Candidates for 1st CD Meet in Their Only TV Debate

By David Darman on Wednesday, October 20, 2004.

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Congressman Jeb Bradley and Democrat Justin Nadeau squared off Tuesday in their only televised debate.

There were some differences between the two candidates on several issues, but there were also many similarities.

New Hampshire Public Radio's David Darman has more.

On Iraq, both Justin Nadeau and Congressman Bradley want to spend whatever it takes to properly equip troops in the field.

But Nadeau says Congressman Bradley's support for the invasion of Iraq has led to extended stays overseas for national guard and reserve units from New Hampshire.

The Portsmouth Democrat says he could reduce those stays by pushing for a change in U.S. policy.
one thing i'd like to see immediatly, is other nations committing to the effort, start bringing some of our troops home, and have other nations start to use some of our tax dollars so we can start saving some of ours.

Congressman Bradley says he supports an expansion of active duty troops to help reduce the burden on reservists.

On a related front, both candidates agreed that the federal government needs to do more to beef up homeland security.

But they differ greatly on reauthorizing the Patriot Act.

Justin Nadeau said he would let it expire, because he claims it compromises civil liberties.

Congressman Bradley said he isn't ready to give up on the law.
when the patriot act is up for reauthorization next year, i'm going to look at it very carefully, to make sure that it hasn't been abused. its been used very infrequently so far. but we need to give our law enforcement agents the tools to keep our homeland safe, and i'm going to continue to do that, but i'll balance it with civil liberties.

Both candidates say they support abortion rights.

And both vow to work hard to keep the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Open.

But the candidates strongly disagree on the wisdom of President Bush's tax cuts.

Justin Nadeau says he would vote to roll them back, and offer to replace them with more limited cuts.

Congressman Bradley says the President's tax policy is responsible for improving the economy in the Granite State.
tax cuts have dropped our unemployment here in new hampshire from 5.1 percent to 3.5 percent. across our nation, 1.8 million jobs have been created. but we can and should do more.

Each candidate had similar things to say about some medical issues.

For instance, both would vote to increase domestic production of flu vaccine.

And both candidates would support lifting restrictions implemented by President Bush on expanding embryonic stem cell lines for medical research.

But there was little agreement between the candidates on health insurance.

Congressman Bradley accused Nadeau of supporting Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry's insurance plan.

Bradley said he believed that plan would cost taxpayers at least 1 trillion dollars.

But Nadeau denied ever saying that he supported Senator Kerry's approach.
i have my own plan, with a 15 percent tax credit for the self employed and small businesses to help them cover the cost of health insurance for their workers. and by doing that you'll be able to catapult millions of americans into the marketplace who currently don't have health insurance.

Both Bradley and Nadeau oppose privatization of social security.

They each promise to protect benefits, despite President Bush's call for privatization for younger workers.

But the candidates show little agreement on the Medicare Drug Benefit that went into effect in June.

Justin Nadeau said it offered little help to seniors with high prescription costs.

But Congressman Bradley said it's a good beginning to getting seniors the help they need to afford expensive drugs.
we have never before had a drug benefit under medicare. and this is a very signficant step forward in the right direction. and it will help in particular, low income seniors. it will help the seniors who have catastrophically high drug costs. and for everyone else, there will be very significant relief.

Both candidates had similar views on No Child Left Behind.

They each called it a "well intentioned law".

But Nadeau says the law is insufficiently funded by Congress.

He warns that puts too much of the burden of paying for the law on local taxpayers.
we need to make sure the schools have the funding they need, make sure our teachers are rewarded with a fair salary make sure there is accountability. but make sure we don't put unneccessary restrictions on our teachers, our schoolboards, our students and the taxpayers of district one.

Both candidates say they plan to vote to rein in excessive federal spending if elected to Congress.

And both are keen to pass laws that would help improve New Hampshire's air and water quality.