Kelly Ayotte is generating buzz, good and bad, over likely run
for the U.S. Senate. (AP photo)
It was American composer and playwright George M. Cohan who said: "I don't care what you say about me, as long as you say something about me, and as long as you spell my name right."
Kelly Ayotte could be thinking the same thing as the politicos react to her decision to resign as New Hampshire's attorney general to make a run for the U.S. Senate.
Here's a sampling based on a variety of media from throughout the state:
Democratic Gov. John Lynch, who reappointed the Republican Ayotte in March to a term he thought would extend to 2013, said: "I thank her for her service." He can't be too critical. He's a Democrat who named a Republican to the office in the first place, which in itself was the subject of criticism.
Ray Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic State Committee, pinned the Sarah Palin quitter button on Ayotte: "Not unlike Sarah Palin, Kelly Ayotte has broken her promise to the people she represents and put politics before public service." See the video below from the Democratic committee.
From Congressman Paul Hodes, the only Democrat who has announced for the Senate, his spokesman said the representative from the 2nd District is focused on his work on Capitol Hill. What the spokesman didn't say, but has a huge potential impact, is that Hodes has bankrolled about $1 million so far in fundraising, a huge advantage over someone starting from square one.
From former U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass, a possible Republican contender: "We'll be watching each other's work, if you will, and probably talk to each other, But it's so early. At least for New Hampshire, it is."
Businessman Fred Tausch has been very visible as a, thus far, Republican non-candidate. His television commercials promote his STEWARD effort -- Save The Economy Without Accumulating Record Debt.
It is unusually early to start handicapping the runners in this sweepstakes for the U.S. Senate.
But Hodes committed himself very early in the cycle, just as incumbent Sen. Judd Gregg was deciding he will not be a candidate for reelection.
Then the GOP heir apparent -- John E. Sununu, himself a former U.S. senator -- took himself out of the race last week. Former GOP Gov. Steve Merrill declined.
With talk already of Ayotte maybe enterting the race, the Sununu exit put the kleig lights directly on her, and she answered the curtain call by telling Gov. Lynch on Tuesday that she will resign effective July 17, a week from Friday.
For her part, Ayotte said of her decision: "I did intend to continue serving and since that time, in terms of the political landscape changing, I think many had hoped Senator Gregg would reconsider his decision and there was talk that Senator Sununu might run and Governor Merrill."
Lynch said he'll name a new attorney general as quickly as possible. Think he has a Republican in mind?
Related stories:
AG Ayotte resigns for U.S. Senate bid
Lynch to Ayotte: Hey, we had a deal
New Hampshire voters show little interest in Senate race
Senate race is Sununu's if he wants it
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