Platform

NOTE: this Platform is a draft, subject to amendments by the delegates
received by 5 PM, May 1, 2008. See below for an overview of the process and
the amendment procedure.

NEW HAMPSHIRE DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM
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New Hampshire Democrats support our working men and women and share their
vision for a brighter future. We stand for stronger families, a growing
economy, healthier communities, justice for veterans, and a deep respect for
one another. We pledge to preserve a government that helps where it can yet
limits its power where it must to guarantee freedom for all.

* STRONG FAMILIES

Education

Public education contributes to New Hampshire's greatness by preparing
future citizens for participation in society and the responsibility of
democracy. We support a comprehensive, long-term method for ensuring the
delivery of excellent pre-primary, primary, and secondary education in every
corner of New Hampshire. Our University and Community College Systems
should enrich New Hampshire's communities and support the State's economy by
offering a lifetime of learning at tuition and expense levels accessible to
all.

Health Care

Every person deserves access to affordable and comprehensive health care.
We promote initiatives to reduce the cost of health care, to remove existing
barriers to access, and to address the unique health needs of our rural
communities.

Veterans

We honor the innumerable sacrifices made by our military personnel and their
families. We believe our nation must honor its commitments, including for
health care, education and disability support, to veterans of all wars. All
efforts must be made to ease their transition home with appropriate health
services, job training, and educational opportunities. We welcome veterans
back into our communities with honor.

Consumer Protection

We support the rights of consumers and we work to advance economic justice.
We believe in strong consumer protection laws, especially those that protect
vulnerable populations. We oppose unfair and deceptive business practices
and predatory lending in all its forms.

Child and Dependent Care

We believe in promoting the increased availability and accessibility of
affordable dependent care. We support efforts to ensure fair wages for
those employed as care providers for our children and families.

Housing

Every person deserves safe, decent, and affordable housing. Affordable
housing is essential to the growth of our economy and the strength of our
families and communities. We seek solutions for homelessness in our
communities through a comprehensive approach to resolve its root causes.

Economic Security

We support New Hampshire workers by promoting a strong and inviting climate
for businesses and working families. Our goal is to provide an environment
that will encourage new businesses and the expansion of existing ones by
promoting innovative incentives, up-to-date communication capacity
throughout the state, job training, and a strong support system.

* STRONG ECONOMY

Labor

We reaffirm our historic belief in the right of workers to organize and
bargain collectively for wages and conditions of employment, and we oppose
efforts that interfere with that right. Workers should be able to exercise
the right to form unions, mediate and arbitrate disputes, and enjoy the
protection of penalties for disregard of worker's rights. We must also
protect the retirement security of New Hampshire workers. All trade
agreements New Hampshire enters into should benefit workers and consumers as
well as corporations. Such agreements should also contain strong labor and
environmental standards.

Rural Development

We support our rural communities by encouraging investment in
infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water, sewer, telecommunications,
and broadband access. We support increased access to capital for
entrepreneurs and small businesses and more flexibility in the delivery of
health care and Medicaid reimbursements to rural hospitals and health care
providers.

Business Investment

We will continue to provide a supportive business climate and keep New
Hampshire's economy one of the fastest growing in the nation. We support
efforts to diversify industry throughout the state and we celebrate the
entrepreneurial spirit that has always fostered business innovation from
mills to megabytes.

Infrastructure

Investment in public works such as highways, bridges, public transport,
water systems and utilities (including telecommunications) will create good
jobs and strengthen our economy for the long term. We support programs and
funding to enhance our existing infrastructure and position our state for
growth and innovation by building a foundation for developing efficient and
safe transportation -- including new mass transit options for New Hampshire
commuters -- and by encouraging alternate fuels and renewable-energy, and
upgrading transmission lines, including repositioning North Country
facilities for such purposes.

* STRONG COMMUNITIES

Public Safety

We believe that public safety, emergency preparedness, and homeland security
are vital duties of government t all levels. We support comprehensive
public safety policies that target violent and repeat offenders, reduce
recidivism through prevention, education and rehabilitation, and maximize
taxpayer resources. We support strong legislation against hate crimes, elder
abuse, child abuse, and sexual assault. We believe that the effect of the
crime on victims should be considered in imposing punishment, that
restitution should be required where possible, and that appropriate services
to victims should be available.

Environment and Energy Policy

We value New Hampshire's natural environment and all that it adds to our
lives. It is therefore imperative to preserve it for future generations.
We will act decisively to address the undeniable threat of climate change.
We will protect our open spaces and limited water resources with responsible
development and innovative land use policy. We commit to the reduction of
greenhouse gases through policies that promote energy conservation and
efficiency, encourage the development of renewable energy sources and
promote public transportation, recognizing that we will also be expanding
our economy.

* LIVE FREE OR DIE TRADITION

Civil Rights and Privacy

We value an open and accessible state government that protects our
fundamental freedoms. We will enact laws that protect against unnecessary
intrusions into our privacy and inappropriate uses of personal information.
We pledge to fight all efforts to divide our state because of race,
religion, disability, immigration status, national origin, age, sexual
orientation or gender identity.

