Bradley, Stephen participate in fierce debate

OSSIPEE -- A loose format allowed former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) and former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen (R-Manchester) to participate in the fiercest debate this election cycle.

Bradley and Stephen were allowed to rebut each other and directly question one another Monday night at the debate sponsored by the Carroll County Republicans. The two touched upon issues ranging from energy to earmarks and the current situation in Georgia.

The debate got off to a quick start with an exchange over whether or not Stephen increased property taxes while at HHS. This morning Bradley held a press conference with various state representatives and county commissioners to argue that Stephen did not fully fund Medicare reimbursements for nursing homes, which resulted in counties picking-up a larger share than anticipated.

"The representatives and commissioners were there with me in saying that property taxes went up because under John's tenure at the Department of Health and Human Services bills were simply not paid and someone else had to pay. That's not cost saving that's cost shifting," Bradley said. "I would contend that's not the kind of leadership we need in Washington."

Stephen said that he increased spending on nursing homes and Bradley is running away from his own record.

"I looked up the rates when I took over as Commissioner, the rates for Carroll County was $137 in 2003 per day per senior. When I left it was $169 dollars. 30 percent increase in Carroll County in the rates being made. A 30 percent increase and that's what you call it a cost shift when property tax payers are hurt," Stephen said. "You know at the ending of the day Jeb you're not a fiscal conservative."

Stephen later displayed a graph that showed an increase in reimbursement levels during his reign at HHS.

Another tense moment came when Bradley pressed Stephen to answer whether or not Stephen would have voted for a defense bill that included earmarks.

"Yes or no commissioner, are you voting for that defense bill or not," asked Bradley.

Stephen replied, "Jeb I'm going to Washington to bring change. I don't want to have any representative of Congress, ever, where you have to vote for all this wasteful pork."

Stephen has taken a no earmarks pledge, while Bradley said he supports earmarks that benefit the armed services.

At the ending of the debate the two rivals pledged to endorse and campaign for the eventual nominee.

Also attending the debate were New Hampshire Republican Chairman Fergus Cullen, state Sen. and gubernatorial candidate Joe Kenney (R-Wakefield) and state senate candidates Sam Cataldo and Bill Denley.

EARLIER on PolitickerNH.com:

• Bradley says Stephen helped raise property taxes