The Republican race for U-S Senate has grown more heated. In a bitter debate last night, incumbent Bob Smith and challenger John Sununu repeatedly accused each other of distortions and personal attacks. NHPR's Trish Anderton reports.
EARLIER IN THE CAMPAIGN REPUBLICANS BOB SMITH AND JOHN SUNUNU REGALLY IGNORED EACH OTHER. BUT NOW, WITH THE PRIMARY JUST DAYS AWAY AND EACH RUNNING ADS CRITICAL OF THE OTHER, THE DEBATES HAVE GOTTEN PERSONAL. SMITH ACCUSED SUNUNU OF DENIGRATING HIM.
By criticizing me and attack - it's time to go, that's what you're saying, its time to go. I'm an embarrassment, I'm somebody you're not proud of. The people of the state of new hampshire are not proud of me. That's what you're saying, John. That's why my daughter is running a commercial about it. she wanted to do it, she was so upset by it.
FOR SUNUNU AS WELL, IT WAS A FAMILY AFFAIR.
I live in salem, my brothers live in newfields and portsmouth, my parents live in Salem. Do you really believe as your ads say and you've suggested, that I would vote to increase the exposure to toxic chemicals of my family or any other family?
IN THE LATTER CASE THE TWO WERE ARGUING ABOUT SMITH'S PLAN TO ELIMINATE THE POLLUTANT MTBE FROM GASOLINE. THE BILL WOULD ALSO HAVE INCREASED SUBSIDIES FOR THE FUEL ADDITIVE ETHANOL. SUNUNU CONSIDERS THAT WASTEFUL. SMITH SAID THE TRADEOFF WAS WORTHWHILE. ON OTHER ISSUES, TOO, THE DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN THE TWO REPUBLICANS WERE NARROW. SMITH DEFENDED HIS MUCH-HYPED MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN AGAINST CHARGES THAT IT'S DEAD IN THE WATER IN CONGRESS.
I did offer a plan, it was a good plan, the senate majority leader tom Daschle wouldn't let me offer it. That's unfortunately the problem with being in the minority. I'm not claiming seniority gets you everything. You don't win on everything.
SUNUNU STOOD UP FOR HIS RECORD ON DRUG PATENTS, AFTER SMITH ACCUSED HIM OF REFUSING TO LET CHEAPER GENERIC MEDICINES COME TO MARKET.
I certainly don't believe we should be stealing anyone's patent whether it's for a pharmaceutical or an invention or any other innovation. Patents protect the rights of the inventor. When they expire they expire, and then we allow generics to come to the market. that's how it should work.
THE TWO ALSO CLASHED ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES. SUNUNU ARGUED THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SHOW SUSPECTED TERRORISTS THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THEM BEFORE DEPORTING THEM, SAYING IT WAS A MATTER OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. SMITH ARGUED SUCH A PRACTICE WAS DANGEROUS. THE TWO EVEN DISAGREED ON WHAT CONSTITUTES A PROP. THE MODERATOR SCOLDED SMITH FOR HOLDING UP A MEDICINE BOTTLE, SAYING PROPS WERE AGAINST THE RULES. WHEN SMITH QUIBBLED, SUNUNU SAID DARKLY, "I BELIEVE A PROP'S A PROP." BUT TO SOME EXTENT, THE DEBATE WASN'T ABOUT SMITH OR SUNUNU. IT WAS ABOUT THE PRESUMPTIVE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE, GOVERNOR JEANNE SHAHEEN. ASKED WHY HE WAS RUNNING, SUNUNU UNHESITATINGLY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE HE'S BETTER EQUIPPED TO BEAT SHAHEEN AND GIVE THE NARROWLY DIVIDED SENATE TO REPUBLICANS. SMITH MAKES SIMILAR CLAIMS. THE PRIMARY MAY DEPEND ON WHOM REPUBLICAN VOTERS BELIEVE. FOR NHPR NEWS I'M
