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As the nation's economy recovered, New Hampshire's boomed by attracting vacationers and high-tech companies. Never a Reaganite, antigovernment conservative, Sununu presided over an expansion in state revenues and expenditures. He brought computerized management to inefficient state agencies, increased spending on mental-health programs, expanded prisons and set aside more land for parks. Then as now, Sununu took a generally dim view of environmental activists, as he championed the unpopular Seabrook nuclear power plant. But after careful study, he promoted curbs on the air pollutants that cause acid rain.
He also emerged as a prominent spokesman for Arab Americans, a role that prompted suspicion from pro-Israel groups. Those doubts grew in 1986 when Sununu refused to sign a proclamation denouncing the U.N. resolution that equated Zionism with racism. He has since met with many supporters of Israel and convinced them that he means no harm to their cause. At the same time, in speeches to Arab-American groups, he has spoken forcefully of the "spleen" and "frustration" he feels over anti-Arab prejudice.
Sununu cemented his relationship with Bush during the darkest moment of the 1988 campaign. Bush had just been clobbered by Bob Dole in the Iowa caucuses. And his lead in the polls was evaporating only a week before the primary in New Hampshire, where Sununu was running the Bush campaign. A friend who stopped by to cheer up Sununu found him staring out the window in the Governor's office. "I just heard the news from Iowa," said the friend, "and thought you might like to talk about it." Sununu turned from the window with a wolfish grin and replied, "Yeah, isn't it great?" Then, seeing his visitor's puzzlement, he explained that the Iowa defeat had left Bush desperate for a win. "Don't you see," he confided, "how much good I'm going to be able to do for the next President of the United States?"
Sununu delivered on his boast. He persuaded Bush to become at once more folksy among voters and more slashingly negative toward his opponents -- particularly in TV ads that attacked Dole as a closet taxer. The shift in tactics propelled Bush to victory in New Hampshire and dramatically revived his campaign.
The one Washington job besides chief of staff that interested Sununu was Vice President. Bush asked him to submit disclosure forms as a potential running mate, and some of his supporters were so encouraged that they brought BUSH-SUNUNU placards to the Republican Convention at the New Orleans Superdome. Bush's selection of Dan Quayle badly disappointed Sununu, who pretended to return a pair of expensive suits, folded up, to a haberdasher friend in Manchester. He explained, only half jokingly, that "they didn't get me the nomination, so I want my money back."