McMahon calls Murphy "desperate" in debate

ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WTNH) -- The first debate had the candidates for U.S. Senate trading barbs and leveling new accusations.

Repubilcan Challenger Linda McMahon squared off with Democratic Congressman Chris Murphy in a debate hosted by WFSB TV.

Murphy opened with a claim that McMahon's jobs plan is not original, that it is taken from other GOP websites. McMahon called the accusation beneath a Congressman, countering that he doesn't even have a jobs plan.

"There is just no doubt when you look at Linda McMahon's jobs plan that there are entire paragraphs and entire sentences that are lifted from the House Republican website, from the Kato Institute," said Representative Murphy, "and I don't know what you call it, but all I'm saying is this is not a plan that is rooted in the best for the state of Connecticut."

McMahon lashed back at Murphy several times, even going as far as to call him "desperate."

"Again, shame on you, as I said you thought this campaign was going to be a coronation because you are a Democrat running in Connecticut," McMahon said. Now you are in a serious race with a serious woman and you are desperate, therefore you raise these issues."

The two also battled over the issues of health care, taxes and personal finance.

Stay with News 8 for more details on the debate.