Former Illinois Veterans Affairs director Tammy Duckworth (left) is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh in the 8th Congressional District in 2012. (Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images/CBS)
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. (AP) – A third debate between candidates in one of the most-watched congressional races devolved into name calling as Republican Congressman Joe Walsh labeled Democrat Tammy Duckworth a “failed bureaucrat” and she called him a tea party servant.
The two-hour faceoff Tuesday saw the candidates for the newly-redrawn 8th Congressional District touch on issues ranging from the future of Medicare to gridlock in Washington.
Walsh said his fight against raising the debt ceiling and backing a balanced budget amendment makes him the best choice for the seat. Duckworth said protection of Medicare and Social Security guarantees makes her the better choice.
Walsh, elected to Congress in 2010, mocked Duckworth, saying she answers questions with “nice poll tested, canned answers.”
Duckworth said Walsh puts his tea party support ahead of the district’s needs.
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