Before we even get into the content of the debate, just take a look at the headlines following the first battle debate:
3 Democrats in US Senate race attack each other in debate
Sestak, McGinty, Fetterman take the gloves off in debate for Dems in Senate race
Democratic Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidates get heated in TV debate
With headlines this good, you know this is going to be a match up for the ages. Here’s who we got playing:
- Katie McGinty: The DSCC’s darling candidate kept her aim at Joe Sestak for the night, criticizing his changing and weak positions.
- Joe Sestak: This candidate once said ISIS is "almost out of gas." Need we say more?
- John Fetterman: At 6’8" and bearing tattooed arms, Fetterman isn’t your typical politician, garnering media attention for his unconventional approach to politics.
In what was called "their sharpest clash yet," many reported "the gloves have finally come off" in the Democratic primary, with the candidates "at times talking over the moderator to get in the final word." Here’s what ensued throughout the night’s all out brawl.
One major theme of the night was lying.
McGinty accused Sestak of lining up with tea party Republicans at one point to which Sestak shot back, “But I never said those words. That’s not the truth.”
She also went on to accuse him of taking a lax regulation stance on natural gas drilling. Sestak scolded her like a child, saying, “Please don’t mislead, that’s not right, Katie.”
McGinty wasn’t the only candidate accused of lying. Fetterman told McGinty she "brought fracking to Pennsylvania." McGinty responded, "You are accusing me of something that is just not true.”
The lying really came full circle when Sestak said, "Katie, you’re wrong – here’s why – you should remember, as I do as a Catholic, the Eighth Commandment." The Inquirer reported he was "citing the order to not bear false witness against a neighbor." However, that is the Ninth Commandment, so maybe that’s why the candidates had so many issues with telling the truth.
Establishment vs. Outsiders.
Sestak tried to contrast himself from McGinty using his post-congressional jobs, teaching and working in the nonprofit community, "rather than taking six- or seven-figure lobbying jobs" as McGinty had. However, McGinty countered by embracing her endorsements from labor unions, Barack Obama, and environmental groups.
Fetterman saw this opportunity to slam back at both of them, calling both of their answers "out of touch, scripted, or unable to give straight answers." Yet, this ignores Harry Reid’s not-so-glowing reviews of Sestak’s candidacy:
- Reid has called Sestak “unproductive” and repeatedly predicted McGinty will win.
- “I’ve committed not to saying anything publicly,” Reid said in an interview, referring a reporter to Tester. “At least not to the press.”
Additionally, the DSCC "is dropping more than $1 million to push McGinty past Sestak — a rare move by Democrats in a Senate primary that reflects their level of disdain for him." Democrats have questioned the move, noting she’s currently down in the polls.
With weeks until the election and more debates to come, it seems there will be plenty more entertainment in store for Pennsylvania Democrats. The DSCC will continue in its battle against the free-spirited, unpredictable frontrunner, Joe Sestak while John Fetterman continues to go after both Sestak and McGinty.
A previous version stated that the Eighth Commandment was not "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house" when in fact it refers to a different version of the ten commandments. The Catholic version has it as eighth.