Incumbent congressman win re-election more than 90 percent of the time.
And after 6 terms in Washington, Charles Bass enjoys advantages in money and name recognition.
But Bass does face some primary challengers.
He ran into one of them, Berlin Mayor Bob Danderson at a GOP picnic in Milford over the weekend.
It was a fine day for a picnic.
It wasn't very hot or humid, and there were burgers and hot dogs cooking.
Virtually all dozen or so people who showed up at Emerson Park were candidates themselves, for state and local offices.
And when Congressman Charles Bass arrived, he knew all the party regulars.
hi gary, how are you? good to see you, how's it going? eh.......getting along? not too much......
Before long, Bass was approached by Jack O'Connor, who was concerned about the oxygen equipment his wife needs.
O'Connor was worked up because he learned Medicare was going to stop leasing the equipment.
the reason i'm talking to you about this, is, i hope they're not going to do this.
Congressman Bass told O'Connor he had nothing to worry about.... nothing would really change.
.....the only thing they've done is if you're on long term oxygen they require the vendor to sell it to you rather than lease it to you but include a maintenance contract forever, so you wouldn't know the difference.. the only difference is the vendor won't be able to collect a rental fee indefinately....
Bass says tehis change in Medicare will help lower health care costs.
And the Congressman says he's looking for other savings.
The greatest growth in Medicare spending has been in the prescription drug benefit, known as Part D.
Bass says more poeple now have drug coverage because of Part D, but concedes there have been problems with its implementation.
Bass's other idea to improve healthcare includes a cap on pain and suffering damages in lawsuits, and expanding federal funding of stem cell research.
Bass says if he's reelected, another priority will be to continue his work on the Committee on Energy and Commerce to develop alternative fuels for cars and home heating to reduce the nation's reliance of expensive oil and natural gas.
In foreign affairs, Bass said he backs President Bush's approach to fighting terrorism, and the U.S. war effort in Iraq.
He said he's sticking with the President despite some Democrats calling for a general pullout of U.S. troops.
there's nobody in my world including me who doesn't think that mistakes have been made over the last couple of years. its always easy to say well if i'd been in charge I would have done it this way i wouldn't have done that ...the issue is is it important that peace and stability is successful in this region of the country from pakistan to lebanon. the answer is absolutely. ..
Given the small size of the gathering, Congressman Bass couldn't help but run into his GOP opponent, Berlin Mayor Bob Danderson.
After they shook hands and said hello, Bass moved on, and Danderson explained where his candidacy was coming from.
On this year's biggest issue, the war in Iraq, Danderson says he agrees with Bass.
He added he has two sons in the military and has no dobuts about the wisdom of the war effort.
Danderson, does, however, believe voters want a Congressman with a different perspective.
... there's only a couple of issues we really differ on, and i think they're important issues, and i think its time we had someone of middle class origin who understands what its like to be a working person.
Danderson has long worked for Public Service of New Hampshire in Berlin.
And he says that working class background has made him see the trade issue differently that Charlie Bass.
Danderson faults Bass for being part of Congress that's run up record deficits.
He also criticizes Bass for supporting laws like N NAFTA that have opened up free trade around the world.
Danderson says these policies offer no protection for American industry, and he discussed his views with Kevin Boette (Bodie) of Lyndeborough, who was there with his wife and two children.
if companies in this country have to have....osha epa and labor laws than a product that being imported into this nation ought to meet the same standards. so we can have fair competition.
Boette, who works for a manufacturing firm, was sympathetic to Danderson's trade position.
But his agreement with Danderson didn't quite translate into full support for the Berlin mayor.
Boette said he was still thinking about supporting Bass.
so, i'm kind of torn. you know i'm kind of torn. but i'm really dissapointed in the way the budget has been going in washington, the out of control spending and alot of the decisions they've been making lately, so i don't konw, that's kind of why i'm out here today its to find out what everybody stands for and hopefully be able to make a better decision come the primary.
The state primary is scheduled for September 12th.
In addition to Bass and Danderson, Republican voters in the Second District will also have the option of choosing Mary Maxwell of Concord for their party's nomination.
The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Paul Hodes in November.
Hodes is assured of his party's nomination, since there are no other candidates in the Democratic race.
