Our Hanover stop on the Diner Tour was covered in the Union Leader today.

". . . Buckey is on a mission to meet and shake hands with as many New Hampshire voters as possible. His recent diner tour took him through nine cities and towns, and he expects his schedule will be just as hectic until the primary election in September."
- Union Leader read the full article here)

Labels: news

"On Monday, more than one individual grabbing a quick lunch at the Soda Shoppe found themselves having a side-order of politics when Buckey met with residents and talked about everything from health care to the nation's energy crisis.

Buckey, a Democrat, entered the race more than a year ago, but has just begun what will be his major push to get his name into New Hampshire households now that the presidential primary is over."
- The Laconia Citizen (read the full article here)


"Buckey's resume includes the titles of doctor, astronaut, Air Force reservist and professor of medicine and an adjunct professor of engineering at Dartmouth College. What it lacks is political experience — this being his first try at public office. But Buckey does not think that should preclude him from being considered a serious candidate."
- The Portsmouth Herald (read the full article here)


"Buckey said candidates and their supporters should draw distinctions on positions, policies, and records without disparaging each other and not criticize an opponent's character or use their images in campaign materials.

Buckey says negative campaigning breeds cynicism and depresses voter turnout."
- AP (read the full article here)

Labels: news

Former N.H. governor Jeanne Shaheen’s September decision to run for U.S. Senate may have changed the landscape of this year’s race.

But it hasn’t changed the course of Jay C. Buckey’s campaign.

Two of the other three Democratic candidates, Steve Marchand and Katrina Swett, quickly backed out of the race when Shaheen declared her intention to challenge incumbent John E. Sununu, R-N.H., for his Senate seat. But Buckey, a professor at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover and a former astronaut, stayed on target.

“When we first got in the race, we knew that we’d have to start from scratch to start raising funds and for people to get to know us,” said Buckey, 51, of Hanover. “That’s always been true whether somebody else got into the race or not.

Read the full article.

Labels: news

Manchester, NH -- Today, Jay Buckey, Democratic candidate for US Senate from New Hampshire, proposed a National Security Levy on oil designed to make America stronger and the economy less vulnerable to disruptions in foreign energy supplies.

"It is truly unacceptable to have American servicemen and women risking their lives overseas -- in part to protect our access to oil -- and yet not do everything we can here in New Hampshire and across the country to end our dependence on foreign oil," said Buckey, a retired Major in the Air Force Reserve. "We need to take positive action to protect our nation's security and our future."

"Right now, every time we fill up our cars, we're using our hard-earned dollars to help fund foreign oil producers in the Mideast, Russia, and elsewhere," Buckey continued. "Instead of sending billions of dollars overseas to buy energy, we should use our nation's technological skills to make the transition to renewable alternatives. The National Security Levy can help fund that transition."

The proposed National Security Levy would include a fee on all oil consumption in the United States and a price floor to stabilize the price of oil. A slow phase-in would insure against sudden shocks to consumers.

"So far, OPEC and other oil-producing countries have been able to lower and raise oil prices like puppeteers pulling the strings," Buckey said. "Alternative energy companies have often failed when oil prices were low. And American consumers – especially lower income citizens – have been stretched almost to the breaking point when prices spike. It's time to put a stop to this."

Buckey explained that the National Security Levy would be variable, depending on the world price of oil. Falling world oil prices would trigger an increase in the National Security Levy to stabilize the price in the US and provide a predictable environment for alternative energy producers. Alternatively, temporary suspension of the National Security Levy would
serve as a counterbalance in the US to spikes in the world price of oil.

Revenue from the National Security Levy would be used in two ways: 1)rebates to working families to compensate for increased energy costs, and 2)support an Apollo program for Energy to rapidly move the United States into the lead in alternative energy technology and to stimulate the economy.

"The National Security Levy will allow us to make essential investments in energy technology," Buckey explained. "With this vitally important funding, we'll be able to develop the technology we need to end our dependence on foreign oil – and move on to renewable alternatives."

Labels: release

Lebanon, NH - "The Iowa caucus results show that voters want new leaders and are rejecting the politics of the past,” Jay Buckey, candidate for US Senate said today.

“The record-breaking turnout, especially among young and first-time voters, indicates that a new generation of Americans is getting involved, and they want a positive approach to change,” said Buckey.

Campaign Manager Karen Liot Hill added to Dr. Buckey’s comments: “Inspiration motivated independents, which challenges the conventional wisdom about electability. Jay leads with a vision, and that’s what we need to beat John Sununu.”

Buckey also reacted to the news that two candidates have withdrawn from the race.

"I hope that Joe Biden's sober and informed approach to Iraq and foreign policy will continue to inform our national dialogue. Chris Dodd's relentless defense of our constitution and civil liberties deserves our profound thanks," said Buckey.

"I'll miss seeing them both in New Hampshire. But I know they will be continuing their work in the Senate on our behalf. With New Hampshire’s support I hope to join them there in 2009,” Buckey added. “I'm committed to making us energy independent, curbing the influence of special interests, and keeping us competitive in the global economy."

Labels: release

Lebanon, NH--“Benazir Bhutto was a remarkable and courageous woman,” Buckey said. “She knew and understood both Pakistan and the West, and she will be missed.”

“As Martin Luther King once said, ‘Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.’”

“Benazir Bhutto was clearly dedicated to Pakistan and concerned about its future. But she worked though politics and the ballot box. Her sacrifice reminds us that we can’t allow the forces of violence and fear to win,” said Buckey.