Fiscal Responsibility

In the New Hampshire tradition, fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets
are necessary for a frugal and effective government. We believe in using
taxpayer resources wisely to ensure that we are meeting our obligations to
protect the health and safety of our citizens, assist our most vulnerable
citizens and make strategic investments in building a stronger New
Hampshire. We believe in the long term savings that can come from dealing
head-on with the challenges of today.

Reproductive Health and Safety

We support freedom for all from governmental interference in private medical
decisions, including the right to decide when and whether to bear children.
We will promote policies to ensure confidential, age-appropriate access to
comprehensive sexual and reproductive education and health care for all
women, men and teenagers.

First in the Nation Primary

New Hampshire's unique political traditions, relatively small population,
and geographic size give a fair chance to all Presidential candidates,
regardless of their financial resources. The personal connections possible
in house parties, town hall meetings, and similar settings benefit both the
candidates and the voters. We will preserve New Hampshire's position and
responsibilities as the First in the Nation Primary.

Open Government and Right to Know

We believe government should be accountable to the people at every level and
should operate in an open and transparent manner. The people have a right
to know what their government is doing.

Fair and Free Elections

All voters have a right to vote, cast their vote in a clear manner, have
their vote counted correctly, and have equal ability to run for office. We
will preserve the paper ballot whether hand-counted or machine counted.

Overview: 2008 Platform Process

The New Hampshire Democratic Party Platform Committee met on February 13,
2008 in Concord and approved the following:

1. The Committee will prepare and publish a DRAFT PLATFORM on
the State Party Website by April 17, 2008.

2. Democrats who desire to submit an amendment to the Platform
Committee must do so after April 17, 2008 and before May 1, 2008. Any
proposed amendment must be received at NHDP Headquarters no later than 5:00
PM by fax, email, delivery or surface mail on May 1, 2008.

3. Proponents of amendments may be scheduled to meet with Platform
Committee members if the proposed amendment is germane and relates to the
functions of State Government. Amendments that do not technically qualify
for inclusion in the Platform will be referred to the Chairperson of the
Committee on Resolutions for disposition. Any amendment referred to the
Committee on Resolutions shall be regarded as finally disposed of for
purposes of the Platform Committee. Proponents of amendments that are not
adopted by the Committee will receive a notice of committee action and an
invitation to resolve the differences between the committee and the
proponent. Amendment proponents are urged to note that an amendment that
fails to pass the Platform Committee may go to the floor of the convention,
but that the Platform Committee reserves the right to dispose of amendments
that are repetitious or not designed to advance the principles of the NHDP
as noted in the party Constitution or amendments that fail to receive at
least one vote in favor of the amendment by a member of the Platform
Committee.

4. Amendments shall be in writing and signed by the proponents.
Proponents must be members of the NHDP.

5. The Platform Committee, consistent with the NHDP Constitution, will
conduct hearings on Platform matters around the State beginning February 25,
2008 and give notice to County and Local organizations in advance of such
hearings.

6. The Platform Committee voted to work with Blake Roter and Pia Carusone
of the State Party staff regarding limited logistics (including
communications regarding the hearings and like matters, advice on drafting,
and collaboration on press releases to local media about the hearings).

II. Amendment Procedure

adopted by the New Hampshire Democratic State Committee March 1, 2008

Amendments may be submitted using any one of the following methods:

Standard Mail or Delivery:

NH Democratic Party
Attn: Platform Committee
2 ½ Beacon Street
Concord, NH 03301

Fax: 603-225-6797, Attn: Platform Committee

E-mail: office@nhdp.org, Attn: Platform Committee

1. Amendment submissions should specify the section of the platform
sought for amendment or note that the amendment is proposed as a new
section.

2. The written submission should identify the proponent of the
amendment and the fact that the proponent is a delegate to the convention.
Thereafter, the amendment should contain the exact language. The Platform
Committee will not edit the amendment, but consider it as submitted.

Example:

Proposed Platform Amendment to the Silly Examples Plank, Submitted by John
Doe, delegate from Anytown, New Hampshire:

Please add the following paragraph:

The State of New Hampshire through the Legislature should adopt a Resolution
calling for a speed limit on speed skaters.

The Platform Commitee

REP. BETTE LASKY
Co-Chair

JAY SURDUKOWSKI
Co-Chair

MARTIN HONIGBERG
for Governor John Lynch

CAROLE APPEL
for U.S. Representative Carol Shea-Porter

REP. DAVID PIERCE
for U.S. Representative Paul Hodes

JENNIFER FRIZZELL
for Senate President Sylvia Larsen

REP. TOM BUCO
for Speaker of the House Terie Norelli

TOM CURTIN
At-Large, 2nd Congressional District

LARRY DRAKE
At-Large, 1st Congressional District

AMANDA GRADY
At-Large, 2nd Congressional District

CINDE WARMINGTON
At-Large, 1st Congressional District