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Both Parties Have High Hopes For Lone Senate Debate

Offices of Sen. McConnell and Sec. Grimes

Although they’ve shared a stage several times since the May primary, Monday night’s televised exchange between Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes and incumbent Republican Senator Mitch McConnell is the only official debate. 

Kentucky Tonight begins at 7 p.m. central/8 p.m. eastern on Kentucky Educational Television.

Representatives from both parties are optimistic their candidate will come out on top.

Russ Wilkey, chairman of the Daviess County Democratic Party says he’d like to see more than just one debate.

“Probably the more debates the better for the challenger,” said Wilkey. “You know, my personal feeling is that I get really nervous watching debates. It’s like me watching a UK basketball game, I get really nervous.”
Wilkey says Grimes should focus on the coal industry and jobs and issues affecting Kentucky women.

“Alison needs to talk about women’s issues – what we commonly identify as ‘women’s issues’: equal pay for equal work, raising the minimum wage;  what it means to be a woman and a mother and a wife trying to raise a family in 21st century Kentucky,” said Wilkey.

Warren County Republican Party chairman Scott Lasley says Sen. McConnell will likely continue his strategy of linking his opponent to the White House.

“Particularly being able to tie Alison Lundergan Grimes’ positions to those of, not only of President Obama, but also to the Senate majority right now, led by Harry Reid,” said Lasley.

Lasley also says McConnell’s vast experience in Washington will help in the debate.

“He’s at his best right now when he’s able to discuss policy and talk about the details and the nuances,” said Lasley. “He’s been there. Nobody understands the process or the policy or what’s going on in Washington better than him.”

Libertarian Senate candidate David Patterson, who will appear on the November 4th ballot, will not be on the set Monday night. Over the weekend, a federal judge ruled KET was within its rights not to invite Patterson.

As the two major party candidates prepare for the debate, each released new campaign ads.  Grimes’ latest ads feature former Kentucky Senator Wendell Ford while McConnell’s campaign slam Grimes for sidestepping questions about who she voted for in the last presidential election.

The award-winning news team at WKU Public Radio consists of Dan Modlin, Kevin Willis, Lisa Autry, and Joe Corcoran.
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