US Senate Debate

[Kire]

Republican incumbent Arlen Specter might be leading comfortably in the polls, but during yesterday's hourlong debate in the Pittsburgh studios of WTAE-TV, the senator went after Democratic challenger Joe Hoeffel as if they were neck-and-neck.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04277/389678.stm

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In several heated exchanges, Hoeffel sought to align Specter with what he called the "failed policies of the Bush administration." Specter stressed his 24-year record of delivering jobs and federal dollars to Pennsylvania and said Hoeffel had accomplished little in his three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/9823856.htm

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Specter came out aggressively despite holding a double-digit lead in the polls. The four-term incumbent bypassed the moderator frequently to question Hoeffel directly, challenging his position on Iraq and what Specter called a failure to pass significant legislation.

Hoeffel, a three-term congressman from Montgomery County, swung back, accusing Specter of squandering his 24 years of seniority by siding with President Bush against Pennsylvania on issues such as tax cuts and conservative judicial appointments.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a8_5debateoct03,0,1158974.story?coll=all-newslocal-hed

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No poll has asked voters about the campaign of Libertarian Betsy Summers of Wilkes-Barre, who said of the debate, "I think it helped my campaign because a lot of people don't even know who I am."

That is a problem she shares with Hoeffel, still unknown by almost three voters in five. Clymer and Summers are known to less than 1 voter in 20.

http://www.pennlive.com/statehouse/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1096795327208490.xml