Horn targets Hodes on economy

CONCORD--A week after gaining her party's nomination, Congressional candidate Jennifer Horn (R-Nashua) turned her sights towards her rival U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-Concord).

Horn said that Hodes has failed to show leadership while serving in Congress, while the Hodes campaign says Horn's campaign is focused on "false negative attacks."

"It is going to take leadership, real leadership to fix the economy and Paul Hodes is the wrong guy for the job," Horn said at a press conference at the Legislative Office Building. "He has repeatedly passed on the opportunity to show leadership on the important issues of the day."

The Hodes campaign says that the freshman congressman has taken the lead on various economic issues.

"Congressman Hodes has been working hard in Washington and here at home in New Hampshire," David Kieve, Hodes campaign manager, said in a statement. "Today's news that Treasury Secretary Paulson will not approve taxpayer funded severance packages for the CEOs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which followed on the heels of a letter Congressman Hodes sent last week, is proof.  Jennifer Horn's campaign seems to focus only on false negative attacks, not on solutions that will work to solve our problems."

During the press conference Horn unveiled her economic plan which she says would cut spending and lower taxes. Her plan consists of eliminating the current earmark process, expanding oil drilling and cutting taxes. Horn also said that she would advocate for greater oversight over financial institutions.

Horn also criticized Hodes for voting to approve the August congressional recess, instead of voting on an energy bill.

"Paul Hodes did not have the courage to stand-up to his party and do what is right in that vote. We cannot trust that he will have the courage to stand-up and do what is right for us tomorrow and in the future," Horn said. "It is time to fire Paul Hodes for failing to do his job."