Rochester, N.Y. - It didn't take long for the candidates to set the tone for the debate.
That happened in their opening remarks.
Incumbent Democrat Louise Slaughter talked about having a scandal-free career in politics saying: "I have served without a hint of scandal."
Brooks responded by saying she is disappointed with some of the people she has worked with but added: "I have earned the trust of voters who have re-elected me."
Brooks attacked Slaughter's campaign ads calling them "dishonest" and ruled unfair by the Fair Campaign Practices Committee. Slaughter countered by saying she has never taken lavish vacations as suggested in a recent ad by a political action committee.
Slaughter and Brooks agree that Washington is dysfunctional and that creating jobs is a priority. They disagree on Healthcare.
Each praises her bipartisanship and ability to "work across the aisle" but Slaughter says she hasn't seen any evidence of that in the county. While Brooks accuses Slaughter of being "Washington Slaughter' who
"isn't for us anymore."
This was the first debate but the two candidates are scheduled to face-off again at the end of the month in a debate sponsored by the League Of Women Voters.
