Smith and Rubens face off in GOP senatorial debate

Republican senatorial candidates Jim Rubens, the former state senator from Hanover, and former U.S. senator Bob Smith squared off in a debate Wednesday night at the Merrimack Town Hall.

As usual, UNH political science professor Dante Scala had a smart take on the two candidates who are battling to be the conservative alternative to establishment favorite Scott Brown.

On Smith: “Reminded me of aging hurler back on mound, still has some pop in his fastball. … No one has to teach [Smith] the populist, us vs. them, Tea Party attitude and message. That’s his mother tongue.”

On Rubens: He “may have flipped on cap-and-trade, but give courage points to candidate who told conservative audience he is a scientist. … [Rubens] had elements of populist, anti-elite message in thoughtful answers last night, especially on Wall Street, crony capitalism.”