Testy exchanges in Brown Warren debate

WWLP TV

Updated: Oct 2, 2012 6:35 PM

BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) — A crowd of more than 5,000 people packed the Tsongas Center in Lowell Tuesday night to watch the latest clash of U.S. Senate candidates. The second debate between Senator Scott Brown and Harvard Professor Elizabeth Warren featured some testy exchanges, most notably when the candidates talked over each other during a jobs bill discussion.  Brown said to Warren, “Excuse me, I’m not a student in your classroom, please let me respond.” Cheers and boo’s erupted from the crowd.

After the debate, Brown told reporters why he made the comment. “Couple of times she went on for like five minutes and I wanted to at least be able to go point by point but it’s, listen, it’s part of the way it is and I get it it’s not a big deal,” said Brown.

“You know I was really amazed, go back and check the time in that first half I think, I was a little surprised by the comment,” said Warren.

Another memorable moment was when the candidates were asked who was there model Supreme Court Justice.  Warren predictably chose her former Harvard University boss and fellow liberal Elena Kagan.  Brown initially chose conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, but quickly backpedalled and named other justices, including liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayer.

“I don’t respect them for their politics, I respect them for their legal minds and the way that they give out justice,” said Brown.

Warren told reporters that the U.S. Senate plays an important role in selecting a Supreme  Court Justice and the Massachusetts Senate race would be key to deciding whether the Democratic or Republican Party would control the Senate.

“So when he says that when Justice Scalia is his ideal Senator, I mean his ideal Supreme Court Justice, then I think he’s giving us an idea of the kind of Supreme Court that Senator Brown would like to see,” said Warren.

Bottom line, how did the candidates think they did?

“You know I was glad to have a chance to get out there and do this debate, I think it shows the difference between us,” said Warren.

“I think we both did a good job, I was honored to be here, you know and we have two more and I’m kind of excited,” said Brown.

There are two debates left in the Brown and Warren race.  The next one will be held at Springfield’s Symphony Hall on October 10 th . 

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