Question: Healthcare reform. For Sen. Murray: Was reform hastily passed? Would you vote for it again? Was needs to be fixed?

Murray: Insurance companies are the bad guys. Reform lets people choose coverage and keeps costs down. Says she absolutely believes that the bill will need changes. But the core of the bill means “families will control coverage” not “some DC bureaucrat.” Glad she voted for it, will work to make needed changes.

Question for Rossi: What kind of healthcare reform do we need?

Rossi: Asks Murray which part of the bill she wrote (she claimed to have in the previous debate). Points out bills flaws. This is government intrusion into healthcare. Says he doesn’t want healthcare administered “with all of the passion the IRS can muster.”

Murray: Says she wrote the workforce section of the bill that incentives students to go into healthcare professions.

Rossi: We need to repeal healthcare. Lists GOP ideas for HCR, “won’t cost taxpayers a dime.”

Question: Immigration.

Rossi: Argument “academic” until border is secure. We need a “tall fence with a high gate.” Cannot allow criminals into the country. Suggests a “virtual Ellis Island.” Need high-tech and temporary worker programs.

Murray: Talks about importance of securing Northern border (?). Says she has fought for tougher border patrol to the North. Businesses are in jeopardy because Agriculture lacks skilled work force. Should pass the DREAM act so children have a path to citizenship. Wants comprehensive reform.

Rossi rebuttal: Questioner asks what we should do with children of illegal immigration. Rossi says he hasn’t heard any good ideas. First we need to secure the border.

Murray: Says she’s sorry Rossi hasn’t heard about the DREAM Act. We should pass it so children “don’t have to live in the shadows.” Either on its own or part of comprehensive reform.

Question: Social Security.

Murray says she will continue to fight against privatization. Wall Street collapse highlights dangers of privatization. Rossi wants to take away benefits. We need to make “tough budget cuts” she will look at them, but she will fight to keep benefits.

Rossi says biggest threat to Social Security is the debt that Murray helped create. Nothing but IOU’s in Social Security “trust fund.” Mentioned his 16 year daughter asks “how much do I owe?” If 16 year old recognizes problem, why can’t Sen. Murray?

Murray: Questioner asks if she will support raising retirement age. She skirts the issue. Talks about Bush tax cuts and Wall Street. Says she will wait until commission reports to make “courageous decisions.”

Rossi: Looking forward to commission report as well. Murray voted to tax Social Security. 18 years in DC has changed her.

Question: DADT

Rossi: Wait for report from commanders and troops and how policy effects our readiness. We need input before a vote. Issue not something to rush, to have unelected judges to impose their opinions.

Murray, again, she has “talked to…” service members who (surprise) think DADT is unfair. She wants to repeal, DADT is wrong. Everyone should be allowed to serve, no “second class citizens.” She sponsored legislation to repeal.

Rossi: Already answered question, will talk about veterans. Praises Murray’s work with veterans. Thanks service member for what they’ve done for the country.

Murray: Touts work with veterans. “I don’t discriminate.” Gay or straight.

Sen. Murray asks Rossi how he can support extending Bush tax cuts while at the same time pledging to reduce the deficit and balance the budget. Says top 2 percent should have a tax cut. How will Rossi pay for tax cut for top earners.

Rossi: Sen. Murray didn’t reauthorize cuts for anybody. Murray voted against cuts in 2001 and 2003. 252 times Murray has voted to raised taxes. Murray will continue to raise your taxes. Murray ranked most liberal Senator in DC, to the left of Bernie Sanders, a record of “taxing, spending and growing government.”

Rossi’s question: Trade. Murray voted for a bill that sparked a tariff war with Mexico. Teamsters Union supports Murray and encouraged vote. Asks her to explain herself.

Murray: Saftey issue for truckers. Asked administration to help with policy. But Rossi didn’t answer question about tax cuts.

Rossi: We need to cut taxes because it will kill jobs. Not too hard to figure out. He understands small businesses. Tax increase not the answer.

Murray: Two reasons we are in trouble. Bush’s policies — tax cuts not paid for, Wall Street “gambled with your money.” Rossi will repeal Wall Street reform I voted for.

Convince a member of the opposite party to vote for you:

Murray: Says she worked across party lines with Sens. Collins, Enzi, McCain. Most important things to come home and work with constituents then go back to DC and get the job done.

Rossi: Problems too big for one problem to solve. Talks about time balancing budget in state senate working with Democrats but without raising taxes. Touts support from independents and “Dinocrats” and welcomes support from all. Says he wasn’t planning on running but we need a new course, can’t do it in partisan fashion.

Closing Remarks:

Rossi: Speaking about his grandparents from Italy. They came to American to have a better life for themselves and for their families. America is a great land of opportunity. Anything is possible. Choice in this election is clear. If look like the status quo, Murray is the choice. If you want freedom back, control of healthcare, money, and you life. Don’t abandon me on Nov. 2, I can’t do this without your support. Looks forward to next 16 days “on the road to victory.”

Murray: We do have a very clear choice. Rossi will repeal Wall Street, she won’t let bankers rob from you. Rossi will repeal healthcare, return to Bush policies, tax cuts and unfunded wars. Talks about her family’s plight during hard economic times and make parallel to nation plight. We need to make “frugal decisions” but “invest in the future.”