Many of us were glued to the TV this morning as we watched the two Republican Senatorial candidates in Florida debate for the first time. If you tuned in thinking you were 
going to hear a serious discussion about the issues, you would have been profoundly disappointed. The fireworks were not about policy matters, but about about character-related issues. Asked to provide the reason why he is running for Senate, a defensive Governor Crist attacked Speaker Rubio on his spending while in the state legislature- setting the tone of the debate right from the first question instead of asserting his own credentials for the job. Rubio countered that line of attack with an effective rebuttal given at both the 15 and 40 minute marks of the debate, stating that Crist had not made one substantive argument about any of the issues, preferring to talk in vague generalities and platitudes. The Governor was content to continue discussing these allegations, as well murky the waters with verifiable untruths about Rubio’s spending practice- clearly a sign that Governor Crist feels the need to rely on mudslinging to fill the policy void in his campaign.
Governor Crist hunkered down with his support for the Obama stimulus plan, saying that if he would have been in the Senate at the time, he would have been the fourth Republican Senator to vote for the plan. Let’s not forget that the Senators who voted on the ‘Porkulus’ plan were Senators Snow(R-ME), Collins(R-ME) and Senator Arlen Specter(D-PA). Senator Specter at the time was a Republican, he later jumped ship and became a Democrat. Since Crist has adamantly stated that he would not leave the GOP and run as an Independent, he didn’t say that he wouldn’t run as a 
Democrat. I wrote about this very distinct possibility earlier last year. The Specter of Charlie.
It was obvious that Governor Crist did not appreciate debate moderator Chris Wallace questioning him on whether he was going to leave the party and run as an Independent. In Crist’s defense, I applaud him for showing consistency with his stances on supporting amnesty for illegal immigrants and the Obama stimulus plan. Crist reaffirmed his support for the McCain-Kennedy approach to the immigration issue. It was also evident that Crist was bothered when asked about his different stances on tax hikes.
As to Rubio, he seemed a bit flustered when he was asked about the illegal immigration issue as well.If you were to ask me who I thought won the debate, I would have to say that Marco Rubio edged out Governor Crist. Rubio clearly stated his position on the issues whereas Governor Crist failed to do so. Governor Crist also should be chided for childishly interrupting several of Rubio’s answers, and on one instance, he did not let Rubio finish his point. But perceptions matter as well as substance. Rubio needed to assert himself more throughout the debate, as he allowed Crist to keep interrupting both Wallace and himself without challenging him to stop. The best line of the day was Rubio’s, when he stated, ” I don’t remember Ronald Reagan ever being asked if he was going to run as an Independent.”
33 Responses to “Rubio v. Crist Debate – Round 1”
Javier’s assessment of the debate is as I saw it, as well. Crist is hard to pin down on issues because he cares little about actual issues or principles –his concern, at all times, is his election. I first interviewed him in 1998 when he was running for the Senate and he avoided every substantive issue-related question. He couldn’t do that with Chris Wallace. I wrote about it at GOPUSA http://www.gopusa.com/florida/news/blumel_on_crist1.shtml in an article entitled The Consummate Politician. He is still the same Charlie, Rubio isn’t perfect but Crist is so self-centered and unprincipled he’d have to do a Specter and turn to Dems to have a chance. It isn’t working out too well for Specter at this point, tho.
Crist is the gop’s desired pick,but Rubio is the pick if the high profile republicans on high choice.
I think both Crist and Rubio need to drop out of the race because all they are going to do is split the vote.The republican people have been sitting the elecion out since the 1996 election as they realized the gop had lied.They started switching to Independent after the 2000,and now Independents out number the gop and dnc combined.HELLO,dnc and gop are you gettin the hint?The wwhole Tea Party message is send them home and Crist and Rubio both with their leberal record and fork tongues are still making noice.I believe the measssage is,shut up and move out of the way.
Why not post the debate?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LdcYS34NpI
Wow, Crist is very desperate! He resorted just to point fingers at Rubio. He had no real solutions. Crist didn’t mention much of what he did or what he is going to do. He just shows his desperation. And the clincher was when he admired 2 RINOS and along with 3 other RINOS he supported the porkulus stimulus bill. Crist just reminds me I made the right choice, to support Rubio.
@marcorubio Will you remove wet foot dry foot protection on Cubans to make all immigration equal? it’s easy to keep your base and spit at other groups when you get to keep your benefits for Cubans.
Do you even care?
