Candidates forum

Seven Democratic congressional candidates participated in a forum Sunday at the Gibson Center. (Left to right, top row) Stefany Sheehen, Carleigh Beriont, Maura Sullivan, and Sarah Chadzynski,. (Left to right, bottom row) Bill Conlin Heath Howard and Christian Urrutia. (MARK GUERRINGUE PHOTO)

CONWAY — Seven Democratic candidates seeking to represent New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District offered sharply different answers when asked whether they consider themselves moderates or progressives during a candidate forum Sunday at the Gibson Center. 

The debate was moderated by Sun Publisher Mark Guerringue and organized by Nathaniel Gurien of Sandwich. Participating candidates were Sarah Chadzynski, Bill Conlin, Stefany Shaheen, Heath Howard, Maura Sullivan, Christian Urrutia and Carleigh Beriont. The debate, which lasted two hours, was held in the center's dining room and was packed. 

(1) comment

G_Allen

There are two types of Democrats in that party.

The first denies or deflects being a progressive, and the second admits it, often proudly.

The big change is that now this can be said outloud. Bernie Sanders has made this their party's mainstream position, with all of the elective energy coming from the Left.

Why have Democrats embraced socialism? It is really simple. It aligns with the core beliefs of the modern Democratic Party. This is a belief in collective wisdom and control, where "government" (including every subsection thereof) knows best and can take care of people.

Conservatives believe this worldview is flawed, so they reject socialism and communism. But Democrats all secretly support it, whether they want to or will admit it.

Socialism is not compatible with capitalism, because its core belief is that government knows better than individuals and therefore can make all decisions for individuals, including how to best spend the fruits of their labor. And that is alway some form of redistribution of wealth.

Remember the lesson of Joe Biden: run as a centrist, and govern as a Socialist. That worked, and that same playbook is being used by Democrats in purple districts. But in blue districts, you will see the true nature of their philosophy demonstrated.

Welcome to the discussion.

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