Saturday, May 2, 2015

Ideology and Voting

The Voting Record of Senator Ayotte


DW-NOMINATE 

  • Ranks Members of Congress based on votes casted
    • Closer you are to 1, the more conservative you are
    • Closer to -1, the more liberal you are
    • If you are at 0 or close, you would be considered moderate
  • Senator Ayotte received a score of .381
    • This shows she is not extreme in her party, and much more moderate then some members of the Republican party, but she is still not moderate with this score.
  • Why is her score not as extreme as others?  
    • This is simply because she knows she will have a tight race in a state that is not either Republican or Democrat overall.
    • The Washington Post last week referred to the 2016 New Hampshire race as one of the top 10 races in 2016.

Party Unity

  • The party unity scores shows you how often a member of Congress will vote with their party.  
  • A party unity vote is defined as one where at least 50 percent of Democrats vote against at least 50 percent of Republicans.
  • Senator Ayotte had a score of 77.273
    • This score much like the DW-NOMINATE score she received in the fact that she is not extreme in her party, but is not crossing party lines on a regular basis.
    • Her score was determined from the 340 party line votes she casted out of 440 party votes that she voted on.
    • In 100 votes, she did not support the Republican position in the 113th Congress
  • Again, realizing she will most likely be in a competitive race, she will want to be able to go back and point at her voting record to say she is not an extremist in the Republican Party.  It will be much harder for democrats to hit her on not working with both parties.

Presidential Support

  • Presidential support scores shows the number of time a member of Congress voted in agreement or disagreement with the POTUS on particular issues.
  • Senator Ayotte
  • For a Republican, Senator Ayotte voted in agreement with the President more often than most Republicans.  This is because she is going to be running for re-election in a competitive race where Obama won in 2012.  New Hampshire is not a red state by any means, and Ayotte needs to show she can be moderate in order for reelection purposes.

Interest Groups

  • Senator Ayotte has received a 100% rating from Global Exchange, a group that promotes economic freedom, along with rights to Real Estate and Insurance companies.
    • It is no surprise Ayotte has this rating as much of her campaign funds comes from groups dealing with Real Estate and Insurance.
    • In the last campaign cycle, her largest funding came from the sector of Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate
  • In 2013, Senator Ayotte received significant funding for Gun Rights.
  • She will vote to keep a good rating from the National Rifle Association so she does not lose that funding.  Ayotte currently has an "A" rating from the NRA

Crossing Party Lines?

  • It is not often that United States Senators cross party lines, but when you are fighting for reelection, you are much more apt to do so.
  • Senator Ayotte according the political and economic online website New Republic, Senator Ayotte is crossing party lines on environmental issues.
    • Why? She is trying to appeal to all voters.  By taking more moderate or slightly left-leaning positions, Ayotte can claim she is working across the aisles on various issues.
    • Polling done by the Natural Resources Defense Council, a non-profit environment advocay group, has given strong indications that the citizens of New Hampshire believe in Climate Change and that more needs to be done with the environment.
    • Ayotte recognizes the stances her constituents are taking on particular issues such as the environment and she wants to make sure she is appealing to them.



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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Committees

Senator Ayotte's Committee Assignments

Armed Services

About the Standing Committee:

  • Original Committee established 1816
  • Current Chairman: John McCain (R-AZ) 
  • Current Ranking Member: Jack Reed (D-RI)
  • As discussed in class, it is one of the "Big Four" or Super "A" committees
  • All rules and committee jurisdiction can be found at: http://www.armed-services.senate.gov/
  • Subcommittees include: 1) Airland 2) Emerging Threats and Capabilities 3) Personnel 4) Readiness and Management Support 5) SeaPower 6) Strategic Forces
    • Senator Ayotte Chairs the Subcommittee of Readiness and Management Support
    • Sits on both the Emerging Threats and Capabilities and SeaPower Subcommittees

Current/Upcoming Legislation in the Committee:

  • All legislation and upcoming scheduled hearings can be found out http://www.armed-services.senate.gov/legislation
  • Recent Legislation included:
    • S. 409, Military Sex Offender Reporting Act of 2015 
    • S. 646, a bill making a mental health screen test when enlisting in U.S. Military
  • Upcoming Topics:
    • Military Cyber Programs
    • Army Modernization

Senator Ayotte utilizing the committee:

  • Senator Ayotte is in a strong position to highlight the importance of all of the military facilities in New Hampshire.
    • New Hampshire is home of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the largest employer in the Seacoast according to Maine's leading news provider, Portland Press Herald
    • After receiving several million dollars, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was able to add over 700 jobs
    • Senator Ayotte along with U.S. Senators from Maine, took credit for their efforts in funding the large employer of the two states.
  • Ayotte was heavily involved S. 165, an act Detaining Terrorists.  This allowed her to attack Obama and his policies after releasing terrorists from Guantanamo Bay  through a variety of news sources. 

