GOP try to distinguish themselves in final debate

Four Republican candidates in the 2nd Congressional District squared off Thursday night in the final debate before the primary agreeing on issues ranging from the war in Iraq to the mortgage crisis.

The debate began with behind-the-scenes candidate profiles of Jennifer Horn (R-Nashua), Bob Clegg (R-Hudson), Grant Bosse (R-Hillsborough), and Jim Steiner (R-Concord).

The hour-long live debate was similar in format but not as spicy as the one between 1st Congressional District candidates John Stephen (R-Manchester) and Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfboro) held earlier in the evening. Two panelists, WMUR reporter Adam Sexton and Union Leader reporter Dan Tuohy, posed questions to the candidates, pulling several inquiries from viewers' emails.

There was only a handful of times when the candidates attacked each other on issues. Much of the discussion revolved around who was the best person to take on the Democrat they all hope to defeat, Paul Hodes.

They were unanimous in saying the Federal Government should step aside and not bail out Americans unable to pay their mortgage.

Bosse said the mortgage bail-out is an insult to every renter and is fueling the next housing bubble.

On the war in Iraq, they also agreed that the troops in Iraq need to be brought home but not until “the mission is accomplished,” Horn said. The nation should be stable she said.

Steiner said there does not need to be a long term military bases in Iraq. “We are not a colonizing power,” he said.

While all four candidates enthusiastically showed support for the right to own guns, Bosse directly attacked Horn. He said a gun rights organization had given her a “D” rating and said she was uncomfortable with guns. She replied that she had not received the questionnaire from the group and there was a handful of gun organizations in New Hampshire that have endorsed her.

When asked what they would do to alleviate the high gas prices, each candidate outlined a plan that included domestic oil drilling and alternative energy options.

Again Bosse took a swipe at Horn and accused her of being undecided on the energy issue early on in the race.

“I am pleased to see Jennifer calling for leadership on the energy issue,” Bosse said. He called for government to get out of the way so that new alternative energy can help fuel the economy.

Horn claimed energy independence has been a top priority in her campaign long before she was running for office. “He has made a habit of false truths and accusations,” she said. “He just made one right out of the air.”

Bosse requested a 30-second rebuttal. “She accused me of making it up,” he said. “Running away from your record is not accusing me of making it up.”

Clegg and Bosse both agreed building power lines in the North Country to supply wood fire energy to the rest of the state would be a step in the right direction to help jump start the job industry up there.

Horn, who repeatedly made it a point to criticize Hodes’ voting record, tried to separate herself as a political outsider and mother of five children who knows about the “real issues facing Americans” she said.

Steiner made it a point that he was the only candidate in the race not accepting Political Action Committee money (PACs) or special interest money.