NH-02: What Goes Around

“Bass has been the epitome of a congressman who represents his district, more than any other congressman in the history of New Hampshire. It’s not right that the wave of unhappiness with President Bush is affecting him.”

– GOP strategist & McCain advisor Mike Dennehy, Concord Monitor (11/4/2006)

“No matter what Swett does, he can’t hide from his record and and his votes; Dick Swett has voted with Bill Clinton and the liberal Democrats over 90 percent of the time.”

– Gov. Steve Merrill (R-NH), Union Leader (11/4/1994)

Gregg said that liberal Democrats have controlled Congress for about 42 years and voters have a chance to end this rule. Gregg described Swett as a “classic liberal Democrat” who votes with Bill Clinton 90 percent of the time.

– Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), Union Leader (11/4/1994)

“[This election] is a referendum on Dick Swett’s record, which is a record of inconsistency, flip-flops and allegiance to President Clinton, the liberal leadership of the House and outside special interests.”

– Charlie Bass spokesman Lisa Stocklan, Union Leader (11/3/1994)

“This is a bellwether race, and your opponent is saying the same thing 256 other Democrats are saying. You know, they hardly know Clinton – even though Dick Swett has voted with the President 90 percent of the time.”

– Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS), Union Leader (11/1/1994)

In the Concord news conference Bass displayed a marionette with attached strings labled “AFL-CIO” “Bill Clinton” and “PACs,” and accused Swett of being the puppet of special interests.

– Union Leader (10/12/1994)

“Dick Swett cares about Bill Clinton and the liberal Democratic leadership of the House of Representatives more than he cares about the taxpayers of New Hampshire.”

– Rep. Charlie Bass (R-NH), Union Leader (10/7/1994)

Also attacking [Rep. Dick] Swett is ex-state Sen. Charles Bass (R), whose TV ads show Swett standing behind Dem gov. candidate Wayne King (“Mr. Property Tax”) and “hugging Bill Clinton.”

– Nashua Telegraph (10/6/1994)

“He calls himself independent. But we in New Hamphsire know Dick Swett is really a rubber stamp for (House Speaker) Tom Foley, for Bill Clinton and for the rest of the Democrats.”

– Rep. Charlie Bass (R-NH), Union Leader (10/4/1994)

“I don’t believe the people of the 2d District of New Hampshire believe that Bill Clinton is right 90 percent of the time.”

– Rep. Charlie Bass (R-NH), Boston Globe (9/15/1994)

Charles F. Bass, a former State Senator, defeated the Democratic incumbent, Representative Dick Swett, by a small margin, making much of his golden pedigree as the grandson of a former Governor and the son of a former Congressman from the state. Despite being outspent by his opponent, Mr. Bass ran a strong campaign, criticizing his opponent’s ties to President Clinton. (One advertisement showed Mr. Swett and the President embracing.)

– New York Times (11/10/1994)

(Hat-tip to Billmon.)