"Go Independent voters ... We can make this decision!"

For the better part of last year, you've been reading their letters to the editor to the Concord Monitor, seeing their quotes in the Christian Science Monitor here and here, and on ABC News here. You've seen them on The Hankster video after they accepted the 2007 Anti-Corruption Award in New York City on behalf of the New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice, and then on NBC's Nightly News with Tom Brokaw (a shorter version is at the top of The Hankster) or talking with Barack Obama on CNN.

And today, Betty Ward and Russ Ouellette shared their thoughts with me by email about their state's first-in-the-nation primary.

Betty, an elementary school teacher, said, "It was a great day for America, a great day for Independents. A record number of people coming out to vote, the majority being independents and young people, and that there is an active participation in the democratic process. Independents are changing the conversation, changing the political landscape, and independents and the American people will decide the next president."

Russ, a management consultant said, "My thoughts are that Obama lost to McCain, not Hillary. Hillary got her expected base of Democrats and women and Obama shared some of his Independent votes with McCain. This is why it is so important for candidates, the media, and everyone in politics to listen to and engage independents.

"We witnessed a flurry of interest in independent politics all through this primary season, with a fever pitch reached the day of the Primary. This dialog must continue so all citizens understand the value of their independent opinion and vote.

"Also, the polls were wrong. The media can not continue to count on old-school pundits and pollsters who have lost the ability to tap into the real America. Their methods need to consider independent voters as a movement and not some leaning undecided fringe. Go Independent voters ... we can make this decision!"

According to Ari Pinkus' article this afternoon in the Christian Science Monitor, "Obama drew more of the independent vote here – about 24 percent – than any other candidate, Democrat or Republican. Clinton garnered about 18.6 percent of independents, and Senator McCain 15.1 percent. The remainder cast ballots for one of the nine other candidates, the exit poll data showed."

Congratulations to Betty, Russ, Andre Gibeau, Donna Richards, and all the independents who worked so hard to make their voices heard in New Hampshire in this election. We know it's only the beginning!
--NH

New Hampshire independent voters talk about their choices

New Hampshire independent voters Betty Ward, Kevin Drew and Bart Hunter talk with Tom Brokaw about their choices for the primary. This is a longer version of the video at the top of The Hankster.

UPDATED:
Betty Ward, school teacher, mom and leader of New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice (NH-CIV) says people are opting out of the parties and out of partisanship. "For me, it's not about a Clinton-Obama-Kucinich-Huckabee; it's about partisanship... We frame the discussion around people when it should be about the democratic process....."

"It’s Not Just About Ending the War. It’s About Ending Partisanship"

Independent voters from around the country are sending this message of support to New Hampshire voters, 44% of whom are independent and are allowed to vote in the primaries.

Ads will appear in print and on radio across the state in a campaign co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice (“NH-CIV”), part of the IndependentVoting.org network created by The Committee for a Unified Independent Party (“CUIP”)—a national association of independent voters.

Today’s Nashua Telegraph contains a full page edition of the ad (p. 22). The ad will run tomorrow in the Portsmouth Herald and in upstate papers on Friday. The ad is also on running the radio stations of: WCCM, WKXL, WGIR and WKBK featuring Betty Ward, Concord school teacher and Russ Ouellette, a Bedford business consultant.

The ad describes which presidential candidates have reached out to independents and encourages voters this into account when voting next Tuesday.

The ad also reminds NH independents that they can re-declare their status as independents upon exiting the polling site. Attempts by both Democratic and Republican controlled NH legislatures to limit independent’s long standing right to do so, were turned back by the lobbying efforts of NH-CIV in 2005 and 2007.

Actually, independent voters care a lot

by Donna Lee Richards, Nashua
For the Concord Monitor
December 28. 2007

Dear President Clinton:

Your comment in the Concord Monitor regarding your perception of independent voters was distressing to me and my fellow independents in New Hampshire ("Bill Clinton: Hillary has resilience," Monitor front page, Dec. 21)

Independents make up 44 percent of the voting population in New Hampshire and represent the largest segment of voters in the country. Independents do not label themselves as belonging to a political party. This does not mean that they are not interested, informed or involved in politics and government. This simply means that they do not limit their views, issues or votes to those favored by one political party.

