Despite Hassan’s best effort to spin the facts, PolitiFact NH substantiated the claim that Hassan has been MIA.
In case you missed it, here’s a round-up of coverage surrounding Hassan’s absent governing:
Political haying season upon us
Editorial, Nashua Telegraph
“…The heat she took after WMUR reported that she was out of the state for 30 days over a three-month period while raising money for her U.S. Senate run strikes us as a more valid criticism.
“For one thing, Hassan’s absences run counter to the statement she made when she announced her candidacy for the Senate last fall when she said, “My focus every day will be on my job as governor of the State of New Hampshire.”
“Except, she might have added, when she is running the roads to hob-nob with bigmoney donors.
“Hassan was elected to do a job, and being out of state for political reasons as often as she has strikes us as excessive, no matter how closely she stays in touch with her staff by phone or email. There is no substitute for showing up and doing the job, and New Hampshire residents have every reason to expect the governor will keep her word and focus on the job she has, not the one she wants…”
Taxpayers pony up for Hassan security
Allie Morris, Concord Monitor
“…[R]ecords show Hassan’s state-funded security detail is racking up thousands of dollars in salary and overtime costs while accompanying her to political events, and the campaign is not picking up that tab…”
Voters should question Gov. Hassan’s absences
Opinion, New Hampshire Union Leader
“…Unfortunately, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Gov. Hassan is using her office as a springboard for her political ambitions, at the expense of critical New Hampshire priorities that deserve her full attention…
“…Gov. Hassan promised voters that her day job wouldn’t suffer as she pursued higher office, saying she’d focus “each and every day” on her responsibilities as governor. She has failed to live up to that promise, and New Hampshire is paying the price…
“…Politicians are infamous for letting people down, but the least they can do is show up to work. With more and more questions being raised about her management of state issues, voters should question how Gov. Hassan can possibly be fully engaged in her job responsibilities if she’s spending so much time out of state…”
Out of state, out of touch: Hassan ignoring NH Constitution
Editorial, New Hampshire Union Leader
“…Gov. Maggie Hassan has decided to slip out of state without letting anyone know of her absence.
“We haven’t made much of Hassan’s frequent travels around the country raising money for her U.S. Senate campaign. That was to be expected as soon as she announced her candidacy in October.
“But with critics making an issue out of Hassan’s busy travel schedule, the governor is trying to hide her out-of-state jaunts…”
Hassan campaign says it was not necessary to notify Senate president of Sunday travel to Mass. fundraiser
John DiStaso, WMUR
“Gov. Maggie Hassan’s U.S. Senate campaign says it was not necessary for the governor’s office to notify the state Senate president when she left the state on Sunday for a fundraiser in Brookline, Massachusetts…
“WMUR.com reported last week that Hassan’s out-of-state travel to fundraisers and other political events has emerged as a contentious issue in the U.S. Senate race between Hassan and U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte. WMUR also reported that she was out of the state for parts or all of 30 days from February through April.
“…The state Constitution says that in the event of a governor’s absence from the state, ‘the president of the senate, for the time being, shall act as governor…’…”