Tierney, Hudak in heated TV debate

In a fiery 10-minute exchange on FOX25 News at 10 Thursday, U.S. Rep. John Tierney vigorously defended the honor of his wife, Patrice, a day after she pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud and aiding and abetting charges connected to her fugitive brother?s illegal offshore gambling operation.The Salem Democrat appeared in a 10-minute debate with Republican challenger Bill Hudak, and painted the Boxford lawyer as an eccentric who believes the president was not born in this country; who has compared the president to terrorist leader Osama bin Laden; and who has referred to the nation?s first female Speaker of the House as “Porky Pelosi.”Moderator and FOX25 anchor Maria Stephanos pressed Tierney at the start to answer what he knew about his wife?s involvement in helping her brother, Robert Eremian, conceal $7 million of illegal gaming proceeds over eight years.?This is the 21st century. What Patrice does with her family is not something I look over and monitor day-to-day,” Tierney said.Stephanos, unsatisfied with Tierney?s answer and seemingly debating the congressman herself, said she is keenly aware of all of her husband?s business affairs, and told Tierney she would expect Tierney would know the same of his wife?s.?Well, Maria, it wasn?t business she was running, it was about (her brother?s) children and accounts for the house and things like that,” Tierney said. “I respect my wife. We have a loving and caring relationship. This campaign is not about my wife?s family.?My opponent would probably love to debate my wife?s family and run against them but that?s not the luxury he has. We?re running a race where my integrity and honor is not questioned,” Tierney said.Hudak said, “Excuse me Mr. Tierney, this isn?t about your wife. It?s about you ? I know you don?t want to discuss the issue. You don?t want to talk about where the $7 million is.”Tierney said, “My opponent has a lot to answer on the issues. On education he wants to abolish the Department of Education, on Wall Street he wants to get rid of financial reform.”Hudak chimed in – the candidates now shouting over one another – “Let me call you a liar to your face,”Stephanos asked each to state what they would do if win in November.?I would continue to fight for the middle class and continue fight for educational opportunities and jobs in this district,” adding the 6th District has “the lowest unemployment in the state.”Hudak said he is not a political insider like Tierney.?Where we are today with all this debt that we have is all because of him and the policies that he?s espoused.” Speaking to Tierney, he said, “In the last 20 months you?ve voted for over $3 trillion in additional debt.”Hudak, asked why voters should send him to Washington, answered: “You should vote for me because I?m a small business owner. I understand what it?s going to truly take to create jobs. I?m not the kind of guy that?s going to close down the Congress before I vote on extending tax cuts that are definitely necessary. I speak to small business owners every day and what they need is for government to get out of their way, they need to get the tax rates reduced and need to get the capital gains rates reduced.”