EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- With the November election less than two weeks away, U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline and Republican challenger Brendan Doherty battled over whose campaign had turned more negative on Wednesday evening.
During an hour-long debate on WPRO talk radio, Cicilline declared Doherty's campaign has engaged in the "most outrageous smear campaign" he has ever seen in two decades in politics as it continued to hammer on his record as a two term Providence mayor, state legislator, and criminal defense lawyer.
"He hopes that by attacking me, you'll vote for him," Cicilline said. "But while he is continuing his ugly and personal attacks, I've stayed focused on fighting for you."
Doherty accused Cicilline of constantly distorting his views.
"He gets a message from [House Minority Leader Nancy] Pelosi and he just runs with that," Doherty said. "He continually puts words in my mouth, which he's been doing for quite a few years. He's a career politician and a fast talker."
The debate also covered a wide range of issues covered in previous debates, from the national debt, healthcare, and immigration to Social Security, Medicare, and oil drilling.