Five conclusions to be drawn from the debate in the West Virginia Senate

Democratic Senator Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinTrump will make his last push mid-way with 11 rallies in six days. Trump struggles hard against the GOP battle over pre-existing McConnell conditions after a confrontation in a restaurant: "I will not be intimidated" MORE (Western Australia) and Patrick Morrisey, Attorney General of the Republican Republic of West Virginia, clashed Thursday night in the first and only debate in the crucial race in the Senate.

Manchin and Morrisey exchanged rumors about everything from health care to immigration, while supporting President TrumpDonald John TrumpMore voters join Trump instead of GOP: Top Dem poll on Russian Senate investigation paves way for Halloween "witch hunt" Voters attribute Trump over Obama to dynamism of the economy: survey MORE and Democratic presidential candidate 2016 Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham The ClintonSenate Council requests an interview with Steve Bannon, a lawyer states that the former GOP legislator: I voted for Gillum against DeSantis in the alleged suspect of the bombing from Florida Mail, O & # 39; Lourke, more weighed heavily on the one-hour debate.

Although West Virginia appears to be tightening in the final days of the mid-term elections, Manchin has maintained a five-point lead in two recent polls.

Here are five points to remember from Thursday night's debate:

Trump's support dominates the debate

Morrisey sought to get as close as possible to Trump, highlighting his support for the president 's tax cuts, his judicial appointments and his rhetoric on immigration.

"He's voting like a New Jersey senator," Morrisey said of his opponent. "… It's very different from a conservative fighter of President Trump. I will work with this president to reduce taxes, regulations for hard-working job creators in our state. "

Trump, who brought the state to 42 percentage points in the 2016 election, will make a final visit to West Virginia before polling day with a rally Friday to strengthen Morrisey.

The Republican candidate echoed Trump's rhetoric throughout the debate, citing "obstructionist democrats," claiming that Democrats supported "open borders", repeatedly mentioning Clinton and claiming that an imminent caravan of migrants was a "direct result" of democratic politics.

"It's amazing," said Morrisey.

"It's amazing," replied Manchin with a chuckle.

Manchin presented himself as a bipartisan legislator willing to break with his party and collaborate with the president on important issues.

Manchin noted that he was the only Democrat to vote for the Supreme Court Judge Brett KavanaughBrett Michael KavanaughElection Countdown: Trump relieves GOP, spars with Ryan on citizenship | Republicans under pressure to denounce Steve King | Dem confidence grows up | Pelosi says that Dems will take home | Party wants young voters to deliver blue wave | Tester fights for survival Judges question whether international organizations can be sued. Trump complained about Mueller's investigation at his last meeting with McGahn: PLUS report, and one of three Democrats to vote for Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.

"I want him to succeed and succeed, and I want to help him do well," said Manchin about Trump. "I get up and support it when it's good for West Virginia, and when it does not, I defend it."

Immigration appears as a flash point

The national battle over immigration spilled over into the West Virginia debate with Manchin and Morrisey discussing border security, whether undocumented immigrants needed legal status and Trump's call to end citizenship.

Morrisey accused Manchin of supporting "open borders" and "being on both sides" of the US-Mexican border wall of Trump and accused the Democrats of launching a caravan of migrants on their own. heading to the US-Mexico border.

Manchin responded by extolling his bipartisan credentials, saying that he supported border security and the name of the Republican senators, including the late Sen. John McCainJohn Sidney McCainScarborough criticizes Graham for introducing a bill to end citizenship: he "degrades" for Trump's vulnerable Senate. The law is open to legislation terminating citizenship. Pavlich: Arizona does not deserve Sinema MORE (R-Ariz.), Who supported the "gang of eight" immigration bill of 2013.

"I was against sanctuary cities. I have blocked. … I think we should do everything in our power to secure the borders, "Manchin said.

Neither Manchin nor Morrisey indicated whether they would support the cessation of citizenship. Several GOP Senate candidates have avoided reaching agreement on this issue this week.

Manchin said it "deserved to be considered," but that Trump could not change the 14th amendment by a decree, as he claimed this week.

"I think the president has to say what he intends to do, ask the legislature to put up the bill to see if he gets the vote. … but he can not do it by executive order, "said Manchin.

Morrisey, who had remained silent on Trump's plan, said he needed to review the future executive decree of Trump "in order to make sure we handle it properly."

Both parties seek to defame Washington

Manchin and Morrisey each attempted to portray the other as a political insider reluctant to protect the interests of the citizens of western Virginia.

The Republican recited one of Trump's signature campaign lines in his vow to "drain the swamp" of political insiders.

"We will make sure to drain this swamp," Morrisey said. "I support mandate terms."

During the debate, Morrisey went on the offensive repeatedly, calling Manchin "a dishonest liberal in Washington" at least half a dozen times.

