsuch.

Reporters were allowed in the room, but it was after the journalists were escorted out that Trump went on another rant saying he'd have won the popular vote in the presidential election if not for fraud.

Via Politico:

As soon as the door closed and the reporters allowed to observe for a few minutes had been ushered out, Trump began to talk about the election, participants said, triggered by the presence of former New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, who lost her reelection bid in November and is now working for Trump as a Capitol Hill liaison, or “Sherpa,” on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch.

The president claimed that he and Ayotte both would have been victorious in the Granite State if not for the “thousands” of people who were “brought in on buses” from neighboring Massachusetts to “illegally” vote in New Hampshire.

According to one participant who described the meeting, “an uncomfortable silence” momentarily overtook the room.

Trump also teased Ayotte by saying, "You’d have won if you’d been on my train."

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Hillary Clinton Up By Double-Digits In Crucial Swing States

Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton gets more good news in the polls from two swing states, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.

Among likely voters in Pennsylvania, Hillary tops Donald Trump by 11 points 49%/38% according to the latest Franklin and Marshall poll.

Most pundits on both sides of the political spectrum say Trump really needs the Keystone State to win the presidency.

In New Hampshire, the new WBUR poll gives the former Secretary of State a whopping 17 point lead on the Trumpster - 51% to 34%.

Donald Trump As "The GOPfather - The Candidate Nobody Can Refuse"

The Democratic Rapid Response team was ready for Donald Trump's big night last night in New Hampshire with this clip which depicts Donald Trump as THE GODFATHER's "Vito Corleone" – “the candidate nobody can refuse” who will “do anything to win” and to whom “all must pay their respects.”

New Hampshire Primary Results

Good night for Sen. Bernie Sanders in New Hampshire's Democratic primary, while Donald Trump crushed over on the Republican side.

Biggest loser of the night has to go to Sen. Marco Rubio who came out of Iowa caucuses with a strong 3rd place showing. But his admittedly weak debate performance on Saturday (just days before the primary in NH) affected his supporters. Rubio eked out a 5th place finish last night.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will announce this afternoon that he's leaving the race.

New York Daily News Calls Trump Win In New Hampshire "Dawn Of The Brain Dead"

From the New York Daily News:

Clueless New Hampshire voters handed billionaire bore Donald Trump a “yuge” victory in the first-in-the nation primary Tuesday, providing the mad mogul with a new round of ammo a week after a disappointing second-place finish in Iowa.

More than three in 10 Granite State voters flocked to the foul-mouthed contender, throwing their support to him at levels beyond what the polls had predicted — a day after he referred to a Republican challenger Ted Cruz as a “pussy.”

Coming in second place in the primary was Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who was declared the official silver-medalist with about 16% of the vote.

Trailing Kasich was a pack of establishment candidates including Texas Sen. Cruz, with 11.6%, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, with 11% and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, with 10.5%.

Chris Christie, who had campaigned heavily in New Hampshire, got only 7.5% support, returns showed, prompting the outspoken governor to say that he would “go home to New Jersey” on Wednesday to “take a deep breath,” leading many to believe he was on the verge of dropping out of the race.

New Hampshire Voter Asks Rubio: "Why Do You Want To Put Me Back In The Closet?"

During a New Hampshire campaign stop at the Puritan Backroom Diner last night, Senator Marco Rubio didn't get the reception he was hoping for when a middle-aged gay man asked, “Why do you want to put me back in the closet?”

Rubio's answer was not convincing: “I don’t, you can live any way you want.”

From the New York Times:

The voter, who identified himself as Timothy Kierstead, was seated at a table with his mother and his husband when Mr. Rubio walked up behind him, according to pool reports of the encounter. During a brief conversation, Mr. Kierstead, 50, told Mr. Rubio that he was married but complained that the senator’s position amounted to him declaring that “we don’t matter.”

Mr. Rubio, who was standing with his youngest son, Dominick, 8, by his side, gently disagreed. “No, I just believe marriage is between one man and one woman.”

“Well,” replied Mr. Kierstead, “that’s your belief.”

Mr. Rubio continued: “I think that’s what the law should be. And if you don’t agree you should have the law changed by a legislature.”

Mr. Kierstead said the law had already been changed, referring either to a Supreme Court ruling that has legalized same-sex marriage across the country or to state legislation in New Hampshire that did the same.

