First Congressional candidates Jeb Bradley and Martha Fuller Clark faced off in a Leadership New Hampshire debate at St Anselm College in Manchester last night. Much of their discussion focused on financial issues, including restarting the economy, making healthcare affordable, and saving social security. NHPR's David Darman has more.
One issue has dominated the First District race, and that has been the fierce debate over how to improve the economy. During the debate at St Anslem, Republican Jeb Bradley said his experience in the legislature taught him to reduce taxes, and not institute a state income tax.
4525 Its no accident that we have lower unemployment rate, higher per capita income, the lowest local tax burden in the country. Its because we don't have income tax. 4651
Martha Fuller Clark agrees with Bradley that it is important to improve the economy. But Clark says her priority in doing that is to improve corporate accountability. And she charges Bradley with being irresponsible for supporting a Republican plan to eliminate taxes that are paid mainly by the rich and well connected.
4541 and now jeb Bradley is talking about going to Washington, providing billions in corporate giveaways to the alternate minimum tax. And at the same time, he wants to do away with the inheritance tax in Washington, and he has voted against the minminum wage nine times. 4559.
Both candidates support President Bush's policy regarding Iraq. And each supports reducing the cost of prescription drugs. Democrat Clark has said she supports importing cheaper, generic drugs from Canada. Bradley says he would support lowering the cost of prescriptions through a Republican plan already proposed in Congress.
Bradley: 2841 I Support a drug benefit under medicare. One that is targeted to low and middle income seniors. The drug benefit that has passed the house, would save the average family in nh 40% to 45% of their drug cost. It would also save the state of nh about 20 million dollars per year in medicaire costs, this is tremendous step forward in the right direction. 2907
The candidates maintained a mostly civil tone through much of the debate. But the discussion became more intense when Clark and Bradley argued over social security. Both candidates claim to oppose the president's plan to invest a small percentage of individual accounts in the stock market. But as she stood at the podium, Clark held up a piece of paper that was aimed at casting doubt on her opponent's position.
*****clark. 4101. While jeb Bradley says that he has taken a pledge against privatization, I have here a questionnaire that he filled out for the national taxpayer union, saying he was undecided. Jeb, how can you be undecided. I have never been undecided. I pledged to always protect social security.
Trish Anderton: I imagine you'd like a response.
Bradley. Yes I would. I am not undecided. I have taken the pledge. I will not support privatization of social security. Its crystal clear... 4205
Recent polls show the race in the first district is very close. But there are still 3 weeks to go before election day in November. And voters will have other chances to see and hear the candidates. Another televised debate is scheduled for next Monday.
