CLEVELAND (AP) -- Cheers and boos from a lively crowd are greeting candidates in the combative campaign for Ohio's U.S. Senate as they face off in their first formal debate.
Incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican challenger Josh Mandel debated today at an event in Cleveland.
In early debate, Brown took Mandel to task for signing an anti-tax pledge that could prevent him from striking deals in Washington necessary to close business tax loopholes.
Mandel called Brown a ``bailout senator'' and said the economy is worse off in many areas than when Brown took office six years ago.
The candidates will meet in two more debates -- in Columbus on Thursday, and in Cincinnati on Oct. 25.