FRANKLIN — Area Republicans, fiscal conservatives and others gathered at VFW Post 1698 to both eat and talk turkey with those running for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate.

Approximately 160 people attended the "Let's Talk Turkey about Spending" luncheon by Steward of Prosperity, a nonprofit, grassroots organization formed by self-described fiscal conservative Fred Tausch of Merrimack to hold politicians from both parties more accountable to taxpayers.

The candidates — Kelly Ayotte, Jim Bender, Bill Binnie, and Ovide Lamontagne — were invited to speak about what the organization sees as "runaway spending in Washington."

Kelly Ayotte, former state attorney general, spoke first and was introduced by Franklin City Mayor Ken Merrifield as someone who, while serving the state, "fought to keep children safe and public officials honest."

Ayotte began her speech by veering off the topic of spending to express her dismay that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, is being tried in New York.

She said it is a mistake because it will give Mohammed "a forum to spout off his anti-American ideals."

She added that Mohammed and others on trial may provide valuable information that other terrorists could use against the U.S.

"It's irresponsible decisions like that which are motivating me to run," Ayotte said, adding that she wants to help protect the country's national security and economic future.

Addressing government spending, Ayotte said the current generation is failing in its promise to leave the next generation better off.

"We are mortgaging our children's future," Ayotte said.

She said the U.S. government should not be spending money on bailout programs or trying to take control of health care.

"What they (Democrats) don't understand is that the strength of America doesn't come from our government," Ayotte said to raucous applause. "America's greatness comes from our people, our faith and our belief in personal responsibility; and, it comes from our small business owners and entrepreneurs."

She said if something isn't done to quickly reduce the national debt, which is approximately $12 trillion, it could be disastrous to the country's future.

"Professional politicians have put us on a path of economic destruction," Ayotte said. "Enough is enough."

Binnie of Rye, the second senatorial candidate to speak, owns Portsmouth-based Carlisle Capital Corp., as well as the Wentworth-by-the-Sea Country Club.

"I'm not a politician, I'm a businessman, that's how I see myself," Binnie said. "I know how difficult it is to run a small business because I own one."

Binnie said in his opinion, the troubles the nation is facing "start and end with jobs and economic security."

"If President (Barack) Obama and company talked about hope during their campaign I want to talk about reality," Binnie said, adding that changes to the health care system will make employers less likely to hire new people because they won't know what their health insurance expenses will be.

Lamontagne, a Manchester attorney and former gubernatorial candidate, also spoke of the "American dream" and how it is built on a promise that with hard work, determination and self discipline, people will prosper.

"But our generation is poised to break that promise to the next," Lamontagne said.

He said he is the candidate with the experience and conviction to go to Washington and reduce federal spending.

The top priority in Washington should be, according to Lamontagne, to balance the budget and reduce spending, then lawmakers can work on needed reforms.

Lamontagne said one reform he supports is 12-year term limits for congressmen, and he called the current system "incestuous."

He added that he also wants to the federal government to remain within its scope and not spend money on or control programs that, in his opinion, should be controlled on the state and local levels.

Lamontagne said he also favors starting each budget cycle at zero, adding back only what is necessary and working.

"Join me as we start a grassroots campaign to take back Congress," Lamontagne said.

Bender of Hollis is a businessman with 25 years experience, including founding the computer peripherals business IDEA and serving as a past president for Logicraft, a Nashua-based business.

Bender said from a business perspective, the U.S. government is "insolvent."

He said the decisions being made now in Washington will do long-term damage to the country, such as devaluing the American dollar.

"A free-falling dollar makes it impossible to borrow at low interest rates," Bender said, adding that a falling dollar will also lead America into debt with other countries.

"We cannot afford to put our destiny in the hands of foreign creditors," Bender said.

Merrifield, who is also active with the local Republican committee, said he was "thrilled" that the City of Franklin welcomed the four senatorial candidates.

"This was a great showcase for some of the wonderful talent we have in the Republican Party," Merrifield said.

Kerry Marsh, chairman of the New Hampshire Young Republicans, said she also pleased by the turnout and the candidates.

"The candidates did a great job in framing their message and introducing themselves to the crowd," Marsh said.

Karen Gallagher of Sanbornton, said she was glad she came to the event.

"They (the candidates) were all excellent, they were all saying things that I we've all been thinking," Gallagher said. "Now we have to determine who will be the strongest candidate to beat the Democratic candidate."

Guay/Staff photo At an event in Franklin on Saturday, Ovide Lamontagne, a Manchester attorney, said he would work to balance the federal budget, reduce overall spending and limit the scope of government if elected to the U.S. Senate. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

VICTORIA Guay/STAFF PHOTO At an event in Franklin on Saturday, Ovide Lamontagne, a Manchester attorney, said he would work to balance the federal budget, reduce overall spending and limit the scope of government if elected to the U.S. Senate. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

Bill Binnie, a businessman from Rye, said he is running for the U.S. Senate because he feels the role of federal government should be to make things easier for the country's small businesses so that they can create jobs and spark economic growth. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

VIICTORIA Guay/STAFF PHOTO Jim Bender used visual aids to demonstrate the increases in government spending he sees as unnecessary and harmful to the country's future. He was the last of four candidates to address a crowd of approximately 160 who came to the VFW hall in Franklin for an event sponsored by Steward of Prosperity, a Merrimack-based organization that promotes fiscal conservatism. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

Guay/Staff photos Jim Bender used visual aids to demonstrate the increases in government spending he sees as unnecessary and harmful to the country's future. He was the last of four candidates to address a crowd of approximately 160 who came to the VFW hall in Franklin for an event sponsored by Steward of Prosperity, a Merrimack-based organization that promotes fiscal conservatism. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale