[img_assist|nid=3211|title=Jeanne Shaheen at a Denver press conference|desc=Photo credit: Politicker.com|link=none|align=center|width=420|height=366]

DENVER -- Hours before she is scheduled to speak before the Democratic National Convention, former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) said her race against U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley) is emblematic off Democrats' efforts in this election year.

"There's no race in the country that more starkly epitomizes the choice in this election, in November, than New Hampshire," Shaheen told reporters. "John Sununu, my opponent, has been labeled the most vulnerable Republican in the United States Senate."

Appearing with other Democratic senate candidates from around the country, Shaheen spoke at a press conference hosted U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

Shaheen also tied her opponent to President Bush.

"This race is a choice about whether we're going to continue with the same policies we've had under George Bush, policies John Sununu supported 90 percent of the time or whether we're going to go in a new direction," she said.

The former director of the Harvard Institute of Politics argued that the most important issue facing New Hampshire is the cost of home heating fuel.

"This is a crisis, that if it's not addressed, we will see people freeze to death in the Northeast," she said.

A video of the press conference can be seen below.

UPDATE: “It’s no surprise to see Jeanne Shaheen appearing with a group of Washington insiders who share her opposition to expanding domestic oil production and her support for bigger government and higher taxes," said Sununu campaign spokeswoman Stefani Zimmerman in a statement. "Instead of standing with Granite Starters, Shaheen would rather associate with far-left politicians like Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid, who oppose every attempt to pass comprehensive energy legislation that will lower fuel prices for working families. "