Blumenthal And McMahon Spar In Heated New London Debate

The candidates for Connecticut’s U.S. Senate seat repeatedly strayed from the issues in their third televised debate to launch personal attacks on one another. Richard Blumenthal and Linda McMahon faced off in New London Tuesday evening. WNPR’s Harriet Jones reports.

Blumenthal and McMahon took on issues ranging from jobs and healthcare reform to spending control and trade policy in what will probably be their last televised match up. Republican McMahon had an opportunity to set the record straight on the recent controversy over her views on the minimum wage.

"I absolutely do not believe that we should cut the minimum wage. Before the minimum wage is increased we should review it, and I think that’s a prudent position for any senator or any legislator to take."

Democrat Blumenthal defended his insistence that sunsetting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans would not affect small businesses.

"Only a small fraction of small businesses would be affected by extending those tax cuts to the wealthiest 2%. In fact, the average small business has income of about $40,000, well below the cut-off that I believe should be applied."

But both candidates repeatedly raised their own questions over the other’s record and credibility, with McMahon branding her opponent as a career politician out of touch with the needs of business.

"He absolutely has a record of tax and spend, he voted with the democratic party 99% of the time. We don’t want a rubber stamp in Washington to continue to follow through on the same policies."

Blumenthal countered with his most outspoken attacks to date on McMahon’s record in running her company, World Wrestling Entertainment. He accused her of marketing sex and violence to children, and of callous treatment of her workers.

"I might say my opponent would have more credibility on the issue of taxes if she had not taken a tax credit last year to create jobs, and then laid off 10% of her workforce and taken home $46 million."

The audience grew increasingly vocal towards the end of the debate, as the candidates attempted to land more blows on each other, and moderator Ann Nyberg repeatedly had to call for calm.

"They know that you had a hard time telling the truth…[boos]…. Ladies and gentlemen please……"

The night ended in recrimination with Blumenthal accusing McMahon of putting profits before people, while the Republican accused him of have a credibility problem with the people of Connecticut.

For WNPR, I'm Harriet Jones.