By Dan Verbeck, KCUR news
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-776415.mp3
St. Joseph, Mo. – Standing side by side in debate for first time of the campaign, candidates for Missouri's 6th congressional district sparred in St. Joseph, less than three weeks before election day. KCUR's Dan Verbeck was there to report:
In a nationally watched race, no outward warmth existed between incumbent Republican Sam Graves and Democratic challenger Kay Barnes. No agreements on issues. On the country's financial crisis, Barnes chides Graves for taking Fannie Mae contributions. There was this interchange, with a moderator interrupting, as Barnes began,
"You are the one who bears responsibility. You were there every single day for 8 years. And here we are with the mess we have. (AND MR GRAVES, YOUR 30 SECONDS) . Fannie Mae didn't get much for their contribution because i voted against their 200 billion dollar bailout which was just months before that bailout. Folks, my opponent was on the board"
Barnes once served on a Fannie Mae advisory board. The pair also clashed on virtually every issue in the debate, set up by St Joseph News Press. Im Dan Verbeck, KCUR news.