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Politically Speaking: Breaking down Hawley and McCaskill’s first one-on-one debate

U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill compliments Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley's family. Oct. 18, 2018.
Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill compliments Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley's family.

St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies examine Thursday night’s televised debate between U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and Attorney General Josh Hawley.

The debate comes as most polls show a tight race between McCaskill and Hawley. And few observers believe that Democrats have any chance of taking over the Senate if McCaskill can’t win a third term.

Among other things, the candidates debated health care, immigration policy, “right to work” laws, global warming and Second Amendment rights. Hawley contended that McCaskill is too liberal for a state which went for President Donald Trump by 19 points. McCaskill emphasized her independence, someone who will work with “anyone, anytime” to address the state’s needs.

The one-hour showdown aired on the state’s NBC, PBS and NPR affiliates. St. Louis Public Radio, 5 On Your Side and The Nine Network teamed up to organize the debate, which featured PBS Newshour’s Judy Woodruff as moderator.

Mannies and Rosenbaum also discussed the release of videotapes from Project Veritas — and how McCaskill’s campaign is pursuing legal action.

Follow Jason on Twitter: @jrosenbaum

Follow Jo on Twitter:@jmannies

Music: “Re-Arranged” by Limp Bizkit

Jason is the politics correspondent for St. Louis Public Radio.
Jo Mannies is a freelance journalist and former political reporter at St. Louis Public Radio.