Then Donald Trump Holds a Campaign Rally in orlando, florida, president obama campaigns for Hillary Clinton in chapel hill, north carolina. Cspans washington journal live every day with policy news that impacts you. Thursday morning, the Republican Campaign lawyer from ash belaw. Com, and kristin clark, president and executive director of the lawyer civil rights committee, will join us votinguss this years process. The topic, thursday integrity ie voter booth. Then a Political Science professor on africanamerican voter turnout. And a Political ScienceDepartment Chair at Temple University will talk about pennsylvanias role as a key battleground state this election cycle. Be sure to watch washington journal live at 7 00 a. M. Eastern on thursday morning and joined the discussion. Him sure republican senator kelly ayotte and Democrat Maggie hassan debated earlier tonight in manchester. Is currently a tossup. This comes courtesy of wn you are tv. Wmur tv. Mur special, thea great debates. With the balance of power and the u. S. Senate in play, the stakes couldnt be higher. I wake up every day with a sense of purpose to make a difference in washington. I will put New Hampshire first. Each candidate is making a claim to the title of washington outsider. It is the most expensive race in state history, and both candidates are seeking an edge as this race appears to be going down to the wire. I am going to be working to make sure people understand the choice in this election. There is so much more that needs to be done. Foronight, the candidates New Hampshire senate. Evening, good everyone. Img mikell then, and tonight, we will be discussing top i am mcelveen, and tonight, we will be discussing the top issues. Each candidate will have one minute to respond. Rebuttals will be at the moderators discretion. Begin with a threat emerging at a rapid pace. We are talking about cyber terrorism. Just about 10 days ago, i New Hampshire company was the victim of repeated attacks. It was an attack experts say could easily happen again. Some people worry attacks like these could disrupt the Financial Markets or knock out our power grid. A lot of people are talking about it. Senator ayotte, have you recommended any action that could be taken to stop this type of threat . My priority has been to keep New Hampshire and the country safe, serving on the Armed Services committee and serving on the Homeland Security committees. This issue of cyber terrorism is a grave threat. I have worked to make sure there are stronger agreements in place, including supporting legislation to allow the sharing of information between companies and the government when things like that happen to make sure we if itke the steps we need a state actor. We have to take this very seriously from states like iran and russia. Military diminish our because cyber command, which i needs the support and resources if we are going to stay safe. Governor hassan, you recently signed an executive order. The press release that followed was a little vague. I want to ask you what you think we should be doing at the federal level to counter cyber terrorism. Ms. Ayotte thank you for moderating tonight, to senator you foran thank moderating tonight, to senator a out for being here, and for the forers senator ayotte being here, and to all the viewers for being here tonight. Is keeping usity safe. In addition to adding troopers and making sure we have active Shooter Training for Law Enforcement and enhancing School Safety plans, Cyber Security. Making sure state employees have Cyber Security training. Establishing standards, getting rid of outdated hardware and software that made us more vulnerable. And the Integration Center you talked about is the next step in that process, making sure the stakeholders are working together to share information. Governor, over the past several months, Security Experts in the u. S. Pointed to russia as the culprit in several highprofile hacking cases. Chinaear, they pointed to as most likely involved in the theft of data at the office of u. S. Personnel management. U. S. Cyberhere Security Officials have evidence of a hack or cyber attack, should we encounter attack, try to steal information, or shutdown their systems . Should we counter with conventional warfare, or should the u. S. Do Something Else to respond . Thehassan thank you for question, and it is nice to see you tonight. Tableeverything is on the when it comes to keeping our country safe. What we have seen from russia in particular are acts of aggression, including, what looks like, according to our National Security community, aggressive cyber attack. We have all seen aggressive inion taken toward china regards to the Cyber Security arena. We have to continue to confront and hold accountable our nations for those kinds of attacks. Among the things we should consider doing are increasing sanctions against russia. Some acts of aggression have postcloseimir putin business allies great concern and weakened them. But everything is on the table. I think it is important that we continue to combat cyber aggression and cyber attack. Click same question. Ms. Ayotte i think very clearly, whether