Mudslinging aside, candidates in the Louisiana Senatorial race agree the most important issues in the Nov. 4 election are the impending economic crisis, FEMA’s ability to respond to crises and the War in Iraq. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu and Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy shook hands to start a debate before about 500 people in the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes and a state-wide audience viewing the debate live on Louisiana Public Broadcasting.The debate, hosted by LPB and the Council for a Better Louisiana, was the second of four between the two candidates. The remaining two debates are Oct. 15 and Oct. 22 in New Orleans.Landrieu said after the debate that one of the biggest issues affecting higher education is affordability. She said she has voted to make it easier for students to find loans and has supported an increase in Pell Grants. She has supported legislation offering a deduction or write off in loans for students who mentor foster children or intend to go into public service, she said.”I’ve also been a very big supporter of additional research, federal dollars coming to our universities here in Louisiana,” she said. “That’s another opportunity for students to get connected to some cutting-edge research.”Kennedy was unavailable for comment after the debate.Kennedy, who clearly stated his support of presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, criticized the way national leaders have handled national spending, health care, the War in Iraq and the progress of FEMA since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.”If you like the way things are going in Washington, you should probably vote for Sen. [Landrieu] and Sen. [Barack] Obama because you’ll get more of the same things — except on steroids.”In her closing statement, Landrieu cited her 12 years in Congress as her biggest strength.”It’s much better to start from a position of strength than a position of scratch,” she said.Many clicker-toting students were present to collect extra points offered by professors.Carlo Gulina, mass communication sophomore, said he would have attended the debate despite the bonus points.”I was going to come here anyway,” Gulina said. “You don’t get to do these things often.”Gulina said at the beginning of the debate he was “pretty decided” on Kennedy, but he was interested to see if Landrieu could sway his decision.After the debate, he said he was “extremely impressed and surprised” by Kennedy and still intends to vote for him.—-Contact Lindsey Meaux at [email protected]