With just three weeks left until Election Day, the candidates for mayor faced off Tuesday night in the first of two debates which proved to be a political slugfest.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Democratic rival Bill Thompson met at El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem to defend their positions on several hot topics including term limits, public safety, education and the city's economy.

"Today the key is to focus on what will make this city better. Today the key is to pull together," Bloomberg said during his opening remarks.

Thompson, meanwhile, set a different tone by going after the mayor's campaign spending right off the bat.

"I am disappointed that nearly two million dollars has been spent to distort my record and to be able to rewrite history," Thompson said.

On the issue of term limits, Bloomberg said his decision to change the law was based on the ability to give residents a choice, and that he was urged by many to run for the additional term.

Thompson quickly blasted back, saying the mayor actually went around the people in his decision to do so and undermined Democracy.

When asked about the success of mayoral control of city schools, Bloomberg pointed to the increase in student performance and overall safety.

"When I came into office I said education was my number one priority, that's where we are going to put our money, and that's exactly what we have done. And I think the results show," Bloomberg said.

Thompson, meanwhile, argued that parents have been shut out of the education process as a result of mayoral control. He also defended his own record of serving as the head of the old board of education.

"I've been, perhaps at times, a vocal critic," Thompson said. "I know the department of education and the mayor would wish I go away. But I stood up and fought for what I believed in."

Following the debate, campaign representatives for both candidates claimed victory.

"I thought it was a clear win for the mayor," said Bloomberg Campaign Spokesman Howard Wolfson. "He made a strong case for his own record and another four years as mayor and he talked about the areas in which Bill Thompson failed our city at the Board of Education and at the Comptroller's office."

"Michael Bloomberg cannot hide behind his high-priced consultants and his millions of dollars of ads," said Thompson Campaign Manager Eduardo Castell. "He had to stand up here and discuss and debate the issues with Bill Thompson and I think we saw a great contrast today -- Bill Thompson talking about how he was going to put City Hall back on the side of the middle class, Bill Thompson talking about the importance of Democracy and keeping your word with term limits. Michael Bloomberg didn't have answers for those things."

Earlier in the day, Thompson picked up a key endorsement from the city's second largest law enforcement union -- the Correction Officers Benevolent Association.

The union backed Mayor Bloomberg in the last two elections, but the association's new president is criticizing the mayor for extending term limits and says Thompson has a better vision for the city.

Thompson and Bloomberg will debate again on October 27th.