Cook on Concord

Before anyone gets too enthusiastic because Congress avoided yet another default in the federal budget and claims that somehow that was an indication that bipartisan action works, consider the facts.

One of the themes woven through the government and politics days during the Leadership New Hampshire and Leadership Manchester programs is the unique nature of New Hampshire state government.

In the crazy and complex world we find ourselves inhabiting, it is sometimes valuable to block out the TV, internet and virtual world, and read a book.

Leadership is an elusive concept. I have been teaching the government and politics sessions of Leadership New Hampshire and Leadership Manchester for about 35 years, and ask each session the following questions: How many people do you see in leadership positions who you don’t think are leaders? How many leaders do you see who are not in leadership positions? Why?

Now that the 2024 New Hampshire Primary is in the rear-view mirror, what can be said of it?

Late 2023 saw some significant losses to the state, with the passing of many prominent people who contributed greatly to the progress and fabric of New Hampshire. Three of them are worthy of note here.

This is the first column of 2024 and the last one before New Hampshire voters vote in the New Hampshire Primary

For an observer of New Hampshire public policy discussions for over 50 years, the subjects of discussion in Concord recently are both déjà vu and somewhat disconcerting.

Thanksgiving — my and many peoples’ favorite holiday — reminds this writer of the many things to be thankful for, in the face of “wars and rumors of wars,” crime, recriminations and the other noise that pollutes our lives. At…