Whitehouse, Flanders Senate Debate Filled With Personal Attacks

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — In an hour that brought up several national and statewide issues, both U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican challenger, former state Supreme Court Justice Robert Flanders took every opportunity they could to go on the offensive in Tuesday night's U.S. Senate debate. The debate was held at WPRI 12's headquarters in East Providence and hosted by investigative reporter Tim White and political/economic reporter Ted Nesi.

Flanders described Whitehouse's cross examining during U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing amidst accusations of sexual assault as "political flatulence" that made Rhode Island a national embarrassment. Flanders was referring to references of flatulence and other inside jokes in Kavanaugh's high school yearbook, which Whitehouse questioned Kavanaugh about during the hearing.

In his defense, Whitehouse said he heard “immensely positive” feedback about his efforts to disqualify Kavanaugh based on his personal character. He also attacked Flanders for opposing an FBI investigation

He also cast Flanders as opposing an FBI investigation into the allegations. Moderators asked Flanders why he said he would have voted to confirm Kavanaugh before an investigation.

Flanders denied he that he would have said yes even if new evidence presented it. He said that he believes in the "assumption of innocence."

"We need to remember that evidence matters," Flanders said.

Moderators then shifted discussion to the nation and state's opioid addiction crisis. Flanders attacked Whitehouse for playing both sides, saying he took campaign contributions from the prescription drug industry while not showing up with any sort of legislation until election season.

Whitehouse said he didn't know specifically what contributions his campaign has received from the pharmaceutical industry and said he is "not a favorite of theirs."

Whitehouse also refuted Flanders saying he only took action regarding the opioid crisis during elections season and at one point claimed he might be "the Democratic leader," on the issue. He highlighted a bill he introduced, the Comprehension Addiction Recovery Act (CARA) which passed and was signed into law with bipartisan support in 2016 by President Barack Obama.

Since CARA became law, Whitehouse said he was able to get six new provisions added to it with Trump in office.

Flanders said he doesn't accept Whitehouse's efforts as legitimate and downplayed CARA's bipartisan support.

"It was a bad bill then, and it's a bad bill now," Flanders said.

On several occasions throughout the debate, Whitehouse painted Flanders as a trump-like Republican. He said Flanders aligns himself with Trump on policies that don't help Rhode Islanders. He said Flanders aligns with Trump on healthcare, building a wall and his tax plan all of which Whitehouse believes will hurt Rhode Islanders.

Additionally, Whitehouse compared the fact his opponent has made attacks calling him a "gasbag" and a "doofus" as Trump-like in character. Flanders responded by saying he needs to draw contrast between himself and Whitehouse with attacks because it's election season.

"I don't have $3 million in PAC money to back me," Whitehouse said. "I can't afford to go into lengthy and numerous commercials."

Both candidates were then asked to grade Trump's presidency.

"A D for dangerous," Whitehouse said.

Flanders gave separate grades to Tump's policies and the way he conducts himself. He gave the president an A- for policy and a C- for conducting himself on Twitter and with other personal characteristics.

Despite mostly disagreements, there were a few questions moderators asked the candidates that they both agreed on. Neither want to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and neither said they are in favor of legalizing marijuana. Both said they wouldn’t touch Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid to pay for a tax plan either.

Photo credit: Mark Wilson / Getty Staff