Campaign Notebook: Accusations Fly in Senate Debate

Senate

Chris Murphy and Linda McMahon repeated many of the same accusations in their first debate on Sunday that have been taking over the airwaves in the past few weeks.

According to the Huffington Post:

The sparring over Medicare repeated a pattern that had emerged far earlier in the debate: rarely did the candidates' responses to questions stray from predetermined national talking points and scripted zingers.

There were no knockout moments on Sunday. Murphy and McMahon replayed battles that have been fought ad nauseum over the course of the race. Murphy hit McMahon for her bankruptcy, while McMahon criticized Murphy over his mortgage troubles. The two also argued over the Murphy campaign's claim that much of McMahon's jobs plan was cribbed from outside sources.

The candidates debate again on Oct. 11 from 7-8 p.m. at the University of Connecticut. Two more are planned after the Oct. 11 debate.

Third District

Wayne Winsley told the Hartford Courant that he’s the “right candidate at the right time” to unseat long-time incumbent Rosa DeLauro.

DeLauro reportedly declined an interview with the Hartford Courant, but issued a statement saying, "I have focused on such issues as job creation, health care, equal pay, nutrition and food safety. I will continue my efforts to rebuild our economy and the middle class, and to create jobs."

Fourth District

The national unemployment rate dropped somewhat unexpectedly to 7.8 percent last week. In light of the news, Jim Himes and Steve Obsitnik offered their views on the economy – and how to improve the recovery – in this article by The Hour.