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Cornyn, Noriega Face Off in Final Debate Before Election

Dallas, TX – Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn defended his record on children's health care insurance and said Democrat Rick Noriega and Texas legislators haven't done enough to get kids enrolled in government plans.

Cornyn said in the candidates' televised debate last night that 800,000 eligible Texas children aren't enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

He said before expanding CHIP nationally he wants to make sure all eligible Texas children are signed up.

But Noriega said Cornyn voted six times against expanding CHIP to cover more children.

Noriega also assailed Cornyn over his support of President Bush.

Cornyn says he backs Bush sometimes, but not always.

Noriega says Cornyn wasn't showing leadership but that he was going along with a herd mentality.

Supporters of the candidates showed up outside the KERA public television studio in Dallas holding signs and loudly proclaiming their views.

Early voting in Texas begins Monday with the general election slated for Nov. 4.