Businessman Dave Bing and interim Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr. faced off Wednesday during a debate sponsored by the Detroit Economic Club. (Photo by Minehaha Foreman/Michigan Messenger)

DETROIT — While the first mayoral debate between businessman David Bing and interim Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr. last month, allowed the two ample room to go after each other, the second, hosted Wednesday afternoon by the Detroit Economic Club, was a more staid affair, focused on the issues.

“The last debate there was more flexibility to take shots. [This time] there wasn’t the back and forth — frankly I like the back and forth,” the interim mayor told Michigan Messenger following the 45-minute debate at the Cobo Convention Center.

The venue itself continued to be a major point of discussion. Earlier this week, Gov. Jennifer Granholm at a town hall meeting in Detroit, said that lawmakers in Lansing weren’t interested in revisiting a deal that would have transferred jurisdiction and management of Cobo from the city to a five-member regional board so the convention center, home to the North American International Auto Show, can be expanded and renovated, something the financially troubled city can’t afford.

Cockrel has sparred with the Detroit City Council over the deal, whose members rejected the deal. A judge recently ruled that Cockrel’s attempt to block the city council vote to reject the deal was not proper and the deal is essentially dead for the time being.

Both candidates said that the transfer deal, which has sparked stirred passions inside the city and out in Detroit’s suburbs, should move forward. Cockrel said that was prepared to let the current deal die but hoped that it could be salvaged. Keeping the auto show at Cobo is a top priority for both candidates, who will face off in a May 5 election to fill the remaining months of the term of ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Bing used the Cobo drama on the city council as an example of Cockrel’s “failed leadership” for not being able to better communicate with council members.

Public safety, employment, education and balancing the city’s budget dominated the rest of the debate.

Cockrel revisited his budget plan frequently and said in it there were no cuts for public safety or recreation. He said he plans on creating jobs in Detroit right away by using stimulus money for weatherization to hire Detroiters to fix old houses to make them more energy efficient.

Bing spoke about employment and integrity but offered few specifics during the debate. When addressing the budget he said he would “go in day one and scrub the books; go from department to department” but did not discuss specifics.

Bing wasted no time in criticizing his opponent. “I’ve been a businessman for 25 years. My opponent on the other hand for the last 14 years has fed at the tough of public government,” Bing said in his opening statement. Bing said his major focus as mayor would be creating jobs as Detroit was facing an unemployment rate of more than 25 percent.

Cockrel accused Bing of playing politics as usual. “My opponent has no plan,” Cockrel told the audience in the room, which was broadcasted live on WADL-TV. “Ask him what is his plan for addressing the budget deficit? He has yet to present one.”

At one point Cockrel echoed the opinion of Detroit News columnist Nolan Finley when he took a swing at city council as well. “When you elect clowns, you get clownish behavior,” he said as the audience reacted with applause.

With one debate under their belt, the candidates seemed more rehearsed. According to the Bing camp, their candidate was more at ease at the second debate. “It was clear that Dave came off more composed and comfortable,” Bing spokeswoman Meagan Pitts told Michigan Messenger.

View photos from the second mayoral debate here: