[NH-1] Candidates tout their ties to the military

The Eagle Tribune ^ | 3-25-02 | Dave Levinthal

[GraniteStateConservative]

One man spent his career building weapons systems.

Another one spent his career using them in the U.S. Army.

Together, Republicans Gary Hoffman and Jim Steiner -- who both say they will enter New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District race next month -- will add a half-century's worth of military-related expertise to this hotly-contested campaign where defense and anti-terrorism issues are dominating early.

Hoffman, 46, of Bedford, has worked in high-level positions for several defense contracting corporations, while Concord resident Steiner, 45, is a lawyer and a former Army Green Beret having served in the U.S. special forces.

"I suppose we're a little different than the others," Steiner said.

Both men hope to ride the current wave of patriotism behind the military and could pose trouble for Mike Chema, a former Army dentist who launched a fledgling congressional campaign in early 2001.

Some political observers consider Chema the front-runner on the Republican side, citing his deep resources and strong grass-roots campaign network.

Hoffman's and Steiner's entry into the campaign could also cause the Republican field to clog like Interstate 93 during Monday morning rush hour.

Seven Republicans are now vying for the party's congressional nomination, and the candidates acknowledge that connecting with voters will be a constant struggle.

The 1st Congressional District seat opened up in October, when current Congressman John E. Sununu, R-Bedford, vacated it to run for U.S. Senate.

The winner of the Republican primary will face Democratic state Rep. Martha Fuller Clark of Portsmouth in the November general election.

Clark, who is running unopposed, is expected to be a formidable candidate because of her surprisingly tough challenge to Sununu in 2000, and her ability to raise money.

But Hoffman and Steiner say in the midst of the nation's so-called War on Terrorism, their backgrounds will help them stand out from their opponents.

"I have no doubt that voters will be able to decipher my record and me from the other congressional candidates. I've lived military issues," said Steiner, a barrel-chested man with a forceful voice who once specialized in anti-terrorism combat. "It doesn't matter significantly that the other candidates have decided to announce early. We're all equally as unknown."

Steiner, who lived in Derry during the late 1980s and early 1990s, graduated from West Point, served in the 10th Special Forces Group and directed military operations in Europe and the Middle East.

In the mid-1980s, he received a law degree from Suffolk University in Massachusetts.

"This is experience that is going to translate for you in helping to exorcise this terrorist cancer around the world," Steiner said. "You'll find that my experience is truly unique."

But Hoffman contends his years in the defense industry give him the best perspective on military preparedness, both home and abroad.

He currently runs Skylet, a defense consulting firm, after serving with big-name military and aerospace contractors TRW and Sanders.

While the United States must considerably bolster its armed forces, and continue to develop such projects as the National Missile Defense System, Hoffman said he will also run on a platform of protecting personal liberties.

Issues such as preserving Internet privacy and normalizing American life despite terrorist threats will in part headline his campaign, Hoffman said.

"As soon as you allow the Constitution to be thrown out the window, that is a huge cause for concern," Hoffman said. "We can have security, we can have safety, but we have to protect our rights. Otherwise, the terrorists win."

Security technology will also be a Hoffman campaign touchstone, he said.

Hoffman scoffed at heightened airport "security" measures following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City and the Pentagon, saying that Congress, for example, should be fighting for chemical and bomb sniffing devices instead of federalizing low-wage security workers.

"I know what really needs to be spent on and what works," Hoffman said. "A lot of what this country needs are weapons to replace the weapons that we have used up."

Despite their experience, Chema's spokesman, Chris Williams, dismissed notions that Hoffman and Steiner will squelch Chema's military mantra.

"The issue of the military won't be diluted in any way," Williams said. "Mike's campaign has been out for months, and I'll let the military support that's already come out for Mike Chema speak for itself."

Chema was the first candidate to this year unveil a veterans campaign coalition, doing so in January.

Derry resident Paul Chevalier, a retired U.S. Marine Corps sergeant major and past state commander of the New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars, leads Chema's coalition.

Chema's list of veteran supporters are primed to actively campaign for him, and network with other veterans, Williams said.

That translates into votes come September when the Republican primary is held.

Tom Rath, Republican lobbyist and political commentator, said Chema's early start has helped his campaign.

"Chema's working very, very hard, and you can't just jump into these things and turn a campaign around overnight," Rath said.

Rath also said other candidates in the Republican field, specifically state Rep. Jeb Bradley of Wolfeboro, former Executive Councilor Bill Cahill and businessman Sean Mahoney, could themselves prove stronger candidates than Chema, Hoffman or Steiner.

All are touting a platform of job creation, conservative tax policy and stimulating New Hampshire's soft economy, as is state Rep. Fran Wendelboe of New Hampton, who is also running.

Mahoney, for his part, welcomes as many Republicans into the race as want to run, he said.

"The more voices we have in our primary, the better the debate," Mahoney said. "It won't change my strategy, because we're just going to continue to promote our message day in and day out, as I suspect the others will, too."