LISTEN: Senator Jeanne Shaheen Talks FITN Primary on NH Today

“You don't have to be the best known. You don't have to be the party establishment candidate. You don't have to have a lot of money. You can be heard by voters here and they will put you through your paces. People ask really tough questions here because we have a political process that engages our voters.”

In case you missed it, yesterday Senator Jeanne Shaheen joined Chris Ryan on New Hampshire Today to discuss New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary and what’s at stake for Democrats both in New Hampshire and across the country.

Listen to the full interview here.

Key Points:

Senator Shaheen: And so I think we need to continue to point out that we have a law that says New Hampshire will be first — a week ahead of any similar contest — and that that's based not just on tradition, but history and participation. You know, one of the things that New Hampshire has done very well over the years is to vet candidates for president. You can come here as a candidate. You don't have to be the best known. You don't have to be the party establishment candidate. You don't have to have a lot of money. You can be heard by voters here and they will put you through your paces. People ask really tough questions here because we have a political process that engages our voters. And that's what I think is so important about the New Hampshire primary.

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Senator Shaheen: I would be surprised, but I think that doesn't matter, frankly, because we are going to go ahead and hold our primary according to our state law. We know that Republican candidates are going to participate. And my guess is that if there are any challengers, if President Biden decides to run for reelection and he has any challengers, that they will also participate. And it's unfortunate that President Biden has taken this position.

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Chris Ryan: And I think we will see candidates come to New Hampshire. We will obviously vote first. But, you know, I also think about the positive impacts of having two primaries taking place and how the Democrats benefit from having national political figures come here and be a part of the conversation, part of the fundraising apparatus and, you know, helping to secure those four Electoral College votes, as has been the case over the last number of elections here in the Granite State.

Transcript:

Chris Ryan: In regard to the first in the nation presidential primary. You've been very strong in your advocacy for our primary remaining first, both in public and in private, and I certainly commend that. What are the next steps here? And if there is going to be a DNC vote that continues to honor New Hampshire's tradition, do you feel that it has to be Joe Biden that tells them that this is what he wants or otherwise folks are going to be voting against the wishes of President Biden?

Senator Shaheen: I do think that this is being driven by President Biden. And as long as he continues to have his position against the New Hampshire primary, that that's what the Democratic National Committee is going to do. And so I think we need to continue to point out that we have a law that says New Hampshire will be first — a week ahead of any similar contest — and that that's based not just on tradition, but history and participation. You know, one of the things that New Hampshire has done very well over the years is to vet candidates for president. You can come here as a candidate. You don't have to be the best known. You don't have to be the party establishment candidate. You don't have to have a lot of money. You can be heard by voters here and they will put you through your paces. People ask really tough questions here because we have a political process that engages our voters. And that's what I think is so important about the New Hampshire primary.

Chris Ryan: What have your conversations been like with President Biden on this? And, you know, has he offered you a rationale outside of what we have heard publicly? And do you think he can be swayed by you and Senator Hassan and others?

Senator Shaheen: Well, we haven't talked to the president about this since before he made his decision, when we made the argument for why we think it's important to keep New Hampshire where it is in the lineup. And I think that the decision could have been made and added more diversity to the calendar in the early weeks outside of the window of most contests. And unfortunately, the DNC and the president decided not to do that.

Chris Ryan: So, as you mentioned, you feel this is going to end with the Democrats establishing the the rules that they pushed forward out of the rules and bylaws, meaning outside of Joe Biden changing his mind? Do you view there being a chance that he will change his mind?

Senator Shaheen: I would be surprised, but I think that doesn't matter, frankly, because we are going to go ahead and hold our primary according to our state law. We know that Republican candidates are going to participate. And my guess is that if there are any challengers, if President Biden decides to run for reelection and he has any challengers, that they will also participate. And it's unfortunate that President Biden has taken this position.

Chris Ryan: And I think we will see candidates come to New Hampshire. We will obviously vote first. But, you know, I also think about the positive impacts of having two primaries taking place and how the Democrats benefit from having national political figures come here and be a part of the conversation, part of the fundraising apparatus and, you know, helping to secure those four Electoral College votes, as has been the case over the last number of elections here in the Granite State. So do you view this decision as being hurtful to your chances moving forward if you decide to run again? Or Chris Pappas, you know, and Annie Kuster's every two years, do you think there is a detrimental impact to Democrats in New Hampshire and New Hampshire continuing to trend a little bit blue when it comes to voting in general elections? Senator Shaheen: Well, I think it's not good for Democrats and it's not good for the democratic process. One of the other benefits to the New Hampshire primary is that independents can participate. They can vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary. We know that in order to be successful, parties have to be able to attract people who identify as independents. And so it's one of the other benefits to our New Hampshire primary. And again, it's really unfortunate and I think shortsighted that this decision has been made the way it has.