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Updated 10/18/2012 09:06 AM

Gillibrand, Long face off in U.S. Senate debate

By: Zack Fink

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Republican challenger Wendy Long battle it out in their only debate leading up to the November 6th election. Zack Fink has more on what the two women want to do if they're elected.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Wendy Long has tried to get her message out in this race. She is outmatched in a lot of ways by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's incumbency, and significant financial advantage During the debate, the Republican went right at the Senator, saying hasn't done enough to help New York State's economy.

"You know, she talks about cutting taxes, getting small businesses the loans they need and getting manufacturing going. She hasn't done any of these things," said Long, (R).

When the issue of abortion came up, Long said the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade should be overturned.

"Roe v. Wade is universally recognized among most legal scholars to be a bad constitutional decision. Just from a legal standpoint, whether you are pro-life or pro-choice."

"I disagree with my opponent. I believe every woman has a right to make decisions about her reproductive life, about when she is going to have a family," Gillibrand said.

Gillibrand has championed women's issues in this race, but Long brought up the Vito Lopez scandal, and the Democratic Assembly speaker's role in approving a secret payment to settle claims. Gillibrand was careful about criticizing Speaker Sheldon Silver. She would not call on her fellow Democrat to resign.

"Speaker Silver has asked for a full investigation as to the nature of the confidential settlement and why it was permitted to be a confidential settlement. When we have the facts we will know whether or not that was done improperly," Gillibrand said.

This was the first and only debate between these two candidates. Gillibrand has a commanding lead in the polls, which made Wednesday's debate one of Long's few opportunities to score some points and make some traction.

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The entire debate can be viewed here: