New Hampshire Journal

Former Trump administration official Ken Cuccinelli is heading up the Never Back Down PAC promoting a POTUS run by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, calling him "the most conservative candidate in the race who can win."Acknowledging Trump has a lead in the polls right now, Cucinelli predicts DeSantis's record -- which he says is far better than Trump's on key issues like pro-life and COVID, for example -- will convince Republicans the Florida governor is a better choice.Besides, Cucinelli adds, Trump's already 'endorsed' DeSantis by choosing to live in his state. "He's voted with his feet!"Hosted by Michael Graham.

The night before he was having dinner with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The next day Corey Lewandowski is on the NHJournal podcast, dishing about the GOP POTUS field, NH Gov. Chris Sununu and the likely 2024 governor's race.Lewandowski brings his trademark take-no-prisoners style, plus his smart insights about GOP primary voters and what it takes to win in the current moment. Love him or hate him, it's a great conversation!Hosted by NHJournal Managing Editor Michael Graham.

Gov. Chris Sununu jumps on the pod just after signing an executive order taking on the Biden administration's new ESG investing rule. State agencies will not participate, Sununu says, and he explains why.Sununu also talks about why a Republican who has largely tried to avoid culture war debates has no problems embracing the Second Amendment, signing pro-2A laws that give him perhaps the strongest record in the potential 2024 field.Plus, his take on Democrats taking their 2024 convention to their version of the Shining City on the Hill -- Chicago.And host Michael Graham has a rant or two about the state of political play in New Hampshire, and why Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is going to be a major headache for Biden and the NHDems.

NHJournal catches up with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on the FITN campaign trail to talk Tik Tok, Trump and whether politics should play a role in Americans' search for meaning.Plus host Michael Graham on the current state of the New Hampshire GOP POTUS primary, including news Vivek Ramaswamy has dropped the first broadcast TV ad of the FITN 2024 season.Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Veteran political reporter David Drucker of The Dispatch gives his analysis of the current state of the GOP presidential primary race. No surprise -- it's all about the Trump. And he shares what DC insiders are saying about a second Biden run.In New Hampshire, every legislative Democrat has now voted against the Parents Bill of Rights, giving parents the right to know what their kids are being taught, what medical treatment they're getting and what, if any, behavior they're engaged in regarding sex or gender. Is this smart politics? Host Michael Graham doesn't think so, but he also sees the one political force that can be counted on to rescue New Hampshire Democrats:New Hampshire Republicans.Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

University of New Hampshire  President James Dean joins NHJournal to talk about the status of free speech on campus in the UNH system, their rankings from the  Foundation for Individual Rights in Education and the culture of free expression in academia. Dean also makes his case for supporting public colleges and universities like UNH, and the need for New Hampshire to help young people get the skills they need to fill the many job vacancies in the state.Hosted by Michael Graham

Marianne Williamson wants New Hampshire Democrats who are frustrated with President Biden's political 'triangulation' to know she feels their pain. From his approval of the Willow project to his stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, Williamson believes Biden is abandoning the base of the Democratic Party.She also defends free speech and calls out her fellow progressives on the issue.It's all part of the podcast, along with host Michael Graham's take on Gov. Ron DeSantis' Ukraine politics. Is "Not Quite Trump" really such a bad strategy for winning the GOP nomination?

State Senator Jeb Bradley joins the New Hampshire Journal podcast to talk about the latest news from the State House -- including the first visit from a FITN candidate: Democrat Marianne Williamson.While Bradley isn't ready to endorse the self-help guru (yet?), he points out that asking POTUS candidates to speak to the legislature isn't new in New Hampshire.Bradley also discusses the unanimous state Senate vote in favor of expanding Medicaid and why he believes Granite State taxpayers have nothing to fear. And he puzzles over New Hampshire Democrats' embrace of the law banning abortion after 24 weeks.Hosted by Michael Graham.Want to subscribe to the NHJournal newsletter? Click here.Want to support independent journalism in the Granite State? Click here!

Veteran New Hampshire GOP players Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos and Jim Merrill join the NHJournal podcast to talk about how the FITN primary looks from nearly one year out. Is the biggest story so far the NHDems' decision to strip the Granite State of its place at the front of the line?Host Michael Graham doesn't think so.Also, a new exclusive NHJournal poll of NHDems shows they're not big fans of a 2024 Biden POTUS bid, and they don't really care about keeping the FITN primary. All the details are in the podcast!Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.Want to do your part to support independent journalism and "subscribe" to the NHJournal newsletter for $4.99/month? Click here!

Christopher Rufo is one of the most influential people on the American Right, leading the fight against Critical Race Theory in schools and government training, and now pushing back on DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policies. New Hampshire has legislation dealing with both, and Rufo discusses why he believes the Granite State needs them.Also, on Thursday New Hampshire  House Democrats realized that, thanks to NHGOP no-shows and early departures, they had a majority. They immediately used it to pass an extreme anti-EFA bill. We get a report from AFP-NH's Chris Maidment, then dish up some unfiltered #FITN punditry with GOP comms guy and Union-Leader columnist Patrick Hynes.Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.To subscribe to the free newsletter, please click here.To kick in a few bucks to help NHJournal keep the lights on, please click here.