I’m often curious why politicians choose one location over another, to hold a speech or press conference to announce something or tout a program or policy. These are well thought out decisions and a message is generally being sent.
Chris Sununu’s choice of the Bridges House to announce he would not be running for U.S. Senate, but instead go for a fourth term as governor, should have given us all a heads up about his decision.
Bridges House is the non-mansion, official “Governor’s Mansion” of New Hampshire and the “official residence” of our governor. Although, only two governors have ever lived there: Styles Bridges, the guy who donated the house to the state, who was governor, 1935-1937, and a U.S. Senator from 1937-1961; and Meldrim Thomson Jr., 1973-1979.
However, by choosing the governor’s “official residence” to announce his intentions, Governor Sununu sent a clear message: This is home and I’m staying here.
As so much thought and strategy is put into picking locations for major political events, one has to wonder why President Joe Biden chose a bridge in Woodstock, New Hampshire as his first stop on his tour to promote the trillion dollar infrastructure bill he recently signed into law. Why the Granite State? New Hampshire, receives the least amount of money of any state from this legislation. We are #50 on the list. So, why here? Well, that bridge has a pretty backdrop and…politics.
Both Congressman Chris Pappas and Senator Maggie Hassan are facing what will be tough re-elections in 2022. They, along with Congresswoman Annie Kuster and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, attended the event alongside the president, to take props for its passage. It’s good publicity, albeit they’re standing beside a president with an underwater approval rating here. They are our elected federal delegation, what’s political about them attending? Nothing. Who wasn’t invited is what demonstrates the political nature of the trip. Joe Kenney is the Executive Councilor in that District. He’s a Republican and he wasn’t invited. The significance of this? It’s the five members of the Executive Council that accepts the funds and approves the contract for spending them. To omit him from the line-up is telling.
There has been backlash by some Republicans against this bill, but I support it. Yes, there’s extra nonsense in there, as there is in every federal bill passed by any Congress regardless of which political party is in control.
I spoke with Councilor Kenney and he was very informative as to where this money will go. Presuming his governing body approves the spending, the funds are “programmed” into different categories including transit, airports, roads, bridges, broadband and other things. This is good stuff. We need those funds. As Councilor Kenney pointed out, it will not solve all of our infrastructure problems—200 bridges are red-listed, let alone all our other infrastructure needs. Not to mention, as he pointed out, having to account for the work-force shortage, inflation and supply chain concerns and how that will impact the ten-year highway plan etc. But, it helps. So, why would Joe Biden not want the guy that actually votes on these funds by the podium with him? Politics. Which is unfortunate.
Politics has a big role in the opposition from Republicans who once supported the infrastructure efforts both under President Trump and in Congress until very recently. Heck, Senator Lindsey Graham, a huge ally of Trump, along with Senators Chuck Grassley and even Republican Leader Mitch McConnell voted to pass it. But, politics. Too many Republicans opposed the legislation simply to withhold a “win” for the Biden administration. I don’t know why they’re so worried about that. As long as my grocery bill is up more that 20% and my gas is knocking on the door of $4 per gallon, this bill won’t change the political winds come 2022. And, wow, did the rhetoric turn fast on this one.
Thirteen Republicans voted in favor of it in the House and the response was way out of line. Georgia’s Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted out, calling her colleagues “traitors” and provided their phone numbers, inciting thousands of calls from angry Americans, with death threats and calls for violence. As one recipient of such calls, Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) noted “It’s amazing people want to kill me over paving roads and clean water.” It is amazing. It’s also criminal. I find irony in the fact the guy arrested for threatening to kill Garbarino over an infrastructure bill is a retired Long Island Rail Road employee.
Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) released a call he received: “I hope you die. I hope everybody in your (expletive) family dies.”
I think we can all agree that this level of political rhetoric is several crumbing bridges too far and needs to stop.
This law isn’t perfect, but I’ve never been a fan of letting “perfect be the enemy of the good”, and we need improved infrastructure.
I know it will be an unfulfilled fantasy, but I want politics to stop being a leading force in governing. I want the president to invite all pertinent elected leaders to events, regardless of party. I want lawmakers to vote based on what’s good for the people, not the party. I want the hallowed chambers of our government to stop being campaign stomping grounds. Christmas is close, I might as well just ask for a pony. I’m as likely to get that as I am this.
Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos is a former political consultant and member of the media. She’s a native of Hampton Beach where she lives with her family and three poodles. Write to her at PrestonPerspective@gmail.com.
