Live blog: US Sen. Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren debate in Springfield
Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren participated in a debate in Springfield at Symphony Hall and discussed education, women's rights, military spending, and the economy Wednesday night.
Follow the stream below for fact checks, updates, and analysis. Staff contributors include:
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MASS. SENATE: Scott Brown enters Symphony Hall for mic check in casual attire... #mapoli p.twimg.comby Glen Johnson via twitter 10/10/2012 8:35:45 PM -
MASS. SENATE: EWarren's husband, Bruce Mann, on scene, as are Scott Brown's wife, Gail Huff, and daughter Ariana... #mapoliby Glen Johnson via twitter 10/10/2012 8:39:48 PM
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MASS. SENATE: Warren and Brown supporters trying to outyell - and outhonk - each other outside Symphony Hall... #mapoli p.twimg.comby Glen Johnson via twitter 10/10/2012 9:31:18 PM
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MASS. SENATE: The combatants will meet in a patriotic arena... #mapoli p.twimg.com
by Glen Johnson via twitter 10/10/2012 9:38:37 PM -
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DEVAL PATRICK: To NYC tomorrow night to speak at Empire State Pride Agenda’s Fall Dinner... #mapoliby Glen Johnson via twitter 10/10/2012 10:15:54 PM
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MASS. SENATE: The plush but not overly ostentatious debate filing center... #mapoli p.twimg.comby Glen Johnson via twitter 10/10/2012 10:18:49 PM
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MASS. SENATE: At one minute to air... #mapoli p.twimg.comby Glen Johnson via twitter 10/10/2012 11:00:35 PM
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Jobs bills
FACT CHECK: Warren said Brown has voted against three jobs bills
Brown sided with Republicans in opposing three bills proposed by President Obama. In each case, he said it was not worth the trade-off, raising taxes on upper-earners, a group he says is most responsible for employing workers.
On Oct. 20, 2011, for example, Brown and every other Senate Republican voted to block an Obama jobs bill that would have funneled $35 billion to the states for teachers, police officers, and firefighters, to be paid for by a surtax on the those earning more than $1 million annually.
On Nov. 3, 2011, Brown again joined every other Senate Republican to block one of the president’s jobs bills that would have spent about $50 billion on transportation and infrastructure projects, to be paid for by a surtax on the wealthy. -
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@globeglen Scott Brown has been hiding behind his family in prior debates in absentia, tonight they'll be in attendance #masen #p2 #mapoliby RWwatchMA via twitter 10/10/2012 11:06:25 PM -
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Warren says tomorrow will be first anniversary of Brown’s first anti-job bill vote.
“He stood with the millionaires, not those who were out of work,” she says.
He retorts, “It’s also the first anniversary of me protecting people’s wallets and pocketbooks.”
Brown says whole race is about jobs and economy, and says bills Warren hits him over were about jobs in name only and would have increased taxes.
Opens with hello to former Mayor Ryan and Bob Cousy, who both endorsed him. Also drops in name of local restaurant where he had lunch. Also says he used lived here.
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Warren opens with short term ideas for infrastructure and public safety jobs, and hits Brown for voting against jobs bills in Washington.
Long-term, she calls for investment in innovation, the local “Knowledge Corridor.”
First question to Warren on unemployment. She won the coin toss. And Madigan tells audience that questions came or were based on questions from 200 members of the public. -
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Warren hits back, saying Brown wants to cut healthcare, and that, like Mitt Romney, he is trying to scare people by saying Obamacare will cut Medicare spending. She says it will target waste, fraud, and abuse.
She says to repeal it is to fight old battles.
Second question about health care cost increases, and would Brown support replacing fee-for-service with global health care payments.
Brown says he is proud he voted for state’s universal health care law, but Obamacare raises 18 new taxes.
He says teachers and others with “Cadillac tax plans” - meaning to say “Cadillac health plans” - will suffer from those tax increases. -
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FACT CHECK: $716 BILLION MEDICARE CUT. The number is an estimate from the Congressional Budget Office of how much Medicare spending can be reduced between 2013 and 2022 by making health care more efficient for seniors. Romney calls it cuts, Obama calls it savings. This article from the Washington Post, citing Harvard professor John McDonough’s great book “Inside National Health Reform,” explains it well.
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In college region, third question to Warren about rising college costs. How cut costs and reduce student debt.
She says she went to public schools and rose to a professor from it.
She calls for investment in community colleges, saying, “This is about priorities. There’s not going to be a single magic bullet, but watch the priorities.” -
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I left out link in previous post, compiled by colleague Callum Borchers during presidential debate.
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By the way, if you don't live in MA, the Senate debate is live on C-SPAN, complete with really terrible lighting.by Cynthia Needham via twitter 10/10/2012 11:15:55 PM -
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Brown says cost of education “is out of sight,” in part by administrative costs, including $350,000 to Warren for teaching a single course.
That triggers mix of boos and applause for candidates.
Brown is painting the connection between her high salary and interest-free loan and the way that cost reaches the student tuition bill.
“There she goes again with regard about talking about student interest rates,” he says, and that he supported a loan program that did not require a tax increase. -
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Brown hitting Warren on her high salary. Warren retorts she paid $50 a semester to go to commuter school. Did she go to a commuter school?by Cynthia Needham via twitter 10/10/2012 11:17:46 PM