Mr. Rubio decided to conclude their conversation. “I respect your view,” he said, patting Mr. Kierstead on the shoulder and starting to walk away.

Mr. Kierstead was unsatisfied. “Typical politician,” he said loudly. “Walk away.”

New Hampshire was actually the first state to freely legislate marriage equality.

Fox News Accidentally Calls New Hampshire For Donald Trump

Fox News accidentally jumped the gun with a ready-made graphic showing Donald Trump winning the New Hampshire primary - at noon with the polls still open. Click the image above to enlarge.

It seems Fox was looking to predict a Trump win with 28%, followed by Sen. Marco Rubio at 12% and Sen. Ted Cruz at 11%.

Fox News issued this "oopsie" after the graphic was taken down:

“During routine testing in preparation for the New Hampshire primary a malfunction occurred which briefly showed errant data on our website,” Fox News Chief Digital Officer Jeff Misenti said in a statement. “This error has been rectified. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.”

New Hampshire Tracking Poll - Day 6

Day 6 of the 7News/UMass Lowell New Hampshire Tracking poll shows not much movement.

Hillary Clinton has narrowed the gap quite a bit this week. She started down 31 points this week but has closed that to a 14 point deficit. But I don't see her closing the deal by Tuesday's primary. Another tracking poll showed her down 12 points.

Bernie Sanders stayed steady at 55 percent, and Hillary Clinton gained a point. She now has 41 percent.

The tracking poll shows Sanders has stopped his downward trend.

As for Hillary Clinton, she's still ticking upwards, but now at slower pace.

On the Republican side, Donald Trump went up a point to 35 percent.

Marco Rubio lost a point, and now has 14.

Ted Cruz also lost a point. He has 13 and remains in third.

Jeb Bush and John Kasich both gained two points, and both have ten.

Chris Christie went down one to four percent.

Ben Carson is also down one with three percent, and Carly Fiorina is also at three.

New Hampshire Daily Tracking Poll Shows Marco Rubio And Hillary Clinton Trending Up

The 7News/UMass Lowell New Hampshire tracking poll shows progress for Republican Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The daily poll shows Rubio gaining 3 points while front-runner Donald Trump dropped 2 points overnight.

Here's where the Republicans stand:

Over on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton rises 4 points while Sen. Bernie Sanders drops 3 points.

With five days before the first in the nation primary, it'll be interesting to see how much ground the underdogs in the Granite State might make up.

Will Trump's peeps really show up and vote for him? He's admitted he knew nothing about "ground game" in Iowa - will that change in New Hampshire?

I've said before that with Sanders practically in his backyard, and with such a commanding lead, a second place finish by Hillary in single digits would register as an achievement.

New Poll Shows Tight Races In Iowa & New Hampshire

According to the new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll, the races for presidential hopefuls in Iowa and New Hampshire are getting tighter.

The poll addressed both Likely and Potential voters

Among likely Republican caucus-goers in Iowa:
Sen. Ted Cruz 28%
Donald Trump 24%
Sen. Marco Rubio 13%
Ben Carson 11%
The rest, who cares...

Among potential Republican caucus-goers in Iowa (larger group of possible voters):
Donald Trump 26%
Sen. Ted Cruz 24%
Sen. Marco Rubio 13%
Ben Carson 11%

Among likely Democratic caucus-goers in Iowa:
Hillary Clinton 48%
Sen. Bernie Sanders 45%
Martin O'Malley 5%

Among potential Democratic caucus-goers in Iowa:
Hillary Clinton 49%
Sen. Bernie Sanders 43%
Martin O'Malley 4%

Among likely Republican caucus-goers in New Hampshire:
Donald Trump 30%
Sen. Marco Rubio 14%
Gov. Chris Christie 12%
Sen. Ted Cruz 10%
Gov. John Kasich 9%
Gov. Jeb Bush 9%

Among potential Republican caucus-goers in New Hampshire, the numbers are unchanged for these candidates.

