Republican Mike Johanns and Democrat Scott Kleeb appeared at the Cornhusker Boys State event.

It's still five months away from the general election, but Kleeb and Johanns are already talking issues with Nebraska voters, starting with a cordial debate Thursday.

Although both candidates got their message out and answered questions asked, both shied away from directly criticizing each other when asked to do so on certain issues.

However, Johanns mentioned his prior experience nearly every time he began to speak. Starting with, "When I was governor" or "as Secretary of Agriculture." He also mentioned briefly that lack of experience is Kleeb's weakness.

Kleeb countered by pointing out the downward spiral of the economy during the Bush administration and called for change, including no longer sending the same people to Washington who've created the problem to begin with.

"I've listened to many of Scott's ideas today, and he wants to run against an administration that's going to past history. You see, when the next senator comes to Washington, there'll be a new administration, and I intend to be a part of the change and the hope of that in there, just like I have done -- as the mayor, and as the governor, and as a member of the cabinet," Johanns said.

"This election is not about either one of us. This election is about all of us and our willingness to come together and solve problems. Now, my experience may come into question. I don't know. That's for you to decide, but I know this reality, that you cannot continue to send the same people back to Washington and expect different results," Kleeb said.

Other than the issue of experience versus fresh faces in Washington, the two agreed on many thing. Both said education needs fixed and that no child left behind doesn't work.

Both said more needs to be done to develop new energy sources and decrease America's dependence on foreign oil. Starting in Nebraska with ethanol production.

Most of the questions Johanns and Kleeb faced at their first U.S. Senate debate focused on ethanol and Nebraska's economy.

Johanns said he'd use the bully pulpit to combat bad publicity about ethanol. He is a former agriculture secretary and Nebraska governor.

Kleeb criticized President Bush's veto of the farm bill, which included money for cellulosic ethanol. Kleeb is a Yale-educated ranch hand turned history professor.

The American Legion Cornhusker Boys State organized the debate. That is a week-long government leadership program for about 400 high school boys.

With the boys asking questions, Kleeb and Johanns both had the chance to say they oppose the legalization of marijuana and prostitution.