It looked like something from “The McLaughlin Group” — loud voices, interruptions, strong opinions — but it was the latest debate among the three Maryland U.S. Senate candidates in an increasingly hot contest.

Democrat U.S. Rep. Ben Cardin, Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele and triparty-candidate Kevin Zeese put politeness at a premium in their debate Wednesday afternoon aired on Newschannel 8.

They butted in, spoke over each other and raised their voices to make their points on Maryland transportation, the Iraq war and embryonic stem cell research, sometimes with a hint of nastiness.

By the middle of the debate, Cardin got Steele to admit that he would have approved launching the war in Iraq. But he stumbled when Steele asked him to name the route for Metro’s planned Purple Line and detail his transportation plan for Maryland.

The candidates quickly scrapped the rules laid out by moderator Bruce DePuyt. At certain moments it was almost impossible to hear what the three candidates were saying.

Almost at the end of the debate, DePuyt asked Cardin if he knew about the transportation plans for Maryland, which includes the construction of the Purple Line between Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

As Cardin was answering that he was aware of those plans, Steele jumped in asking him where the Purple Line route was. Cardin started to answer, then stopped himself and said: “I’m not going to answer your question!”

Steele took the opening as an opportunity.

“This gentleman has no clue about Metro, traffic congestion in this area,” said Steele.

Cardin shot back that Steele should “tell me what the strategy is in the war in Iraq” and defended himself saying he knew the Metro system around Washington, D.C., and the Purple Line route.

Reporters pressed Cardin after the debate to demonstrate his knowledge of the Purple Line, but he declined.

During the debate, Steele said Cardin was silent until he decided to run for senator.

“For 20 years, sir, you have been sitting, wasting your opportunity to lead,” he said, and added that if he wins he would walk the state and talk to people.

Zeese tried hard to break through the discussion between Cardin and Steele, and he questioned Cardin for saying he voted against the war in Iraq, while later supporting amendments to the Patriot Act, which dealt with terrorist suspects’ punishment.

Steele continued that argument, asking Cardin what was his plan for bringing American troops home.

Cardin responded with his own question — whether Steele thought the United States should have gone into Iraq in the first place.

“Yes, we should have gone,” said Steele, to fight terrorism.

A bit later, Cardin tried to make a point saying Steele is the one who would have voted to go into Iraq.
“Please do not disrespect me and tell me what would I have done at the time,” Steele shot back.

Stem cell research — a controversial topic made hotter by a Cardin commercial this week featuring actor Michael J. Fox clearly exhibiting symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease — also figured in the debate.

Steele said funding for adult stem cell research should be increased and accelerated, yet he said he drew the line at embryonic stem cell rese