September 5, 2008 Kerry, O'Reilly square off in Senate debate Play video

(Brad Puffer, NECN) Senator John Kerry is running again - not for president - but for re-election. And this year - he has his first democratic primary challenger since entering the senate in 1984. Kerry and Gloucester attorney Ed O'Reilly held their first and only debate Friday at the studios of WBZ-TV.

“John Kerry switched to become an anti-war vote when the political climate changed in this country”

“I voted the way I voted because I felt it met the national security interests of our country”

In one of several sharp exchanges, O’Reilly accused Kerry of authorizing the war in Iraq because he was preparing to run for president, saying Kerry failed to make an informed decision.

"The national intelligence estimate I believe would take more than an hour and a half to read. It was in a vault, he should have taken it out and read it"

"I did something better than read and it really shows Ed's lack of understanding. I actually met with the CIA teams."

O'Reilly - a first time campaigner - went on the offense repeatedly during this 30 minute debate - including over an issue on many voters minds - energy costs.

"When he was elected in 1984 what was the issue. Energy independence. nothing has been done"

"We only had 54 votes for global climate change it take 60 votes to do anything in the senate"

And while many still may not know who he is - O'Reilly says he hopes after this debate a few more people will.

If

John Kerry did all the things he says he did to be quite frank I wouldn't; be running I think they know who John Kerry is but now its about who is Ed O'Reilly; and I think this helps

I want to get back there to get health care finished I wan to get back there to get global climate change past... Massachusetts deserves to have experienced leadership at difficult times and I am providing that leadership

"The debate will air Sunday morning on WBZ. The primary election will be held September 16th.