Bradley, Stephen duel in final debate before primary

MANCHESTER--In their last debate before next week's primary, 1st Congressional District candidates John Stephen (R-Manchester) and Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfboro) were cut throat in their remarks Thursday night.

Much of the conversation revolved around each candidate’s past record including spending and earmarks. Stephen, who was commissioner of the state Department of Health and Human Services, charged Bradley, who lost his U.S. House seat to lost to Democrat Carol Shea-Porter in 2006, with wasteful pork spending, voting five times against energy exploration and being part of an establishment that was in favor of increased federal spending during his time in Congress.

“You never want to talk about your record,” Stephen said. “You keep running from your record. I’ve asked you to take the pledge against earmarks.”

Bradley fought back and accused Stephen of raising property taxes in New Hampshire because he did not provide funding while Commissioner on behalf of the department's obligation to seniors in nursing homes. He also charged Stephen with a record of spending as Commissioner when he wanted to increase the budget.

Stephen repeatedly made a case for himself that he was the only true fiscal conservative candidate in the race as demonstrated by the Union Leader’s endorsement. He also connected himself to Republican presidential nominee John McCain and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin on issues of pledging against earmarks. 

The hour-long live debate on WMUR consisted of questions from two panelists, WMUR reporter Adam Sexton and Union Leader reporter Dan Tuohy. Bradley and Stephen were also given the opportunity to ask questions to each other. The debate concluded with questions emailed from viewers.

Stephen asked Bradley how voters could trust him if he were to be re-elected due to low ratings when he was in office given by such organizations as the tax payers union.

Bradley said the votes he made were necessary.

“You talk about being a conservative, but when you raise property taxes and increase the budget – that’s not the change New Hampshire can trust,” Bradley said. “That’s more of the same.”

Bradley cited an institution that categorized welfare reform in New Hampshire as failing under Stephen’s time as Commissioner. Bradley questioned how Stephen could label welfare reform as a success in New Hampshire.

Stephen defended his record and said he significantly increased the participation rate as commissioner and New Hampshire is the only state in the Northeast to have a 50 percent participation rate he said.

“I have been touted as reforming welfare and that is a national statistic,” Stephen said. “That is the truth. You keep forgetting your own record. You voted for $101 billion dollars of wasteful pork in congress.”

When asked by the panelists whether contraceptives should be made available to teenagers by the government, Bradley quickly answered no and then returned to Stephen’s criticism of his earmarks.

Bradley said he shouldn’t be criticized for voting for the defense bill or other bills because of one ear mark.

“You keep criticizing me for voting for the defense bill that provides the new air craft we need,” Bradley said. “Are you suggesting I should have voted against missile defense because of one earmark? The defense bill of our nation is vital for all of us.”

Stephen agreed with Bradley on the issue of contraceptives. They also agreed that a government run health care plan as proposed by Shea-Porter would not be successful. They said health care should be made affordable and be transparent so people know what they are buying on the open market.

Bradley said in order to get the proper funding to ensure the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard remains open earmarks are essential. He criticized Stephen for pledging against ear marks and said it would stifle his ability to serve New Hampshire as a congressman.