Will McCain’s ballot presence help GOP candidates?

Now that U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) has gained the Republican presidential nomination the debate is over whether or not McCain's presence on the ballot will benefit New Hampshire Republican candidates.

This morning New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Fergus Cullen released a statement with the title "McCain Nomination Great News for NH Republicans."

"Not only do New Hampshire Republicans get a nominee who is universally respected within our party, but New Hampshire Democrats get the one Republican they least wanted at the top of our ticket," Cullen said.

Cullen argued that McCain's presence will make a "swing state" in the fall and will help Republicans down the ballot.

"Senator McCain's nomination guarantees that New Hampshire will be a competitive swing state in the general election." He added, "This year, down-ballot candidates will win or lose on their own merits, and consequently, we can expect Republicans to regain many of the seats we lost last election cycle."

Former state Attorney General, and Romney supporter, Tom Rath said McCain's presence will benefit Granite State Republicans.

"He's got a very special relationship with New Hampshire voters and is uniquely positioned to help the ticket," Rath said.

Many expect McCain will devote time and money to the state that propelled McCain to the nomination.

"I think he helps in the sense his campaign will spend time and money here, more than if the Republicans had picked a Southern conservative candidate," said University of New Hampshire-Durham political professor Dante Scala.

With McCain at the top of the ticket few doubt that the Arizona Senator will attempt to help his personal friend U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley), in his battle against Jeanne Shaheen.

"He and Sununu are close politically and are friends, so I think he'll take a special interest in the race," Rath explained.

Scala agreed with that sentiment and argued that McCain's presence means Sununu "will not be alone."

"If the Republicans had picked another candidate, Sununu would be all alone at the top of the ticket."

"He's going to need all the help he can get and this should help," Scala said.

New Hampshire Democrats dispelled the notion that McCain will help Republican candidates.

"Granite Staters have said that they are not interested in a third Bush term and that's exactly what John McCain is offering" Ray Buckley, Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party said. Buckley added, "When John McCain comes to New Hampshire next week, Granite Staters will say 'no thanks' to more of the same"