The highly anticipated debate between U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is now history. There were no obvious blunders or bombshell political revelations during Monday night's KET broadcast.
As expected, McConnell spoke with confidence about becoming senate leader in 2015. Grimes echoed repeatedly, that after 30 years in Washington, the senior senator is out of touch with Kentucky's needs. Coal was a prominent topic during the debate. Grimes said she differs with the president on coal policies. "We have to reign in the EPA, but we also have to work across the aisle in a coalition effort," said Grimes.
McConnell maintained federal regulations have cost thousands of miners their jobs. "My job is to look out for Kentucky's coal miners. This administration has engaged in an assault on our coal industry," said McConnell.
During an exchange about the minimum wage, McConnell said he favors expanding the earned income tax credit. "The problem are those who are employed and not making enough. A much better way to do it without killing any jobs at all is the earned income tax credit, which is already a part of the tax law and ought to be grown and expanded," added McConnell.
Grimes said increasing the minimum wage is a key part of her platform. She added, strategic investments need to be priority. "We have to have someone who wants to invest in the infrastructure projects we need here in Kentucky, the science technology and math programs. We have to have someone who actually wants to bring eastern and western Kentucky on line," explained Grimes.
Neither candidate made comments to reporters following the broadcast. A third candidate, Libertarian David Patterson, filed a suit challenging KET's decision to exclude him from the debate. Patterson's request was denied.
