Burr Expected To Attack Bowles in Tonight's Debate

The analysis in today's News & Observer is that Richard Burr will have to go on the attack in tonight's debate with Erskine Bowles, the only N.C. senatorial debate scheduled, if he expects to move the polls at all in his direction. His campaign has been stuck for months, and his polling position relative to the better known Erskine Bowles has stubbornly refused to move. Even trotting out old pictures of Erksine and Bill Clinton together haven't done much to enhance Burr's standing.

The trick will be combining soft-on-terrorism attacks on Erskine (the new Republican campaign boilerplate) while not tarnishing that nice homeboy image Burr seems to have.

Tune in at 7 p.m. on Channel 13.