MSNBC Live-blogging the Illinois Senate debate on MTP

[cal04]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/10/10/5266170-live-blogging-the-illinois-senate-debate-on-mtp


9:22 ET: On health care, Giannoulias says: "He wants to repeal it. I want to reform it and fix it."
9:20 ET: Giannoulias says "the health care bill was far from a perfect vehicle," but believes that it accomplished some important goals. Kirk supports repeal.
9:18 ET: Gregory asks Kirk if he supports Rep. Paul Ryan's draconian spending cut proposals. "I have my own cuts," Kirk replies. He proposes lawsuit reform, sale of large parts of the Tennessee Valley Authority as examples.
9:16 ET: Giannoulias: "we're going to have to take our medicine" on spending cuts. He says he would have voted against the omnibus spending bill. "This is where the president made a mistake."
9:16 ET: Giannoulias describes Kirk's assertion that he is a fiscal hawk the biggest "whopper" he's told turning the campaign.
9:14 ET] In 2004, Kirk was part of the moderate Republican Main Street Partnership, which argued that permanent across-the-board tax cut extensions were simply unaffordable.
9:13 ET: "We avoided a second Great Depression," Giannoulias says of the stimulus bill. He says that the Recovery Act helped save "millions" of jobs.
9:12 ET: Gregory asks Giannoulias if he will push for more stimulus funds if elected: "If more stimulus means more tax cuts to small business .. I am for it."
9:10 ET: Giannoulias tries to paint himself as the outsider in the race: "We've forgotten what it's like on Main Street" ... "Congressman Kirk has been in Washington for 20 years."
9:09 ET: "The stimulus has largely failed," Kirk says. He describes Congress as "viciously anti-business."
9:08 ET: Kirk describes himself as "a fiscal hawk" -- and he has a chart in hand to illustrate the depth of the national debt.
9:07 ET: First question goes to Giannoulias on Obama: "I think he's done everything he can to help turn this economy around," he says. But adds that some policies, especially TARP, were not "perfect." TARP should have included more accountability. 'I think that was a missed opportunity"

[nevergiveup]

1. I didn't get to watch it..

I know it sounds silly but who came across as the most honest and likable. This will probably be the deciding factor in this nail-biter.

[Saturday]

2. As an IL voter I'm mad.

We get to watch the Bank of America marathon not Meet the
press. Missed it on MSNBC too because I didn't know it was on until now. Drats.

[pearl]

3. I believe it's scheduled for 11 am

in Chicago. I just can't bear to watch any of this stuff. I'm voting for Alexi and will be working for him also.

[Saturday]

4. OK Thanks nt