Project Red, White and Blue
Barber on attack, McSally plays defense in final debate for CD 2
Reporter: Marcelino Benito
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Congressman Ron Barber and retired Air Force Colonel Martha McSally are fighting tooth and nail for each and every vote meeting Tuesday night for their final debate before Election Day. Both candidates were tough, aggressive and aiming their comments at each other in hopes of swaying undecided voters.
Organizers called it a forum, but it was more like a feisty debate.
"One day you say one thing, the other day you say another," Barber said to McSally.
Barber came out swinging. McSally forced to play defense all night long.
"That's just being distorted to scare people," McSally said. "We need to stop scaring women, we need to stop scaring seniors, now we're trying to scare students."
The candidates also tussled on taxes.
"It's time that millionaires and billionaires step up and do their fair share to bring the economy back," said Barber.
"I don't think the first answer is to raise taxes when we have a spending problem," said McSally. "When you have a teenager who can't control his money, you don't give them more allowance. You help them get a job and help them cut back on their spending habits."
Barber worked to portray McSally as extreme, a flip-flopper who can't be trusted.
"I heard her say employers should be able to discriminate against women on contraception" Barber said. "That's wrong and you can count on me not to take those positions."
At times the candidates got testy, talking over each other to make their points, but McSally bit back every chance she got.
"I've fought for women's equality my whole life," McSally said. "You want to talk about a war on women walk in my shoes down the streets of Kabul. When I go out and talk to women in our district and around the country, their concern right now is jobs."
Both candidates and their supporters knew it was their last chance for voters to get an unfiltered look. They wrapped up the night with passionate pleas for your vote.
"I'm asking for your vote and your support. It would be an honor to serve you, to fight for you, and to stand for you even if I have to stand alone," McSally said. "I'm an independent spirit and I'd do that."
"I will fight for you in Congress if you send me back," Barber said. "I want your vote, Please vote for me on November 6th."
Barber was always expected to run away with this election, but political experts say the race is a lot tighter than anyone expected.
Election Day is two weeks from Tuesday night, on Tuesday, November 6th.
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