Akin, Steelman Meet In Branson For Senate Debate

CREATED Jan. 30, 2012

  • Print

(AP) - Missouri Senate candidates Todd Akin and Sarah Steelman have accused President Barack Obama of destroying jobs as they found common ground in a Republican primary debate.

Steelman and Akin debated Monday night at Branson High School.  Both said they support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education.

But Steelman, a former state treasurer, said Akin could have done more as a congressman to cut spending.

The third Republican candidate - John Brunner - declined to attend the debate but made his own news.

Brunner reported contributing $1 million to his campaign during the past quarter.

He spent most of that on ads seeking to introduce him to voters and criticizing Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, leaving him with about $200,000 in his account at the start of 2012.