HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut's five candidates for the U.S. Senate faced off in a debate hosted by Channel 3 Wednesday.

CBS News veteran Bob Schieffer moderated the debate at the Bushnell Theater.

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"This is a very interesting one. I've never moderated one with so many candidates. You did get a wide array of views, it was conducted with real dignity and I think it's a real public service," Schieffer said following the debate.

Schieffer has seen many candidates come and go -- dating back to Harry Truman. Schieffer characterized Wednesday's debate as a meeting of the minds.

"I think it's interesting to get the various viewpoints, because you really got them all. You had Sen. Lieberman who said 'Look, we can't turn around and walk away from Iraq,' and you had other candidates who said that's exactly what we ought to do," Shieffer said. "That reflects the spectrum of opinions across the country right now.

In his opening remarks, Schieffer noted that the hotly contested race is one of the most pivotal races in the country. He said that Connecticut's Senate race has the nation's attention.

"If the election was held today, I think Republicans would lose control of the house. I think the Senate is still very much up for grabs," Schieffer said.

The debate will be televised in its entirety on Channel 3, Thursday at 7 p.m.

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