Candidates spar over global warming in Nebraska Senate race

Former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.), who's trailing GOP rival Deb Fischer in their race for the state's open Senate seat,  turned to his opponent’s denial of the human impact on global warming to gain some ground.

The candidates met in their third debate on Monday, and Kerrey was the "clear aggressor," according to the Omaha World-Herald.

He aimed to sharpen his differences with Fischer, emphasizing their opposing stances on climate change: Kerrey says humans contribute to global warming; Fischer has questioned the idea.

Fischer said she believes the climate is changing, but does not know how much human activity plays into it — a point Kerrey criticized.

“I don't think you can address any problems unless you begin by saying there is a problem,” Kerrey said in their debate, later adding, "If we don't identify it as a problem and bring our ingenuity and our innovations ... our grandchildren will ask the question, 'What were you guys thinking?' " 

She responded to Kerrey’s barb by pointing out he supported cap-and-trade legislation and that it would have raised taxes.

Fischer has a healthy 16-percentage-point lead over Kerrey, according to a World-Herald poll released last month. They are vying for retiring Sen. Ben Nelson’s (D-Neb.) seat.

The Hill rates this race likely Republican.

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