mrs. mcmahon. -- mrs. cmahon. >> i have found my meetings to be informative and they are very passionate. i welcome their support for those areas. we have found common ground on reducing the deficit and lowering taxes. >> we have time for quick lightning round. this is one-word answers. first, one word to describe senator chris dodd. >> not running. and h>> retired. >> red sox or yankees? >> yankees. >> yankees. >> been crest or thick crust -- thin crust or thick crus? t? >> thing. >> thin and crispy. [laughter] >> thank you to our audience here this evening and to the audience that is watching here at home. i am running for the united states senate because our economy is in shambles. people are at a fork, families are hurting, a nest eggs have been devastated, and there are not enough people in washington that know how to create jobs. i want to make sure the american dream, which i have had the privilege to live, will continue to be there for my children, grandchildren, and for generations to come. mr. blu

mrs. mcmahon. this is what conn one, someone who will keep promises and but people of the profits, but the people of connecticut of the profits. >> the biggest issue of the year is the struggling economy. we like to ask you both about that. as he had said, you talked about the middle class tax cut. watson has decided to postpone any votes on tax cut until after the election. was that decision wrong? >> i believe the congress should have voted right away before going home. i would have preferred to have that boat sooner rather than -- 2%. we need better trade policies so we can export more. the tax cuts should be held hostages. i believe they should go to these small businesses. they need them. we should be supporting small businesses by targeting them with the benefits that we think they deserve so that they can create the jobs that we so vitally needed in our state and country. we need to preserve the minimum wage. we also should make a promise to preserve social security and make sure we keep our

mrs. mcmahon, fighting in afghanistan has gone on under republicans and democrats, how would you assess president obama's strategy and how is it working? >> don't insist one more time about the minimum wage, mr. blumenthal. that is a lie. you keep saying that, but you are wrong. in afghanistan? >> regarding the minimum wage in afghanistan? >> i am sure it is very low. i am a mother and grandmother. before we send men and women into harm's way, have a clear goal and a clear strategy. defense strategiesferenc regarding afghanistan. i appreciate if president obama putting general petraeus in charge in afghanistan. he had great success in iraq. my fear is we have conflicting messages and conflicting strategies. we have a political strategy that says we are going to start withdrawing in july of 2011. we have a military strategy that says we are increasing our troops and that we have a surge, which is confusing to me and one of the first things i would like as a senator is to have a detailed reasoning on exactly what the goals and strategies are in afghanistan. we need to make sure that our strategy is

mrs. mcmahon brag about the wellness policy at wwe. a death clause that, solves wwe of all responsibility if wrestlers are killed in the ring and if the company is at fault, solves her company of all responsibility. that's not working too well, there have been seven dead wrestlers since she started campaigning. >> it's a sport. people die in all sports. is that over the top, laura? >> it's the same thing. i agree with john. this is an election that shouldn't be about dead wrestlers. it could be about the dead mr. net. he's against a woman that doesn't in global warming and we're talking about w. e. there's something to be pointed out here about the mcmahon as a businesswoman and it's a bizarre thing that -- the case that people make that because you're a successful business person you necessarily will be a successful public person, deserves to be pierced. they have to look after. >> everybody i hate to do this but i agree with laura, which makes me nervous. something fascinating is going on. two very strong female business executives r

mcmahon. >> mr.nthal, i think you want to constantly focused on wwe, because it is really difficult for you to focus on the economy and creating jobs. wwe is certainly a company for which i am very proud. of the last 28 years, wwe has averaged creating 20 jobs per year. primarily in this state. i can tell you that we need more of that here in connecticut. we need someone who knows how to create jobs in the private sector so that we can have an economic recovery here in our country. when companies here in the united states by products -- buy products from outside the united states because that is where they are manufactured, what we need to focus on his reading incentive for our country, our corporations -- focus on is creating incentives for our country, our corporations to have the right environment to grow. they need to have a climate of certainty. they do not know what is coming down the pike at this point -- health care reform, whether this national-energy tax is going to happen, whether card che

