Senator Sununu Ignores New Hampshire, 

Votes to Support President's Iraq Policies

Mayor Marchand:  "Senator Sununu represents President Bush more than he does New Hampshire"

(Portsmouth) - Following Senator John Sununu's (R-NH) vote on Saturday to block debate of a bipartisan resolution expressing disagreement with President Bush's Iraqi War escalation plan - his second show of support for the President's Iraq plan in two weeks - Democratic senatorial candidate Mayor Steve Marchand (D-Portsmouth) said Sen. Sununu's pattern of supporting the Iraq War escalation is radically out-of-touch with the people of New Hampshire.

"If there is ever a time for our elected officials to show leadership on the most critical issues - such as our failed strategy in Iraq - now is that time," said Marchand, who opposes President Bush's troop escalation strategy.  "However, Senator Sununu is not providing that leadership, and he is not representing the will of the people of New Hampshire.  Neither America nor its elected officials should live in fear of winning the War on Terror - but fear of an honest debate on how best to win that war is exactly what we need to replace in Washington.  Rubber stamps for the President don't make us safer - and they don't represent New Hampshire."

"I'll say it again," said Marchand.  "A vote against debate is a vote to support the President's policies in Iraq."

Marchand is in his second year as mayor of Portsmouth, NH.  Prior to his election in 2005, he served as a City Councilor.  Mayor Marchand has won widespread praise for his efforts to hold the line on taxes, lead on environmental policy, and increase accountability and transparency in government.  Marchand is a former management consultant, performing audits of cities, counties, and states around the country, and is the former Regional Director of the Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to informing the public about the need for generationally responsible fiscal policy. 

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