Former Governor John Sununu

EAM six AB WR Haywood talk fiber can't top favorite here in the studio. The -- right thing yeah. Early warms my knowledge it's been that up near fort.

We already talked about this a little bit but we knew we could explored -- great great depth and get a lot of insight this issue of Judd Gregg. His on again off again. You know situation with the Commerce Department should I become a part of the Barack Obama administration should not. And he's made a decision account to account go forward whether it was Census Bureau whether it was stimulus whether to secure an accumulation of practice. Who knows but the guy who knows New Hampshire politically and substantively better than anybody I know is -- former governor governor Johnson and he joins us now on AM 680 WRKO welcome governor Tom -- anti bribery Kia.

Always thought -- yes sir we're doing signing up and thank you so much for joining us. My pleasure you've just dive right back into your head of the Republican Party in New Hampshire what is this like a second life you're doing here.

Well New Hampshire that's a great state it's it's it's a very special place and it's been deteriorating over the last decade under democratic governor and I just couldn't let that can. And you happen. The Democrats have done a good job of campaigning a terrible job of governing in managing Republicans have done an awful job in defining the difference between the two party. So I thought maybe I'd come back and try and helped define the difference between the two parties helped raise some resources. Not necessarily due to campaign better and then get some good candidates involved in the.

And it's an interesting dilemma the highlight I I had the misfortune the other night there was a montage of of Washington shots. I ended there was a quick flash of Jean Shaheen in the Senate and it just gave me shivers the idea that your son -- lost his reelection bid you know such a hard working dedicated guy with a good philosophy for this non entity and I'm thinking how does this happen in New Hampshire. Will -- how does it come to pass that so many people get it wrong.

Well look this last election was. Nationally as well as the new. -- true was that ties and and the campaign appear it was like trying to shove the -- back with a bulldozer and so. At the problem I think Republicans have to define themselves clearly nationally. And and I'm willing to take on the responsibility of helping them define themselves clearly. At the state level and the local level here in New Hampshire it's it's it's so it's part of the problem that our party as. And you don't -- it with one magic bullet but just all but with a lot of people. Rolling their sleeves up doing things smarter and better than we have over the past few years.

let's bring it into yesterday's developments with Judd -- guy he he he will stay in the Senate although he's making noises if he might not all will not run for reelection give -- take on the dynamics -- between Judd Gregg and the Obama people and what do you sense. Might be possible for the future in terms of Judd Gregg and perhaps. --

Danger that he's going to run in 2010. As far as my son Johnny's. He I think he needs a few months to. Compress photos speak I guess he's been officially out of the Senate for about five weeks. It'll take time over the next few months side with these do and and and and -- some kind of of a decision on whether we want speed -- politics over. Stay in the private sector and a lot of money so concerned is his college. But it fires throughout. I think -- was initially caught up in the euphoria of bipartisanship. One that could contribute to what he thought was a good thing for the country. And then. As some of the differences on issues that human like as if you have mentioned the census cents. And really the crazy stimulus package that the Democrats have cramped from the house and senate. He began to feel. That it was going to be extremely uncomfortable to try and disagree and -- responsible way. As a member of the Obama cabinet and I think he stood on principle and and and says yes they can't do it and and I think that's the good things where for him to have. I applaud them for being so committed to principles that he did it. And the country this state and frankly themselves from the president. Are all better off -- it -- that.

Just highlight a failure on the part of the Bush Administration may be being a little starry eyed about the notion of bipartisanship not really comprehend radio Obama and I'm sorry what that I -- that bush at the half the as it is having a baby jumper here in the reading you are are pretty -- Obama. You know they should have known that this is a possibility when years did it -- as an ideologically different creature than the Obama administration.

Yeah they should also known that night tax problems and they should also known as retreat and had problems and they should also noted that -- veteran. I can't I can't defend that position.

I was really surprised by the -- The avoidance by the ignorance -- might be the Richardson situation seem to me to be fairly common knowledge that there was an investigation going on. About certain decisions on bonding -- like. --

I -- I think let it reflected within naive to say about. How different it is in the White House. Is this what what looks from late and it's these positions as they minor issue. Become they -- an issue wouldn't let the president elect. And now the present -- and it is really a very hard lesson for people on this. What you do in that in fire -- Is going to be exaggerated. And magnified. By factors of ten or hundred or thousand compared to the same issue. If you were in any other position in public life.

I like the the optical reference it's it's a microscopic scrutiny that then becomes magnified by you know it's it's a I suppose maybe that is what happened although I'm not I'm I'm not so watch on Iraq is Todd. Is my co hosted at Todd is a pretty hash I I give. I make space governor and I Eva day but I.