Among likely Democratic caucus-goers in New Hampshire:
Sen. Bernie Sanders 50%
Hillary Clinton 46%
Martin O'Malley 1%

Among potential Democratic caucus-goers in New Hampshire:
Sen. Bernie Sanders 50%
Hillary Clinton 44%
Martin O'Malley 4%

Donald Trump Says He Will "Spend Big" To Win Early Primaries

My campaign for president is $35,000,000 under budget, I have spent very little (and am in 1st place).Now I will spend big in Iowa/N.H./S.C.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2015

Poll: Hillary Clinton Regains The Lead In New Hampshire After Strong Debate Performance

A new Suffolk University poll has good news for the Hillary Clinton campaign in New Hampshire.

Clearly, her strong performance at this week's Democratic debate made a good impression on New Hampshire voters as she has regained the lead in the Granite State.

The results of the new survey show Hillary at 37% and Sanders at 35%. That's within the error of margin, but a clear improvement over past weeks.

Regarding the debate specifically, among the 283 polled who watched the two hour event, 54% said Clinton was the winner; 24% chose Sanders.

New Hampshire Democrats also pick Clinton as having the best chance to win in the general election next fall - 52% majority favoring Clinton, while only 16% who look to Sanders.

New Hampshire: Small town police commissioner resigns over using "N" word to describe President Obama

A local police commissioner has resigned after a firestorm erupted last week in the New Hampshire town of Wolfeboro.  Robert Copeland  was brought to task for using a racial slur to refer to President Obama.

Copeland admitted using the slur, preceded by an obscenity, while he was at a restaurant in March. The comment was overheard by a resident of the New Hampshire town and acknowledged by Copeland in an email to his fellow police commissioners.

As the story grew, even former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney denounced the use of the slur.   “The vile epithet used and confirmed by the commissioner has no place in our community,” Romney said. “He should apologize and resign.”

At a town meeting last week, over 100 residents called for the resignation of Copeland. Copeland didn't even attempt to defend himself:

"I believe I did use the 'N' word in reference to the current occupant of the Whitehouse," Copeland said in the April email sent to the two other commissioners and forwarded to O'Toole. "For this, I do not apologize — he meets and exceeds my criteria for such."

A handful of people at the meeting spoke on behalf of Copeland, saying he had a right to free speech. But the louder message came from those who wanted him out.

"Comments like these, especially coming from a public official, are not only inexcusable but also terribly, unfortunately, reflects poorly on our town," O'Toole said at the meeting.

New Hampshire: Scott Brown announces run for NH Senate seat

Former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown is announced today he's running for the US Senate again. Only this time, in New Hampshire.

The term "carpetbagger" comes from the 1860s after the Civil War left the South with many deaths in the political world. Northerners relocated to the South for political opportunity. (A carpetbag was a type of luggage). Sometimes, when a politician fails in one race, they move to another state to try their luck there. It's often frowned upon because the pol may or may not understand the local political climate.

It will be interesting to see if the "carpetbagger" term sticks to Brown in this race. The Real Clear Politics poll average shows Jeanne Shaheen, the Democratic incumbent, at a nine point lead.

New Hampshire: Candidate for Sheriff says he would "consider deadly force" to prevent an abortion

A Republican - with no prior law enforcement experience - running for county sheriff in New Hampshire is facing calls to leave the race after he suggested it is acceptable to use deadly force to stop a doctor from performing an abortion.

While he has now recanted his comments, saying they are “unacceptable,” he has made no indication that he will drop out.

In a local television interview, Hillsborough County sheriff candidate Frank Szabo said that he values the life of an unborn fetus so much that, when it came to elective and late-term abortions, he’d be willing to kill for it:

But Szabo may have inflamed the issue further when asked if he would use deadly force to prevent an abortion.

“I would respond specifically by saying that if someone is under threat, a full-grown human being, if they’re under threat, what should the sheriff do? Everything in their power to prevent them from being harmed,” he said.

When pressed about what he would do if he learned that a doctor was about to perform an elective abortion, Szabo replied he would do what it took to prevent that from happening.

“Absolutely,” he said. “Well, I would hope that it wouldn’t come to that, as with any situation where someone is in danger, but again, specifically talking about elective abortions and late-term abortions, that is an act that needs to be stopped.”

Among those calling on Szabo to step down is New Hampshire’s Republican House Speaker Bill O’Brien. In a release, O’Brien wrote, “It is our hope that Mr. Szabo will withdraw from this race and think long and hard about grounding himself in constitutional law and principles before considering political office in the future.”

Via ThinkProgress