Jim Steiner

Salem — Four Republican 2nd Congressional District candidates participated in a relatively civil question-and-answer forum before a small group of people at Salem High School Thursday night.

The forum opened with two minute remarks from Jim Steiner (R-Concord), Bob Clegg (R-Hudson), Jennifer Horn (R-Nashua) and Grant Bosse (R-Hillsborough) who are challenging to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-Concord).

There was no audience participation and the forum — sponsored by the Salem Chamber of Commerce and broadcast on public access television — did not allow candidates to directly question each other.

The four were asked about issues ranging from a timetable for withdrawal of troops in Iraq, if the economic stimulus was helpful to New Hampshire residents, and their proposals for health care policies.

Republican debate: Photo credit: PolitickerNH.comNASHUA-The rivalry between Grant Bosse (R-Hillsboro) and Jennifer Horn (R-Nashua) took center stage in a Republican debate at Nashua's City Hall.

Discussing gun rights, Bosse used a quote from Politico to criticize Horn. In the article Horn was quoted as saying she favored "common-sense restrictions to protect kids from guns," a quote that Horn says is wrong.

Over the last few days PolitickerNH.com has been running the poll “Now that the Union Leader endorsed Stephen in the 1st CD GOP primary, who will they endorse in the 2nd GOP Primary?”

In an amazing groundswell of grassroots support </sarcasm> Jim Steiner ran away with the victory at 49%.  Not only did Steiner win, he changed the theme of the poll and sent out a press release claiming victory.

Steiner touted the poll, but changed the meaning of the poll when he said “The political website politickernh.com just concluded the only poll where 2nd Congressional District voters were able to log in and cast their vote for who they support in the 2nd CD.”

And it appears our humble little Web site and poll now represents the voice of the people as Steiner said “One of the newspapers in New Hampshire has ignored the voice of the people and endorsed one of the other candidates.”

While we appreciate the free publicity in the in Steiner’s email release, at the same time Inside Edge found it a little comical, the Union Leader found it irrelevant endorsing Jennifer Horn. 

BELMONT -- According to legend the modern term "stump speech" developed during the 19th Century when politicians would give short speeches on a tree stump. New Hampshire political candidates were given the opportunity to revive that tradition in Belmont today, but only Jim Steiner (R-Concord) took to the stump to speak.

"I will take the chance and bare the stump," Steiner said. "If I wear this yellow jacket there's no question that the sun will always shine."

A UNH poll contains good news for U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-Concord) but show trouble for U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester).

According to The Granite State Poll, Shea-Porter is losing to former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) 46 percent to 40 percent. However, the same poll has Shea-Porter beating Bradley's primary rival, former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen 42 percent to 36 percent.

It really doesn’t matter much what John Sununu or Jeanne Shaheen put up for numbers as long as neither is embarrassingly low.  Both candidates will have plenty of money to run an effective campaign.  As long as Shaheen has been able to turn her momentum into cash, this race won’t be very interesting as far as fundraising goes. 

1st Congressional District

KEENE- State Sen. Bob Clegg (R-Hudson) said at a Republican debate that he is "embarrassed" by U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-Concord).

"Paul Hodes has done a ton of things that has not only embarrassed me as an American but also as a citizen of New Hampshire," Clegg said.

Salem state Rep. David Dalrymple endorsed 2nd Congressional District candidate, Jennifer Horn (R-Nashua) today.

CONCORD, N.H. -- Just as Republican John Stephen wrapped up paperwork to make his 1st Congressional District run official, state Sen. Bob Clegg (R-Hudson) walked through the doors of the secretary of state's office to file for the 2nd Congressional District. But Clegg had an entourage, including former presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, who has come out to support the state senator's bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-Concord).

After serving eight years in the state House, Clegg is now in his fourth term in the state Senate where he serves as the assistant minority leader. He said his 20 years of voluntary service at the local level makes him the best Republican candidate in this race.

State Sen. Bob Clegg (R-Hudson)

CONCORD- State Sen. Bob Clegg (R-Hudson) discussed his upbringing before a Republican grassroots meeting.

Clegg told the Merrimack County Republican Association that he first got the political bug when he was a shoeshine boy next to the Nashua town hall.

"I did what I had to do for my family," he said. "I honestly belief I've lived the American dream."