NEW CASTLE-Former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) and former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen (R-Manchester) had a heated exchange on federal funding for veteran programs at a Republican forum.

Bradley said Stephen supported a federal budget plan that would have cut veterans programs, Stephen countered that the budget blueprint would not have cut programs.

"John would have voted for budgets, if he had served in Congress, that would have had less resources in them for veterans than I voted for. He's been very critical of me for that but that's ok it's just something we differ about on," Bradley said. "I support veterans, he would have cut the funding for veteran's health care that's a just a clear difference and it is what it is."

A member of the audience seating in the front-row said "that's not true." Someone asked Bradley "how do you know that?" Bradley responded, "because he said that, it's pretty clear."

Stephen said that the bill would not have provided an increase in program funding.

"I want to be clear we're talking about the 2006 Renewing the Contract with America bill, which 100 fiscal conservatives voted for in Congress and Jeb voted against it," Stephen told the crowd of 150 Republicans. "It was not a cut in veteran's benefits. It was a six percent increase instead of an eight percent increase. Only in Congress is a decrease in an increase a cut."

The bill in question, "Contract with America: Renewed," was presented by U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and U.S. Rep. Mike Hensarling (D-Tex.,) of the Republican Study Committee. The bill attempted to balance the federal budget based on the 1995 "Contract with America" budget.

The forum was also the first to feature Geoff Michael (R-Merrimack).

Even though he has a law degree Michael said, "I've never practiced a day in law so you don't have to worry about sending another lawyer to Washington."

Michael said he favored more border security, eliminating earmarks, decreasing the federal deficit and eliminating the fairness doctrine.

"The Democrats in Congress can't handle the fact that the two most popular people on radio are Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, they can't handle that."

During his closing speech Michael said he was prepared to debate U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester).

"I am chopping at the bit to debate Carol Shea-Porter. Bring her on, I am ready. I am ready to tear some new ones with her."

The forum was sponsored by the Rye and New Castle Republican committees and moderated by Will Smith, head of the New Castle Republicans.