U.S. Senate Debate Recap — KY
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) and retired U.S. Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath (D) faced off for their first and only live debate on Monday, October 12. Televised locally and accessible through C-SPAN, the debate was sponsored by the University of Kentucky and Gray Media Group, which owns the WKYT-TV station in Lexington. The debate was moderated by WKYT-TV Anchor and Political Editor Bill Bryant, with COVID-19 protocols in place to ensure a healthy and safe debate environment.
The candidates discussed issues such as the national COVID-19 response, the current Supreme Court nomination proceedings, and the coal industry, among others.
COVID-19
Bryant started the debate by asking the candidates how they believe the COVID-19 pandemic has been handled so far by the federal government. McGrath responded first, mentioning her support for a national testing and tracing plan. She also criticized McConnell, claiming that his response to the pandemic has been inadequate and more sympathetic to corporations than Kentuckians. In addition, she called McConnell’s actions a “dereliction of duty” and further criticized him for the Senate taking a recess earlier this year. McGrath further explained her plan to combat COVID-19, saying there needs to be more immediate aid in the form of another stimulus check, unemployment insurance, money allocated to support small businesses, and another round of personal protective equipment (PPE) made available to healthcare workers.
McConnell, in turn, highlighted the 3 trillion dollar relief bill that he pushed through the Senate, citing specifically the 13 billion dollars that had been allocated to Kentucky as a result. He also emphasized his perpetual insistence on mask-wearing within the Senate and the trust he held in Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has led the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Refuting McGrath’s attacks, he made a point to say that the Senate worked remotely over the phone to discuss further COVID-19 response plans during their recess. McConnell said that the pandemic won’t definitively be over until there is a vaccine, and equated current efforts to find a vaccine to the Manhattan Project of World War II, a race to invent nuclear weapons.
Supreme Court Confirmation Proceedings
Posed by a University of Kentucky student, the next question asked the candidates whether or not they believe Supreme Court nomination hearings should begin with voting already underway. McGrath answered first, stating her firm position against the proceedings. Citing the so-called “McConnell Rule” utilized by Senator McConnell during President Obama’s term in office, she accused him of hypocrisy. She also focused on the impact the nomination will have on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which is one of the first items on the docket to be reviewed by the Court following Election Day.
McConnell refuted McGrath’s verbal concern regarding the ACA and called Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett a “legal all star,” making a point to highlight the size of her family as well. He accused McGrath of falling in line with national Democrats on issues such as Puerto Rico and District of Columbia statehood.
Coal Industry
When asked about the way she views coal jobs in Kentucky, McGrath responded by pointing out the lack of job growth in the field under McConnell. In addition, she outlined her plan to support coal mining families through expansion of broadband internet and cell phone coverage, investments in education and healthcare, and building for an “economy of the future.”
McConnell argued that the Obama administration was largely to blame for downsizing the coal sector, citing statistics to support his claim that the industry downsized 20% between 2009 and 2016. He continued by promising healthcare benefits and a comprehensive pension plan to coal miners.
To finish out the night, the candidates were asked to defend themselves and explain why they would be the better Kentucky Senator. McGrath was given the opportunity to speak first. She said that the election is not about her or Senator McConnell; instead, it is about everyday Kentuckians. Arguing that McConnell stopped serving Kentuckians a long time ago, she finished by saying that Kentucky deserves better.
McConnell used his final remarks to attack McGrath’s support of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. He also emphasized that her first decision as a senator would be to make Chuck Schumer (D), Senate Minority Leader from New York, the new Senate Majority Leader. This point propelled him to his main argument, that his leadership in the Senate allows Kentucky to punch above its weight on the federal level.
Civil and straightforward, this debate highlighted policy and provided both candidates a way to connect with voters. Although there was no live audience, both candidates maintained decorum throughout and stuck to policy in their discussions, leading to an informative night for Kentucky voters.
