HENNIKER--Former United States Senate candidate Steve Marchand said that U.S. Sen. John Sununu's cash advantage over former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen could help Sununu in the final two weeks of the campaign.

Marchand, a former mayor of Portsmouth, said Sununu will be able to buy more ad time in the Boston media market than Shaheen.

"Sununu has more money and this will make a difference because he can buy Boston television," Marchand said. "This is where Sununu can be most powerful."

Marchand said the race is "closer than it was three or six months ago" but still gives the edge to Shaheen. He said if Sununu wants to close the gap with Shaheen, Sununu has a "two-tier" approach.

"He needs to cheer like heck that John McCain has a good couple of weeks. And he needs to work like heck to try and differentiate himself from George Bush," Marchand said.

He also said the Senate race is unique because both candidates are well-known and have a history of winning close races.

When asked if the debates between Sununu and Shaheen has had any effect on the race Marchand said, "I'm not sure the debates in a vacuum have had much impact on the race."

He added though that the WMUR debate and tonight's debate will have a bigger impact because they will be broadcast live on television.

Tonight PolitickerNH.com is sponsoring a debate with NHPTV, NHPR and NECN. It will be broadcast live on NECN and NHPTV.