He has repeatedly linked Manchin to Clinton, leader of the Senate minority Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerScarborough complains to GOP candidates by promising protection from pre-existing conditions: "They are all lying" Manchin faces progressive reactions in West Virginia The Hill's Morning message priority policy in autumn campaigns MORE (D-N.Y.), Senator Dianne FeinsteinDianne Emiel Feinstein Feinstein earns nine points in new Senate poll Bipartisan support for Israel: a fundamental US interest: a court rules against the Trump government on dismantling the gillnet ban MORE (D-Calif.) And other renowned Democrats in immigration, economic and social policy.

Manchin repelled Morrisey's constant attacks on the Democrats, suggesting that this reflected broader political divisions across the country.

"Stop acting as if you belong to a tribe," Manchin said. "We belong to the American tribe."

The Democrat sought to portray Morrisey as disconnected from reality, highlighting the Attorney General's extra-judicial roots and his lobbying ties, claiming that the Republican had taken advantage of the opioid crisis.

"It's a person who basically lives lobbying in the swamp … in Washington," Manchin said.

He then argued that Morrisey would not want to oppose the majority leader in the Senate Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellL "Trump attack against Ryan is seen as a lead as scapegoat Trump promises to pay off the exploding debt. Federal grand jury presumes synagogue fires a suspect of 44 counts PLUS (R-Ky.), Who, according to Manchin, "fought the miners for their pensions and their health care for three years".

Morrisey hopes Hillary Clinton is still a boogeyman

Morrisey checked Clinton's name several dozens of times during the debate, which lasted for about an hour, while he was trying to link Manchin with the 2016 candidate, who had won about 26% of the votes in the 2016 election.

"He operates in the world of Hillary Clinton, inventing all the facts," said Morrisey about his opponent.

A few minutes later, when he added that Manchin had gone to Washington and had "made his bed with Hillary Clinton," Manchin retorted that the former secretary of state did not show up to senatorial elections.

"Hillary Clinton is not on the ballot. Joe Manchin and Pat Morrisey. Pat, I'm right here, "said Manchin.

But Morrisey insisted that if Clinton had been elected "we would have no judges, we would not have Trump tax cuts, we would have open borders, abortion on demand". Manchin, sitting next to Morrisey, grumbled. "

Clinton is deeply unpopular in West Virginia, losing the Democratic primary to Sen's advantage. Bernie SandersBernard (Bernie) SandersTrump, health official, calls "scary chair" the most scary Halloween costume of "Medicare for all". Bernie Sanders says that Trump is the most racist, sexist, homophobic and bigot president of history. (I-Vt.) And Trump's general election of about 42 percentage points.

Clinton caused a storm after declaring in a CNN city hall in 2016 that she had a plan to boost clean, renewable energies in coal because "we're going to put a lot of miners and companies of coal in bankruptcy, is not it?

Manchin, in a hurry on Thursday night for his support of Clinton, said he had called her shortly after her remarks in 2016 and that he could not support her.

"She said I wanted to come to West Virginia. I have made a serious mistake. I said that what you said will not be misinterpreted. You are very clear. She said I had to explain, "he said. "I said I think it's another mistake in West Virginia."

Health care remains the main concern

Both candidates spent much of the debate discussing health and the opioid crisis, which ravaged the state.

Both parties tried to say that they were in favor of protecting people with pre-existing illnesses. Democrats believe that health care is the main focus of the mid-term elections and that they can force Republicans to defend themselves because of the GOP promise, which has been around for years, to repeal and replace ObamaCare .

According to Manchin, 80% of West Virginia residents benefit from the Health Care Act and thank Morrisey for taking legal action as Attorney General of West Virginia who is attempting to overturn ObamaCare as unconstitutional.

"Their remedy for that says: oh yes, we will protect you from preexisting conditions, except that we do not protect [you from] the illness you had, "said Manchin, adding," … drop your Patrick trial. If you abandon your lawsuit, we are fine. "

Morrisey accused Manchin of trying to get "Clintoncare", supporting a single-payer health system and contradicting the fact that Republicans can protect individuals without keeping the law on affordable care.

"There is a big difference in health care between us, but we will never allow people with pre-existing conditions. You do not need ObamaCare to protect people with pre-existing diseases, "Manchin said.

Candidates also clashed over the opioid crisis that devastated West Virginia. According to local reports, more than 1,000 people died of an overdose in that state in 2017, of which 86% are related to an opioid.

"My actions are fighting to protect people from this epidemic of opioids," said Morrisey.

The Republican accused Manchin of not taking steps to resolve the problem during his tenure as governor and senator.

Manchin responded by highlighting Morrisey's lobbying ties with the pharmaceutical industry, saying his opponent "continues to benefit" from these relationships.

"This is the only man to have benefited from the pills arriving in West Virginia," Manchin said.