Roberts, Orman face off in Kansas Senate debate

Race at a glance

Two U.S. Senate candidates clashed Wednesday in one of the election year's most surprising battlegrounds: Kansas. Republican incumbent Pat Roberts, once a huge favorite for a fourth term, is now embroiled in a tough re-election battle -- though not with a Democrat. Independent challenger Greg Orman, a wealthy businessman, is making a serious bid for the Senate seat, arguing that Democrats and Republicans have failed. Orman's candidacy received a boost when Democratic candidate Chad Taylor dropped out of the race. Another unique feature of this election: Orman has not said which party he would caucus with should he win election. That means Orman could decide on his own whether the Democrats or the Republicans control the Senate next year.

First take

Both candidates trod familiar ground during a sometimes testy debate at a Wichita television station. Roberts said Orman is not an independent but "a liberal Democrat" who will support President Obama and current Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid: "My opponent can't stand up to the Obama-Reid agenda." Orman said Roberts is distorting his record -- "it's beneath you," he told Roberts -- and is part of a "broken system" in Washington. "You're part of the problem," Orman told Roberts. Orman enjoyed a solid lead in polls earlier this month. More recent surveys reflect a comeback by Roberts, and a too-close-to-call race. Wednesday night's face-to-face is the last scheduled debate between the two candidates.

Roberts highlights

The incumbent described himself as "a trusted Republican conservative," while a vote for Orman is a vote for another Democratic-run Senate. He repeatedly linked Orman to President Obama, who is unpopular in this largely Republican state. Roberts also repeated a comment that Orman "is a liberal Democrat, not an independent." Roberts also hit many Republican themes, opposing abortion and immigration "amnesty," while backing gun rights. Both candidates called for flight restrictions from West African nations with Ebola epidemics.

Orman highlights

The independent candidate continued to appeal to voters who are disgusted with both parties, and he painted Roberts as a symbol of two-party rule and dysfunction. "Washington is broken," Orman said. "Both parties are failing Kansas." Orman also touted his experience in the private sector and sought to appeal to Republicans by talking about over-regulation by government. "We've got to get Washington back into the business of solving problems," Orman said, whether it involves health care or business regulations.

How it's playing