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While all eyes are fixed on the upcoming presidential and vice-presidential debates, the candidates in the tightest Senate races across the country are gearing up for an October slog of face-to-face exchanges.
And in some cases, they’ve already begun.
Last week, candidates in three of the most closely watched contests -- Virginia, Massachusetts, and Missouri -- faced off for the first time.
This week, two more fiercely contested contests are holding debates, both in presidential swing states.
Tonight in Reno, Nev., U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D) and Sen. Dean Heller (R) take the stage for the first time this season. Both candidates have been camera shy, mostly avoiding the press and TV interviews while their race has primarily played out on the airwaves -- becoming one of the most contentious campaigns in the country.
In July, the House Ethics Committee voted unanimously to investigate Berkley over conflicts of interest and lack of disclosure. Heller said last week “The most unethical, corrupt person I’ve ever met in my life is Shelley Berkley.”
Berkley, meanwhile, is linking Heller to corruption in her latest TV ad. “Meet Eddie Floyd, a crooked businessman who pled guilty to laundering drug money. A friend of Dean Heller’s,” the Berkley ad begins.
Tonight's Berkley-Heller showdown is the first of three debates between the candidates. They will meet again in Las Vegas on Oct. 11th and on Jon Ralston’s “Face to Face” program on Oct. 15.
In Wisconsin tomorrow night, U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D) and former Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) also will meet for the time. The race has seen as a jolt of competitiveness lately with several polls showing Baldwin surging against Thompson.
Baldwin and Thompson have agreed to two more debates -- on Oct. 18 and Oct. 26, both of which will be broadcast statewide.
Former Nebraska Gov. and U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey (D) and his Republican opponent, state Sen. Deb Fischer (R), will also face off tomorrow night for their second time. In their first match-up, on Aug. 25, both accused the other of kowtowing to partisan interests while championing themselves as a bridge builder.
Kerrey, having served as president of the New School in New York City for 12 years, took on the “carpet bagging” issue.
"This is the second time I've left and come back. And nobody called me a carpetbagger when I came back from Vietnam," he said.
And there will be plenty of other debates next month -- in the Senate contests in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, and New Mexico.
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IMHO: It was politics in 1861 also ws it not? How do you think wars get started in the first place. In the end it ALWAYS comes down to politics or religion or both. You have the same sort of incendiary comments being said today that were heard in 1860-61. Remember the Republican representative in California who posted on his website that the president of the United States along with his two yound daughters should be assassinated. There were many other calls by republicans for the president's assassination as well. And there were also calls for the assassination of George W. Bush by some democrats as well during his presidentcy. All it takes to ignite a war is a spark at the right time and place. That is what happen in 1861 and in darn well could happen today. Go ahead idiot and stick your haed in the sand and make jokes about it. They also did that too in 1860-61 then the killing starteed and the laughter stopped. I for one say it is time to bring back some common sense and sanity.
Be advised that you are imposing an abomination upon the GOP platform on all fronts, candidly if you're liberal. It's not about being liberal. It's about putting in the right people to "Act" for the American people and this country -not elitists, or self absorbed entities. Republicans are switching away from Romney. Senate seats are now at stake.
The issue should be talked over with Dragon Mitchell McConnell, of Kentucky's hooded servant. Oh, my I add "the IRS is looking at Crossroads GPS for abusing tax-exempt status..." and you trust Congress as you do Mitt Romney's camp. Their agenda is failing!
WORD ON THE STREET is Harry Reid will never work with a Republican house.
I'm sure whoever is in charge of the questions asked has the "softball" questions all lined up for 0bama. Gotta make the chosen one look good you know.
somewhere in alaska, sarah palin is lying on the couch watching tv ... laughing and kicking her feet in the air saying "thank you Mitt, now they know why i was picked over you! now they know im not the dumbest"
OBAMA 2012
Then she'll look at Russia through her kitchen window and shoot a moose.
Make signs for the Bus to have on its sides , and for people to carry , listing every factory closed in the last few years in their state. and highlight the ones Bain/Mitt and his buddies got richer , out of closing. I believe the CEOs of Mitt's prime years between 1970-2000 hated Americans. and moved jobs to other countries , just to get rich , and show their power , instead of keeping them here , and work with regulators. and the IRS , and governments , to keep our country strong...they don't care , they own homes in other countries , if we kicked them out , they'd just move there.