Shea-Porter and Patch Blogger Butt Heads Over Cable Show

The last several months, Kathy Benuck has been hosting a series of interviews with state and county candidates on her Tell it Like it is show on Bedford Community Television. Not once, she said, has she had a complaint regarding her fairness and objectivity.

That is, she added, until she hosted former congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, who is running for reelection against Rep. Frank Guinta, who defeated her for New Hampshire's 1st District seat two years ago, or another Republican, .

Today, Benuck published a detailing her version of the conflict, which she said began following the show's taping Monday (see attached YouTube video to see the show, which will air on BCTV beginning Friday, Aug. 31.

Benuck said she enjoyed a cordial conversation with Shea-Porter following the taping and even discussed future shows and possible debate between the congressional candidates, but was surprised when both Shea-Porter and Jerry Hanauer, chairman of the Bedford Democratic Committee, called to express concerns and asked for a retaping of the show, with Benuck supplying questions ahead of the interview, something she steadfastly said she refuses to provide for any candidate on her show.

Today, Shea-Porter told the Union Leader that she didn't believe the questions presented by Benuck were either fair or factual.

“(The show) was just repeating right-wing talking points,” Shea-Porter told the UL. “We should have a show actually with the issues.”

In response, Guinta's campaign team on Patch.

“Former congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter hasn’t had a single town hall meeting, rarely releases a public schedule, and has a website that offers no opportunity for Granite Staters to see where she stands on the most important issues facing our country," said Derek Dufresne, spokesman for Guinta for Congress. "Despite the New Hampshire tradition of being open and accessible, it’s no surprise the former Congresswoman is trying to hide from her partisan Washington record once again.”