mcmahon. >> mr., i think you want to constantly focused on wwe, because it is really difficult for you to focus on the economy and creating jobs. wwe is certainly a company for which i am very proud. of the last 28 years, wwe has averaged creating 20 jobs per year. primarily in this state. i can tell you that we need more of that here in connecticut. we need someone who knows how to create jobs inhe private sector so that we can have an economic recovery here in our country. when companies here in the united states by products -- buy products from outside the united states because that is where they are manufactured, what we need to focus on his reading incentive for our country, our corporations -- focus on is creating incentives for our country, our corporations to have the right environment to grow. they need toave a climate of certainty. they dnot know what is coming down the pike at this point -- health care reform, wther this national-engy tax is going to happen, whether card check is going to

linda mcmahon and mr. blumenthal did get all scratchy with their debates. have the highlights. >>> when we come back here, we'll huddle up around the water cooler to tell you what osama bin laden and ozzy osbourne have in common. >>> the tough economy has americans cutting back on things like vacations, trips to strauns and clothing. but a new survey finds there's one area where we're unwilling to compromise and that is higher education. if you get to get smart, tell your friends despite the economy 60% of united states parents say they are still saving for their child's education. by the time their kids are ready to go to college, most parents will have saved an average of $48,000. >>> enough with the real news. let's huddle up around the water cooler. time is counting down. i don't know what the hour is exactly. t.j., do we have the clock? it is 1:62. that looks like a lot of time to get the book. it's not. it's one week from today. go ahead and preorder sales. do yourself a favor. >>> we're going to go to the cooler where jon stewart has his first crack

mcmahon. >> mr. blumenthal, i think you want to constantly focused on wwe, because it is really difficult for you to focus on the economy and creating jobs. wwe is certainly a company for which i am very proud. of the last 28 years, wwe has averaged creating 20 jobs per year. primarily in this state. i can tell you that we need more of that here in connecticut. we need someone who knows how to create jobs in the private sector so that we can have an economic recovery here in our country. when companies here in the united states by products -- buy products from outside the united states because that is where they are manufactured, what we need to focus on his reading incentive for our country, our corporations -- focus on is creating incentives for our country, our corporations to have the right environment to grow. they need to have a climate of certainty. they do not know what is coming down the pike at this point -- health care reform, whether this national-energy tax is going to happen, whether ca

mcmahon. >> mr.umenthal, i think you want to constantly focused on wwe, because it is really difficult for you to focus on the economy and creating jobs. wwe is certainly a company for which i am very proud. of the last 28 years, wwe has averaged creating 20 jobs per year. primarily in this state. i can tell you that we need more of that here in connecticut. we need someone who knows how to create jobs in the private sector so that we can have an economic recovery here in our country. when companies here in the united states by products -- buy products from outside the united states because that is where they are manufactured, what we need to focus on his reading incentive for our country, our corporations -- focus on is creating incentives for our country, our corporations to have the right environment to grow. they need to have a climate of certainty. they do not know what is coming down the pike at this point -- health care reform, whether this national-energy tax is going to happen, whether card

mr. blumenthal was wrong in his inchoe hearn way. and linda mcmahon was right. >> sean: dana, your reaction? >> later on he said i want to be an entrepreneur by going to washington and being in the senate. that is her point. which is government is not the place where we want to create jobs. you want to find people that have the courage and the confidence and the risk, the level of risk that you need in order to go out and a limb and start a new business that's what her point was. i think where some people had written her off, she is closer to winning this election than ever. i think this debate helped. i think it was time she called him out on his fabrications about serving in vietnam. >> sean: a lot of these people running for these jobs, they have never ran a business. i ran a business. i know what it is like to make payroll, social security taxes to worry where the next work is coming from. goods and services you provide for people that need and desire them. it is call capitalism. >> in that debate, in many ways it framed the two sides of the argum

