Delegates get a send-off to Democratic convention

WINDHAM – The Windham Democratic Town Committee on Saturday sent off local Democratic National Convention delegates with a party packed with political stump speeches.

More than 100 local, state and national Democrats gathered in the back yard of Marion and Gary Martin to mingle and meet while munching on vegetables and enjoying a variety of beverages. Candidates for local and state offices spoke to the crowd from atop the porch, and Bill Shaheen, the state chairman of John Kerry’s presidential campaign, dispatched the delegates with a rousing and humorous speech.

“Thank you for the standing ovation,” said Shaheen, to the chair-free audience as he took control of the microphone.

“Given this gathering, it’s clear to me that Windham is no longer a Republican community,” John Lynch, the Democratic candidate for governor from Hopkinton, said.

Lynch jump-started the evening with a speech that focused on the quality and availability of education in New Hampshire. He detailed the first time he met Gov. Craig Benson, as a member of the University of New Hampshire Board of Trustees. He said that Benson told him to consider budget cuts as castor oil – it hurts to take it, but you’re better off in the end.

“It’s time to give the governor a taste of his own medicine,” Lynch said.

A poll by the Becker Institute on July 8 showed Benson at 43 percent and Lynch at 41 percent, with a margin of error of 2 percent to 5 percent.

Paul McEachern, another Democratic candidate for governor, spoke to the crowd about his personal history in politics.

“Controversy tests our ideas,” he said.

Justin Nadeau, an attorney and small-business man from Portsmouth, is taking on incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley from the 1st Congressional District. Nadeau boasted that he has raised more money in 20 days than Bradley has in three months.

Nadeau also remarked that New Hampshire is not properly represented in Congress.

“Our independent voice is not heard in Washington,” he said.

Sean Carberry, the campaign manager for Paul Hodes, spoke on his behalf. Hodes, an attorney with the firm of Shaheen & Gordon, opposes U.S. Rep. Charles Bass in the 2nd Congressional District. Hodes was fund raising in California and could not attend the party.

“People can’t take what’s going on in Washington now,” Carberry said. “We’re not that far apart as people in this country. Paul can bring people together. This is about being an American.”

Seven delegates from across the state took the stage, as well. The group included retired doctor and state Rep. Joe Miller of Durham.

“I’m the oldest delegate from New Hampshire,” he said. “And probably the entire country.” He declined to reveal his age.

Shaheen called the party-goers patriots who will, “Save this state, save this nation and could very well save this world.”

“If you are an American first, and a member of the Democratic party second – you’ve got to vote for John Kerry.”

Shaheen was confident in Kerry’s ability to win New Hampshire in the general election in November.

“Nothing is going to stop us, even if they try their dirty tricks, or try to cheat by jamming the phone lines.”

By CHRIS SIMPSON Telegraph Correspondent

WINDHAM – The Windham Democratic Town Committee on Saturday sent off local Democratic National Convention delegates with a party packed with political stump speeches.

More than 100 local, state and national Democrats gathered in the back yard of Marion and Gary Martin to mingle and meet while munching on vegetables and enjoying a variety of beverages. Candidates for local and state offices spoke to the crowd from atop the porch, and Bill Shaheen, the state chairman of John Kerry’s presidential campaign, dispatched the delegates with a rousing and humorous speech.

“Thank you for the standing ovation,” said Shaheen, to the chair-free audience as he took control of the microphone.

“Given this gathering, it’s clear to me that Windham is no longer a Republican community,” John Lynch, the Democratic candidate for governor from Hopkinton, said.

Lynch jump-started the evening with a speech that focused on the quality and availability of education in New Hampshire. He detailed the first time he met Gov. Craig Benson, as a member of the University of New Hampshire Board of Trustees. He said that Benson told him to consider budget cuts as castor oil – it hurts to take it, but you’re better off in the end.

“It’s time to give the governor a taste of his own medicine,” Lynch said.

A poll by the Becker Institute on July 8 showed Benson at 43 percent and Lynch at 41 percent, with a margin of error of 2 percent to 5 percent.

Paul McEachern, another Democratic candidate for governor, spoke to the crowd about his personal history in politics.

“Controversy tests our ideas,” he said.

Justin Nadeau, an attorney and small-business man from Portsmouth, is taking on incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley from the 1st Congressional District. Nadeau boasted that he has raised more money in 20 days than Bradley has in three months.

Nadeau also remarked that New Hampshire is not properly represented in Congress.

“Our independent voice is not heard in Washington,” he said.

Sean Carberry, the campaign manager for Paul Hodes, spoke on his behalf. Hodes, an attorney with the firm of Shaheen & Gordon, opposes U.S. Rep. Charles Bass in the 2nd Congressional District. Hodes was fund raising in California and could not attend the party.

“People can’t take what’s going on in Washington now,” Carberry said. “We’re not that far apart as people in this country. Paul can bring people together. This is about being an American.”

Seven delegates from across the state took the stage, as well. The group included retired doctor and state Rep. Joe Miller of Durham.

“I’m the oldest delegate from New Hampshire,” he said. “And probably the entire country.” He declined to reveal his age.

Shaheen called the party-goers patriots who will, “Save this state, save this nation and could very well save this world.”

“If you are an American first, and a member of the Democratic party second – you’ve got to vote for John Kerry.”

Shaheen was confident in Kerry’s ability to win New Hampshire in the general election in November.

“Nothing is going to stop us, even if they try their dirty tricks, or try to cheat by jamming the phone lines.”