A debate between Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) and his Republican challenger Chris Fields on Thursday in Minneapolis got so personal and vitriolic that Ellison ultimately blew up in anger, calling his opponent “a low-life scumbag” and causing the radio station hosting the event to cut to commercial twice in an effort to calm things down.

The whole debate was nasty from the start, with Ellison frequently interrupting Fields and calling him a liar, and Fields accusing Ellison of being corrupt and influenced by interest groups who donate to his campaign.

Things reached a boiling point when Fields accused Ellison of having been behind a recent story about Fields’ divorce six years ago in which his ex-wife accused him of domestic violence.

“You are a low-life scumbag. You are a low-life scumbag,” Ellison said at a point when Fields began making remarks on Ellison’s own divorce...

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/10/keith-ellison-chris-fields-debate-scumbag.php?ref=fpblg