Senate Candidates Dash to Finish

By Trish Anderton on Tuesday, September 10, 2002.

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As one of the key Senate primaries in the country draws to a close, U. S. Senator Bob Smith and his Republican challenger, Congressman John Sununu, have been stumping for votes around the state. NHPRï¿½s Trish Anderton reports on the last minute blitz of campaigning.

AT NOON YESTERDAY, SENATOR BOB SMITH PREPARED TO PLUNGE INTO A CROWD AT THE BELMONT RESTAURANT. SPEAKING TO A SMALL KNOT OF REPORTERS, THE TWO TERM SENATOR SAID THIS RACE IS ABOUT SENIORITY.

42 14 I think the voters feel I have been a senator they can be proud of, theyï¿½ve elected me a lot more times than my opponent, and I think theyï¿½ll tell us that tomorrow.

GOING TABLE TO TABLE INSIDE THE RESTAURANT, SMITH URGED PEOPLE TO TURN OUT AND VOTE. THAT MAY BE AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR THESE DINERS. MANY OF THEM CONFESSED THAT, AS OF NOONTIME YESTERDAY, THEY HAD PAID SCANT ATTENTION TO THE RACE.

Still undecided. I still have time, right? (laughs)
I wait till the day before, I look at the paper and so oh my my, this I want, that I want, and then I make up my mind. (laughs)
Itï¿½s a gut feeling, Iï¿½ll know more tomorrow

VOTERS IN DERRY WHO CAME OUT TODAY MAY HAVE RUN INTO SMITHï¿½S CHALLENGER, CONGRESSMAN JOHN SUNUNU. HE WAS SHAKING HANDS AT THE RUNNING BROOK SCHOOL.

Hi how are you ï¿½. John sununu.

SUNUNU HAS ARGUED THIS RACE ISNï¿½T ABOUT SENIORITY ï¿½ ITï¿½S ABOUT WHO WILL BETTER REPRESENT NEW HAMPSHIREï¿½S INTERESTS, AND WHO IS MORE LIKELY TO BEAT DEMOCRAT JEANNE SHAHEEN IN THE GENERAL ELECTION. HE BELIEVES HEï¿½S THAT CANDIDATE. BUT HE SAYS NOWï¿½S NOT THE TIME TO CAMPAIGN.

At a polling place the message is thank you ï¿½. Thanks to the voters for coming out, participating ï¿½. America is strong when our democracy is strong.

SUNUNU DOES TAKE SOME TIME TO DISCUSS HIS ENVIRONMENTAL RECORD WITH A VOTER, THOUGH. EVEN THOUGH SECRETARY OF STATE BILL GARDNER HAS PREDICTED A RECORD HIGH TURNOUT FOR THIS PRIMARY, IN A CLOSE RACE LIKE THIS ONE, EVERY VOTE COUNTS. THATï¿½S WHY SUNUNU RACED FROM HOOKSETT TO NASHUA TO DERRY TODAY ï¿½ GETTING IN THOSE LAST HANDSHAKES. FOR NHPR NEWS Iï¿½M TRISH ANDERTON.