NH1 Political Pulse: New group seeks full dialogue on national security

CONCORD - A New Hampshire nominee for governor and former congressman have teamed together to engage presidential candidates on national security issues.

Republican Walt Havenstein has agreed to chair the New Hampshire advisory board of Peace, Prosperity and Security Political Action Committee, which plans to host forums across the state during the primary campaign.

The national chair is ex-Michigan Congressman Mike Rogers who had been chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

During an interview at NH1 News studios, Rogers stressed the group is organized as an issue-based group and will not be endorsing any candidates.

The group's goal is to get the candidates to get beyond the simple, sound bite answers about the global challenges facing the country.

"We're trying to get the candidates away from a very brief discussion on national security issues, it always gets that one question at a debate, it always gets a very short shrift in interviews,'' Rogers told NH1 Political Director Paul Steinhauser.

Havenstein said he's not surprised the latest polls of New Hampshire voters by NH1 and other outlets that has national security as a leading issue.

"If there is a sound bite, I would ask the question, do you feel safer than you have in the past,'' Havenstein said. "And I think there is a lot of anxiety in the country and here in New Hampshire.''