Hodes Embraces Health Care, Outsider Label

Rep. Paul Hodes (D) cast his possible foe as a creature of DC even as he himself embraces a health care bill that is likely to be the signature accomplishment of Pres. Obama's first term.

But to Hodes, it is ex-AG Kelly Ayotte (R) who has become an insider. "She is a walking billboard for (Senate Min. Leader) Mitch McConnell. She has moved so far to the right," Hodes said, highlighting fundraisers Ayotte has held with McConnell and other top GOPers.

In an extensive interview with Hotline OnCall, Hodes argued Ayotte lacks concrete policy plans. "She doesn't speak well in front of people," he said, adding, "she is a Washington inside creation of the beltway is what she is, and she is in trouble over it."

While he was quick to launch broadsides at the GOPer, Hodes maintained that the GOP race is not necessarily a done deal just yet. Ayotte faces a challenge from the right from '96 GOV nominee/atty/ex-NH Bd. of Ed. chair Ovide Lamontagne (R), and another well-funded challenger in businessman Bill Binnie (R).

In seeking to cast Ayotte as a DC insider, Hodes will also have to address the fact that he is the only candidate in the race currently serving in Congress (At one point, Hodes criticized one of Ayotte's fundraisers at Charlie Palmer Steak; Hodes himself benefited from a fundraiser at the upscale Capitol Hill restaurant in March '09). Already, Ayotte has begun to criticize his voting record directly, going after his support for the stimulus and his record on spending.

"Paul Hodes knows he can't win on the issues, so he's resorting to these kinds of baseless personal attacks. It's a reflection of a campaign that is desperate and trailing in the polls," said Ayotte spokesperson Jeff Grappone. Ayotte's "record of tough leadership and accomplishment stands in stark contrast to Paul Hodes' failed tenure in Congress. Hodes has become Mr. Washington, with an insatiable appetite for deficit spending."

For Ayotte, the GOP race is shaping up to be a test of her ability to run in a competitive race. In Binnie, she is facing a candidate who can self-finance, and has been advertising heavily. Lamontagne, meanwhile, has sewed doubts about Ayotte's conservatism and criticized Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for coming to NH to campaign with Ayotte.

The winner of the GOP primary will have the chance to run against the only Dem this year who has embraced the health care bill as a campaign tactic. Hodes said passing the bill would be a net plus, and he will be talking about it throughout the course of his run.

He aims to sell the plan as capable of bringing about broader economic prosperity. "In New Hampshire, what I'm finding is the message that health care reform is a jobs bill, especially for small business is resonating with people," said Hodes.

Hodes argued that voters will ultimately be concerned with the substance of the bill come Nov., rather than the process by which it might be passed. When asked if he had a problem with the "deem and pass" tactic, Hodes responded "no. ... If there is frustration, it is that Democrats haven't been tough enough about getting it done."

Even though Hodes is not an incumbent (or even a member of the party that currently holds the seat), he may face some of the challenges that other Dem incumbents will face this year, thanks to his tenure in DC. But Hodes doesn't see it that way. "I am not running as an incumbent. This has been a Republican seat for 18 years," he said.

When asked to compare the '10 atmosphere to '06, the year he unseated ex-Rep. Charlie Bass (R) during a time of widespread anti-majority party sentiment, Hodes said the situation is no different this cycle. "They may not be happy with Democrats, but they are even less happy with Republicans."

But, he admitted, the national atmosphere remains harmful for Dems. "I'm not unhappy the election isn't today," said Hodes. "This is not a wind at our back, you know, time. People are frustrated, they want change -- they voted for change; they didn't get it right away."

Hodes is a strong fundraiser, and bested each of his GOP competitors in fundraising during the latest period. Yet Hodes still polls behind Ayotte, and in some cases Binnie.

Hodes will simultaneously have to play offense and defense -- going after his opponent while consistently having to defend his record as a DC legislator. A lot will depend on the outcome of the health care debate, and subsequent public reaction to the bill. It will be an albatross around his neck, but one he embraces unlike any other candidates.