NEWTON - In remarks following his debate with U.S. Sen. John Kerry, Republican challenger Jeff Beatty again criticized Kerry for his vote for the Wall Street bailout plan, the Iraq War and said that his campaign is "exactly where we thought we'd be two weeks before the election."

[img_assist|nid=1583|title=Republican Jeff Beatty at the debate Monday night|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|align=right|width=171|height=171]Beatty was quick to say that he was glad he was asked about the economy because the Wall Street bailout bill is on all voters' minds.

"This is a bad bill," the Harwich Republican said. "This is a bill where the citizens of Massachusetts are being told that they are going to back - at the tune of $7,000 per household - they are going to bailout John Kerry's special interest buddies who have donated to him $19 million over the time that he's been in the Senate."

Beatty, however, provided few specifics when asked how he specifically would have ensured passage of a bill he approved of. Ultimately, Beatty said that he would have stood up against it.

"You don't give your vote to it," he said. "You have to stand for something."

The Republican also repeated his most forceful attack from the debate with regard to the war in Iraq.

"I do believe that Sen. Kerry does have blood on his hands for the war," he said. "It is unacceptable that he would vote for the war and put the young men and women of Massachusetts in harm's way the way he has done."

Beatty would not, however, say that President Bush also has blood on his hands, saying he is focused only on Kerry.

Another reporter asked Beatty if, given that he is trailing Kerry in recent polls by upwards of 30 points, his message is not resonating with Massachusetts voters.

"Actually we are exactly where we thought we'd be 2 weeks before the election; where have you guys been for the last six months?" he asked the reporters. "We've been out on a campaign trail, talking to people all over Massachusetts you know what happens, when people who don't know about us, learn about us, more than half of them come our way."