Brown and Warren Debate in Western MA

The change in scenery helped shift the focus in the latest US Senate debate. Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren stuck to their campaign themes, but the 90 mile drive to Springfield forced the candidates to focus on issues important to western Massachusetts.

The previous two debates were mostly notable for tone and character.  This debate included shout outs to local audiences.

“[Warren:] So this afternoon, Bruce and I were driving in the car out here to Springfield.  And we were driving along the same road, in the same car, as when we came this summer, when we were driving to Jiminy Peak with our two little granddaughters.”

“[Brown]:  I used to live here. I worked  down on State street, I lived over near Winick. I understand.  I visited Friendly’s, and Milano’s, the Big E, Mass Mutual and many other businesses and they’re hurting right now.”

The debate also dealt with big issues facing the entire state and country. 

Senator Scott Brown and challenger Elizabeth Warren outlined opposing views on topics ranging from jobs to women’s rights.

One of the biggest differences between the two candidates was on taxes. 

Warren said she would let the Bush tax cuts expire on the wealthiest two percent so as to lower the federal  deficit. 

Brown on the other hand, wants to extend the tax cuts for everyone.  And he would not support raising taxes on the rich.

Throughout the debate, Warren repeatedly blasted Brown for siding with millionaires and billionaires at the expense of average Americans.

“On the buffet rule for example, asking billionaires to pay a fair share, to pay at least at the rate their secretaries pay, Senator Brown voted with the billionaires.  Not with the secretaries.”

Brown countered that raising taxes would be bad for the economy and job creation. 

“That 2 percent you’re talking about?  Those are people who are actually out there creating jobs.  Many of those, a substantial amount of those people are actually hired by those job creators.” 

In this debate, Scott Brown turned down his aggressive tone.  And he didn’t  bring up Elizabeth Warren’s claims to Native American ancestry like he did in the other two debates.  One of the only personal attacks came when Brown was s asked what was contributing to the soaring costs of college and student debt: 

“and one of the largest driving forces behind the high cost of education is administrative costs.  And as we know, Professor Warren makes about 350 thousand dollars to teach one course.  She got a zero interest loan at Harvard and gets housing and other perks.”

The Brown-Warren race is very tight and much of the nation is watching.  The Cook Political Report lists the race as a tossup.  The candidates will have one final chance to debate on October 30^th  in Boston.