As the GOP presidential primary heats up with the first debate in South Carolina,
Jack Kimball, chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, gave his views on what the candidates need to do to win in his state, which holds the first 2012 primary.
Kimball, who won the post with strong backing from tea party activists, also talked about Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget plan and Social Security, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
Kimball explained why some Republicans have been hesitant to embrace Ryan’s budget plan.
“They’re going to be cautious,” he said. “They may have their own ideas that may be slightly different, maybe they’re quite a bit different, who knows. I certainly personally feel the Ryan budget is a great first step. It cuts deep – that’s what we need.”
He didn’t think a Social Security proposal floated by former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty that wealthy Americans not get the same cost-of-living increase as lower income people would be disruptive.
“It’s an interesting concept,” Kimball said. “I think a lot of folks that are well off, that have done well for themselves in this country, probably wouldn’t object. It’s not going to be that disruptive to someone who is wealthy… It’s not a big issue for them.”
Kimball said the GOP candidate to win his state will have to be a solid conservative, and be ready for a tough fight.
“Whoever is going to win the primary here has to be a person the ultra conservatives and tea party folks agree with, and these are the major issues: small government, reduced spending, tax cuts, personal responsibility and personal liberty and getting back to our constitutional values,” he said.
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