Blumenthal, McMahon trade jabs in first TV debate

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The two nominees for Connecticut's open U.S. Senate seat are taking aim at each other's recent TV ads.

Republican Linda McMahon says her position on the minimum wage has been misconstrued. Democrat Richard Blumenthal says his rival's latest criticism of his military record is old.
Monday marked the first face-to-face debate between the candidates vying to fill the seat being vacated by the retiring Chris Dodd.

Blumenthal is the state's attorney general. McMahon is a former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO.

Just hours before the live televised debate, McMahon released a TV ad featuring clips of Blumenthal appearing to suggest he served in Vietnam rather than stateside as a member of the Marine Reserve.

Over the weekend, Blumenthal began airing an ad suggesting McMahon would be willing to lower the minimum wage to help struggling businesses.