McMahon, Murphy to face off in 2nd Senate debate

STORRS, Conn. (WTNH) -- It's the second of four debates tonight in Connecticut's battle for the U.S. Senate. Republican Linda McMahon will face off against Democrat Chris Murphy tonight at the University of Connecticut.

The race is getting national attention because McMahon has made it a very competitive contest in a state considered very blue, with an overwhelming Democratic voter registration.

In a poll conducted on Sunday night following the first televised debate, Murphy appeared to be ahead by five points.

A poll with a much larger sampling last week showed him in a dead heat with his opponent.

He not only favors, but helped write part of the Affordable Care Act, also known as 'Obamacare.' He favors extension of the Bush tax cuts for those making under $250,000 a year.

McMahon has greatly outspent him on TV advertising, branding him a slacker who doesn't pay his bills on time and who doesn't attend congressional hearings.

In addition to McMahon's ads criticizing Murphy, she has touted a job creating plan and a tax cut plan for the middle class that appear to mirror some of the national Republican party proposals.

She opposes 'Obamacare.'

In Murphy's TV advertising McMahon is portrayed as a greedy business leader who is out of touch with average people.

She has also been using both TV and direct mail advertising to portray herself as a friend to average people, and especially to women.

It was her negative approval numbers with women voters that helped to sink her campaign against Dick Blumenthal two years ago.