GOP U.S. Senate Candidates Debate To A Packed Room in Bedford

Last night the three declared Republican New Hampshire Senatorial candidates engaged in a lively debate at the Bedford Public Library featuring Karen Testerman, Jim Rubens and Bob Smith.  At least seventy people packed into the McAllaster Room for the event sponsored by the Bedford Republican Committee.

Committee Chair Valerie Earnshaw moderated the event.  She first allowed the candidates to give their opening statements and then read previously submitted questions giving all of the candidates a chance to answer.
Following are some brief highlights from the event.

Opening Statements

Testerman: Spoke about the importance of our Constitution and also of the strong military tradition in her family.  She ended her opening statement quoting some of our founding fathers.

Rubens: Started with a list of his credentials and experience in New Hampshire politics including his charter school bill.  He believes Washington will back whoever will win the primary...implying Scott Brown's perceived advantage will mean nothing.  He appeared to take a shot at Bob Smith, describing another participant in the debate as a career politician and ended by saying all factions of the Republican party will need to come together to defeat Jeanne Shaheen.  Mentioned that Jeanne Shaheen was the 60th vote for Dodd-Frank.  He told the crowd that he is a different kind of Republican.

Smith: Began by talking about how his father was killed in WWII before he himself turned 4.  He conceded the GOP has its own sins and went on to name overspending and how some play cynical politics.  The GOP, he said, needs to figure out what kind of party it wants to be, and Shaheen-lite won't win.  The Democrats will not quit, he insisted.  Smith ended by saying the worst thing the Democrats do is continually kick the can down the road to deal with fiscal issues at a later date.

Questions:

Q: What is your solution to Obamacare?

Smith: Repeal is a must have--now or never.  Touted health savings accounts and the individuals choices instead of government bureaucrats making the decisions.

Rubens: Repeal and replace, but needs sixty votes.  We need to sell it to the American public.  He will address access to care and pre-existing conditions.

Testerman: Obamacare is about central planning.  Must repeal and defund.  States should have their own solutions health care.

Q: Is there an overmilitarization of police forces and what are your views on gun control?

Rubens: Has visited New Hampshire gun factories and is a big defender of the 2nd Amendment.  Believes there is a profit motive regarding the overmilitarization of police.

Testerman: Lifelong member of more than one 2nd Amendment group, including the NRA.  The Constitution allows people to reclaim their freedoms through the 2nd Amendment.

Smith: Granite Staters understand gun rights.  In DC they do not.  The 2nd Amendment is about protecting ourselves, not about hunting.  And the police are overmilitarized these days.

Q: Will the U.S. dollar be discontinued as the world currency?
Testerman: The standard of the U.S. dollar could be lost if China and other countries call in their debt.

Smith: We are in grave danger economically.  Russians and Chinese want to replace the U.S. dollar.  But, the U.S. has faced bigger challenges and will prevail.

Rubens: The recent stock market levels are frighteningly high and indicate we are heading for disaster.  We need to cut spending.  We need to cut the nuclear triad, must means test social security and cut subsidies.

Q: Your thoughts on the Laffer Curve?

Smith: Yes, we must lower taxes to increase government revenue. But, people do not want to give up power.

Rubens: Four points: 1) Revise tax code; corporate tax rates are too high, 2) We are the 18th most economically free nation.  Must cut regulations, 3) Cut health care costs, 4) We must defend our currency.

Testerman: Disagrees with having a federal solution for everything.  There is too much money taken from people and businesses.

Q: Which departments would you want to cut?

Rubens: Dept of Education

Smith: Dept of Energy, Dept of Education, Dept of Commerce.  Cited that Scott Brown proudly cast the 59th vote for Dodd-Frank.

Testerman: Dept of Education because it has a socialist agenda, State Dept, Dept of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, pretty much all departments but military, Commerce and Highway.

Q: What are your thoughts on nuclear energy, global warming and carbon tax?

Testerman: Humans are arrogant to think we impact the climate but of course no one should pollute our earth.  Regarding energy, the feds should stop subsidizing it and allow businesses to make use of our natural resources.

Rubens: Believes in man-made global warming because he comes from a scientific background.  He concedes this is one area where he has problems with other Republicans.  He wants to remove from the EPA the ability to regulate carbon dioxide and all energy subsidies.  He believes the government can do R&D on global warming solutions just like they introduced the concept of fracking.

Smith:  While in the U.S. Senate met with many experts in so-called man-made global warming and heard a variety of opinions.  Some believed in it and others did not. We cannot punish our power suppliers.  The U.S. is a leader in keeping the world a clean place, unlike China and other countries.  Government policies create more problems.

After some brief final statements the civil and informative debate ended with applause.