Few sparks in governor’s debate

The two candidates for governor spent an hour debating a variety of topic in Cape Girardeau this week. The most heated exchange between democrat Bob Holden and republican Jim Talent came over a proposed prescription drug plan for seniors. Talent associated Holden with a democratic administration that had failed to act on the issue until an election year. Holden asked Talent why he hadn’t made waves on prescription drugs in Washington D.C. The candidates explained clear differences on abortion, education, and highway construction. The candidates seemed of a more similar mind on the dangers of methamphetamine and what they see as an effective use of the death penalty. The moderated debate in Cape Girardeau included no cross-examination or direct interaction between the two.