With a week to go, the Kentucky Senate race between Republican incumbent Mitch McConnell and his Democratic challenger Bruce Lunsford is focusing on a tape recorder.

There is no need to become bogged down in important issues like the economy when a small-time scandal will do.

A grand jury will meet November 12 to determine if criminal charges should be filed against the Lunsford campaign for theft and destruction of property.

Recently, someone from McConnell’s campaign placed a tape recorder on Lunsford’s podium during a debate. The recorder was placed under a notepad and without Lunsford’s permission. Because it was hidden, Lunsford claims it is the equivalent of eavesdropping.

Lunsford claims that it was an attempt by the McConnell campaign to hear him say something in a private conversation or under his breath that could be used against him.

The Lunsford campaign confiscated the recorder and erased its contents.

The Republicans claim there was other material on the tape recorder and destroying it was a dirty trick. They suggest the Democrats may have copied that confidential campaign information. Lunsford denies keping a copy of the tape.