it is russia, china, or frankly i ran or other countries who are using Cyber Attacks, we have to address what and that means having the staffing capability within our Armed Services, making sure our Armed Services have the resources they need and the technical background. An if someone takes aggressive step, we need to make sure we address it in return. Unfortunately, when it comes to russia, this administration has not held russia accountable. Been aet policy has failure. We have not held them accountable for the invasion of ukraine or looking at what they have done in violating the inf treaty, whether it is Cyber Attacks or what they are doing in syria now. When we are not strong in terms return, wesay in will see them continue to act badly. Moderator return, we will see them continue to act i have a followup. H acceptedty muc that russia is trying to influence our election. Do you think they have been responsible have been successful in doing that . Ms. Ayotte i think our Defense Department will make sure they do not have an impact on our election or any other matter. I think this means being tough on actors like russia when they are violating international when they are circumventing International Law in terms of cyber crime, and when they are undermining our interest. I have been a strong critic of the lack of action on russia going back four years from now. Certainly, we have to do as much as we can to hold russia accountable. We talked about that just a little bit ago. But look, one of the things we know we have to do is continue to build alliances with nato allies, for instance, to make sure we have the resources and partnerships to hold russia accountable for its acts of aggression. I am very proud that in New Hampshire we have paper ballots and our Voting Machines are not hooked up to the internet. Hereprovides some security for voters. I know our national Security Experts are working hard to make sure we are protecting our electoral system. Concerning to me that the republican nominee in the president ial race has showered praise on vladimir putin, has praised him and in some ways invited him to make an attack of some sort on our electoral system, and thats one of the reasons i am so concerned that senator ayotte spent so much time supporting the nominee. Want tote when you talk about Cyber Security, who governorn hassan has followed on so many issues and really, has failed to call out on this issue she set up his private server transferring classified information, one of the most positions important in our government, and that put National Security at risk. If you want to talk about cyber crime, that could have put our National Security at risk. If she is not going to break with Hillary Clinton on this, when is she ever going to break with her . We need to make sure that we are standing up for the people of New Hampshire and the people of this country. This was egregious. Ms. Hassan i will always stand up to serve and protect the people of New Hampshire as i always have. I disagree with secretary clinton on her support to close guantanamo, for example. I disagree with her on the Internet Sales tax. I disagree on the vetting of refugees. And lets be clear, i have said repeatedly that her use of emails is a mistake. She has apologized. I think thats appropriate. Inhink what is on the line this race is whether we will have a senator who continues to fail to stand up to corporate interests. Or whether we will have somebody who puts new fans are New Hampshire first. Moderator speaking of the top of the ticket, you have both been asked repeatedly about it and now you will be again. [laughter] decision tos investigate new emails related to the private server has thrown on the election. Are you prepared to say tonight that you still believe Hillary Clinton is a leader americans can believe and trust, and do you have any concerns about her character . All, wean first of definitely need more information from director comey and the fbi. This issue has been investigated exhaustively. Secretary clinton has said she in the way shees used her emails and has appropriately apologized for that. This election is about how we can come together and build a stronger, more innovative state. We have an Unemployment Rate of 2. 9 , one of the lowest in the country. We have been named the most business friendly state in the country. Today inle are at work New Hampshire than at any time in our states history. We can Work Across Party Lines to build a Brighter Future for all people. Class ise growing and thriving. That is the vision i have and work toward. I support secretary clinton because she shares that vision and has a record of delivering on it. You said you wanted your 12 year old daughter to know that rejecting him for his vulgar comments about women was more than winning any election. Insultedously when he muslims, mexicans, and a disabled reporter, you did not pull your support. Why not . I called donald trump out on numerous occasions, including the examples that you gave. I stood up to my party on issues like the government shutdown, and i will stand up to both sides on behalf of the people of this