Debate a disappointment for some voters

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - The second of four televised debates between the two Massachusetts Senate candidates took place Monday night, in one of the most highly contested races in the country.

Nearly two weeks after their first debate, Elizabeth Warren and Senator Scott Brown squared off in front of thousands on the UMass Lowell campus.

Both got in their debate zingers. The candidates took jabs at each other on a number of issues: immigration reform, the DREAM Act, and the recovering economy.

Still, some voters told 22News that the debate format lacked substance. Voters say they look for debaters to be assertive and armed with details.

Eugene Tansui of Pelham told 22News that he wants “A moderator controlling the situation, asking the question, having a response to the question, and not going off message and then having a rebuttal phase, but we didn't have that. All we have is a little soundbite.”

Jim Maloney of Amherst said that much of what has been discussed in this campaign is not what is really important.

“What they argued about last night were foolish issues that shouldn't have been issues on both sides, like what law company you worked for and can Scott Brown name any famous people he actually met. Who cares?” Maloney said.

The third televised debate will be a week from Wednesday at Symphony Hall in Springfield. It will air live on 22News and be streamed live on WWLP.com on any device.