GOFFSTOWN — Nine of the lesser-known Republican presidential candidates sounded off at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics Monday night, followed by seven of their Democratic counterparts in an event that ranged from the bold and brilliant to the borderline and bizarre.

GOP lesser-known Dr. Hugh Cort warned the room of the existential threat posed to the United States by Iran. “Iran is planning a nuclear attack on the U.S. in the very near future,” Cort said, citing a leading Iranian newspaper that said there are elements in American cities that will detonate nukes in American cities.

Via the “Iran-Venezuela-Mexico pipeline,” Cort said Iran is hoping to usher in a messiah and can bring anything it wants into the United States.

Beth LaMontagne Hall from the Union Leader and Ambassador Terry Shumaker asked the candidates several rounds of questions on a range of topics, from jobs and Afghanistan to energy and the Supreme Court.

Shumaker asked candidate Bear Betzler what he offers that the mainstream candidates don’t?

Betzler said that unhindered by special interests he “can be free to evaluate the problems uniquely and specifically (rather than) pandering to lobbyists and other interest groups.”

Timothy Brewer came to tell the audience that “the afterlife is possible.”

Hall asked Brewer for his views on faith. “Everything I count on has to be measured,” he said, “so that’s what I do, I measure things, I paint pictures.”

Jeff Lawman described himself as a “fiscal conservative, social moderate, environmental progressive,” saying he was running a “zero-dollar grassroots campaign.”

Ambassador Terry Shumaker asked Joe Story about appointments to the Supreme Court. Story said he would look for strict constitutional judgment, saying decisions should not be made on precedents, but on the Constitution.

The seven Democrats came out next.

Bob Greene, who holds a Ph.D. in physics, said he was running to educate the population about thorium, an overlooked energy alternative. “We have enough thorium for all of our energy needs over the next thousand years,” Greene said.

Vermin Supreme, the perennial satirical candidate who runs on a platform of zombie preparedness and a pony for each American, came wearing about seven neckties and a giant boot over his head.

“Strong teeth for a strong America,” said Supreme in his introduction. “My name is Vermin Supreme. I am a friendly fascist … A vote for Vermin Supreme is a vote completely thrown away.”

Three of seven said they’d support Obama, and all but one said they agreed with the Second Amendment.

Candidate John Wolfe said “I’m in the race because there’s a progressive void that’s left by President Obama,” who has sided with Wall Street, where most of his funding comes from.

John Haywood called for the establishment of national health care modeled on the British plan, which “is incredibly more efficient,” costs 42 percent what the American system costs and covers everyone.

Democrat Randal Terry said Barack “Hussein” Obama may go down as the worst President in history.

Although none of the 16 men at Saint Anselm College are likely to become the 45th President, the vibrancy they lend to the process is part of what makes American democracy what it is.