Shaheen Rallies Democrats for Senate Run

By David Darman on Thursday, September 12, 2002.

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New Hampshireï¿½s general election began today. Republicans gathered in Bedford for a ï¿½Unityï¿½ Breakfast. NHPRï¿½s Josh Rogers will have that story in just a few minutes. But first, on the Democratic side, Governor Jeanne Shaheen began her general election campaign against John Sununu with a rally in Concord. NHPRï¿½s David Darman has more.

An enthusiastic Governor Shaheen touched several mainstream Democratic positions in her speech to a hundred Democrats at the Concord City Hall Auditorium. Saying ï¿½the stakes were high in this electionï¿½, Shaheen wasted little time before attacking her Republican rival.
09 403 For the last six months, John Sununu has said over and over again that he has never done anything in office that was not in the best interests of the Republican party. Well, let me tell you, John, this election isnï¿½t about whatï¿½s good for the Republican party or whatï¿½s good for the Democratic Party. This election is about whatï¿½s good for the people of New Hampshire. 09 433

To prove her point, Shaheen gave her view of the differences between herself and Sununu.
09 501 on a national energy policy, john sununu sides with the big oil companies. On the cost of prescription drugs, john sununu sides with the big drug companies. (boo) On corporate fraud, john sununu sided with Arthur Andersen and Enron. (boo) 09 523

Though she attacked Sununu frequently, Shaheen also took time to lay out her positions in several areas. For instance, Shaheen pledged to support public schools, cut taxes for the middle class, protect the environment, and fight for more affordable health care.
Shaheen also sounded the alarm for supporters of abortion rights, reminding people that a Sununu victory could give Republicans enough votes in the Senate to appoint an anti-choice high court justice in the next few years.
09 1032 John Sununu opposes a womanï¿½s right to choose and wants to outlaw abortions. Make no mistake about it. John Sununu will support judges who want to overturn Roe v. Wade. I will fight to protect a womanï¿½s right to choose. 10 53

Shaheen did not limit her appeal to Democrats. She also reached out to potentially disaffected Republicans, especially those who were supporters of Senator Bob Smith. Smith lost the GOP primary to John Sununu.
09 1152 While we may disagree on some issues, I ask you, smith supporters, to join my campaign. Join with republicans and democrats and independents to elect a u.s. senator who will put you and your family first. 1211

While candidate Shaheen was highly critical of Sununuï¿½s record in Congress, Shaheenï¿½s record as governor has been attacked by Republicans who say she is part of a ï¿½Democratic Ticket of Taxersï¿½. That label comes on the heels of a GOP gubernatorial campaign that blamed Shaheen for a flawed school funding system. Shaheen supporter and Democratic House Leader Peter Burling calls those attacks ï¿½outright liesï¿½. He says a Republican controlled Legislature killed every program the governor proposed that could have solved the funding problem.
06 16 the republican party cast its vote absolutely every real solution that she brought before us. Abc, they killed it. The excel plan, they killed it. Her efforts to reach compromise, they killed it. 16 32

The Shaheen rally gave the Democratic senate nominee a chance to go on the offensive against her opponent, Republican John Sununu. In the coming weeks, her mainstream Democratic positions will often sharply contrast with Sununuï¿½s conservative ones. But on election day in November, it will be up to New Hampshire voters to decide which candidate better represents their interests.

For NHPR news, Iï¿½m DD