New Hampshire Union Leader
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The New Hampshire Union Leader is the daily newspaper of Manchester, the largest city in the state of New Hampshire. As of 2003 it has a daily circulation of 61,548, and a circulation of 82,429 for its Sunday paper, the New Hampshire Sunday News. It was founded in 1863.
It was known as The Union Leader of Manchester until April 4, 2005.
The paper is best known for the conservative political opinions of its late publisher, William Loeb, and his wife, Nackey Scripps Loeb. Famously, the paper helped defeat Maine governor Edmund Muskie in his 1972 bid for the presidency by attacking his wife in editorials, leading Muskie to tearfully defend her in a press conference that some say ruined his image in the state, which holds the first presidential primary.
Over the decades, the Loebs gained considerable influence, and helped shape New Hampshire's conservative political landscape.
The newspaper's strident tone has lessened considerably since the Loebs died. As of 2005, it is published by Joseph McQuaid.
History
Like many newspapers, the Union Leader has a complex history involving mergers and buyouts.
The weekly Union became into the Manchester Daily Union. (with a period) on March 31, 1863. The afternoon Union became a morning Daily Union (dropping the "Manchester") and was later purchased by the Manchester Leader. Loeb changed Manchester Union Leader to The Union Leader in the mid-1970s to emphasize the fact that it is the only statewide newspaper in New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire Sunday News was created in 1948.
External links
- The Union Leader/New Hampshire Sunday News website (http://www.theunionleader.com)