Coakley Takes Early Hits in Debate

Attorney General Martha Coakley took early hits in Tuesday night's debate. Rep. Michael Capuano said Coakley had been on "both sides" of the debate over the Patriot Act. Panelist Janet Wu challenged Coakley on how voters could trust her with trillions of taxpayer dollars when she has barely $1,000 in her own savings account.

Coakley weathered the buffeting. Much like a hurricane-proofed house. Hunkered down. Ready for the storm with prepared responses. On the Patriot Act: "That's what this has always been about. Protecting people. Keeping us save without violating civil rights," she said. Capuano responded, "That's not what the Patriot Act does. It violates civil liberties."

On her slim personal savings, Coakley said she's run the attorney general's office with prudence. She stood by her personal lifestyle with an enigmatic: "My husband has assets. We've made decisions based on our lifestyle. We are very secure."