Voters lit up KMAJ-AM's phone lines to get a better idea where 2nd District Congressman Jim Ryun and his challenger Nancy Boyda stand on the issues.

From the get go Ryun and Boyda tackled the recovery effort in Iraq. Boyda eluded to Ryun's recent visit in July.

"You came back you said everything is going well you said we're making progress and we need to stay the course, a week and a half later our generals were on TV on the Sunday morning news shows saying 'it's as bad as it's ever been,'" Boyda said.

"The people of Iraq have voted, 70 percent turned out. They have a government, they have a constitution, they have 300,000 Iraqi security forces and the insurgents recognize that their opportunity to spoil that is fading so violence is going to increase it that's type of war," Ryun said.

The discussion prompted a caller to ask about health care coverage for veterans.

"We've improved that system so you're going to hear some different rhetoric from my opponent and things that she said are misleading, but if you look at my record you'll clearly see what I've done to help the vets," Ryun said.

"What VHA is asking for is $1 billion and that's a lot of money but it is certainly doable. We lost $9 billion in Iraq and don't even know where it is," Boyda said.

Border security and immigration then took center stage when a caller asked about the safety of a proposed Texas superhighway designed to help the flow of goods to and from Mexico.

Boyda contends it's a project Ryun supported in congress and threatens our borders -- while Ryun says the legislation doesn't even exist.

When the hour and a half debate wrapped up both candidates told us they hope it gave undecided voters a better idea of which candidate they'll be checking come Nov. 7.