Who has won the Debate? Hagan or Tillis?
Both candidates stuck to the script.
Neither of them had any big gaffes and the debate was full of the slogans that both campaigns have been pushing.
Tillis may have irked some social conservatives by saying he'd favor expanded access to birth control. 'Very different from the primary when he said states should be able to ban contraception; he reportedly would have also supported a personhood bill in the NCGA. Hagan's camaign pretty much controls the subject of women's issues on the campaign; I'm not sure its wise for Tillis to try to debate Hagan on her issues.
Tillis keeps throwing out his "7%" raise for teachers. On average, yes, its 7%, but more experienced teachers, like my mom for example, got a much lesser raise. Hagan called him out on that, but I guess if you're explaining, you're losing.
Tillis also had a few blatant pivots. On the minimum wage, for example, he was asked specifically if "$7.25 is enough." He dodged it and thew out "American Dream" platitudes instead and attacked Obama. Hagan basically answered for him after his answer "Well, you obviously think $7.25 is enough..."
On immigration, he was asked about his plan, but mostly just attacked Obama and Hagan on amnesty.
I would have liked Hagan to have been more specific at some points. She mentioned the bipartisan legislation she worked on with Jim Inhofe to end the sequester, which was good. Hagan also told a few stories of how she met with and personally worked with constituents, which I thought was also effective.
Overall, I have a feeling almost all those watching this debate already had their minds made up.
