Elaine Marshall on Budget & Economy

Can't cut our way out of deficit; must grow our way out

"We can't cut our way out of it," Marshall replied. "We've got to grow our way out of this deficit."

Later, Burr said the question in the election is whether America gets its fiscal house in order or "be included with Greece and the rest of them," an allusion to European countries hobbled by debt.

Send back the same people and we won't get out of this mess

In a year when voters across the country are frustrated with government, Burr set the tone early. "Washington has to change," said Burr, adding that Congress, "is not held in high regard. We don't deserve to be."

Marshall, North Carolina's Secretary of State, said she could help fix that. "[Americans] see one side saying 'no' and the other side running scared," she said. "If we keep sending back the same people who got us into this mess, we're not going to change anything."

Marshall described Burr as beholden to special interests. Marshall, who repeatedly described herself as "a strong independent voice," called him one of the top recipients of "big-oil dollars."

Cuts plus appropriate investments

Marshall, however, said cuts alone wouldn't save the country's economy. "We've got to make appropriate investments--the same thing you would do to make your business more profitable," Marshall said. "You can't cut your way into huge profitability."