ADAM: WELCOME BACK TO "CLOSE UP." SOME INDEPENDENT VOTERS LIKE TO COMPLAIN THERE’S NO DIFFERENCE, BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.
BUT WE HAVE TWO GENTLEMEN WITH US THIS MORNING WHO WOULD BEG TO DIFFER AND ARE READY TO SHOW THERE IS PLENTY OF CONTRAST ON THE BALLOT IN 2020.
RAY BUCKLEY, CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AND STEVE STEPANEK, CHAIRMAN OF THE NHGOP.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
ADAM: LET’S START WITH THE BIGGEST NEWS ITEM FROM THIS LAST WEEK, THE PRESIDENT DECLINING TO COMMIT TO A PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER FOLLOWING THE ELECTION.
CHAIRMAN STEPANEK, GOVERNOR SUNUNU CALLED THE PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS, "VERY INAPPROPRIATE." DO YOU AGREE?
>> WHAT I AGREE ON IS THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE ALL VOTES ARE COUNTED AND THERE IS NO MUCKING AROUND WITH IT.
[INDISCERNIBLE] WE KNOW HOW TO DO IT RIGHT.
[INDISCERNIBLE] SENDING BALLOTS OUT TO ANYBODY IN NOT KNOW [INDISCERNIBLE] WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IT IS DONE PROPERLY.
I AM SURE AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME THAT VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL GIVE HIS SPEEC CONCEDING ELECTION.
ADAM: CHAIRMAN BUCKLEY, IF PRESIDENT TRUMP WINS, ARE YOU COMMITTED TO ACCEPTING THAT RESULT AND ACCEPTING A PEACEFUL TRANSITION FROM ONE TRUMP TERM TO ANOTHER?
>> I THINK WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS TO POINT OUT THE SITTING PRESIDENT IS CHALLENGING WHETHER OR NOT AMERICANS’ VOTES WILL BE CONSIDERED LEGITIMATE.
NEVER IN HISTORY HASN’T HAPPENED BEFORE.
IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF OUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKING SURE EVERY VOTER GETS TO VOTE AND THE VOTES ARE COUNTED CORRECTLY.
I HAVE NEGLIGIBLE CONCERN THERE.
AND SOME REAL QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT CHRIS SUNUNU AND OTHER REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE WILL ABIDE BY THE VOTE THAT HAPPENS IN NOVEMBER.
WILL THEIR AFFECTION FOR DONALD TRUMP OVERWHELM THEIR SENSE OF DUTY AND LOYALTY TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE?
ADAM: CHAIRMAN STEPANEK, ARE THERE ANY PLANS IN THE WORKS TO MAKE ANY KIND OF LEGAL CHALLENGE IF THE RESULTS ARE CLOSE?
>> OBVIOUSLY, NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS A PROCESS BY WHICH YOU CAN CHALLENGE ANYTHING.
IT IS CALLED RECOUNTS.
WE KNOW AND RAY BUCKLEY KNOWS AS WELL THAT EVERY ELECTION THAT IS CLOSE [INDISCERNIBLE] IF IT IS CLOSE, WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE TO ALLOW FOR A RECOUNT
. FAIR AND EQUITABLE [INDISCERNIBLE] I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS.
FOR 20 YEARS, THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN [INDISCERNIBLE] SO I DON’T SEE ANY ISSUE WITH THAT.
I DO TAKE EXCEPTION WITH WHAT RAY BUCKLEY WAS SAYING.
THAT THE GOVERNOR WOULD HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION TOTALS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
WE KNOW HOW TO DO IT RIGHT.
WE HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE.
[INDISCERNIBLE] WE ARE GOING TO DO A WONDERFUL JOB OF IT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
I HAVE NO CONCERN AT ALL.
ADAM: LET’S JUMP INTO SOME OF THE RACES.
A VERY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO NEW HAMPSHIRE FROM THE TWO PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS.
