Democrat Diane Farrell, standing in for the prosecution, used incumbent 4th District U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays' party affiliation to cudgel him on topics from the war in Iraq to health care.

Shays sought to redirect the discourse to his record, decrying Farrell as too partisan, and at one point ticking off a list of what he portrayed as bipartisan accomplishments.

"I don't like the way she thinks, Republicans and Democrats," Shays said. "I think we think of ourselves as Americans first."

That line was one of a very few to receive applause from the audience of several hundred people gathered in the high school auditorium for the hour-and-a-half debate, which kicked off at 7:30 Thursday night.

Much of the rest of the applause (verboten under house rules) was reserved for Libertarian Phil Maymin, who sought to portray his two opponents as flip sides of an overgrown, out-of-control government.

He delivered his best-received zinger in response to a question about the USA Patriot Act: "If lawmakers cannot protect our rights, then we need less lawmakers, not less rights."

The debate was sponsored by the Connecticut League of Women Voters. The format allowed each candidate to respond to the questions, drawn from the audience. They were free to rebut, but their total time at the end of the debate had to be roughly equal.

Shays, who in his 19 years in Congress has portrayed himself as a maverick, at times criticized the Bush administration — particularly in its leadership in the Iraq war — but also praised it for standing up against terrorism.

In response to a question on North Korea's recent nuclear test, he singled out the Clinton administration for a deal that may have helped the North Koreans to obtain enriched uranium in exchange for the communist nation giving up plutonium programs. He said Bush also took on Iran over its clandestine nuclear program.

"Give the administration credit for outing the North Koreans and Iranians," he said.

Farrell, the former Westport first selectwoman who narrowly lost to Shays two years ago, shot back: "The argument that you have just heard from Chris Shays is, 'Let's give the Bush administration credit — the North Koreans just detonated a nuclear device and Bush outed them.' "

Shays, vice chairman of the Government Reform Committee and a member of the Homeland Security and Financial Services committees, touted achievements during 19 years in Congress, including passing the assault rifle ban, providing $150 million for housing in Stamford and holding 97 hearings on terrorism and Iraq.

"Have you heard her offer anything but criticism? Have you heard her offer any solutions?" he asked.

Wilton resident Amy Quigley said she probably won't change her vote after the debate.

"I'm a Democrat and I'm voting for Diane Farrell," said Quigley, who owns a small advertising specialties business.

But she said Maymin left a strong impression and that his performance was "refreshing" even though she "violently" disagrees on his pro-gun stance.