I believe Charlie Crist won this round. Rubio will not win any debate as long as Crist can keep the debate focused on character issues. As for Crist’s support of the stimulus, it is what it is. Clearly his attempts to spin it as anything else in the past were not well received by anyone. I would love to see more debates between these two.
CRIST ADMITED HE WAS A RINO. MY VOTE AND $ ARE GOING TO MARCO. I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN LAKE MARY. DURING THE PAST YEAR I HAVE SEEN A DECLINE OF 60% OF MY COMPANIES GROSS INCOME. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY ALL THE TAXES AND BENIFITS THAT I WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE. WE HAVE ALREADY CUT 10 JOBS AND NOW I AM FACED WITH CUTTING 10 MORE. THANK YOU OBAMACARE.
Charlie’s bad manners outweighed his good ones and Chris Wallace let him get away with it. It looked better for Marco that he did not interrupt and stayed on message. $34,000 out of $600,000? Charlie needs to do better than that. Greer comes to mind.
I feel Rubio shared more on the issues than did Crist. I watched it twice and took notes. The childish act of trying to smear someone is so yesterday and it makes my eyes roll back into my head. Lets stick to the protocol of answering the moderators question and then wait your turn. I do not think Crist came off to well and Rubio needs to answer both questions of a two part question and he needs to contact the tea party groups/orgs. that say he hasn’t responded or been “vetted”, but if people expect a candidate to sign a pledge then I don’t believe they can as that is the same as entering a contract and I don’t think that is allowed. I have to say Rubio would be the victor in this debate as he stuck to the issues most of the time.
To Lightweight: Who are going to vote for if not one of these two? I believe that leaves DeCastro and Thorpe doesn’t it?
The debate was interesting. I was not a strong Rubio supporter before the debate, choosing to listen to both sides. Rubio is conservative and strong on the issues. Christ who I voted for as governor, is slinging mud and dodging the issues. Rubio chose not to bring up muddy issues on Christ staying above the mud level. I think Rubio is the better candidate as he talked about fiscal issues explaining his reasoning. Christ indicated his support for all things moderate to left including the stimulus package, immigration reform and other issues. He would be another John McCain or an Arlen Specter, neither of which is good for the people of Florida or America. Either Republican candidate would beat Kendrick Meek who is a died in the wool Obama supporter regardless of what the American people think on the issues. Arrogance runs deep in Democrats these days! They profess to know more than the American people and this should cost them dearly in the next election.
Great even-handed review of the debate. The double-talk politician showed his true colors once again and Floridians have noticed.
I used the fighting analogy in my article ‘Rubio Rocks Crist In The First’ on Rational Discourse’ at http://www.jamiegator.com and I think it is the most appropriate comparison. Round 1 was definitely Rubio’s. It certainly seemed like an aging ex-champ squaring off against the next generation and #1 contender. Can’t wait for round 2.
@Lightweight: Charlie and Marco will split the vote in what election and what voting bloc? The August 24 Primary is suppossed to be split amongst the voters…
I have to agree with Javier & George. Rubio edged out Charlie.
I think Marco could have KO’d Charlie if he’d said something about the fact that the RPOF (the other arm of the Crist campaign) which leaked Marco’s AMEX statement, still hasn’t released Charlie’s or Greer’s statements. I suspect when those come out Marco will end up looking like a choirboy by comparison.
No candidate is perfect, but you know that with Charlie you’re get a very slippery (and well-tanned RINO). We don’t need another McCain or Graham in the U.S. Senate.
One of the main things I look for in a debate is the way which the questions are answered by the candidates. Crist was defensive and in attack mode with dubious claims right from the outset. He also interrupted Rubio several times. Rubio remained calm, answered questions (it did take some prodding by Wallace to make him answer the raising the retirement age question, though) and did not appear desperate, unlike Crist. Rubio won the debate, and it wasn’t really all that close either.
I thought Marco Rubio won this debate hands down! Marco was cool calm and “RIGHT” to the point and was clearly the true conservative! And I think Crist didn’t help himself by saying if he was a senator he would of been one of four senators to have voted for Obama’s stimulus package. What??!! And I don’t think Crist helped himself by saying McCain & Gram are his favorite senators!
I think Rubio won the debate hands down. He spoke to the issues while Crist went to personal attacks. Rubio is the conservative. Rubio will get my vote. Crist needs to drop out instead of using his money on personal attacks. These personal attacks only turn people against him.
Crist is a Obama, NWO, Agenda 21 butt licker and will do anything to be a commandant in the ‘O’ army …
I think Marco needs to set down and answer the questions from the OTown Tea Party…..it only takes a few minutes……
However it is clear to me we can elect a Graham/McCain Democrat in republican (RINO) Crist or we can elect someone who in no way shape or form desires communism or socialism. Go Rubio, do the right thing and answer the questions and solidify your base!
