Among the comments so far at the Meridian Chamber of Commerce 1st CD candidate forum: GOP candidate Raul Labrador said, "The Democratic Party is destroying our nation." He said "the worst thing we can do" is send Democratic Congressman Walt Minnick back for a second term.

Minnick, who like Labrador was responding to a question about how to reduce the federal deficit, said, "We're going to have to do some things that are unpopular and Draconian. ... There can't be any sacred cows. ... All options need to be left on the table. We must balance the federal budget. Send me back - it'll be my No. 1 priority."

Labrador's comment on reducing the deficit: First extend the Bush tax cuts.