2010 CT Senate Debates: on Principles & Values

Linda McMahon: Blumenthal insults millions of WWE viewers by dismissing WWE

It didn't work. This will be remembered as another fight over WWE and McMahon's defense of her company's questionable behavior. "I have fought to protect children from abuse and neglect,'' Blumenthal said. "My opponent has marketed sex and violence to children. There have been seven dead wrestlers since she started this campaign.''

To this, McMahon replied that the "consequence of death is a ver sad thing... those consequences were not the result of ring performance."

McMahon concluded, "You can always change the channel. It's insulting to the millions of people who watch WWE each week to suggest that it is less than quality entertainment."

Richard Blumenthal: Seven of McMahon's WWE wrestlers have died this year

Blumenthal shot back, saying he would not be lectured by someone who has badly treated her employees, bringing up how seven wrestlers have died since the newcomer politician began her quest last year to fill the Senate seat. "The people of Connecticut know me and they have taken the measure of my character over 20 years," Blumenthal said.

McMahon, who acknowledged the WWE has "pushed the envelope" over the years with its programming, said she remains proud of the company, which she said has created an average of 20 jobs a year over the last 28 years and expects to hire an additional 100 to 140 workers next year.

Richard Blumenthal: I have spent my life helping people build their futures

McMahon stood by her record as former chief and executive officer of World Wrestling Entertainment. She painted Blumenthal as a career politician who, as a state legislator, voted for a record tax increase. "I don't think we can send Mr. Blumenthal to Washington with his tax-and-spend philosophy," McMahon said. "We can't afford Dick Blumenthal in Washington."