McLaughlin won't run for governor

LACONIA — In a formal statement issued yesterday, former New Hampshire Attorney General Phil McLaughlin announced that after much serious consideration during the past three months he has decided against seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2012.

McLaughlin, a practicing attorney in Laconia, said that uppermost among his concerns were meeting his obligations to his family and his clients during a campaign that would consume all his time until at least the primary election in September and, if successful, until the general election in November. While his family would have supported his bid, he said that "I have made commitments to my client and owe them a duty of loyalty and zealous advocacy. I have been unable to see a path that would allow me to reconcile my political goals with my professional obligations."

McLaughlin took the opportunity to offer a glimpse of how he would have campaigned and governed. "Our greatest problem is that we currently have inadequate revenues to fund core services," he said. Allowing that economic recovery may restore funding for "the programs the Legislature slashed," he continued "if that doesn't happen, then we will need to talk about alternatives."

"We have a no income tax tradition," McLaughlin stated, "and I would honor that tradition. It is the foundation of this state's economic vitality." However, at the same time, he declared "it will take a lot more than Meldrim Thomson's 1970's pledge to govern this state in the 21st century."

The "Pledge" alone, McLaughlin insisted, cannot ensure prosperity while funding for the community colleges and university system is reduced and state expenses are transferred to municipalities and property taxpayers.

McLaughlin did not spare "the right wing Republicans" and what he called "their 'never compromise' attitude." He said that the nation and the state have progressed through "negotiation and compromise," describing the approach of the right wing of the GOP as "an offense to common sense. We also have a tradition of confronting our problems in open, honest and lively debate," he added. "That is the tradition I most cherish."

McLaughlin reaffirmed his opposition to slot machines and casino gambling and his support for the rights of same-sex couples to marry, women to choose on the abortion issue and labor to organize. Prizing the tradition of civility and common sense, he expressed his opposition to "those who place their demands for unlimited gun rights before the common good."

"I dearly wish I could run for governor," McLaughlin closed, wishing "every good fortune" to the Democratic candidates. "Mostly," remarked, I pray they will stand and fight."