Vitter, Edwards trade attacks in first TV debate of runoff

(AP) — Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican David Vitter ripped into each other's records and challenged each other's integrity Tuesday in the first televised debate of the runoff campaign, less than two weeks ahead of the Nov. 21 election.

In the final minutes of the debate, Vitter and Edwards talked over each other in an angry exchange about campaign tactics.

Vitter, a U.S. senator, accused Edwards of acting "holier than thou" while running an attack ad against him and being allies of trial lawyers who have run an "Anybody But Vitter" campaign.

The Republican senator said Edwards was opposed to educational options such as charter schools and vouchers, which Vitter said provide more choice to parents and children from poor families.

Edwards said he wouldn't seek to end the voucher program as governor, but would push to make the program that provides taxpayer-financed tuition to private schools only for students in failing public schools.