McConnell, Grimes escape only debate gaffe-free
LEXINGTON, KY (WAVE) – Kentucky's U.S. Senate candidates threw partisan attacks at one another but escaped from their only scheduled debate without suffering a campaign-changing mistake.
Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes was more aggressive and several times interrupted to make points. Sen. Mitch McConnell often smiled during Grimes' answers, then called into question her truthfulness during his own lengthy answers.
While both candidates avoided a blunder – what many political observers said was likely their main objective in a tight race – they each had to answer questions about issues that have sparked controversy.
“Why are you reluctant to say whether you voted for President Obama?” Bill Goodman, host of KET's “Kentucky Tonight” and the event's moderator, asked Grimes.
“There's no reluctance,” Grimes answered. “This is a matter of principle. Our Constitution here in Kentucky grants the right to privacy at the ballot box.”
National pundits have criticized Grimes for repeatedly failing to answer the question about Obama, who is unpopular in Kentucky. Grimes has tried to steer away from ties to the president.
Meanwhile, McConnell had to explain what he believed should be done with Kynect, the state's health insurance exchange, if he was successful in his goal of repealing the federal health care law.
“It's a state exchange – they can continue it if they'd like to,” McConnell said in response to Goodman's questioning. “It's fine, yeah. I think it's fine to have a website.”
McConnell said many of the 500,000 people who got health insurance through Kynect could find it cheaper in the private market. He didn't name specifics on what those people should do if the federal law were repealed.
Grimes entered KET's building through the main entrance as her supporters screamed and McConnell's backers chanted their disapproval.
Grimes' campaign released a video showing McConnell entering through a separate entrance. Neither candidate took questions afterward.
“Alison showed a strong performance versus a senator who was testy and angry,” Jonathan Hurst, Grimes' campaign manager told reporters afterward.
“Tonight, her talking points ran into fact,” countered Josh Holmes, McConnell's adviser, who said he expected Grimes to be the aggressor but that McConnell defended himself well.
Both campaign officials said it was possible Kentucky voters would quickly see ads based on the KET debate performance.
Grimes and McConnell shared a brief handshake inside the studio and then sat side-by-side for about 10 minutes before the program started. Goodman broke the silence by talking with both of them, but there were few smiles between the candidates.
During the event, the candidates regularly smiled during one another's answers before making their rebuttals.
“I hate to interrupt,” Grimes said toward the end of the debate. “But ‘under this administration' – we've used that over and over again. Senator McConnell fails to see he has a role in all the jobs we've lost in this state.”
McConnell regularly chastised Obama, at one time saying his administration has “crushed the economy,” and tied Grimes with the president.
“Secretary Grimes' whole campaign has been designed to deceive people into thinking she's something she isn't,” McConnell said.
The two candidates now return to the campaign trail, as Grimes welcomes former First Lady Hillary Clinton to Louisville on Wednesday.
The two will hold a fundraiser at the 21c Hotel downtown, with tickets fetching up to $2,600 apiece – before appearing at a rally at the Kentucky International Convention Center that's open to the public.
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