By RAY HACKETT Norwich Bulletin

NEW LONDON -- In their first debate of the year Monday, U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District, and Democratic challenger Joseph Courtney spent the first half of the session almost entirely on the Iraq War, sparring over their different approaches on how best to proceed.

"Today, I think our intelligence is better. I think we're safer, but we have a lot more to do," Simmons said, rejecting any proposal for a deadline for withdrawal of American forces.

Courtney, who also opposes a set timetable for withdrawal, but favors a change in the policy, said: "What's missing is a leadership that is not committed to what's actually happening on the ground."

Simmons responded: "Let me remind you that we're running for Congress, not president. You're talking about a change in policy that might be possible if you run for president."

The debate between Simmons and Courtney Monday night at the Garde Arts Center in New London was one of a handful of face-to-face debates planned in the next 49 days before the Nov. 7 election. It is the second time the two men have faced each other, with Simmons winning the first contest in 2002 by 8 percentage points.

And as it was then, this race is considered one of the top 10 congressional races in the country and a critical test for Democrats looking to win back control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Still, the crowd for Monday's debate was considerably smaller than in past years.

"I think voters are going to wait until the last month before deciding," said Wayne Frasier of East Lyme, a Republican who attended the debate to support Simmons' re-election bid. "And I think they'll make a decision on their own values."

Rosemary Coyle of Colchester, a Democrat supporting Courtney said: "I think the enthusiasm and support for Joe Courtney is continuing to grow. It's time for a change from the Bush policies. The debates set the tones of the candidates, and the public needs to see that these two candidates are very much different."

Both candidates stayed on point throughout the one-hour event, Simmons touting his record of accomplishment and Courtney hammering home the idea Simmons is a staunch supporter of the Bush Administration policies.

The debate was sponsored by The Day of New London, League of Women Voters of Southeastern Connecticut and WTNH Channel 8. It was broadcast live Monday on Channel 9, and will be rebroadcast at 5 p.m. Sunday on Channel 8.

In addition to Iraq, questions poised by a panel of journalists touched on education, health care, the economy and the senior prescription drug program, with Simmons saying changes regarding those issues and adopted by Congress have been good and Courtney arguing they were not.

On the issue of the Medicare prescription drug program, a centerpiece of Courtney's candidacy, the challenger likened the "doughnut hole" in the program to buying a new car.

"After 2,000 miles, you have to get out and walk the next 3,000 miles -- and still make the car payments," he said, criticizing the coverage gap that comes after $2,000 in yearly expenses.

Simmons, who cast the deciding vote in favor of the plan, noted a recent survey by the Kaiser Group reported 85 percent satisfaction among seniors enrolled in the program, and criticized Courtney's call to simply "throw out the program."

The issue of the senior prescription drug program will likely play a bigger role in the next scheduled debate hosted by the Connecticut Chapter of the AARP. That forum is scheduled for Oct. 7 in Mystic.