Yesterday, Gov. Pat Quinn and challenger Dan Hynes debated on WVON's Cliff Kelley Show.  It was probably their last meeting before the Democratic primary on February 2 and Quinn came out swinging.

Granted, it was friendly turf for the governor. Last week, Kelley himself expressed dismay at Hynes' controversial TV ad featuring 23-year-old footage of former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington bashing Quinn as "incompetent."  Here's what he told Greg Hinz:

"It's sort of ironic for Hynes to bring it up," WVON-AM talk-show host Cliff Kelley told me in a phone chat. "If it were up to Hynes and his father" (Tom Hynes, who left the Democratic Party to run as an independent against Mr. Washington in 1987) "Harold never would have been mayor."

So going into the debate on WVON, it was clear which side Kelley would be on and he repeatedly pressed Hynes during the segment.  For instance, when the comptroller said that Quinn had allowed the state budget deficit "to explode," Kelley responded: "It sounds like the same complaint that they have about Obama.  I mean, you have to spend money to get out of a recession."

Not surprisingly, considering WVON's predominantly black audience, the most intense exchange surrounded the Washington ad.  Kelley and Quinn both reminded listeners that Dan Hynes father had aggressively opposed Mayor Washington.  "His father called Harold Washington 'sleazy,'" Quinn said at one point. "And I think that was just plain wrong."  "My father is not running for governor," Hynes responded.  "I'm running for governor." Listen:

Another noteworthy portion of the debate came when the two candidates explained their tax plans.  Quinn gave one of the more forceful defenses we've seen of his efforts to pass an income tax increase last year and strongly endorsed State Sen. James Meeks' tax plan.   Listen:

Meanwhile, Hynes has released his closing TV ad.  Watch it below:

And here's the latest ad from the Quinn campaign, highlighting his support for Illinois veterans:

Full Disclosure: The SEIU Illinois State Council, which sponsors this website, has endorsed Pat Quinn in the Democratic primary for governor.