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).