LACONIA - A dozen-and-a-half local residents were afforded an unusual treat Saturday afternoon at the Woodside at the Taylor Community.  For nearly two hours they took advantage of an opportunity to sit and converse with First District U.S. Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter who was a guest of Taylor Community resident Peg Plummer.

"This is the kind of experience we've come to treasure here in New Hampshire," observed NH Rep. Judie Reever, who, with Ms. Plummer, co-hosted the event.  "I don't know of anyplace else in the country where voters enjoy and expect this kind of access to their elected officials."

Although Reever had hoped for a larger turnout she acknowledged that the modest gathering allowed for an unusually intimate conversation, with participants seated in a circle wide enough to accommodate everyone, and yet tight enough that everyone could comfortably hear and join in the discussion.

"It had the same feel as sitting around the kitchen table," noted Ron Tunning, Chair of the Laconia Democratic Party.  "And Carol did a terrific job drawing everyone into the conversation."

U.S. Representative Carol Shea-Porter led a group of local residents in a discussion on issues and the upcoming elections during a gathering at the Taylor Community in Laconia on Saturday.

Shea-Porter led off the discussion by talking about what an incredible experience she's had since winning an upset victory against two-term incumbent Jeb Bradley in 2006.  "As part of the new Democratic majority it's been thrilling to participate in making life better for people," she said.  "We've raised the minimum wage, provided more funding for health care and education, cut taxes on middle class families, and passed an economic stimulus package."

Even more progress would have been made, she insisted, had it not been for the Republican Congressional leadership and President Bush, who've colluded to obstruct legislation that would benefit American workers and families.

"They're just mean," she said of the Republican leadership. "They're for war, but they're anti-environment and anti-middle class."

"They work hard to punish people on Main Street and to reward people on Wall Street," she chided.  "They're throwing us under the bus."

Perhaps nothing has upset her as deeply as the Republicans opposition to support for veterans.  As the wife and daughter of veterans, Shea-Porter has been a forceful advocate for legislation increasing health care benefits, housing assistance, and education benefits for veterans, all of which have been opposed by the Republican leadership.

With New Hampshire being the only state that does not have a Veterans Hospital, Shea-Porter has been waging a battle to gain for Granite State Veterans access to medical services not currently provided by the Veterans Administration in New Hampshire.

When local resident Mendon MacDonald questioned whether it made economic sense for the VA to provide specialty care for what may be a very limited number of patients needing the care, Shea-Porter explained that in essence, she either wants the VA to provide the services or else allow veterans to access care through their local hospitals and providers.  "I don't think they should have to travel out of state for care," she said.

Eventually, the discussion moved from issues to the upcoming elections, in which Shea-Porter acknowledged that she's going to need the support of Independents as well as Democrats and thanked the Independents in attendance for their willingness to engage in the conversation.

"This is going to have to be a person to person, door to door effort," she said.  "I need your help."

She encouraged everyone to act like her campaign manager.  "Assume that you're the one responsible for getting us elected," she said.  "Because you are."

"If you're talking to people about me, talk to them about Barack and Jeannie as well," she advised, referring to Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and U.S. Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen.  "We need Jeannie in the senate to help Obama and we need Obama in the White House to lead us in a new direction."

She also encouraged people to visit Congress.org to learn about legislation and how legislators have voted on bills.  "When you hear someone say something that doesn't seem right, check it out," she said.  "They'll run these thirty-second spots that distort your record, so if you think, 'That doesn't sound like Carol Shea-Porter' you're probably right and you should check it out or give us a call and we'll answer any questions."

Before leaving, the Congresswoman promised she'd be spending more time in the Lakes Region in the coming months.  "I'm anxious to begin campaigning, but we've been holding off until we know who my opponent will be," she explained.  "There's no sense trying to campaign against two of them."

The Republicans will be choosing their nominee in the September 9 primary.  Former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley and former N.H. Department of Health and Human Resources Commissioner John Stephen are the two leading contenders.