Guinta, Shea-Porter Talk Jobs and Economy in Final Debate Before Election

In their final debate just four days before the general election, former U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter and U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta were light on the jabs at one another that have often punctuated their campaign throughout the election season.

Guinta said that Shea-Porter frequently resorts to name calling by constantly referring to him as Tea Partier, a name he said Democrats love to slap on every Republican.

“He is a tea partier,” Shea-Porter said right now if you go to my website, we have a little recording of him saying 'don't tread on me.' ”

She said he is close with the Glen Beck 9/12 group in Rochester and thinks it's appropriate to say he aligns himself with the tea party.

Asked if she's offended when she is referred to as a Nancy Pelosi Democrat, Shea-Porter said no.

“I'm very proud of the work that we did in the 110 and 111^th congresses,” she said.

Shea-Porter said she thought Guinta, however, is offending his supporters by claiming he doesn't align himself with them.

“The reality is I was mayor of a Democrat city, where I had support from Republicans, Independents and Democrats,” Guinta said in reply. “I enjoy support from people on all different ideological spectrums I think that's important because I think it's important to represent everybody in your district.”

Key points argued during the hour-long debate co-hosted by WMUR and the Union Leader included jobs creation, FEMA funding, the economy and gas prices as well as the importance of working together on both sides of the aisle – something both candidates say they have done well while serving in Washington.

Shea-Porter gave examples of working with Republicans in Congress on the GI Bill and on the educational labor committee for the Headstart reauthorization while Guinta said he worked across the aisle on Libya issues as well as transportation issues with Vermont and on fisheries issues with Massachusetts.

He called Shea-Porter out on not citing an example of working in a bi-partisan manner on jobs, while saying that he was part of the passage of 30 jobs-related bills. Shea-Porter rebutted saying Guinta does not fight for jobs for New Hampshire, but rather votes to protect his corporate friends.

On the economy, Guinta, said he doesn't think the American people trust the government enough to use their tax dollars wisely.

“I don't think the country has a revenue problem, I think the country has a spending problem,” Guinta said.

What Shea-Porter is talking about in raising revenue, he said, “is what she did 55 times, which is raise taxes.” That is not what the people want, he said.

Shea-Porter said it is important to raise revenue and cut spending and that Guinta can't raise revenue because of the pledge he took to Grover Norquist, a name she tossed around several times during the debate.

She said cutting spending is also key to bringing back the economy but cuts need to come from the right places, and not from programs like Medicare or from FEMA.

Asked whether they thought the economy is improving, Shea-Porter said yes, she does, but it is obviously not where we want it to be, having lost 8 million jobs in the recession.

She said it is something that takes time, but that she believes 32 consecutive months of private job sector growth shows improvement that was upended by a Congress that came in midway and voted against jobs growth. She said if the country can expand from the middle and put money in people's pockets, rather than coming from the top down, that is how the economy will bounce back.

Guinta, however, pointed to 7.9 percent unemployment and 43 months of 8 percent or higher unemployment rates. After passing the stimulus bill, New Hampshire lost 9,500 jobs, he said.

“My opponent continues to think that the stimulus worked, but it didn't here in New Hampshire,” Guinta said.

In a quick lightning round of questions, the candidates the candidates disagreed and agreed on various points.

Do you favor repeal of defense of marriage act?

Guinta, no.

Shea-Porter, yes.

Would you support term limits?

Guinta, yes

Shea-Porter, no.

Would you want to be a member of party leadership?

Both said no.

Do you write own tweets?

Both said yes.

Would you support expanded gaming in New Hampshire?

Both said no.