Fiorina and Boxer Hold Tense Debate
The New York Times reports:
SAN FRANCISCO – Senator Barbara Boxer of California and her Republican opponent, the businesswoman Carly Fiorina, sparred in their first – and perhaps only – debate on Wednesday night, with jobs taking a front seat in a state rife with economic problems.
The debate, held at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., east of San Francisco, is the only one scheduled thus far in the Senate race, and both candidates seemed to be holding little back in the early going. In her opening statement, Ms. Fiorina, the former chief executive of Hewlett-Packard, cast Ms. Boxer as an inside-the-Beltway veteran out of touch with the needs of common Californians.
“The truth is she’s fighting hardest for another six years in Washington, D.C.,” Ms. Fiorina said.
Ms. Boxer struck back, citing thousands of jobs that she said Ms. Fiorina eliminated or allowed to be outsourced during her time at HP.
“Jobs are my focus,” Ms. Boxer said, before adding: “And when I talk about shipping jobs overseas, I’m reminded of my opponent.”
That back-and-forth underscored the emphasis that both candidates are placing on the economy this fall. The state’s legislature is late – again – on a state budget and facing a $19 billion deficit. And the state continues to suffer from high unemployment — more than 12 percent.
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