Much attention has been focused on independent voters in New Hampshire, but there seems to be a fundamental confusion as to who these independents are and what our votes represent. We are not snoozing between presidential elections only to be woken and wooed by candidates, returning to our slumber in between because we "don't like politics."

To deny that a majority of voters "cares" is, with all due respect, a rather arrogant partisan view which does a disservice to this majority of voters and to the public servants who represent us and could benefit from knowledge of our views. Knowing and caring what is important to independents should be of vital importance to candidates, elected officials and public servants at every level.

I invite you to help us lead the charge to a better understanding of independent voters in America. We are not just voters in the primaries - we are citizens of this great country.

DONNA LEE RICHARDS
Nashua
(The writer is a member of the New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice.)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Actually, independent voters care a lot (Donna Lee Richards, Concord Monitor)
• If independents don't care about politics, why are the candidates wooing them in New Hampshire? (Arizona Central)
• ‘Long shot’ Kucinich scores 77% in independent voter poll (Daily Scare blog)
• The Huckmonster Returns to Another Monster: Dick Morris- local Little Rock reform activist talks dirt on Huckabee (by Skip Cook, OpEdNews)
• When blacks run for president (CBS News) News)
• Bill Clinton's negative attacks on Obama not appreciated (Black Star News Editorial)
• Calling The Kettle Black--Clinton's attacks on Obama (Black Voice News)
• Arizona Presidential Preference Election Limited to Republicans, Democrats (KTAR)
• The Path to a National Popular Vote (By David Sirota, Truthdig)

Which candidates have reached out to independent voters?

The Committee for a Unified Independent Party (CUIP) in collaboration with the New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice (NH-CIV) are running a statewide advertising campaign to promote the independent movement and to inform the public which presidential candidates have invested in connecting to independent voters. If you'd like to participate in the media blitz, click here. This isn't about endorsing candidates, it's about promoting the independent movement and letting independents voters in New Hampshire know that independents around the country are supporting THE VOTERS!

Betty Ward and Russ Ouellette from New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice

Obama Targets Independents -- But Is He Listening???

A Hankster Editorial

Sen. Obama needs another lesson in talking with independent voters!

Here's a link to the CNN piece on Obama talking with New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice activist Russ Ouellette

This was Sen. Obama in "dialogue" with independent voters in New Hampshire. Sen. Obama seems to confuse talking with independent voters with using the word "independent" in a sentence, hence his urgency in creating an "independent energy" plan....

When Russ Ouellette of the influential New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice tried to point out to the Senator on a CNN piece last night that "crossing the aisle" does not constitute reaching out to independent voters, Obama cut him off at the pass. I'd say the Senator, who I regard as an important voice in this election, needs to work on his listening skills -- particularly when it comes to independent voters.

PS -- Russ Ouelette and Betty Ward accepted a well-deserved Anti-Corruption Award on Tuesday night from the New York County Independence Party on behalf of the New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice. They don't get star-struck, they keep their eyes on the grassroots, they're part of the independent movement's secret weapon!

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Kucinich get's 77% of votes on IndependentPrimary.com poll (Press Release, Kucinich for President)
• Washington closed primaries are an "inappropriate invasion of voters' right to privacy" (Special to The Seattle Times)
• Tancredo drops out, opts to back Romney (Houston Chronicle)
• Bill on Hillary and "independents don't like politics, that's why they're independent" (Concord Monitor)
• Washington state independent voters support "no one" (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
• Wednesday's polls show McCain gaining (New Hampshire Union Leader)
• Kissinger endorses McCain, but that won't pull independent voters (Power Line blog)

OBAMA MEETS WITH INDEPENDENTS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE:
NOTE: The MSM coverage below notwithstanding, I caught a few minutes of Obama chatting with a group of voters in New Hampshire on CNN last night. The group included Russ Ouellette, one of the key organizers of the influencial New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice which was awarded a 2007 Anti-Corruption Award this week by the New York County Independence Party. When Sen. Obama was talking about his willingness to "cross the aisle" as a testament to his appeal to independents, Russ pointed out that appealing to Republicans by reaching "across the aisle" is not the same thing as reaching out to independents. Obama cut him off with a little bit of a "oh yes it does" attitude.... So much for reaching out to independent voters... Sen. Obama needs to work much harder to learn how to talk to AND LISTEN TO independents!

