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Attorney General Candidates Debate COLUMBIA, MO (KBIA) - The two major candidates for Missouri Attorney General held a debate today on the University of Missouri - Columbia campus. Republican Michael Gibbons and Democrat Chris Koster differed greatly on the state's method of selecting judges for the State Supreme Court and lower courts. Gibbons says some changes are needed:

"I think the terms of the appellate commissioners are too long...they serve for 6 years...I think that exercises too much control, in a sense, from the political grave, that shouldn't happen...I think if it's gonna be somewhat politically responsive, it should be focused on the governor, who we all vote for, not particular interest groups that are adept at working with the system."

Koster, however, defended the so-called Missouri Plan as is:

"It allows for, it selects the best quality judges, it allows people to have the final say, and it's the least political way that we have found to select jurists in the state."

Koster and Gibbons agreed on various issues, namely the need to be tough on illegal immigration and the Meth industry. © Copyright 2009, KBIA