Union Leader - May 13, 2007

At 19, he's already a political veteran

By DAN ANKELES
Special to the Sunday News

Shaun Doherty's fingers move quickly over the keypad of his laptop as he uploads photos of the morning's events to his Facebook page. First comes the picture of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty giving a speech at the opening of Sen. John McCain's Manchester office opening. Next, there's Doherty and Pawlenty posing together, both with ear-to-ear smiles. Finally, Doherty posts the photo of the office wall that he and the other guests have all signed and dated with a red Sharpie.

The encounter with Pawlenty wasn't the first time Doherty, 19, schmoozed with the political elite. His online profile already includes photos of him with McCain, with first lady Laura Bush, with Presidential daughter Jenna Bush, with Vice President Dick Cheney, with the President's deputy chief of staff, Karl Rove.

A self-described conservative for as long as he can remember, Doherty speaks enthusiastically about his nascent role as a volunteer on the McCain campaign. He's one of many local college students who donate time and energy in the hope that their candidates win the New Hampshire primary.

"I'd like to try to get a youth coalition built for McCain," Doherty says. "I think that's something he needs very much."

Born and raised in Pelham, Doherty commutes to Rivier College, a small, Catholic school in Nashua. He keeps his brown hair only slightly longer than a buzz cut, enunciates each syllable in a clear, tenor voice, and supports President Bush on a number of issues. An American flag pin hangs on the lapel of his black sport coat.

Doherty, a freshman, has already canvassed for many of the better-known Republicans in New Hampshire, including the current mayor of Manchester and two recently defeated congressmen, Jeb Bradley and Charles Bass. In 2004, he made the local papers when he became the Pelham town chairman of the Bush/Cheney campaign at age 16.

Just weeks ago, the Hillsborough County Republican Committee appointed Doherty the new area vice chairman of the party in Pelham, Litchfield, and Hudson.

Doherty first met McCain during the 2000 primary campaign at a town-hall-style meeting in Derry. He came away from the encounter impressed with McCain's military background and convinced of the Senator's honesty.

"I like ... his straight-talk attitude, his demeanor. I think that's what we need in a leader," Doherty says. "(McCain) says the right things, he does the right things, and he does them in a way that doesn't offend everybody. He can bring both sides together."

As Doherty does what he can for McCain's Presidential bid, he has quietly built some campaign machinery of his own. A visit to JoinShaun.com reveals that Doherty has formed an exploratory committee for a run at the New Hampshire State Legislature in his hometown district, which, he sheepishly acknowledges, is gerrymandered to favor Republicans.

Smiling, Doherty hints that his ambitions may reach even loftier heights.

"I never close the door to anything," he says. "I'd love to maybe be in the U.S. Senate, the Congress, governor ... I'd love to be in one of those positions."

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty