Topeka ? During their only live televised debate, U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, a Republican from Lawrence, and Democratic challenger Nancy Boyda tangled over a wide range of issues Friday.

The two face off Tuesday in the campaign to represent the 2nd Congressional District, which includes western Lawrence.

Boyda of Topeka asked Ryun to apologize for a television ad that insinuates she supports a group that opposes the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

“I have asked repeatedly for an apology because he knows that I have absolutely nothing to do with this group,” Boyda said.

Ryun didn’t apologize.

“She was protesting on the ground while our troops were dying in Afghanistan,” Ryun said.

Boyda said she protested against the run-up to the war in Iraq, saying she questioned whether the invasion was the proper response to the Sept. 11 terrorist strike. But, she said, that once President Bush ordered the invasion, she stopped protesting.

During the half-hour debate on WIBW-TV, Boyda accused Ryun of wanting to privatize Social Security. Ryun denied that.

The two also clashed on ways to drive down health care costs.

Boyda said the government should use the purchasing power of Medicaid and Medicare to negotiate for lower health care costs. Ryun said that would lead to a government-run system, a claim that Boyda said was wrong.