CONCORD – Congressman Charles Bass beat Berlin Mayor Bob Danderson in the Republican primary Tuesday, setting up a rematch with Democrat Paul Hodes, whom he defeated two years ago.

With 29 of 188 precincts counted, 15 percent, Bass had 1,726 votes, 73 percent, to Danderson's 373, or 16 percent, and Mary Maxwell's 280 votes, 12 percent. But Bass easily won towns in Danderson's North Country base including Clarksville, Dummer and Langdon.

Even before the dust settled on the primary, Bass and Hodes took aim at each other over Iraq.

Bass "wants to stay the course in a policy that's a mess without a plan," Hodes said. "Staying the course in Iraq is like saying `I'm in a deep hole and I'm just going to keep digging.'"

Bass shot back: "If he wants to cut and run and get out of there, he ought to say it. If he doesn't, then he's basically got the same position I have."

Both said they want to see troop reductions in Iraq. Bass restated his support for President Bush, but said: "We need to be prepared to change our game plan if the situation on the ground changes. I think we will see significant troop reductions in the next couple years ... but it has to be a strategic redeployment, not a political one."

Hodes said he envisions withdrawal in six to 18 months, starting with the National Guard and Reserves, "then, over a period of time, as we work on reconstruction and training, repositioning the troops, probably in Kurdistan and other foreign countries." Hodes said he is getting substantial support from Democrats nationally who hope voter anger at President Bush will let them claim the traditionally Republican seat.

Bass said that could backfire because New Hampshire voters don't appreciate interference from outsiders.

Both men identified energy policy, health care, national security and the environment as defining issues going forward.

Bass, 54, of Peterborough, is seeking his seventh term in the seat his father held from 1955 to 1963.

Hodes, 55, of Concord, is a lawyer in private practice and a former assistant state attorney general and special prosecutor. He and his wife, Peggo, are well-known musicians as well.

The two men are closely matched in campaign funds, based on reports through Aug. 23. Bass had more than $500,000 left to spend of the $700,000 he'd raised. Hodes had $410,000 left of $854,000 raised.

Danderson, heavily outspent in the GOP primary, promoted himself as a working man who had more in common with voters than Bass, who's from a prominent, well-to-do family. Bass praised Danderson for his work as mayor.

"Berlin's had some hard times and (Danderson) came to the city with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and he works hard," Bass said.