Senate Candidates Debate, Dinner Party-Style

Each debate for the Democratic candidates has been different. This one, sponsored by WBUR, NECN, WGBH and The Boston Globe, tried to make the debate as much like a dinner party as possible.

The candidates sat around a small glass table with glasses of water. During the first portion of the debate, no one looked at each other. But the dinner conversation started when candidates asked each other questions.

The first question was about how to right the financial ship. In a spat between Rep. Mike Capuano and businessman Stephen Pagluica about small banks versus big banks, Capuano never turned his head to look at Pagulica, who was at his elbow.

Following the heated exchange, Attorney General Martha Coakley injected a bit of humor and said her question to Capuano was: What was his favorite color? Later, Capuano returned the exchange and asked Coakley her favorite color.