In California today, GOP senatorial candidates Carly Fiorina, Chuck DeVore, and Tom Campbell faced off in a debate that focused almost entirely on big government. Bailouts, taxes, budgets, and (much less so) immigration were the dominant topics. Not a single foreign policy or national security related question was raised by either the debate hosts, two California radio personalities, or the candidates. But there was plenty of time for what one of the radio hosts described as “mud-slinging” between the candidates, when the candidates were allowed each to ask a question of one another.
DeVore attacked Fiorina’s support of a California proposition, which, DeVore claimed, raised taxes for the California teachers’ unions. In response, Fiorina disputed the claim and turned personal: “I’m sure it’s very frustrating for Chuck DeVore to have so many conservatives supporting me,” said Fiorina, who was recently endorsed by Sarah Palin. “Maybe it makes Chuck DeVore, who is dog-paddling at 14 percent in the polls … feel better to belittle other people’s conservative credentials.”