Marco Rubio is just like Charlie Crist, will not be pinned down on the issues. There is an alternative running and he is Alex Snitker. He DOES address the issues and he will answer the questions when he is asked. Check him out for yourself at: http://www.snitker2010.com
Yes he is running as a Libertarian but if you speak to him he will address ALL questions put to him. If you have a group that is meeting and is having a Meet and Greet invite him, you will not be disappointed.
@William Wood, please. Snitker? He is nothing but another one of the Ron Paul whackos. The Shark Tank has done it’s homework on him and others and we know all about his views. Rubio is the only choice.
I have seen our incumbent Senator George Le Mieux give very conservative speeches on the senate floor. If he has integrity then I say why not keep him there.I detest primaries because it is better to go into Nov. totally focused on that race.This election is for the very essence of our country.We must retake both houses.
Alex STINKER as I call him is a CRAZY WACK JOB! Who believes in 911 was an inside job!
I didn’t think either candidate was doing anything other than
trash the other and no one really touched on any concrete plans to make changes…just empty promises !!!
Mr. Rubio had a slight edge on presentation and looking slightly less conspicuous than Gov Crist.
I was not impressed by the allleged debate. Charlie was obsessed with an income source for Rubio. On the other hand, Charlie made no mention of the tremendous waste of RPOF funds by his crony pal Jim Greer. Rubio really said little to arouse ones interest. Maybe next time they can agree to talk on the issues important to the citizens of Florida.
Rubio won hands down! You know when your winning is when the other candidate keeps interrupting you!
Watching Governor Christ is the “same ole, same ole” Obama seduces, charms an makes love to us all. (Look at the picture here and also the picture posted with Biden after the passing of the health care takeover!) Meanwhile is is sticking a knife in our backs. Christ is not strong enough to resist. The money is very tempting to corrupt people.
As Steve Forbes once said “money in the hands of Washington is like a pot of honey to a bear, they just cannot takes their hands off it. I hope in 2010 Americans can adhere to their principles and values that they are now professing and vote for the most honest candidate. At least Rubio may not be as entrenched in the deceit and corruption at this point. Right now he has my vote! Sincerely, Debbie Levitt
The debate by it’s nature is messy, but anyone that couldn’t see the cowardly dance of Charlie Crist wasn’t looking.Marco Rubio answered questions directly and supported the principle of law. Rubio supports the Constitution and States Rights for Florida.We have to stop the Big Federal Government of the Obamanation and Crist will not.
I like to see Marco be vetted by icaucus.org. Charlie Crist did not do well in the debate. He did more harm to himself by trying to trash Marco Rubio. He plays dirty politics. There is no way I would vote for Crist. He is for the stimulus package and amnesty. Marco is truly a constitutional person. He got my vote.
It would be interesting to ask both of them their plans as to how they are going to protect the Constitution from enemies domestic to the U.S.A.
ie other legislators.
Rubio does not like Colombians. He does not want us to come to the US. Create a wet foot/dry foot for all Marco. Do not say you want legal immigration when you have your base within your pocket. Mentiroso.
@Juliana
What do you mean Marco does not like Colombians? I am Colombian and he thinks I the best thing since Arroz con Pollo. Not to mention that his wife is Colombian as well. I would check your facts Juliana.
Then Javier, explain Marco Rubio’ stand on immigration.
Also, explain why he does not reach-out to other Hispanics?
Lastly and most importantly, does Rubio even have an idea of where all of the Latin American countries are and what is happening to them which will directly affect each one of us in the US and most importantly within Florida?
What does Rubio say? Also, fix your grammar paisano.
you sound very bitter Juliana. How is that race of yours going now adays? Are you still running for state house, or are you in another race? Why did you drop out of your race?
As for Rubio, he has stated that he is for ‘legal’ immigration. He believes in securing our borders and addressing the issue of immigrants over-staying their visas.
How is he not reaching out to other Hispanics? Please humor me by giving me an example. Please, an example not just rhetoric.
As for him knowing where the Latin American countries are, I am pretty sure he knows the situation across Latin America. Juliana, do tell me what he is missing and what you think should be done in L.A.?
Joes Sestak Has defeated Arlen Specter in the Democratic Senate primary. I guess this specific defeat will be a black spot in his political career. This is definitely also a big thumb down to President obama.First Time Home Buyer Lenders