New Hampshire: Chamber of Retired People Debate
Campaign Tip SheetPrimary/Filing Dates, Latest Polls, Latest
Ads…Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) and Rep. John Sununu (R-01)
met for a “lively exchange” in a suburb of Manchester 10/30 “to
debate the best way to shore up Social Security” at an AARP
forum before some 500 seniors. Sununu demanded: “What kind of
proposals would you support to strengthen Social Security? …
Let’s not talk about what we’re against; let’s talk about what
we’re for.” Shaheen “fired back” that there is no crisis: “The
trust fund is in good shape for the next 40 years” (Schweitzer,
Boston Globe, 10/31). The two “also rehashed their oft-debated
arguments on prescription drug benefits (Levinthal, Lawrence
Eagle-Tribune, 10/31). Shaheen and Sununu also squared off at a
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce debate before the AARP
forum. In “each contest, they wasted no time going on the
attack” (Kepple, Manchester Union Leader, 10/31).
RUDMAN STILL A REPUBLICAN, PRINCIPI STILL … PRINCIPI
Ex-Sen. Warren Rudman “delivered a strong endorsement” for
Sununu 10/30, “praising Sununu’s leadership in the areas of
national defense and homeland security” (Kepple, Manchester
Union Leader, 10/31).
US Sec. Vet. Affairs Anthony Principi will join Sununu
today, 10/31, at VFW Post 483 in Nashua. In Boscawen, Sununu
and Principi “will tour the state Veterans Cemetery” (Manchester
Union Leader, 10/31).
DAMNED UNDECIDEDS GET TO DECIDE YET ANOTEHR SENATE RACE
Manchester Union Leader’s DiStaso reports, “They are
neither ghosts nor vampires. Call them The Undecided. But soon
they will rise and they will decide the” NH Senate race. Most
“polls show The Undecided in the 6 percent range. They matter”
(10/31).
SOFT NEGATIVE WATCH
Sununu has this positive ad up:
SUNUNU: “You’ve seen all the attack ads. Had your fill of mail
distorting my record. The truth is, I’ll always support a
guaranteed social security benefit. I voted twice to punish
companies that go to Bermuda to avoid taxes. Jeanne Shaheen
knows it. Attacks won’t stop me from talking about reforming the
tax code, adding a real prescription drug benefit to Medicare or
strengthening social security for future generations. In the
Senate, I’ll always stand up for what’s right for New Hampshire
families and for America” (CMAG Data, 10/31). MAKING A LIST
The Shaheen campaign released a top ten list of third-party
groups who have come into to NH to air TV or radio ads
benefitting Sununu. 10. Nat’l Right-to-Life Cmte. 9. Club
for Growth. 8. United Seniors Assn [Shaheen camp notes, “Funded
by Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America”]. 7.
Citizens for a Sound Economy [“Funded by the oil, tobacco &
pharmaceutical industries]. 6. U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 5.
Americans for Tax Reform. 4. Small Business Survival Cmte. 3.
60-plus Association. 2. C.O.M.P.A.S.S. 1. Americans for Job
Security. (release, 10/31).
ENDORSEMENT ALERT!
Lawrence Eagle-Tribune endorses Shaheen (10/29).