http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/democratic_404.mp3
Democratic Governor Bob Holden faced his primary challenger, State Auditor Claire McCaskill for the first time in a debate last night. The debate took place at Union Station in Kansas City. The two candidates took questions from a panel of four journalists. KSMU's Missy Shelton has this report.
THE CANDIDATES TOOK QUESTIONS FROM THE PANEL OF JOURNALISTS ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION, EDUCATION FUNDING, JOB CREATION AND CONCEALED WEAPONS.
BUT THE MORE INTERESTING QUESTIONS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH SPECIFIC ISSUES...LIKE THIS ONE FROM KCPT PUBLIC TELEVISION, EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER NICK HAINES.
STATE AUDITOR CLAIRE MC-CASKILL ANSWERED THE QUESTION FIRST.
THEN, IT WAS GOVERNOR BOB HOLDEN'S TURN.
BESIDES TAKING QUESTIONS FROM THE PANEL, THE CANDIDATES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO QUESTION EACH OTHER.
FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, THE HOLDEN AND MC-CASKILL HAVE BEEN USING TELEVISION ADS TO CHALLENGE EACH OTHER'S RECORD...MONDAY NIGHT, THEY GOT THE CHANCE TO DO THAT IN PERSON.
HOLDEN ASKED THE FIRST QUESTION.
THEN IT WAS MC-CASKILL'S TURN TO QUESTION THE GOVERNOR.
AT ONE POINT DURING THE DEBATE, HOLDEN ASKED MC-CASKILL WHY SHE DIDN'T STAND WITH HIM IN HIS BATTLE WITH THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE. MC-CASKILL HAD THIS TO SAY IN RESPONSE.
THE CANDIDATES WILL FACE OFF AGAIN TONIGHT IN ST LOUIS. YOU CAN HEAR THAT DEBATE LIVE HERE ON K-S-M-U AT 7 P-M.