Mass. Dem. Senate hopefuls spar in first debate

BOSTON—All four Democratic candidates for the late Edward Kennedy’s Senate seat said their party leaders in Congress should force through a health care bill with or without Republican support, despite President Barack Obama’s call for bipartisanship.

Rep. Michael Capuano, Attorney General Martha Coakley, City Year co-founder Alan Khazei and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca said as soon as Democrats have enough votes for the bill they
should push it through.

All four also said the country should find a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, but split on the issue of whether undocumented residents should have access to driver’s licenses.

Coakley and Pagliuca said they should not receive licenses. Capuano called the issue a “false choice.“

The comments came during the first debate of the special election.