In Senate Debate, Orman Defends Independence

Three-term Republican Sen. Pat Roberts is insisting that his stronger-than-expected independent opponent is a liberal Democrat in disguise.

But Greg Orman has donated to both Democrats, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Republicans, such as former Sen. Scott Brown.

Orman pitched domestic policy ideas during the debate that both parties have championed, and again refused to say which party he would usually vote with if elected.

However, Orman says he contributed to Brown’s 2010 Senate campaign to halt the advance of the health care law, which he says he opposed.

The race in typically GOP Kansas has become suddenly competitive in the past month as Democrat Chad Taylor has stepped aside and Orman, a wealthy businessman, has pulled ahead of Roberts in recent polls of Kansas voters.