Credit: www.clickorlando.com

Even as polls continue to show a neck-and-neck sprint to the finish, personal attacks -- not an explanation of platforms -- dominated Tuesday night's debate between the two top Democratic U.S. Senate candidates, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek and billionaire financier Jeff Greene.

The internet-streamed, Orlando-TV debate was the third between the two, and by far the most accessible for Florida viewers. It was broadcast in all of the state's major markets.

Despite both Democatic candidates trailing far behind Republican Marco Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running without party affiliation, the two candidates hurled so many insults at each other that at one point they found themselves debating who attacked who first.

The debate was held in the studios of WKMG and was hosted by Lauren Rowe, a news anchor for the station. It was sponsored jointly by WKMG, the Florida Press Association and Leadership Florida.

The action started with a question from Rowe about how the candidates would draft legislation to create more jobs. Meek pushed for tax cuts for the middle class and high-speed rail, arguing building a railway will help create jobs in the state. “Transportation is a problem no matter where you live in Florida,” added Meek.

“We have a jobs crisis,” countered Greene. “It’s not a job problem.” The billionaire blamed elected officials, including Meek, for the record high unemployment in the state.

The candidates sparred over the tax cuts backed by President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003. While both candidates said they support the repeal of those tax cuts, Greene said he will exempt small businesses.

The second question concerned the nasty tone the race has taken -- which quickly led to both candidates throwing mud at each other.

Neither candidate made any excuses for the harsh rhetoric coming from their campaign teams. Greene reiterated the message of his campaign ads, calling Meek “corrupt” and attacking the congressman for being a career politician. Meek agreed with his earlier characterization of Greene as a “bad man.”

As Meek and Greene began repeating attacks they have made against each other for more than two months, Rowe took control. “We’re off the rails here,” she said, moving the debate along. “Let’s move on to the topics you seem so eager to debate,” she said, accentuating the word “eager.”

The candidates generally refrained from attacking each other when questioned on specific issues. Asked about health care, the candidates praised new federal laws backed by President Barack Obama, but sparred over Medicaid. Replying to a question on Social Security reform, Greene and Meek attacked Crist and Rubio for backing raising the age of eligibility for receiving Social Security benefits.

But that was a rare moment free from personal attacks, despite Rowe’s best efforts. The candidates asked each other questions and once again the gloves came off.