VA Loan Updates

DOVER — Instead of a BlackBerry, the communication tool of choice by today’s campaigns workers, there’s the reliable wooden clipboard.

Instead of a downtown office plastered with candidate signs, there’s the patio overlooking the well-manicured backyard of his Henry Law Avenue home.

And instead of an assistant, only Griffey, an energetic black Labrador retriever, accompanies this campaign volunteer.

So goes the primary life for city native Bob Hannan, who is helping Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York in her bid to win the Democratic Party’s nomination for president.

A retired veterans service officer with 25 years experience at the Manchester Regional Veterans’ Affairs Office and Air Force captain during the Vietnam War, Hannan is the chair of “New Hampshire Veterans for Hillary” and a member of the candidate’s national veterans steering committee.

He knows the role well, having chaired the state veterans group for John Kerry’s presidential run in 2004.

Hannan acknowledged Clinton doesn’t have the same credentials as Kerry, a Purple Heart recipient. But he said Clinton’s record on behalf of veterans makes her the strongest choice in the crowded field of candidates.

“They want someone who’s a strong leader, and obviously I think Hillary comes across that way,” he said last week. “She has a very strong record in support of veteran’s issues and legislation trying to keep the funding up for veterans hospitals, which is probably the biggest veterans’ issue here in New Hampshire.”

Hannan said Clinton wants to guarantee funding for veterans’ health care, make it easier for veterans to receive care and effectively treat traumatic brain injuries resulting from the war in Iraq.

In campaign literature, Hannan also points to Clinton’s “21st Century G.I. Bill of Rights,” billed as a way for the country to renew its promises to those who served by providing housing, education and business startup assistance.

Hannan, the longtime master of ceremonies for the city’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances. finds himself supporting a presidential candidate who he first met at the White House in 1993.

It was for the 25th reunion of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, where Hannan was a classmate of Bill Clinton, the 42nd president and man of “incredible intellect.”

“It was the most special day of my life, other than family things,” said the father of three grown children and six grandchildren.

A John F. Kennedy devotee, Hannan said he had been a “political junkie” long before that night at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Hannan said he helped with Al Gore’s 2000 presidential run, but not in a “specialized” way like with Kerry or Hillary Clinton. He was also active in various campaigns for former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen.

With Clinton’s campaign, Hannan finds himself working with old friends from Kerry’s network: Bill Shaheen, who is co-chair of the Clinton’s state and national operations, and Nick Clemens, the state director.

Hannan, a former member of the city’s School Board, City Council and others community groups, said he plans on reaching out to veterans plugged into Kerry’s campaign and members of veterans organizations, like VFWs, American Legions, veteran councils and the Disabled American Veterans.

He said he’s looking for leaders and hard workers to help. “You need both,” he said.

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