Weld, Kerry Debate

Sen. John F. Kerry and Gov. William F. Weld '66 traded jibes over ethical issues last night during an often lively Senatorial debate in Springfield.

Kerry was put on the defensive when a media panelist asked about allegations that Kerry accepted subsidized rent payments from members of the real estate industry who had business pending with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

While Kerry acknowledged paying below-market rent, he vehemently denied that he repaid the gift with political favors.

"There wasn't one single connection to anything I've done in the United States Senate," Kerry said during the seventh Senatorial debate of the election season.

Despite a Boston Globe article indicating there is "no proof" that Kerry sought to aid real estate developer Wesley Finch, Weld claimed the allegations shed new light on Kerry's character.

Weld suggested that Kerry's cutrate lodging deal "may have some connection to the fact that the Senator doesn't have a problem raising other people's taxes."

Responding to Weld, Kerry expressed concern that the campaign is focusing on irrelevant issues at a critical period. He tried to use the attacks to link the governor to national Republicans.

"He has taken the mask off his face and displayed that he is a Republican a la Bob Dole," Kerry said.

As in past debates, the two candidates also clashed on issues including crime, the environment and taxes.

Although both candidates favor educational programs directed at curbing teen violence and drug use, Weld said that tougher sentencing must also be a part of any serious crime fighting agenda.

"When we catch the bad guys, we've got to hammer them," Weld said.

Responding, Kerry questioned the governor's commitment to social programs.

"The governor has just talked about things kids need, but as governor he hasn't done anything," Kerry said.

Last night's debate was broadcast on local cable news stations around the Bay State.

The candidates will meet for the last time in a debate scheduled for Monday in Boston's Fanieul Hall

Last night's debate was broadcast on local cable news stations around the Bay State.

The candidates will meet for the last time in a debate scheduled for Monday in Boston's Fanieul Hall