When the debate over removing Columbus Day from the calendar flared up in the presidential race, WMUR reporter Adam Sexton did what local reporters often do: He found a local hook for the story and asked New Hampshire candidates for their views.
Finding the hook wasn’t hard. Democrats in the New Hampshire legislature have been advocating that New Hampshire dump “European colonizer” Christopher Columbus from the state holiday calendar for about a decade. They want the holiday eliminated and replaced with Indigenous Peoples Day.
Earlier this year, however, an amendment backed by Democrat state Sen. Lou D’Allesandro of Manchester made its way onto an education bill. That amendment mandates that every town, city and school system must acknowledge the Columbus Day holiday. Monday was the first observance under the new law.
But if finding the hook was easy, getting Democrat candidate for governor Joyce Craig to talk about it was not. While her GOP opponent gave Sexton an on-air statement in support of the new state law, Craig refused.
Kelly Ayotte told Sexton she supported observing Columbus Day and the new state law pushed by Democrat D’Allesandro.
“So, it was bipartisan. I think it’s important also, if the legislature wants to recognize the contributions of indigenous people, we can have a separate day to do that, and I would sign that as governor,” Ayotte said.
Craig, on the other hand, was a ‘no comment.’
“Joyce Craig, the Democratic nominee for governor, was not available for an interview Monday, and her campaign declined to answer questions about her position on renaming the holiday,” Sexton reported.
Ayotte’s campaign mocked Craig’s reluctance to take questions.
“We’re worried about Joyce Craig — no one has seen her in New Hampshire in weeks! Her D.C. handlers are hiding her from the press and the outside world to prevent any voters or reporters from asking about her absurd plan to raise taxes by $160 million,” said Ayotte spokesperson John Corbett.
“If anyone sees Joyce Craig, please let a reporter know!”
Several Democrats told NHJournal on background that they aren’t impressed, either.
“She’s running scared,” a progressive Granite State Democrat said. “And this is an easy one. Of course it should be Indigenous Peoples Day. If you’re a Democrat and you can’t explain why, you shouldn’t be governor.”
And veteran GOP campaign strategist Patrick Griffin added, “If her campaign strategy is any indication, it’s pretty clear where they’ll find Joyce Craig in a crisis — under her desk.”
Craig has developed a reputation for evading reporters, going back to July when she demanded that an NHPR reporter be removed from a public event in a church basement before she would speak.
Craig has thrown NHJournal reporters out of two campaign events, and while her Democratic primary opponent Cinde Warmington regularly appeared on Jack Heath’s popular statewide radio show during the campaign, Craig refused every invitation.
Craig did make a brief appearance last week on the liberal podcast “Pod Save America” hosted by staffers from the Obama administration. But she hasn’t appeared on the left-leaning WGIR morning radio show since the Democratic primary.
Some Granite State political professionals have compared Craig’s media strategy to Vice President Kamala Harris, who notoriously went 66 days before doing a one-on-one interview with a national news outlet. Harris continues to limit her press encounters, however, and neither Craig nor Harris have held an open press conference since becoming their party’s nominees.
But there’s a difference, these strategists note: Until recently, Harris was protecting a lead in the polls. Craig has never led in any credible poll since their head-to-head race began.
And Harris announced Monday she’s doing a one-on-one with Fox News’ Bret Baier.
Griffin says he understands why Craig isn’t more forthcoming.
“When you’re selling a fragile product, it’s important to control the packaging,” Griffin told NHJournal. “Joyce Craig and her team are understandably afraid to address the issues of the day. They can’t, because their candidate is weak, vulnerable and therefore unable to operate without a net.
Ayotte, on the other hand, has been far more accessible, Griffin said, a sign that she’s better prepared for the job.
“Agree or disagree with Kelly Ayotte, she’s been tested again and again and she’s not intimidated by exposure. That’s precisely what New Hampshire voters want and deserve in their governor,” Griffin said.
