The candidates in Maine's 1st Congressional District race sparred over the economy and other issues in a live forum today that was sponsored by the Portland Press Herald, WMTW-TV (Channel 8), the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.

The hour-long debate between Democrat Chellie Pingree and Republican Charlie Summers was broadcast on the Web at www.wmtw.com starting at noon and on Channel 8 starting at 12:30 p.m.

Pingree said she would support extending unemployment benefits, increasing fuel assistance, boosting spending on roads and bridges, and overhauling federal energy policy to reduce dependence on oil.

"We still have a long way to go," she eaid.

Summers called the $150 billion in earmarks attached to the $700 billion Wall Street bailout "bribes." He said he would introduce legislation requiring every CEO who gets assistance to be limited to a $1-per-year salary.

"We need to do things to free (taxpayers) up to spend the money they've earned," he said.

Questions were taken via the Internet and from the live audience at the Hannaford Lecture Hall at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. Readers may view a recording of the entire debate at www.wmtw.com.
Pingree and Summers are running for the seat now held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, who is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in the Nov. 4 election.

Pingree, 53, is a business owner and former state senator who lives on the Penobscot Bay island of North Haven. During her time in the Maine Legislature, she led the effort to establish Maine Rx, a law to reduce prescription drug prices.

Summers, 48, is an Iraq War veteran and former state senator who lives in Scarborough and once worked for U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe. His campaign has centered on working 30 different jobs as a way to connect with voters across Maine.

Both candidates are courting undecided voters. Recent polls show Pingree in the lead, but one survey found about 25 percent of respondents were undecided.
Campaign finance reports for January through September show Pingree raised nearly $2 million and spent $1.6 million during that period, while Summers raised $530,000 and spent $393,000.

Staff Writer Kelley Bouchard can be contacted at 791-6328 or at:
kbouchard@pressherald.com