Congressman Charlie Bass faces another Second District Republican primary.
Every two years, the familiar complaints about Bass start raining down... he's pro-choice, he's a Democrat in disguise, he isn't a Congressional leader.
So far, the attacks to the incumbent's right flank have failed to defeat the popular politician.
But as New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein reports, State Representative Mark Brady hopes to reverse the trend.
Mark Brady comes from a political family.
His name isn't as familiar as some in the Granite State.
But his uncle and mother served in the Legislature, and his father worked for former President Ronald Reagan.
His political background includes grassroots work for a number of campaigns, as well as his own for the statehouse.
Brady says he grew up in public policy, and like so many politicians, seems to thrive when discussing issues.
But Brady's passion for the profession is measured.
He sees a dark side too.
24:30 ...politics is not a fun thing to do. It's something I had no desire to get back involved with after I had seen how difficult it had been on my family. My mother died of breast cancer a month short of her 52nd birthday...and make no mistake, I am sure the negativity around politics had something to do with it.
Brady didn't choose to re-enter politics, his uncle chose for him.
Two years ago, his uncle, who was Chairman of the Coos County Republicans, needed a warm body to put on the ballot, just three days before the election.
Brady won his race, and has just completed his first term in the Legislature.
He doesn't expect the campaign against a popular sitting Congressman to go as smoothly.
But his decision to challenge Representative Charlie Bass suggests he could no longer ignore the love of politics that seems to run through his blood.
35:11 I went in to this with the detached, rational understanding what I am trying to do is very difficult to do. And to be perfectly honest, I walked away from this race a couple of times. B/c I do respect the name Bass in the political context...every time I would walk away from this race, I would get a reaffirmation from somebody I respect. 'stick it out Mark. You are on the right track...'
For Brady, that right track is his pro-gun, pro-life, limited government, anti-tax, anti-gay marriage message.
Simply, Brady believes he, more than Charlie Bass, represents the base of the party.
He often accuses his opponent of being out of step with middle-of-the-road Republicans.
Brady – who is both pro-life and anti-death penalty – says he doesn't expect Bass to be totally in line with the party on every position...just the important ones.
29:09 Charlie has every right to vote and be who he wants to be. But don't say you are one thing and be another. And that's where I take issue with Charlie. He will say he is mainstream. And is with the party, votes with the party 92% of the time. but he takes one of the core planks of the R. party, pro-life, and traditional marriage and opposes it wherever and however he can. That is significant...
Earlier this month, Bass advised President Bush if he wanted to win New Hampshire this fall, he shouldn't focus on social issues.
To Brady, such an audacious comment reflects the philosophical split between him and the Congressman.
40:14 I think the president has obviously taken a position on the social issues, that these are core issues for him...and that's how I feel. I think Charlie runs this more double talk...well, we don't want to talk about these b/c these are devisive.
But if the President's warm reception in Stratham recently was any indication, Brady has been vindicated.
T.11
40:22 ....We belive in the institutions that give us direction and purpose, our families, our schools anad our religious congregations. These are fundamental to our lives, and they deserve the respect of government.
we stand for institutions like marriage and family, which are the foundation of society.(applause)
Other than for President Bush's entrance and exit, no other part of his speech received greater applause.
But at a recent event in Salem, Representative Bass didn't even mention social issues.
Bass argues, that's not what most voters want to hear.
4:15 ... I think this election should be about national security, it should be about educational accountability it should be about having a strong economy. It should be about issues that unite America as a strong nation...But we can agree on a lot of issues, and that's what I want to run on.
Bass says since he's been running for Congress the past decade, his pro-choice position isn't exactly new.
Bass defends himself against attacks that he doesn't support traditional marriage, by pointing to his vote for the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.
It leaves the issue up to each state to decide.
Bass also finds himself on the defensive for not being conservative enough with taxpayers.
Again Mark Brady.
2:42 ... you can't say, as a politician, I want to keep your taxes low, and then go on the biggest spending binge since LBJ's great society, and unfortunately for the R. party, that's exactly what this Congress has done. And B. has been there every step of the way.
As proof, Brady points out during their time together in Congress, John Sununu and Charlie Bass had three separate chances to vote for a reduced federal budget.
Sununu voted for it three times, Bass, didn't vote for it once.
6:31 When you have ten years of a voting record, obviously there are instances hwere you can come up with that. As R. we have an obligation to lead. It's always easy to say you would do this that or the other thing. But I don't want the federal government to shut down. We have to pass a budget, and we have to pass 13 appropriations bills. We may not like every one of them, but ultimately that is our responsibility.
To shore up his credentials further, Bass cites high marks he's received from conservative organizations.
But neither Bass's explanations, nor the daunting poll numbers dissuade Brady.
37:37 ...I think he has gotten a little full of himself after ten years in W. and he needs to come back and he needs to campaign, and really see the people.
Charlie Bass answers questions about his positions on abortion and the federal deficit with patience.
But he has little tolerance for being called an absentee Congressman.
5:58...I have four district offices in this district. More than any other member of COngresss...and it's a traditional cry that challengers say, b/c you have been in W., you've been there too long. The real issue is the quality of representation, and the results.
And with a shy, but confident smile Bass says he looks forward to letting the voters evaluate that September 14th.
For NHPR News, I'm DG.
