by Javier Manjarres
Today’s U.S. Senatorial debate hosted and televised by Univision was a respectful affair that had its share of memorable moments. The controversial “Dream Act” and the illegal immigration issue were both casting a large shadow over the afternoon debate. All three candidates stood their ground on their previously stated views on illegal immigration. Congressman Meek is completely for granting amnesty to illegals, against the AZ immigration law, and is in favor of the Dream Act. Governor Crist also supports a path to citizenship and is also against the Arizona immigration law. Crist also supports the Dream Act as well the manner in which the Democrats are trying to cram it down the American People’s throats.
” I support the Dream Act..support it being attached to the military bill.” – Charlie Crist
Rubio on the other hand, is completely against any form of Amnesty, is against the Dream Act, supports E-Verify and condemns Senate Leader Harry Reid for attaching it to a military appropriations bill just to help win an election. Rubio stated:
“It’s a cynical way to play politics with the lives of real people, Harry Reid and the Democrats have been in charge of the Senate for almost two years now,and they bring this up, in this manner in a defense bill, at the last second on the eve of an election because he wants to win an election in Nevada.”
But the real quote, and the pivotal moment of the debate, was when Rubio turned to Governor Crist and lambasted him for his flip-flopping and for being the consummate opportunist:
“ Governor, I’ve got to point something out and I hope, and I am going to say this in the most respectful way possible, but I want to be blunt– Everybody sees what you’re doing here- everbody gets it. For twenty years you’ve run as a Republican-running on the same things that you now criticize me for. Four months ago you were running against me as a Republican and saying the things you now criticize me for. You only changed parties and did this Independent thing when you couldn’t win a Republican primary and now you wake up everyday and try to figure out what you can say or do to take votes away from Congressman Meek so more Democrats will vote for you. But Everybody sees it for what it is-everybody gets it. So I think we owe voters more respect than that because what is happening in this country is that they’re taking us in the wrong direction and if we stay on this road we are on right now we are going to lose everything that makes America special and the last thing we need in Washington are more political opportunists that are gonna go up there and basically be for whatever helped them get re-elected. Re-election and winning an election should not be the purpose of your public service- it should be a by-product of good public service.
***UPDATE*** 12:43 am Univision has just released the video clip http://univision23.univision.com/destino2010/senatorial-debate/video/2010-09-17/would-you-support-changing-the
Shark Tank Summary of the Debate:
Marco Rubio Wins. Meek, Strong Second, Charlie- Shark Chum.
26 Responses to “***Video Update***Rubio Lays the Smack Down on “Crist the Opportunist” in Debate”
Marco Rubio told it like it is! It is obvious to most people that Crist is just an
opportunist. He has changed his stripes so many times he looks like a checker
board! We all need to vote for Rubio to represent us in the Senate. I feel
sorry for Meeks, as he should be backed by his Democratic supporters, but
some of them are following Crist.
Wow – Go Marco Rubio. The frankness with which Rubio confronted Crist is EXACTLY what we need in conservative leadership – genuinely respectful but bold and honest. It takes courage, confidence and character. I would love to have seen Crist’s reaction – how could he respond without appearing even more dishonest?? There are a heck of a lot of Republican politicians that need to take leadership lessons from Rubio and Chris Christy.
Vote Marco Rubio !!!! God Speed Marco !!! Crist is a flip flop who can not be trusted.
Whew …..Goodness Marco….very well said!!!
Someone was comparing Marco to Mel Martinez today….I want to remind Marco of this right now…..IF YOU EVER START ACTING LIKE SMELLY MEL , I WILL PERSONALLY COME TO DC AND DRAG YOU OUT OF SESSION IN FRONT OF EVERYONE BY THE EARLOBE….
STICK TO YOUR GUNS …MARCO…..REMEMBER CASTRO HAS ADMITTED HE WAS WRONG……THAT IS EVERY REASON TO BE A FOUNDING CONSTITUTIONALISTS THAT WOULD INDEED GIVE THEIR LIFE FOR IT…..
It s a sobering thought to sit and realize that those who signed the Declaration of Independence did loose their lives.
This is precisely the amount of conviction and belief and level of commitment we must have to keep this country headed in the right direction!
Rubio is the man!
Charley flip flop Tuna
After Marco tore up Chuckles, and after I was finally able to stop laughing, El Sharko almost shed a tear of happiness for ‘jefe’. We have come along way…no words can describe this. kudos boss
This is SO good that I have to ask what was Crist’s response? Did he have one?
What I don’t get is, how do these types even garner any votes? Crist needs to be shunned by one and all.
[...] A debate was sponsored by Univision television Friday. Immigration is a huge problem for Florida and the voters have a real “choice” between Senate candidates on this issue. Marco Rubio set himself apart from his competitors and took his first post-primary shot at Charlie Crist as an “opportunist.” Marco Rubio’s clarity of character is what we need in Washington! Someday, we will have a chance to vote for him for president. Here’s Sharky’s report from the SharkTank blog in Florida: [...]
Rubio can say what he wants to convince people he is not for amnesty,but he still has not answered why he sat on the illegal immigration bill as State Senator.He has mad it clear to the illegals in speeches on the censenus to be counted and that it would not be for deportation.Stop the lies.
