Blumenthal, McMahon Jab And Retreat In Opening Debate

Democrat Richard Blumenthal and Republican Linda McMahon left their inaugural debate Monday night satisfied that neither had suffered a gaffe likely to haunt the remaining 28 days of their U.S. Senate campaign.

On the Bushnell stage in Hartford, Blumenthal and McMahon alternately threw jabs and retreated to well-practices lines directly out of their TV ads. The one-hour debate was televised live on FoxCT, giving voters statewide a chance to see them side-by-by for the first time.

By two measures, Blumenthal could claim a slight advantage:

He repeatedly forced McMahon to defend her stewardship of World Wrestling Entertainment. And nothing transpired that redefines a race that he leads in all recent polls, despite facing an opponent who already has spent more than $24 million, a record in Connecticut.

"I feel very good about this debate. I feel great about the campaign," said Blumenthal, who quickly made his way to a post-debate press conference. "I am energized, as is our campaign."

With every poll showing that the only issue of consequence is jobs, McMahon's post-debate comments tried to refocus reporters on Blumenthal's lack of business experience.

"I really believe it was clear from the folks watching at home and those that were in the auditorium that as we look at what is the number one issue in our country, which is jobs and creating jobs, Mr. Blumenthal does not know anything about creating jobs," she said.

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