Senator Sununu?

By Josh Rogers on Friday, April 6, 2001.

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The 2002 elections may be over a year away, but the race for the Bob Smith?s US Senate seat is already heating up. Many see the incumbent as vulnerable --- not only to Governor Jeanne Shaheen if she opts for a long- rumored Senate run. But also to a possible primary challenge from Congressman John E. Sununu. Some local conservatives hope an Internet campaign to draft the Bedford Republican will ensure that Smith?s seat stays in republican hands. NHPR?s Josh Rogers reports.

According to its founders, Draft Sununu.com's sole intent is to ensure that Republicans control the US Senate in 2002. They say the best way to achieve that goal is to get Congressman John E. Sununu to run for the seat now held by two term incumbent Bob Smith. Those who log onto the site are invited to sign a petition, donate money and spread the word??. Site founder, David Carney, a republican strategist who toiled for the congressman?s father in New Hampshire and Washington DC says the site is wholly independent of the Sununu clan. He described the enterprise as spontaneous, hand to mouth and in no way intended as a criticism of Senator Smith.
It isn?t designed to undercut Senator Smith; it?s designed to give people a chance to encourage congressman Sununu a chance to run.

To stress the pro-Sununu not anti-Smith angle, Carney has enlisted Former Congressman and State Supreme Court Justice Chuck Douglas, a longtime Smith supporter whose rocky relationship with the Sununu family is well known. Douglas assures that bygones are bygones?. And politics is about putting your best foot forward. He says Sununu is the GOP?s only hope.
It?s not like there?s some major doctrinal split in the party?.It?s about whom can best carry the election and hold that seat for the republican

It may surprise that Bob Smith, a two term incumbent with over a million dollars in the in the bank, and leadership positions on major committees is seen as vulnerable. But rumors of Smith?s weakness have been circulating in Washington for weeks. Polls taken in January and March show Smith trailing undeclared but probable Democratic candidate Governor Jeanne Shaheen by more than ten points. And despite Smith?s strong conservative record on issues like taxes, gun control and abortion, The Manchester Union leader recently criticized Smith for losing focus and drifting leftward. But Chuck Douglass says these are real problems, says Smith?s largest barrier to winning reelection is the lingering taint of his spectacularly unsuccessful 2000 presidential run as a third party candidate. That bid featured plenty of comments not likely to please republican true believers.

Smith bites??

Douglas says such statements, as well as the current 50 50 split in the senate split make it necessary to draft a candidate without Smith?s baggage. Especially, should the democrats run Jeanne Shaheen, whom Douglas believes to be the most formidable democrat to ever run for office in NH.

She has the ability to raise a lot of money nationally?.the democratic party would be united behind her?.She did not leave her party and attack it in some bizarre bid for president.

Such concern can?t please Senator Smith, who is doing his best to stress that he?s ready to take on all comers. But on recent local fundraising jaunts Smith clearly spent more time than he would have liked fielding questions about intra-party dissent, and denying rumors that the White House has offered an administration job in exchange stepping aside. Smith also insists he has the support of the national and local republican establishment?.But two prominent New Hampshire republicans -- former US Senator Warren Rudman and ex-governor Steve Merrill have recently said they believe Congressman Sununu would be the stronger candidate. Rudman declined to be taped for this story but says his analysis of Sununu?s prospects has been somewhat misreported as an abandonment of his friend Bob Smith?..But Rudman says he stands by his statements, and stressed that Smith?s seat could prove decisive if the GOP hopes to secure a Senate majority. Last Saturday at a Hampton appearance with Tennessee Sen. Bill Frist, Smith strove to assure that plenty of well -placed Republicans still like his chances?.

Trent Lott was here last week?. He?s a leader. Dr. Frist is the head of the senatorial committee. He?s certainly a leader?..I spoke to Karl Rove assistant to the pres, who indicated that the president?s policy to support the incumbent?. And I could identify hundreds in the state ---I could provide a list - of republicans who support me.

According to Chuck Douglas, those are the words of a man in denial.

Everybody will say that?.There?s support and there?s non-support. Everybody can keep on saying we?re with you Bob, we?re with you but there not.

And where does this leave Congressman Sununu??.His office says he?s weighing his options. Meanwhile?.Draft SUNUNU.Com?s founders boast of several thousand web hits and $500 in solicitations. Draft Sununu organizers also yesterday appointed a draftsununu chairs in every county?And as for Senator Smith?s list of hundreds of supporters ??his office was non responsive to requests for a copy??.It?s 518 days until the primary.