mcmahon will be bringing in scott brown. of course, she did not need any fund-raising, like mr. blumenthal. talking about the senate candidates here, linda mcmahon dropping in her own money, how does blumenthal doing? >> he says his fund-raising is ok. clearly, he has also said that there is no way to match her. she may spend up to $50 million. she certainly has it, and has a willingness to spend it. i think he realizes there is no way to compete with that. one thing that came out of the debate is, he is a man of significant wealth. she made a jab at him, saying that if you do not count my money, i promise not to mention that your family owns the empire state building. his family are major real-estate moguls in new york, but he is not pouring vast sums of his own money, at least up to this point. host: what do the polls show in the senate race? >> the polls show blumenthal up by a few points. here was another online paupoll that showed a much large relief for mr. blumenthal, 8 to 12 points, so it is anybody's guess. host: c-span will be covering a debate for them tonight. why is this so comp

mcmahon cannot buy her way out of some of the controversy she's created by running the attack ads. mrthal will do well to debate. the voters know his record and i think they're poised to elect him as the next senator from the nutmeg state. >> she's doing well in the polls at a democratic state. >> this issue, why blumenthal came out and he didn't do it once, he did it on numerous occasions, basically, talking about when he was in vietnam, he wasn't. and he certainly served his country by being in the marines. it's an exaggeration. why people exaggerate the resumes when they're running for office is one of the great absurdities to me. >> he didn't have to. he served for six years in the marine corps reserves honorably. that should have been enough. >> no one cared. it did raise some issues and some judgment issues and integrity issues. when it first came out in "the new york times," it did close this race up and to a certain extent reminding voters of it one more time will make a competitive race more competitive. you have to understand, voters are now starting to vote in these states.

mrs. a. anncr: geico. 15 minutes could save you 15% or more. >>> connecticut republican senate candidate linda mcmahoniness got the endorsement today of the national federation of independent business which like most republicans opposes any increase to the federal minimum wage. now, laj logic would dictate if raising the minimum wage is a bad thing, then loring it must be a good thing. that logic was obviously in mind when linda mcmahon today faced her first questions ever from reporters on the minimum wage. when asked by a report fer the f federal minimum wage should be reduced, she said -- >> we've got minimum wages in the state, we've got the minimum wages in the government, and i think we ought to look at all of those issues in terms of mandates are being placed on businesses even can they afford them. rewrites never get any easier than this. the answer to that question is no. the minimum wage should not be reduced. it doesn't matter if you want to reduce it, or even if you think it should be reduced, it is never going to happen because it never has happened. it started at 25 cents an hour in 1938

mr. blumenthal, a matter of politics. >> i'm linda mcmahon and i approve this message. >> the latest pollnteresting after the elections happen, what did people vote on? will it be unemployment and the rest and these character issues? i don't know what answer will be. i'm awfully curious to see what will motivate people to come out and vote. >> a strange political season when we're fighting vietnam and professional wrestling within one race. incredible. >> that's why we like the miners. >> i want to point out one thing as we go to break here. joe was scheduled to be here today as he always is. his father who has been ill over the last four months or so, back in the hospital now. joe went down to florida to be with his dad last night. we're certainly thinking about joe, his father and entire scarborough family, wishing him a quick recovery. we look forward to seeing joe back here and seeing his father back in good health. >>> coming up, "the daily beast's" tina brown will be here. also donny deutsch. plus the vote heard round the world. bristol palin versus the situation. only one can survi

mr. hannity last night. i will get rapid fire response on that. >>> and joe miller, his wife took on unemployment. how about that? linda mcmahon body slams richard blumenthal and the beckster? i think he needs some flash cards. you are watching "the ed show." stay with us. >>> welcome back to "the ed show." the battle ground story tonight, newt gingrich's psychomemos. newtster thinks the midterms come down to more food stamps or more paychecks. as usual, no one asked for his advice but he is planning to send a memo to republican candidates outlining what he thinks the gop's closing argument should be. now, here is a portion of the letter. in january 2007, when nancy pelosi and harry reid took over the congress, unemployment was 4.6% and food stamp usage was around 26.5 million americans. today, the unemployment rate is 9.6% and over 40 million americans are on food stamps. which future i do want, more food stamps or more paychecks? this is the choice we want to drive home again and again to voters from now until election day. your friend, newt. this is absolutely shameless. gingrich is trying to drive the conservative base to

