LATHAM, N.Y. -- The two candidates in the race for the 20th Congressional District went head to head Thursday for their final debate before the special election.

"He's better for the dodgeball team, because he's a pretty good dodger on this particular issue," said Jim Tedisco.

"That seems to be how they do things in Albany and Washington. What I want to do is solve the problem," said Scott Murphy.

Thursday was the last time Republican Jim Tedisco and Democrat Scott Murphy met face to face and the last time to trade barbs.

"Either he knew what was in the that bill, he knew those AIG bonuses were in there. There's nobody else to blame," said Tedisco.

"You can't have it both ways," said Murphy. "You can't say that it's pork and then say that it's important money that we need to get here, and that you're fighting to get those dollars here. If it's all pork, you shouldn't be fighting for it, you should be saying we don't want it." said Murphy.

This might be a local election, but it you won't hear them talking about pot holes on Route 9. It's all about the nation's faltering economy. A packed ball room listening at the Holiday Inn Express in Latham heard Murphy continue his solid support of the stimulus.

"The way we do that is to start investing in ourselves, to invest in Americans, and we do that with the stimulus package," said Murphy.

While Tedisco gave plan the thumbs down and said voting for it meant giving bonus to AIG. He said it also includes $300 billion of earmarks.

Tedisco said, "Let me give you some indications of what that $300 billion is all about - $5 million for snow making in Minnesota, $145 million for Little Leagues in Puerto Rico, $300 million for golf carts,
$98 million for a polar ice breaker, and that is just the tip of the iceberg."

If you didn't think this race has national significance, you'd be wrong. Television ads in support of Scott Murphy featuring President Obama began airing.

Thursday's debate was sponsored by Capital News 9, the League of Women Voters and WROW News Talk 590. It was moderated by Capital Tonight's Brian Taffe and WROW's Sherman Baldwin.