Another contentious debate tonight?

When Franken and McFadden debated last week they argued about national security, health care, partisanship and McFadden's business record. MPR News reporter Mark Zdechlik was there and filed this recap.

Thanks for tuning-in to our live blog of MPR’s debate between Sen. Al Franken and Republican Mike McFadden.

Franken and McFadden won’t walk on stage for 20 minutes. But in the meantime, here are few issues you’re likely to hear about tonight – and links to help you brush up on the facts before go-time.

Franken may bring up McFadden’s health care plan, which experts say doesn’t work in the real world.

I also expect McFadden to ask Franken about a recent ad that implies McFadden was responsible for major layoffs at a paper mill in Montana. MPR’s political fact-checking feature PoliGraph found the Franken ad false.

McFadden is also raising questions about whether Franken skirted campaign finance rules to coordinate with a super PAC that’s supporting his campaign.

Throughout the campaign, McFadden has cast Franken as a rubber stamp for Obama.

Meanwhile, the growing terrorist threat of ISIS and the public health threat of Ebola have been ongoing issues in the Minnesota Senate race.

One thing I've been watching in the Franken/McFadden race is money raised by both candidates and money spent by groups supporting them. If you want to see where the cash is coming from,

 

 

">here's a primer. Keep in mind that both sides have seen more spending since the story was published.

Just a quick reminder: Our moderators tonight are Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer and Daily Circuit host Kerri Miller.

First question to Franken: Your term has been characterized as being "proudly boring" and letting go of your comedic persona. Miller "Are you really making a difference?"

Franken says that bill irked members of how own party as well as Republicans.

Kerri Miller just asked Franken on whether his opposition to Comcast/Time-Warner deal is a winner because people don't like their cable providers. See MPR's story

 

 

">here.

McFadden said that Franken has had only a few pieces of legislation. Franken said that's not true. Calling PoliGraph!

 

 

">Here's a post we did on Franken's history on sponsoring and passing bills.

"This is a big state." - Franken, on the challenges of getting to all counties in Minnesota on a yearly basis.