BEDFORD-- Campaign officials from both candidates in the 1st Congressional District said their candidate did a "fantastic job."

Former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) and U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) participated in their first debate earlier today.

"Jeb did a fantastic. He had a clear understanding not just of the issues, but of how they affect people in New Hampshire," Alicia Preston, Bradley's campaign spokesman said. "Congresswomen Shea-Porter did a great Nancy Pelosi impression, but that doesn't help anyone but her Washington colleagues."

Pia Carusone, Shea-Porter's campaign manager said Shea-Porter

"I think she did a fantastic job," Carusone told PolitickerNH.com. "She pointed out her record and she's been fighting for us."

Both officials took issues with comments the opposing candidate made.

"And, after running an ad falsely claiming she took no money from lobbyists, it's nice to hear today that she was forced to give her lobbyist donations back after being called on it," Preston said. "Let's see if she does the same with Rangel Cash."

Shea-Porter said in the debate that she has returned money from lobbyists that contributed to her campaign.

Carusone took issue with Bradley's stance on Social Security.

"I think it's interesting that Mr. Bradley didn't take privatization of Social Security off the table," she said.

Bradley said in the debate, "What I'm not going to do is say that any option that might work even though I am skeptical that we should take off the table but one thing I would really disagree with my opponent on this is that she's always looking for taxpayers to bailout the government and this is another example."

See also:

--CAROL SHEA-PORTER SAYS 12% CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL RATING