Walter Peterson

Walter Peterson: Grand New Hampshire Republican

By David L. Gosselin

“I never thought about becoming a Democrat,” so said Walter Peterson, former New Hampshire chief executive, former President of Franklin Pierce College and interim President of the state University system.

In recent years those with political savvy in both political parties credit Peterson for the election of John Lynch, the Democratic Governor of New Hampshire. Even in the historic Republican landslide election of 2010 that brought a swing of huge Republican majorities in both houses of the state legislature, Lynch prevailed with an unprecedented fourth term.

While New Hampshire Republicans recaptured the state’s two Congressional Seats and elected a new Republican to the United States Senate, the Democratic Governor held on and did so with Republican votes. Voters took their lead from Walter Peterson, a former two-term Republican governor.

The late New Hampshire Governor Walter R. Peterson, past president of Franklin Pierce University

Though Peterson took no credit for Lynch’s success, he instead deflected the importance of his role back to the desires of New Hampshire voters who, as he said, “wanted Republicans in office but also a balance in the State’s Leadership.”

So why had Peterson never considered changing political parties, and what were the underpinnings of this Republican’s philosophy?

I had the opportunity to talk with Walter extensively on this specific subject shortly before his recent passing, believing that his views would give valuable insight into his view of politics, and that his experience and outlook might help the Republican party and the country as well.

I believe that in part Peterson’s views flowed from his temperament and the steady and tolerant ways of his Finish heritage. His views had also been strengthened by his wife and lifelong partner, Dorothy, who Walter laughingly refered to as a “Cradle Episcopalian,” that is, she was born into her church.

Faith and sound Christian doctrine had motivated the Petersons’ throughout their lives.

As Walter struggled with the effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, he confessed that missing church services with Dorothy on Sunday was an important loss in his battle with cancer.

Walter Peterson’s respect for other people, his strong Christian background and his temperament have all contributed to what some would call an old fashion conservative, and an old fashion Republicanism. I would call this a great blueprint for the way forward as the Republican Party seeks the mantle of leadership for the country.

“The Republicans started out as an average man’s party. Today it is too often considered the party of the rich,” Peterson told me.

Walter Peterson had nothing against financial success, but he wanted a dialogue that goes beyond just tax cuts. He believed there are consequences that must be considered when we look at where money comes from in politics, and believed it is important that citizens understand this rather esoteric process.

A party for the average man, an understanding of the consequences of political money and where it comes from are just starting points, he believed.

“The Democrats most often want a government solution to problems, where Republicans should instinctively look to private individuals, organizations and solutions close to home as a way to view most domestic issues,” Peterson said.

He always considered it an honorable calling to be a politician.

Peterson’s Republicanism was less doctrinaire about issues including, issues of national security, and more focused on the importance of talking matters through and understanding what we are doing.

He cared less that you agree with his views, than that you accurately understand them and why he held them.

He wanted to offer the same courtesy to the other fellow.

“If we can keep talking, though we disagree, we will also find things where we can agree, and where we can cooperate and work together,” Peterson said.

There is a lot of noise and a lot of negativism emanating from American Politics. The challenge is can we motivate people toward a respectful and more sympathetic view of our differences?

It is certainly an attempt to find, as Lincoln said, “our better angels.”

David Gosselin is a native of North Conway and served as chairman of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee

Posted Saturday, June 11, 2011

Return to NH Commentary Home Page