Budget

About the Standing Committee:

  • Established in 1974 after the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act
  • Current Chairman: Mike Enzi (R-WY)
  • Current Ranking Member: Bernie Sanders (D-VT)
  • Rules and jurisdiction can be found at http://www.budget.senate.gov/republican/public/.
  • No subcommittees 

Current/Upcoming Legislation in the Committee:

Senator Ayotte utilizing the committee:

  • By being a member of the Budget Committee, Ayotte is in a position to push legislation on spending cuts therefore allowing her to credit claim on trying to put the country back on a financially fiscal state
  • Senator Ayotte has introduced S. 382, a bill to eliminate the automatic inflation increases for discretionary programs. 

Commerce

About the Standing Committee:

  • Established in 1816, but has held many different names over the years
  • Current Chairman: John Thune (R-SD)
  • Current Ranking Member: Bill Nelson (D-FL)
  • Rules and Jurisdiction can be found at http://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Jurisdiction
  • Includes 6 Subcommittees
    • Senator Ayotte chairs the Subcommittee on Aviation, Operations, Safety, and Security
    • Sits on Subcommittee of Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard; Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet; Surface Transportation and Merchant marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security  

Senator Ayotte utilizing the committee:

  • In a position to oversee regulations put in the private sector.  This goes along well with her serving on the Committee of Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
  •  FCC is known for numerous regulations and Sen. Ayotte has brought forth several pieces of legislation reducing regulations that the FCC can put in place
    • Ayotte in a press release takes credit for an amendment prohibiting the government to put a regulation on commercial telecommunications

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

About the Standing Committee:

  • Established in 1816
  • Current Chairman: Ron Johnson (R-WI)
  • Current Ranking Member: Thomas Carper (D-DE)
  • Rules and jurisdiction can be found at http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/about/jurisdiction
  • Includes 3 Subcommittees
    • Ayotte serves on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations & Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management

Senator Ayotte utilizing the committee:

  • The credible Boston Globe reported on Senator Ayotte's leading role in funding the DHS after its funding was nearing an end.
    • The article notes how the state is going to become a very contested race so Ayotte wants to remain popular.  You can remain popular by supporting an acts protecting the American people.


Small Business and Entrepreneurship

About the Standing Committee:

  • Established in 1940
  • Current Chairman: Mark Vitter (R-LA)
  • Current Ranking Member: Ben Cardin (D-MD)
  • No Subcommittees

Senator Ayotte utilizing the committee:
Sen. Ayotte touring local Dell store in NH

  • Senator Ayotte grew up in a small business family so there is a personal connection with this committee
  • Ayotte was applauded by the National Association of Manufacturers for her legislation supporting small businesses and industries.
    • She would not be able to credit claim and receive awards of this type without sitting on the Commerce and Small Business committees.  By working on these committees, she is capable of pushing legislation through specific towards her state as we discussed in class.
  • Much of the legislation currently being discussed is directed towards fairness to small businesses.  Some of this is with lowering taxes or providing grants to people attempting to start a new business.  When running for reelection, this is a key committee to go back to your home state and say everything you have done for the small businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Conclusion:

Through all of her committees, Senator Ayotte is constantly trying to push legislation through that will benefit her in the 2016 race.  By advocating small business reforms reducing the tax rate, she is seen in a much more favorable manner among her constituents.  Without these committee assignments, she would lose much of the accessibility of introducing legislation in which she can credit claim.  Knowing she will be fighting for reelection in 2016, Ayotte understands everything she can do for the state of New Hampshire is essential in coming out on top in 2016.