I really do think that they. Like any new as for any new administration. Then there is that going through on the job learning and and it's it is look I've been there it is is. A very difficult environment. To walk. -- process without without stepping on -- and -- you're -- crack.

Former New Hampshire governor John Sununu is with us and he's now the head of the Republican Party and in. New Hampshire having come out of retirement what are you bring from your White House experience as chief of staff there in your. You're long we experience in politics and in education in across the board. When you think about how to bring back the Republican Party in in New Hampshire how do you approach --

Well I think the most important thing -- bring it is those great years I'd love I'd love being governor of this state it's a magnificent state with wonderful people. Who really really. Do things very differently from the other at least historically we've done things differently from the other 49. It is a state where citizen self -- more than anywhere -- We used to have tremendous local control and so concern about a board of selectmen or school board -- a Budget Committee are planning board you really did impact not only your own life but but the life of of your fellow citizens -- would help determine the tax rate to local train which was the bulk of the fundraising in the state. And that you determine the policy and you you made things happen. Weeks and over the last. Kate we -- democratic governors and the the last twelve years and ultimately traveling to more now it'll be twelve out of fourteen. We have a good -- of our. From local communities to state government we though there is an erosion. Of that special quality which gave a sense of community to people and participation. And and I don't think I understand. Specials those characteristics and ingredients so what I have to do is figure out how to articulate that. As as being part and parcel of the fundamentals of the Republican Party here. And and being -- the traditional ways of doing things in New Hampshire that. People here or cause people to come into the state we have is Republican done a good job of that. Democrats. Has campaigned well -- they govern badly that they campaign well they took the pledge. Started taking the pleasure -- and I think the difference between the two parties and Republicans never articulated. The fact that the commitment to a efficient government in smaller government. At a local control was more than just taking place.

Governor let me go back if I can't to the stimulus you've described -- kind of chock full of nonsense and I'm curious if you were. You know in judge of the stimulus to view of the stimulus desire in the White House or in congress. What might you have done differently than what we're seeing approaching the president's desk.

Well yeah well I'm a great believer in tax cuts and and I would have. Really put a lot of tax incentives in this small businesses that hire. Much more than they have now. I would just taking care of try to take care of getting money into the hands of everybody. Including the folks that that work. Whatever you want to call it does the job at McDonald's or. These folks that are at the bottom of the of the latter with a tax cut I would -- number eight as say a three month or six months. Moratorium on their Social Security taxes that they have to pay. So that that. By using tax cuts for small businesses that of -- heart and soul of our hiring process. And putting money immediately if you give somebody a tax cut of Social Security more cashes in and with the next paycheck. I would have expanded that more than -- doing in this what I would have. Make sure that there were incentives in the there. That. Address to. The -- benefits that come from small businesses taking a chance and hiring three people that have to keeping people instead of laying them off. The things that could have been done in a smarter way. I think that the way they send money -- this statement. Should have. Dealt with with transfers that come quicker right now whatever it is -- in the states and local government. But I have a huge time life into it and and I really think they they -- allowed the states to. We do things slightly differently but frankly the size of the stimulus package is is what concerns me is if I were under forty. Years old I'd be shocked. At that the tax burden that they are imposing on future generations. By spending -- billion dollars and so I would that much smaller and much more concentrated the way to possibly.

Governor one last question before we let you go -- and I've been having a friendly dispute but a dispute nonetheless. As the efficacy stimulant of efficacy of the the tax cut 400 dollars for an individual late hundred bucks for married couple it might be 1012 bucks a week. Todd says come on that's not going to get anybody to change. -- you know the the pattern of restrained spending we've seen lately and I'm saying well you know that's going to be about a 300. Billion dollar cumulative effect out there what's your take on on that tax cuts specifically.

Yeah I I do believe it's not exactly the way I would have done it but I do believe there is reality is cumulative effect and have. And and I think I think the country has gone through a period of time off for 56 months. I think you'd be giving this -- some data that says that people are beginning to spend a little bit more than 1% increase in retail sales. Last month and so if it's a little bit more parties say -- even without it. How much they have but they'll look at their -- more they have disbanded when does more in your wallet to spend. You tend to -- its -- I really do hope as much as I don't like the package I really do hope that it works. And I really do hope that this president. Is able. Either side brilliance or are by sheer luck. I get this country movie yet because it is is very serious contention. I -- in -- from the fundamental strength of the country turning itself around and so you'll probably get credit for that. You know this this turnaround in January is significant and I I think it's it's just the pendulum beginning -- swing the other way that we ought to take full advantage of that as well.

We'll got to listen we have a tunnel -- up a New Hampshire and you are gonna be always a welcome guest as you embark -- rebuilding exercise -- Feinberg and --