The eight Republicans running in the first Congressional District met last night in Leadership New Hampshire's "Election 2002 Forum" at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. And while the 8 candidates filled out the whole stage, their range on the issues was often limited to well known GOP themes. NHPR's David Darman has more.
The eight Republicans running for the first CD have all staked out similar territory on several major issues. At least seven of the candidates, for instance, would support President Bush if he were to ask Congress for approval to send U.S. forces into Iraq. Candidate Gary Hoffman of Bedford was typical of the candidates.
26 54 assuming that the evidence was there, and people would not get compromised, I would vote with the president's request, yes. 26 102
The candidates were less happy with President Bush's educational reforms to "leave no child behind". The reforms require standardized testing and teacher accountability. John Stephen of Manchester, who yesterday picked up the endorsement of the Union Leader newspaper, said he thought the reforms brought federal government too deeply into state and local affairs.
34 112 local control is where we should be looking to. Local decisions, especially in school, making sure the parent, the teacher, and the child are there making decisions. 34 122
Stephen and the other candidates were also pretty much in unison when it came to tax and spending issues. Each candidate said Congress had to cut taxes, and cut federal spending. Sean Mahoney of Portsmouth targets two specific taxes.
83 28 we have runaway government spending in Washington. We've got to repeal the death tax permanently. We've gotta repeal the capital gains tax permanently. And we'll see an unleashing of economic power that will create new jobs across this country. 83 42
The candidates agreed that something needed to be done to control rising health insurance costs and prescription prices. The candidates all support medical savings accounts and encouraging competition among providers to ratchet down costs. Jeb Bradley of Wolfeboro said legal maneuvering that drives up health costs also have to be curtailed.
39 24 we need some basic tort reform issue, some reasonable limits to the ability to file frivolous law suits, for instance. I favor a skeptical view of extending drug patents, to get generics on to the market, to lower the costs of prescription medication.
All this agreement on the issues among so many of the candidates caught the attention of one of the eight candidates. Vivian Clark of Hampstead.
42 obviously, we're all beginning to sound a little redundant here. 42 03
To be fair, not all the candidates agree with each other on every issue. Clark, Bradley, and Wayne Barrows of Exeter, for instance, support abortion rights. Bob Bevill of Merrimack would recall the troops from the middle east, and seal the borders with Canada and Mexico for five years. Still, these few differences have so far failed to impress at least one possible voter on September 10th. Gary Madison of Epsom says he's not sure how he'll choose who to support.
10 28 I suppose there'd be the dart board method. There would the throw their bumper stickers down the stairs and see which one goes farthest method. I guess, overall, I haven't decided how I'm going to apply my voters instincts. 10 43
The candidates have only ten days to convince Madison and other undecided voters that its worth supporting one of them on primary election day.