mr. hannity last night. i will get rapid fire response on that. >>> and joe miller, his wife took on unemployment. how about that? linda mcmahonter? i think he needs some flash cards. you are watching "the ed show." stay with us. from maxwell house international café. the 60 calorie way to stop your world. lord of the carry-on. sovereign of the security line. you never take an upgrade for granted. and you rent from national. because only national lets you choose any car in the aisle. and go. you can even take a full-size or above. and still pay the mid-size price. i deserve this. [ male announcer ] you do, business pro. you do. go national. go like a pro. >>> welcome back to "the ed show." the battle ground story tonight, newt gingrich's psychomemos. newtster thinks the midterms come down to more food stamps or more paychecks. as usual, no one asked for his advice but he is planning to send a memo to republican candidates outlining what he thinks the gop's closing argument should be. now, here is a portion of the letter. in january 2007, when nancy pelosi and harry reid took over the congress, unemployment was 4.6% and food st

mcmahon squared off with richard bloomenle that. >> people create jobs. small businesses create jobs. government can provide the tools, but it also must take away the obstacles. >> i would say mrnle that i am happy you have to better notion of how to create jobs this week than last week. >> reporter: jobs dominated ohio's senate debate where portman worked to keep his lead over fisher. >> lieutenant governor fisher wants to talk about what a great job he has done to win competitions. the fact is ohio is losing grown. >> reporter: republicans appear to be gaining ground. a cbs news poll shows the gop is favored to win 25 of the 35 seats in the house now held by democrats. winning the senate appears to be more of a long shot but analysts say it is still doable. >> thank you for watching 9 ws

mr. blumenthal. we have enough of you already. >> my opponent actually buys through wwe most of her products manufactured overseas. she sends jobs overseas. >> reporter: linda mcmahon may be a political novice but she's a business pro. running as a successful ceo who created jobs and balanced the budgets of a billion dollar company. >> i have created over 600 jobs here in this state. >> you talk a lot about reducing the size of government and reducing spending. what precisely would you tackle in order to reduce the massive trillion dollar plus budget deficit. >> the reason i haven't been specific in terms of programs and dealt with it in terms of rolling back nondefense discretionary spending to 2008 levels because that was an approach as i took as a ceo. you look at, okay, how are you going to cut costs and expenses? you can look at a 10% cut across the board. >> everybody is busy trying to do the math right now on all the campaigns and regarding the budget deficit. the latest shows the republicans coming up with something like $100 billion in cuts which is a lot, but a pittance compared to the trillions. >> $1.3 trillion deficit. over $13 billion debt. i get that

mr. obama's old senate seat is up for grabs with challengers and a nasty list of words. >> we shouldn't be surprised the congressman is lying again. >> reporter: in heavily democrat connecticut, linda mcmahon he blames her attack ads and bankroll. >> $50 million negative campaign. >> reporter: mcmahon, on defense about her former job as wrestling entertainment. >> in the ww ece, are really powerful women. >> reporter: friday's employment figures means republicans are eager to talk about economy. >> we just saw this week, 95,000 americans lost their job unemployment at 9.6%. >> reporter: democrats warn about returning the gop to power. >> incomes dropped 5% before the eight years we got here andout -- ultimately crashed our economy. voters have three weeks to sort it out. >>> more political news the battle to represent northwest ohio in congress is a controversial race decided come election day. now atlantic magazine is reporting that republican candidate and tea party darling rich iot wore a nazi uniform in world war ii re-enactments, iot said he is just fascinating by history and did it to bond with his young son. as nbc's rick klein points out, democrats say it could be part of a pattern