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McConnell, Lunsford spar in hard-hitting debate
ERLANGER, Ky. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell touted his ability to deliver federal support for Kentucky while Democratic challenger Bruce Lunsford linked the Republican incumbent to the nation's woes in a debate Saturday that turned personal and acrimonious.
Lunsford and McConnell, the Senate's top Republican leader, sparred for about an hour in a hard-hitting debate hosted by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. The faceoff was unique in that the candidates questioned each other, with a moderator tracking time and the order of queries.
That format created sparks from the outset when Lunsford noted in a question that a group monitoring Congress had named McConnell one of the 20 most corrupt members of Congress.
McConnell, turning and pointing to Lunsford, said the challenger's comments were "an absolute outrage" and demanded an apology, saying the group has strong ties to Democrats.
"I thought we were going to have a civil debate here, rather than throw mud at each other," McConnell said.
No apology was forthcoming. Instead, Lunsford said McConnell was part of a Washington insider's group that has been loose with taxpayers' money and puts themselves first.