• Obama taps independent voters in N.H. (Nashua Telegraph)
• Obama talks solutions with voters at Loaf and Ladle (Seacoast Online Exeter News-Letter)
• Obama criticizes 527s (MSNBC)
• Obama appeals to important NH independents (Boston Herald)
• Guess Who's Coming to Des Moines and various other racist arguments against Obama's candidacy.... (American Spectator)

• Bloomberg talks shop with 15 new mayors -- one topic: party affiliation and voter loyalty(Newsday)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• If you live in New Hampshire, look for the New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice on Channel 16Public/Education Programming
• Ralph Nader has something to say to Gail Collins (Dissident Voice.org)
• Obama's 1996 candidate survey food for the Clinton Attack Machine.... (Chicago Sun Times)
• Blacks favor Clinton over Obama-at least for now (By James Wright, Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers, Frost Illustrated)
• Hawaii Democrats may sue to close primary (Honolulu Advertiser)
• Virginia: Repub Wittman beats out Dem Forgit and independent Lucky Narain for vacant Congressional seat (Daily Press)
• Missouri: Poll--voters back nonpartisan court plan (St. Louis Business Journal)
• The Anxiety of Hope: Barack Obama is surging in Iowa. Seattle is swooning. Oprah says he’s the one. Could this man be the winner Democrats have been waiting for? (The Stranger - Seattle)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Donna Richards, Nashua, says "Independents are NOT 'trending'!" ( Letter to editor Concord Monitor)
• Indies don't like DNC moves in FL (Lawrence Journal World)
• Mass alienation with politics as usual -- a morphed incarnation of Perotism -- is returning in force. (RealClearPolitics)
• John Georges "made signigicant inroads as an independent" in Louisiana gov race (The Advocate)
• Independent candidate not even interviewed by Teachers (Stamford Times)
• Candidate Paul May Be Nader With a Twist (NY Sun)
• Kucinich’s Challenge-after the rank-and-file cheering died down at Chicago's Soldiers Field, the union leadership went back to politics as usual.... (By John Nichols November 2007 Issue Progressive Magazine)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Paul Jacob, of Virginia, a national leader of the term limit movement-Indictment hits petition effort (Sapulpa Daily Herald) and Out-of-state petition circulators may be out of luck this time (The Edmond Sun)
• New Hampshire-Independents Meet with Kucinich. (Democratic Underground )
• Democrats will lose again if war in Iraq continues (LETTER to The Daily Advertiser)
• New consultancy for independent candidates-D’Amore, Hillsman, Oliver & Barkley (Politico)
• Repub hopefuls grab chance Dems refused in Michigan (Detroit Free Press)
• Republicans Want More Minority Involvement (The Tampa Tribune)
• Alabama: 'Not your grandmother's Baptist preacher' has concerns about how politicized faith has become (Decatur Daily)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Independents Meet with Kucinich (PNEWS L )
• New Hampshire Association of Independent Voters To Host Conference October 14th (NH Insider)
• Gravel, Kucinich To Speak at Association of Independent Voters (New Hampshire Presidential Watch )
• New Hampshire voters must decide on a party or independent status, starting Friday (A Nashua Telegraph Editorial)
• Colorado: Repub Schaffer, Dem Udall face 34% independent voters in district (The Denver Post)
• Repub poll: conservation issues can attract independents (San Antonio Express-News)
• Leaders are letting Democrats down-I'm now independent! (Letter to the Fayetteville Observer)
• Bloomberg For President Bandwagon Gets Flat Tire (By Joe Gandelman - The Moderate Voice)

New Hampshire Association of Independent Voters To Host Conference October 14th

Presidential Candidates Invited; Kucinich, Gravel Confirmed
Executive Editor of The Neo-Independent magazine Jacqueline Salit will be Featured Speaker

Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice (NH-CIV), a statewide association of independent voters, will host a conference entitled "Independents' Making our Voices Heard" in Hollis, New Hampshire on Sunday, October 14th, 2007....