CHAIRMAN BUCKLEY, AREN’T YOU A LITTLE WORRIED THERE COULD BE A REPLAY OF D 2000?
ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE FACT THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN IS NOT PRIORITIZING THE GRANITE STATE?
>> THE ACTIONS OF DONALD TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS PUT IN DOUBT WHETHER OR NOT THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF GRANITE STATERS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE HEALTH CARE WITH THE POTENTIAL REPEAL
OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.
NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS A LONG AND PROUD HISTORY OF SUPPORTING WOMEN’S HEALTH.
THE FACT WE ARE NOW BEING CHALLENGED HERE, WHETHER OR NOT THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE TRUE, AND IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, YOU HAVE CHRIS SUNUNU AGAIN FOLLOWING DONALD TRUMP.
HOLDING THE CHIEF JUSTICE POSITION EMPTY FOR OVER A YEAR BECAUSE HE WANTS TO IMPOSE AN INTAKE CHOICE -- ANTI-CHOICE ZEALOT.
THE PEOPLE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE WILL BE VOTING FOR BOTH.
I BELIEVE THEY WILL BE VOTING FOR BOTH THE VICE PRESIDENT, BIDEN, AND FOR DOWN FELT THIS -- DAN FELTES AS GOVERNOR AS WELL.
ADAM: THIS YEAR, PEOPLE MIGHT NOT WANT THE IN-PERSON ASPECT.
CAN THIS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE, THE SPLIT BETWEEN HOW THE PARTIES ARE BEHAVING?
>> FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON WHAT MR. BUCKLEY JUST SAID, THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS LEFT THE POSITION OPEN.
HE HAS APPOINTED A VERY QUALIFIED PERSON TO BE CHIEF JUSTICE.
IT IS A FIRST TIME AND FOR THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHOT DOWN THE NOMINEE AND MADE IT CLEAR THAT NO NOMINEE THEY WILL APPROVE UNLESS THEY HANDPICK THEM.
THAT IS JUST NOT THE WAY IT WORKS.
I WANT TO PUT THAT ON THE RECORD.
AS FAR AS WHAT HE IS SAYING, THE GOVERNOR LIFTED THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER.
THAT HAD TO DO WITH ALL SORTS OF CAMPAIGNING FROM DIGITAL TO MAIL AND PERSON TO PERSON.
QUITE FRANKLY, WE WEAR MASKS AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING, WE CAN GO OUT CAMPAIGNING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE WAY.
QUITE FRANKLY, [INDISCERNIBLE] AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO IT.
THIS IS THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO [INDISCERNIBLE] UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT NOVEMBER 3.
ADAM: REPUBLICANS ARE PLAYING DEFENSE ON SENATE RACES.
RESOURCES ARE BEING POURED INTO DEFENDING INCUMBENTS WHERE THEY ARE.
IN THAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT IT STANDS TO REASON IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR CORKY MESSNER TO DEFEAT JEANNE SHAHEEN.
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE?
>> I THINK CORKY IS WELL-POSITIONED TO TAKE ON JEAN SHAHEEN.
QUITE FRANKLY THE CONCERN ACROSS THE STATE IS [INDISCERNIBLE] BECAUSE THE ONLY TIME SHE COMES BACK TO NEW HAMPSHIRE IS WHEN IT IS ELECTION TIME.
[INDISCERNIBLE] TRY TO GET BACK HERE.
WE ARE WORKING WITH A CANDIDATE WHO KNOWS HOW TO REPRESENT THE CITIZENS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND NOT THE SWAMP IN WASHINGTON.
ADAM: CHAIRMAN BUCKLEY, EVEN THOUGH HER NAME ISN’T AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET, IT’S SAFE TO SAY JEAN SHAHEEN IS LEADING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
JEAN SHAHEEN HAS DELIVERED FOR THE PEOPLE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE IN THE SENATE AND AS GOVERNOR.
PEOPLE KNOW AND TRUST HER.
THEY ARE GOING TO REELECT HER.