state. But governor hassan, to call what Hillary Clinton did a mistake that has been exhaustively investigated, she has not stood up to Hillary Clinton. She will give you her talking points of where she differs, but what about issues like the trillion dollar tax increase Hillary Clinton wants. Will she stand up to Something Like that . Or addressing the concerns of Health Care Laws . The flawed iran agreement she followed Hillary Clinton on that is dangerous for the country in terms of the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world having access to nuclear infrastructure. I will stand up no matter what. I have done it and will continue to put the interests of the people of New Hampshire first. Ms. Hassan the fact is senator still supporting donald trump. She has sent out flyers that in donald trump needs are the senate to support his Supreme Court nominees. She supports the agenda of overturning roe versus wade. She can try to distance herself, as she did on multiple occasions, but in fact she has set on 35 different occasions that she supported him. She called him a role model for our children. When the political winds seemed to change, she changed her position. She has stood with her party, voting five times with ted cruz to shut the government down, and on a Supreme Court blockade. Ms. Ayotte these are the talking points from governor hassan, but my actions speak for themselves. She has not stepped away from Hillary Clinton on one thing. I have taken the action of being that i am not going to voting for our nominee because i am concerned about the actions that he has talked about and takes. Be voting for our nomineethat spea. I have done that time and time again in the senate. That is why i have one of the most bipartisan records. I focus on getting things done for the people of this state. She can use her talking points all she wants on this issue, but the people of this state know i will stand up for them no matter what. She is certainly not going to stand up for Hillary Clinton. If she cant call her out on the private email server, when is she going to call her out . It is great to be with both of you tonight. One of the reason these stakes party high is that one may be able to shape the landscape of the Supreme Court for decades to come with as many as three justices. How muchhassan, latitude would you give a President Donald Trump if he is duly elected by the american consideren you nominees for the Supreme Court and other federal judge ships . For thean thank you question. I am proud of the system we have in New Hampshire where the governor nominates people for the court and the executives confirmed those nominations. We have a nonpartisan Judicial Selection Commission that recommends candidates to the governor. I have always taken every any nominee from that list of recommendations. Over the last year or so, i have made 12 nominations to the court of New Hampshire, and 11 of those have been confirmed by a republican majority executive council. I know its possible to Work Across Party Lines to do this, which is why i am concerned about senator ayotte standing with her party to block a Supreme Court nomination. I look for character. Aghquality experience as lawyer. Temperament, and someone who will protect the civil rights of every american. , you were ayotte opposed to holding a hearing on senator obamas nominee mary garland. People weigherican in in 2012 when they elected barack obama . Certainly, the American People are going to weigh in next tuesday. They will cast their vote and will nominate someone to the Supreme Court. We have a divided court right now. We also have divided government. Letting the people weigh in, i thought, was important. But i also have a very bipartisan record where i voted theonfirm many of president s nominees, in fact, close to 100, and worked to fill members of his cabinet. Make sure that whoever is nominated by the next president understands what their constitutional philosophy is and what their demeanor is in terms of serving on the highest court in the land. Regard to the Supreme Court, do you think it is appropriate to have Lifetime Appointments . Ms. Ayotte i do. Its a lifetime confirmation. Our founders wanted to ensure there were three coequal branches of government and that branch would not be subject to political influence. So, this is important and obviously an issue i will carefully review on behalf of New Hampshire to make sure there Constitutional Rights are protected. Ms. Hassan i support lifetime withntments in accordance the constitution, but i am very concerned about senator ayottes support of the Supreme Court blockade. Divided government right now and unfortunately, the executive branch and legislative branch have been it ought. The Supreme Court served as a tiebreaker for that. Decided to bring gridlock as they having congress to the court. Just as she brought gridlock to that, she voted with ted cruz five times to shut the government down, only deciding andr it was shut down feeling the political heat of that in New Hampshire, then she decided she would be part of a solution. Similarly, she has voted to defund planned parentho