Read more on NH INSIDER

August Independent Political Round-Up

Independents Meet with Kucinich
A team of New Hampshire independents met with presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich Saturday night in Bedford, NH at the office of Russ Ouellette , a leader of The Committee for an Independent Voice (NH-CIV). Ouellette and CIV-NH builders Betty Ward and Andre Gibeau sat down with the candidate and his wife Elizabeth to lay out their concerns about partisan control of the political process and to discuss the aims of the independent movement. Kucinich presented his record as one of having fought the political machine of his own party, notably on the Iraq war policy.

The candidate accepted an invitation to participate in an upcoming forum organized by CIV-NH at Alpine Grove in Hollis in mid-October. The meeting with the three New Hampshire independents was arranged by California’s IndependentVoice.org co-chair Jim Mangia, a longtime figure in the independent political movement, who has helped Kucinich shape the pro-democracy, pro-independent thrust of his candidacy. Mangia is guiding Kucinich through a series of sit-downs with independent leaders to better acquaint him with the concerns and political reform agenda of independent voters. Mangia has been influential in persuading Kucinich to reach out to independent voters in open primary states. Last week, the Kucinich campaign issued a press release stating he intends to seek the support of independent voters. The former national secretary of the Reform Party and current President and CEO of St. John’s Well Child Center, Mangia hosted a forum on healthcare in mid-August attended by 250 social service professionals and Kucinich at the acclaimed health clinic in Los Angeles. See excerpts from the gathering on YouTube.

New York City Independent Lenora Fulani Announces Intention to Seek Citywide Office in 2009
Lenora Fulani filed an exploratory committee – The Committee for an Independent New York – and declared her intention to run for citywide office at a press conference on the steps of New York City’s City Hall with over 100 supporters. “In 2001, the people of this city inaugurated a new era of nonpartisan government. With Michael Bloomberg as mayor and with a new sense of independence, the city began to move beyond years of petty politics and clubhouse control. As an early supporter of Bloomberg’s and as a member of the Independence Party which gave him his margin of victory in 2001, I am proud that I campaigned for him.” Fulani filed papers with the New York City Campaign Finance Board authorizing an exploratory committee for a run for citywide office. “I have already spoken with dozens of community leaders, elected officials, clergy, independents, Democrats and Republicans about my intentions and my concerns. I will continue to reach out and to expand the public conversation about a nonpartisan future for our city.” Click here to read her full statement or watch the press conference.

Georgia Radio Host and Former Independent Candidate Helen Blocker-Adams Open Airwaves to Discussion of Black Vote
Helen Blocker-Adams, the host of WNRR 1230 am “People and Issues” and a 2006 independent candidate for the GA state legislature addressed the topic of the 2009 elections and the black vote with special guest Lenora Fulani. “In talking with folks in the community here I find that more and more people are getting the sense that they've been voting for years and years, typically for the Democrats, and staring to realize 'I'm not getting what I should be getting for all those votes' and feeling like there's got to be another way. There's got to be more choices and options." Blocker-Adams received over 30% of the vote as an independent in 2006.


NH Independents extend invitation to Richardson
CIV-NH activist Betty Ward of Concord, NY spoke with candidate Bill Richardson Sunday morning at a gathering at the home of State Senator d’Allesandro. Richardson addressed the group of 60-70 people and included in his remarks recognition of independent voters. Afterwards, Ward introduced herself and her organization of independents to Richardson who beckoned Stan McKenna - the NH political director. Ward briefed McKenna about CIV-NH and they spoke of setting up an additional meeting. Ward also extended an invitation to the Richardson campaign to participate in NH-CIV’s mid-October forum for independents.

Granite State Rebels!

Be sure to click on the video at the top of The Hankster (it's 15 minutes well spent) to see New Hampshire independents Betty Ward, Russ Ouellette and Andre Gibeau hold forth on Political Chowder... You do know that independents vote in the primaries in New Hampshire, right? And, yes, I DID hear Barack Obama utter the word "independent" in the YouTube/CNN debate! Thanks, New Hampshire independents!!!!