Final debate gets testy

“If we dare make any assumptions from the early voting numbers, it would be that trend in the numbers are more favorable to the Democratic candidate John Bel Edwards”, he said. David Vitter (R-LA) is now using the report to attack Edwards on his skipping out on a social issues debate that same day.

Vitter is hoping to gain ground by drawing policy distinctions with Edwards that he says show the state lawmaker is more liberal than he claims. He said Edwards is in the bottom 10 percent of legislators in those rankings. He talks broadly of Vitter’s character and approach to governing, suggesting Vitter is divisive and would undermine the bipartisanship needed to tackle the state budget mess.

“He would not commit to fighting in every way possible the defund Planned Parenthood to stop them from funding an abortion mill in New Orleans”, said Vitter.

As for Edwards, he says Vitter is distorting the truth about his position on the refugees.

Last week, Edwards released an ad that referenced Vitter’s 2007 prostitution scandal and accused him of “choosing prostitutes over patriots”.

As governor, I will continue to be an active participant in the ongoing conversation with federal authorities so that we can be partners in the effort to both accommodate refugees who are fleeing from religious persecution and ensure that all our people are safe.

“We are going to move forward with me as governor squarely in the political center because that’s where the long-term solutions to our problems are”.

Edwards also won’t embrace several lawsuit limitations and legal changes sought by business groups.

The moderators were barely able to keep the candidates, and the audience, under control. Vitter, sitting across a table from Edwards shaking his head.

Vitter, later in the debate, called Edwards “John Bel Come Lately”.

“I need the support of the public to push these tough reforms through the Legislature”, Vitter said.

– Melinda Deslatte covers Louisiana politics for The Associated Press.