Name calling escalates

"His record is his record," Blackwell said of Strickland. "He's a tax and spender."

Strickland is masquerading as a conservative back home in his congressional district, Blackwell charged.

"I'm a commonsense, practical congressman," Strickland said, while calling Blackwell a "flip-flopper" on issues such as gambling and right-to-work laws.

Blackwell says he's against gambling, Strickland noted, but invested in a company that benefits from casinos.