Wall, Lingenfelter get their digs in

The NDP and Saskatchewan Party leaders took some pointed digsat each other in a one-hour, two-persondebate Tuesday night that was neverthelessnoteworthy for its civil tone.

The debate, between New Democrat Dwain Lingenfelter and Saskatchewan Party leaderBrad Wall,was loaded withdetails ofcampaignpromises mixed with a few barbed comments along the way.

Coming into the debate Lingenfelter had labelled himself the underdog. On the campaign trail he's been talking about the need for rent control and getting more money from potash companies.

Wall has stressed fiscal prudence and the need to keep the economic boom going.

At the podium, both leaders hammered away on those themes and, once in a while, on each other.

Lingenfelter mentioned Wall's connections with the deficit-plagued Progressive Conservative government of the 1980s.

"We pulled the province back from the brink of economic disaster because of issues and overspending by a government that I believe you were involved in," he said.

He also said the Sask. Party has been letting the potash industry off the hook with royalties that are too low.

The Sask. Party hasfailed to do enough foraboriginal people, he said.

"We've got to do a better job," he said.

Wall took a swipe at Lingenfelter's record in the former NDP government, saying it was the NDP who repealed rent control.

Answering a question about popularity in politics, Wall said people need to know that promises made will be kept.

"This may be a challenge for my opponent," Wall said.

He said the Sask. Party aims to eliminate the province's debt in 10 years, but "not if we're spending at the rate that some are suggesting we should spend."

Unlike the 2007 leaders debate, the Liberal Party leader was not a part of the event. The Green Party leader wasn't invited, either.

The debate, hosted by a consortium of broadcasters, was held at the CBC building in Regina, with Morning Edition host Sheila Coles moderating.

Both leaders will be back on the campaign trail Wednesday morning. Voters will make their decision on Nov. 7.