The first and only debate between Senator John McCain and his opponent for US Senate, Rodney Glassman will beginning at 6pm live from KTVK 3TV studios in Phoenix.
Joining the debate will be Libertarian Party candidate David Nolan and Green Party candidate Jerry Joslyn.
"Politics Unplugged" host and veteran political reporter Frank Camacho will serve as moderator for the debate.
I will be doing my first live blog here.
Update 1 : Debate about to begin. Randy Camacho introducing candidates now.
Update 2 : Beginning question goes to David Nolan
Update 3 : People with good intentions should have chance to come here legally. Big wall unnecessary. McCain rebuts saying we need walls. Big walls. Have to keep borders secure.
Update 4: Jerry Joslyn says illegals coming over by air and fences are least effective way to keep illegals out
Update 5: Nolan-Libertarians say legalize drugs only way to control border
Update 6: Glassman- We need jobs back here and stop sending them overseas. Need to focus on infrustructure, which will keep jobs at home. Stimulate our own economy., Putting Az 1st
Update 7: Joslyn pro flat tax. Nolan attacking Glassman for his views for stimulating the economy. McCain says keep jobs here by cutting corp income tax.
Update 8: Bush Tax cuts: Mcain- Stop spending. No new taxes. Says we can recover but Obama policy will keep us in the ditch. Calls it Generational theft
Update 10: McCain says we must extend Bush tax cuts. Glassman- McCain's timing is perfect for tax cut expiration. Joslyn says tax cut trivial. Not going to matter in long run and Reps and Dems fighting does nothing
Update 11: Nolan- Libertarians believe tax on individual income is wrong and needs to stop. That will stimulate economy.
Update 12: Nolan- Budget deficit began in Bush presidency spending money we don't have. McCain-says he fought against his own party spending
Update 13 : McCain-get rid of Obama-care. Repeal and Replace Obama care first thing
Update 14: Glassman- immigration reform- need to bring appropriate resources and technology to the border. People need to be able to come here and work legally. McCain used to support. Need pathway to citizenship. Does not support amnesty.
Update 15: Nolan- War on drugs must end!McCain-2,000 bodies found in the desert over the years. 10pt plan. It's a national security issue. Glassman- McCain has been in DC 3 decades and nothing has been done. Time for someone new to tackle the problem. McCain-We need to work closely with Mexico. Has 10 pt plan.
Update 16: Nogalas needs to be secured RE Glassman-We need to bring resources home. Says McCain short tempered with Napolitano.
Update 17: Nolan-Prohibition didn't work and neither does the war on drugs. Morally wrong an counter productive. We do not need a wall. Will imprison us. Mc Cain- We need to secure our borders but still no plan.
Update 18: Joslyn on VA We pay twice what other countries do on healthcare. 17% of economy. Nolan-slamming Green and Dems on healthcare stance. No govt involvement in healthcare. McCcain-Proud of thousands who care for Vets. Glassman- McCains service to this state is what counts.
Update 19: McCain- we can cut ..oh wait he is going back to previous question. He's proud of his service to our vets..ok now he wants to eliminate pork barrel spending. Glassman says we need to prioritize. Says McCain refuses to support infrastructure spending. Joslyn says Reps and dems are cause of problem not solution. Talks again about flat tax. Nolan is bemused by Glassman stating we need to use unspent stimulus. Says there's no such thing.
Update 20: Glassman proud of his ability to reach out and work across lines. Has track record of bringing people together. A good idea for Arizona is all that matter. Joslyn- is about productivity. Sees things by what they cost. Tax system at center of economic problems. Nolan- Says Rodney nice guy, but he's a Democrat and sees that as a problem. McCain is honorable but will do more of the same. McCain on Rodney- he voted to raise taxes on Tucsonians. Glassman- McCain worst voting record because of self promotion.
Update 21: Rodney-Time to turn the page. Time to make Az a better place. Joslyn says McCain most pro-war Senator. Supports proposal by Bill Gates. Nolan says McCain no friend of Arizonans. McCain says he hopes viewers not judge him by remarks of those on stage with him. Joslyn on Afghanistan Big problem with strategy is military doesn't fit the mission. We need to win their hearts and minds. Spending too much fighting we need new stategy. Nolan-Says we should never have gone to Afghanistan. McCain-We cannot forget 9-11. Biggest problem is President telling enemy we are leaving. Glassman-McCain has never met a surge he never liked. His priorities are wrong
Update 22: Nolan says time to retire McCain Glassman says time to turn the page and time to have US Senator focused on Arizona, education, green technology, support our vets. Asks McCain to continue having town halls with him. So far McCain hasn't responded. Says Glassman out of step. McCain proud of himself..has had hundreds of town hall meetings and knows he can restore America's greatness. But still no plan..except his 10 pt plan..?? Ok . Joslyn says send a message to Washington by sending a memeber of green party.
That wraps it up and I thank you for bearing with me on my first venture into live blogging .. Rodney Glassman for US Senate!!