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Thursday, March 5, 2015

Electoral Circumstances

The Electoral State of Senator Kelly Ayotte

(https://aaqeelahfloris.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/politics1.jpg)

Previous Election:

  • 2010 Senate Race
    • Race was Senator Ayotte's first attempt at a public office 
    • Carried New Hampshire with 60% of the vote to keep retiring Senator Judd Gregg's seat Republican
    • Defeated Democrat Congressmen Paul Hodes by 106,165 votes

Upcoming 2016 Election:

  • General
    • All indications are pointing towards current Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan to run for the Democratic Nomination
    • Early polling has led many to believe it will be a competitive race
  • General Election Conditions:
    • Obama carried New Hampshire in 2012 with 52% of the vote
      • I think this is noteworthy as Obama was a vulnerable candidate in 2012, and in 2016, the democrats won't be having to run on his policies giving them a better shot at beating a Republican.
    • Race will be competitive with potential candidate Maggie Hassan
    • Hassan popular as Governor of NH
    • Recent University of New Hampshire poll had Gov. Hassan with a 55% favorable approval rating
  • After reviewing all of those conditions, I would say the seat would have to be at this time classified as a toss-up.

Campaign Finance:

  • Open Secrets shows Senator Ayotte with a little over $2 million cash on hand
  • Her top contributors have some association with finance whether it be investment groups or insurance companies
    • No surprise here since she sits on the Budget Committee
  • Spent $3.5 million in her 2010 Senate Race vs. Hodes

Major Issues:

  • If a she has an opponent in the primary, much of the debate will shape around her moderate/slightly left positions on some issues
    • League of Conservative Voters gave Ayotte a 26% ranking on environmental issues
    • Split with Republicans on 10 amendments dealing with the environment on the Keystone Pipeline debate
  • Ayotte will focus on the issues she is most comfortable with
    • Opposing Obamacare (She will be able to use this in more effectively by saying if a Republican President is elected and she remains in office, they can remove and replace it)
    • Even though this is not a midterm election, Republican Senators like Ayotte will still run a campaign against Obama and his policies as they did in 2014.  
  • Democrat Candidate:
    • Will try to tie Ayotte with the Republican establishment
    • Claim she is a flip-flopper especially with environment issues

My Prediction:

  • I believe Ayotte has a strong base with good funds which will ultimately set her up for victory in 2016.  She is becoming more moderate to appeal to more of the liberal base in New Hampshire.  Senator Ayotte has made herself very popular within the Republican Party.  With the support of the Republican establishment she has a huge advantage when it comes to her opponent.  The Republican establishment in 2014 backed Thad Cochran to win a tough race vs. a Tea Party candidate, and I have no doubt they will not do everything in their power to help Senator Ayotte win reelection in 2016.

Other Sources:

  • http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/01/AR2010110105177.html
  • https://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00030980


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Tuesday, February 24, 2015

The Strategy of Senator Ayotte

Where Is Senator Ayotte?

One of the most important strategies any elected official must employ is being seen with his/her constituents in their home states.  This is a key concept when running for reelection.  Everyone wants to believe their elected official is working for them, and there is no better way to make that happen by making numerous appearances in the their home state.  The state of New Hampshire went in Obama's favor in 2012 so Ayotte knows her seat is not deemed a "safe" seat.  Senator Ayotte makes herself noticeable and informs her constituents on what she is up to in many different ways.  They include:
  • Social Media Accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Instagram)
  • Press Releases from her office 
  • Issuing weekly Newsletters both in local newspapers and online
Members of Congress which are already elected and are running for reelection have an advantage when it comes to travel.  They are allotted funds in which they are able to use for travel expenses.  This is part of the infamous incumbent advantage.  All of the rules for how travel expenses can be handled can be found at: http://www.ethics.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/travel.

Recent Travel Criticism

  • New Hampshire Democratic Party has accused Senator Ayotte for traveling outside of DC and New Hampshire to attend various fundraisers which they believe are her setting herself up to be a VP candidate in 2016.
  • No statement from Senator Ayotte's office at this time.


Press Releases/Newsletters

  • Ayotte's Press Releases found at: http://www.ayotte.senate.gov/?p=press_releases
  • Issues on average 3-8 a week
  • Senator Ayotte's press releases help inform her constituents on how she is voting, her position on various topics/issues, and what she is doing in DC for the state of New Hampshire.
  • Newsletters go into nearly every newspaper across New Hampshire.  Sending these out weekly give many constituents the satisfaction of knowing work is being done in DC.

