It was the third and final debate between incumbant senator Sherrod Brown and his challenger, state treasurer John Mandel… and both candidates made sure to get in some licks. 

Take this exchange on passing a balanced budget starting with Brown. 

“The talking points that Josh has are always ‘didn’t pass a budget, didn’t pass a budget.’ But the facts are we passed a budget control act which has the
force of law which cut $2 trillion in spending and are making a difference in getting our budget under control.”

Mandel’s retort was vehement… 

“Do you have a budget control act around your kitchen table? Or a budget control act in your small business? No. I mean that’s ridiculous. It’s Washington speak. We have budgets. We manage our households with a budget. We manage our small businesses with a budget. But unfortunately in Washington, these politicians think they can live by a different set of rules than us. After you’ve been there for 20 years, I think that’s just what happens. Unfortunately, they haven’t passed a budget in over three years. It’s a dereliction of their duty.”

The two also debated Social Security, Medicare, the auto and bank bailouts, the federal tax code and abortion. On that issue Mandel said he’s against all abortions except if the mother’s life is at risk. He also accused Brown of having extremist views on the issue and supporting abortions in the ninth month of pregnancy.

Brown responded with incredulity on that point then said he trusts Ohio women to make their own health decisions.