These are trying political times for New Hampshire’s freshman Sen. Kelly Ayotte.
Ayotte’s march to support the new leader of the Republican Party started almost a year ago in June 2015 when Ayotte gave Trump’s campaign a ringing endorsement, saying that Trump running for president is a “positive thing.”
In December when asked if she would support Trump, Ayotte didn’t rule it out. Then in February of this year, Ayotte’s campaign said that New Hampshire voters shouldn’t count on Ayotte joining the “Never Trump” campaign and that, “Senator Ayotte intends to support the Republican nominee.”
Just days before Ayotte pledged her support for Trump, her campaign was out front saying, “whoever wins the nomination will have her support.”
After his resounding victory in Indiana, and the anemic campaigns of Kasich and Cruz closing up shop, Ayotte kept with her word and said that she will support, but not endorse, Donald Trump for president of the United States. Support, but not endorse. What is the difference? Is the threshold holding joint fundraisers? Is it stumping for Trump? Is it silently affirming Trump’s hateful rhetoric?
Over the years I’ve come to believe that our state produced quality elected officials. Where we could ask them point blank questions and get honest answers. I hope we get back to that and Sen. Ayotte is honest about her views of the new leader of the Republican Party. Is she prepared to support the Trump-Ayotte version of the Republican Party on the ballot this November?
Sharon Kenney
Manchester