I THINK THE PEOPLE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY TAKING CORKY MESSNER SERIOUSLY.
PEOPLE DON’T KNOW WHO THIS GUY IS.
HE MOVED HERE LAST YEAR.
HE IS UNDER A FRAUD INVESTIGATION FOR SOME CHARITABLE OPERATIONS HE WAS OPERATING IN HIS HOME STATE OF COLORADO.
HE IS JUST NOT SOMEBODY THE PEOPLE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE ARE GOING TO TAKE AS A SERIOUS CANDIDATE FOR THE SENATE.
ADAM: CHAIRMAN BUCKLEY, ONE OF THE TRUISMS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE POLITICS IS THAT IT’S HARD TO DEFEAT A POPULAR INCUMBENT GOVERNOR.
HOW DOES DAN FELTES CREATE THE SPARK THAT A CHALLENGER NEEDS TO DEFEAT GOVERNOR SUNUNU.
>> WE HAVE COME CLOSE TO UNSEATING GOVERNOR SUNUNU IN THE LAST TWO ELECTIONS.
AS YOU WILL SEE IN THE CLOSING DAYS OF THE ELECTION, THIS RACE IS GOING TO TIGHTEN UP VERY QUICKLY I BELIEVE DAN FELTES WILL BE GOVERNOR.
THERE IS A HISTORY [INDISCERNIBLE] RUNNING FOR A THIRD TERM AND BEING UNSUCCESSFUL.
WE ARE GOING TO POINT OUT THE REALITY OF CHRIS SUNUNU’S REAL RECORD IS REALLY A MINI DONALD TRUMP.
HIS AFFECTION FOR DONALD TRUMP HAS INFECTED -- AFFECTED HIS ABILITY TO GOVERNOR.
ISSUE AFTER ISSUE, IT IS THE SAME CHALLENGE AND ISSUE.
IT IS THE SPECIAL INTERESTS, PEOPLE TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN, AND PUTTING IN DANGER WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND ON AND ON.
HE SIMPLY WILL NOT TAKE ON DONALD TRUMP.
ADAM: CHAIRMAN STEPANEK, WHAT’S YOUR RESPONSE THERE, AND WHAT DOES THIS RACE BOIL DOWN TO?
IS IT POCKETBOOK ISSUES OR THE PANDEMIC?
>> I BELIEVE IT BOILS DOWN TO THE PANDEMIC AND POCKETBOOK ISSUES.
THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB IN NEW HAMPSHIRE KEEPING CITIZENS SAFE AND AS IMPORTANTLY KEEPING NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESSES [INDISCERNIBLE]
[INAUDIBLE] NOT ONLY IS IT REPUBLICANS BUT 4800 DEMOCRATS [INDISCERNIBLE] HE IS APPEALING ACROSS THE BOARD TO REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS,
AND DEMOCRATS.
ADAM: WE DID NOT GET TO ALL OF THE RACES.
ONE LAST TOPIC.
A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY IS IN DANGER.
CAN YOU WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE FIRST IN THE NATION REMAINS FIRST MOVING FORWARD?
LET’S LET CHAIRMAN BUCKLEY GO FIRST.
>> DEMOCRATS HAVE ALWAYS WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
WE DID AN AMAZING JOB MAKING SURE WE MAINTAIN OUR FIRST IN THE NATION POSITION.
BY WORKING WITH HIM AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
I KNOW IT IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE.
IT IS A CHALLENGE EVERY FOUR YEARS.
WE WILL WORK TOGETHER AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE IT JUST IN TIME FOR VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN’S REELECTION.
ADAM: CHAIRMAN STEPANEK?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I AGREE THIS IS THE ONE AREA I WILL AGREE 100% WITH RAY BUCKLEY AND SITE THE NEW HAMPSHIRE REPUBLICAN WILL WORK HAND IN GLOVE WITH THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO PROTECT THE
PRIMARY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE IT BELONGS AND THIS IS WHERE IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE.
AD