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Politics & Government

Local Dems Gather to Watch Blumenthal - McMahon Debate

New Democratic HQ is packed for the first of three debates between the Senate candidates.

They literally spilled out the door to watch their candidate figuratively wipe the floor with his opponent.

"He looks nervous, but he's giving it back to her," said Jenny Castellano of Greenwich.

More than 30 people gathered at New Canaan's newly inaugurated Democratic headquarters to watch the first of three debates between Democratic Attorney General Dick Blumenthal and Linda McMahon, the Republican CEO of the World Wrestling Entertainment.

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The two candidates are engaged in a competitive contest to win Sen. Chris Dodd's soon to be vacant seat.

The debate, held at Hartford's Bushnell Center for Performing Arts, covered a host of issues, including small business, health care, job creation, and the war in Afghanistan.

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The crowd in New Canaan considered their candidate victorious.

"He came across as more comfortable for him than he has in the past," said Stamford resident Rich Agatstein. "So that's good. He has been stiff before."

Blumenthal criticized McMahon for what he said was her plan to lower the minimum wage. He also chastised WWE's hiring of lobbyists to influence legislation.

"She's made money on a company that markets sex and violence," Blumenthal said.

For Toddy Turrentine of New Canaan he didn't go far enough.

"As a woman and a mother I would have liked to see him hit harder on the nature of her business, like the 'Girls Gone Wild' pornography sites," Turrentine said.

According to Politico.com, WWE worked with the 'Girls Gone Wild' enterprise for a pay-per-view event.

McMahon called attention to Blumenthal's lack of business experience, his support of repealing Bush-era tax rates, and the controversy surrounding his military service in the Vietnam era.

During the evening the aroma of pizza wafted through the air and Nancy Barton, candidate for state Senate, served the crowd slices. Most declined, focused on the match unfolding on the above screen.

Throughout the debate the crowd remained respectfully rapt. Except when they broke the silence with cheers or jeers. 

"She looks very sour," said one woman as McMahon answered a question about small business.

For a state with an 8.9 percent unemployment rate the economy ranks high on the list of things that need changing.

While Blumenthal advocates government presence to attract and keep jobs, McMahon favors slashing the 35 percent corporate tax rate in Connecticut.

But neither candidate offered many specifics during the debate on exactly how they would create jobs.

"Every candidate is going to say they're for jobs. And it all sounds good and we all want to hear it," said Agatstein, who tallied how many times the senate hopefuls uttered the word jobs.  For the record, Blumenthal mentioned jobs about 28 and McMahon about 30.

Turrentine of New Canaan agreed more specificity is needed.

"I'd like to hear more about how to transition the economy from manufacturing. We need to think outside the box so the educated don't leave," said Turrentine.

To underscore the race's negativity, the moderator aired ad footage from each side. Both candidates then responded.

McMahon's new ad, which aired hours before the debate, shows footage of Blumenthal misleadingly referring to his service in Vietnam. In it Blumenthal says, "We have learned something important since the days I served in Vietnam."

Blumenthal never actually served in Vietnam during wartime. Instead, he deferred several times before joining the Marine Corps Reserve.

Blumenthal responded to the ad saying that he remains proud of his service.

 "I described it inaccurately. I am sorry, particularly to our Vietnam veterans," Blumenthal said. "I have championed their cause for more than 20 years and will continue to do so."

The crowd appeared pleased.

"The way he handled the question on Vietnam was good," said Linda, a resident from New Canaan who refused to give her last name. "I've known him for many years and he is a member of the Connecticut community. Linda McMahon is rough edged."

Many in the crowd nodded in approval when Blumenthal called the health care legislation a good start.

 Yet when McMahon said tort reform should have been on the table, she also repeated her call for a repeal of the health care legislation.

"We need to repeal it or start over from the beginning, or continue to see doctors leave the profession or not take Medicare," McMahon said.

Medicare is proposing rate hikes for seniors seeking supplemental care, according to Connecticut State Medical Society.

 "That's the only valid thing she's said," said one woman in the room.

For some, watching the debate with a roomful of like-minded voters was about more than solidarity. It was about service.

Diagnosed with Lyme Disease nearly two years ago, Castellano said Blumenthal personally ensured she got disability coverage and proper medical treatment.

"I wanted to do something for him. He did something major for me," Castellano said. "He goes out of his way. I left him a little note at the YMCA one afternoon and he called me back right away."

And so Castellano will spend her free time knocking on doors, persuading people to vote for Blumenthal.

"Like the brochure says, he's there for you," Castellano said. "He's there for us."

 

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