Debate

BEDFORD--The state of the economy took the center stage in the first debate this election cycle former U.S Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) and U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester).

Bradley said the country is facing a "crisis of confidence," while Shea-Porter said she is "optimistic" that the economy will recover.

MANCHESTER-- New Hampshire Democratic Chairman Ray Buckley said the debate between U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley) and former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) showed that Sununu "still doesn't get it", while a local Republican Chair said Shaheen was being evasive on answers.

"It's clear that after 12 years in Washington John Sununu still doesn't get it," Buckley said. "He's still talking about privatizing Social Security and that there's an easy solution to nuclear waste."

MANCHESTER--The ads have swamped the airwaves and today ads from outside groups became the focus on the debate between U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley) and former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury).

Both candidates criticized their rival for ads that are being aired by groups such as the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Jayne Millerick, John McCain's campaign state vice-chair, said Sarah Palin demonstrated her record of reform during the vice-presidential debate against Joe Biden.

"There was one reformer on the stage Thursday who has a record of delivering change -- Sarah Palin. And there was one veteran Senator who has a record of delivering empty rhetoric, and that was Joe Biden," Millerick said in a statement.

NORTH CONWAY-In their first debate, former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) and U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley) squared off over the proposed financial bailout bill which is currently stalled in Congress.

In a debate sponsored by the Mt. Washington Valley Economic Council, Shaheen said if she would have voted against the $700 billion bailout, while Sununu said he will vote for the bill when it comes up for a vote later today in the U.S. Senate.

"I would not have voted for that bailout bill," Shaheen said, "Though I think it's critical that Congress to act and to act in a bi-partisan way."

Shaheen said she opposes the bill because of the lack of oversight.

"I think we need to act, and I've said I will support the legislation in the Senate," Sununu said. "The package we're going to act on this evening has an extension of the deposit insurance and that's going to help particular small businesses."

The AARP 1st Congressional District debate that was to occur today will now occur on Oct. 10, the organization tells PolitickerNH.com.

The debate, between Democratic U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter and Republican Jeb Bradley, was postponed due to the vote today in Congress on the $700 Wall Street bailout bill.

U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) wants to reschedule her first debate with former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro), so she can work on the financial bailout bill.

Congress is expected to vote a bailout bill Monday. However, the Bradley campaign says that Bradley will be at the event even if Shea-Porter does not attend.

The two are scheduled to debate tomorrow in Manchester at an AARP forum.

UPDATE: AARP has postponed the debate scheduled for tomorrow between Jeb Bradley and Carol Shea-Porter.

"We're disappointed, but certainly recognize the importance of dealing with the financial crisis facing our nation," said AARP NH State Director Kelly Clark.  "We are looking forward to being able to reschedule the debate so that voters can become better informed about the candidates' positions on the vital issues that unite all of us in order to make informed decisions."

A later date will be announced later this week.

Barack Obama's New Hampshire campaign will be hosting 70 debate watch parties Friday night, and two of them will have special guests.

The Manchester Watch Party will be attended by John Hutson. Hutson, Dean of the Franklin Pierce Law Center, gained prominence in August when he spoke at the Democratic National Convention. He is also a co-chair of Former McCain Supporters for Obama and a member of New Hampshire Veterans for Obama.