Utilizing Office Resources

(source: http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/ding/id/2949/rec/1Franked Mail)
  • Numerous rules of when/when not the franking privilege can be employed.
  • Rules are set by the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics.
  • Press Secretary for Senator Ayotte said this of the franking privilege, "Ayotte uses franked mail only to send direct constituent correspondence and official mail...Senator Ayotte strives to be efficient and cost-effective when using taxpayer resources"
  • Claimed to have never used the franking privilege to send out mass mailings in 2012 
  • All rules on the franking privilege can be found at: http://www.ethics.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/franking

Legislation

Sponsored Legislation

  • Found At: http://www.ayotte.senate.gov/?p=sponsored_legislation
  • Many of Senator Ayotte's sponsored pieces of legislation are concerning Armed Services, Commerce, and Budget matters since these are the committees she sits on.
  • In 2014 Senator Ayotte sponsored 35 bills/resolutions in a Democrat controlled Senate
  • Credit Claiming at its finest: Introduced bill (S.30) to freeze pay of all members of Congress if a budget deal was not reached.  Bill was referred to committee and that is all the farther it went, but it still shows her position and belief that a balanced budget should be passed.  By introducing this bill, she was able to gain plenty of free advertisement through the media and she generated a press release making her seem like the everyday New Hampshirian.

Co-Sponsored Legislation

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Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Mrs. Kelly Ayotte: The Proud Republican From New Hampshire

Junior Senator From The Granite State: Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)


"Working together, we can find common ground to address our nation's challenges"

Biography:

Born: June 27th, 1968 (Currently at the young age of 46)

Residence: Born and raised in Nashua, NH where she currently resides to this day

Family: Married Joe Daley, a Nashua native served in the Iraq war; Joe and Kelly have two children: Katherine and Jacob

Religion: Roman Catholic

Education: B.A. from Pennsylvania State University (1990); Villanova University School of Law (1993)

Early Life & Career: Grew up from a small business family, and attended the public school system in Nashua. Once Kelly Ayotte finished her studies at Villanova, she worked as a law clerk for the New Hampshire Supreme Court.  A year later, Kelly was hired as an associate at a law firm in Manchester, NH.  After holding that position for four years, she became a prosecutor for the Office of the New Hampshire Attorney General.  Finally, in 2004, she was promoted to Attorney General of New Hampshire by Republican Governor Craig Benson where she remained until running successfully for the United States Senate in 2010.  

Senate Career:
  • Serves on five committees: 1) Armed Services 2) Budget 3) Commerce 4) Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 5) Small Business and Entrepreneurship
  • Applauded by party members in her effort to crack down on the Benghazi Scandal with the help of Senator McCain and Senator Graham 
  • Worked with members on both sides of the aisle to create a workable terrorist detention policy that would ensure American safety

Fun Facts:   

  • First women to become Attorney General of New Hampshire
  • As AG, led efforts to secure the first capital murder convictions in NH in over 60 years
  • Was appointed as AG by a Democrat governor twice
  • Endorsed by Sarah Palin in 2010
  • Won the 2010 Republican State Primary by a mere 1,667 votes over a Tea-Party backed candidate
  • Was on the short-list of 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney's Vice-Presidential Candidate list
  • Currently on the very, very long-list of possible 2016 Republican Presidential Candidates
  • Ayotte's campaign has a little over $2 million in the bank 

New Hampshire



Facts:

  • Became the 9th state to enter the union (one of the original 13 colonies)
  • Capital is located in Concord, NH
  • Population as of 2014 was 1,326,813
  • Major Industries include: Tourism, Textiles, Lumber, and Software
  • Borders the Atlantic Ocean (southeast corner)

Fun Facts: 

  • State Motto: Live Free or Die
  • First of 13 original colonies to frame a state constitution
  • Have 92 state parks allowing you to enjoy their beautiful scenery
  • First American to travel to space, Alan Shepard Jr., is from East Derry, NH

State Demographics:

  • White: 94.2%
  • Black or African American: 1.5%
  • American Indian: 0.3%
  • Asian: 2.4%
  • Two or More Races:1.6%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 3.2%

Sources:

  • http://www.biography.com/people/kelly-ayotte-20845731#legal-and-political-career
  • http://www.ayotte.senate.gov/?p=about_senator
  • http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/09/27/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-kelly-ayotte
  • http://www.visitnh.gov/information/state-facts.aspx
  • http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/33000.html

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