CD 2 Candidates Focus on Money

It can be a little dizzying trying to follow the battle along as incumbent Charlie Bass and his Democratic challenger, Katrina Swett lob accusations at each other about campaign funding. First there?s the issue of how much money a candidate should raise. According to the most recent Federal Election Commission filings, Bass has collected $530,000 dollars. Swett has amassed $765,000 dollars. It?s a sum Congressman Bass finds distasteful.

5:53 the Swetts think the voters are for sale in NH, all that matters is raise as much money as you can, spend as much as you can. And somehow they will come around.

But swett argues the size of a campaign?s wallet isn?t the issue. She fires back with the charge that Bass has taken money from unsavory sources.

:00 ? I think it matters to the voters of NH where that money comes from. Charlie has gotten more money from tobacco than any member of Congress from the whole NE delegation. Bass has gotten more money from Enron, than any member fo NH delegation. Charlie has gotten money from Kozlowski of Tyco.

A Bass spokesperson says Dennis Kozlowski did give the Congressman a total of $2000 dollars in the mid-90?s, and Enron gave $2000, also in the mid-90?s. The spokesperson quickly adds- that was long before the two scandals hit. As far as tobacco money, the Center for Responsive Politics, an organization that tracks money in politics, reports they?ve donate $8,500 to the Bass campaign.

While Swett criticizes Bass?s corporate connections, he answers back with an accusation about the places where she?s raising money. These radio ads aired over the summer.

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Bass points out the Democrat has gathered only 5 percent of her money in new Hampshire.

10:03 //I think it matters, b/c if one is financed by some entity that has no connection to your district, that can be inferred, who are you really going to represent. It would be one thing if it was 50-70%. But 95% there is something almost perverse about that.

But Swett says where her donors live isn?t the issue. She hints that there?s something perverse about Bass?s accusation.

1:26?He criticizes me for getting lots of wonderful folks to send me money, but what is his beef with them? They are housewives. Lawyers, teachers, bus drivers. All kinds of ordinary folks?2:58 I don?t know what his criticism is. He has mentioned Steven Spielberg, well, last I checked he is sort of an American icon. He has made some of our best American movies. Does he not like Saving Private Ryan, was it ET he has a beef with? What is your point Charlie?

Why has money been the preeminent issue thus far? Swett speculates.

3:57 I think what it says is that Charlie Bass is nervous. He began in July, hitting me with negative attack ads?I think it says that he is nervous and afraid. And I think that is a shame, b/c this race should be about the issues

But when speaking to a group of supporters and staff, Bass sounded anything but nervous and afraid.

7:30 I love the last 50 days of the campaign. It?s a wonderful opportunity to get out, get your message out.

So far that message has been nearly drowned out by the arguments over money. But the candidates insist they will soon be tackling questions like corporate accountability, the environment, and prescription drugs. For nhpr news I?m DG