@lightweight
He answered your question lightweight, you are just asleep at the wheel and never paid attention when he answered it. Go dig around for his answeres-they are out there.
Marco Rubio will be exactly like Mel Martinez you can count on it. What I know about Charlie Crist is that he is the only politician in Florida that ever said he was going to reduce property taxes and he did it. LISTEN TO ME YOU MISLED REPUBLICANS HE DID IT. Any lawyer like Rubio can promise anything but I know his history. On the immigration he already flip flopped from his days in the Florida Senate. He will flood Florida with more immigrants. I will vote for Charlie Crist period end of story.
@Mike
Do you homework. Crist promised to raise taxes and failed. He raised the cigarette tax as well as others.
Well it’s refreshing to see Rubio stand his ground on immigration. But we will still have to watch him like a hawk to make sure he doesn’t flip.
Mel Martinez also promised that he would never be in favor of amnesty. He won by the narrowest of margins, then he did an about-face once elected.
In the meantime, the person that we really have to thank for this whole illegal immigration mess is Karl Rove. He’s the one that told Bush and the Republicans that they had to “court this group” for future votes. But what he really did was pave the way for millions of newly minted Democrats to become voters. Thanks for nothing, Karl, and don’t take the bait, Marco or I will join Tamara in DC…
An earlier poster replied that Crist ‘cut property taxes’;
Sorry, Charlie(supporter)….
It was Charlie who signed the decrease, but it was wrought by the Florida House and Senate, the latter under Rubio.
Interesting how Crist has only agreed to ONE debate that will be televised throughout the State. He is just a chicken to debate in such a venue where there is only a limited amount of people to really see and hear what kind of a weasel he is. He wants to hide it. Glad Marco uncovered—at least to some alert ones—what Crist is doing and that’s just pandering for votes without any real answers. The hate that emanates from Crist is overwhelming to me.
Game over for Charlie the Opportunist!
Rubio nailed him. That was awesome.
Bye Bye Charlie…
Did Rubio just bitch slap Crist? Yup!
Rubio may have”smacked” down Christ (not a very difficult thing to do) but Alex Snitker, the Libertarian candidate for senate smacks them all down because he signed to 10/4 pledge and the three major candidates didn’t. The 10/4 pledge that is a pledge that is put out by the Tenth Amendment Center that says; 1.My votes will always be in favor of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State. Every Issue. Every time. No exceptions. No excuses.
2. I do, and I will continue to, oppose any and all efforts by the federal government to act beyond its Constitutional authority.
3. I will proactively introduce and support measures designed to adhere to the Tenth Amendment and preserve, to their fullest extent, the powers of the people of my district, and the legislators and administrations of my State.
4. I will introduce, sponsor and support resolutions affirming the sovereignty of the people of the each state under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
5. I will introduce, sponsor, and support legislation that seeks to repeal laws and regulations that are outside the scope of the powers delegated by the people to the federal government.
6. I will introduce, sponsor and support legislation that provide fair redress to citizens of my State in response to actions by the federal government which exceeds its Constitution authority.
7. Whenever I vote for a new federal power I will always make public my justification for it within the confines of the enumerated powers of the Constitution.
8. I will only vote in favor of a bill that I have thoroughly read considered and understood.
9. I will be accountable to voters. Upon request, I will make public every vote I cast while in office.
10. I will keep this pledge public, and will provide a link on my website
We need people at all levels of government that adhere to the constitution. We need people that know that their job is not to listen to the people and do their whim, but to protect and uphold the Constitution of the United States.
Article VI. “The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several States Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust
under the United States.” Rubio has been offered the opportunity to sign the pledge but has refused to do so, I don’t know why he would refuse uphold and defend the US Constitution but he has. I would never support any candidate that will not support the US Constitution! Alex Snitker web site is: snitker2010.com
To see a signed copy of Alex’s pledge please go to the The 10/4 pledge that is a pledge that is put out by the Tenth Amendment Center that says; 1.My votes will always be in favor of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State. Every Issue. Every time. No exceptions. No excuses.
2. I do, and I will continue to, oppose any and all efforts by the federal government to act beyond its Constitutional authority.
3. I will proactively introduce and support measures designed to adhere to the Tenth Amendment and preserve, to their fullest extent, the powers of the people of my district, and the legislators and administrations of my State.
4. I will introduce, sponsor and support resolutions affirming the sovereignty of the people of the each state under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
5. I will introduce, sponsor, and support legislation that seeks to repeal laws and regulations that are outside the scope of the powers delegated by the people to the federal government.
6. I will introduce, sponsor and support legislation that provide fair redress to citizens of my State in response to actions by the federal government which exceeds its Constitution authority.
7. Whenever I vote for a new federal power I will always make public my justification for it within the confines of the enumerated powers of the Constitution.
8. I will only vote in favor of a bill that I have thoroughly read considered and understood.
9. I will be accountable to voters. Upon request, I will make public every vote I cast while in office.
10. I will keep this pledge public, and will provide a link on my website
We need people at all levels of government that adhere to the constitution. We need people that know that their job is not to listen to the people and do their whim, but to protect and uphold the Constitution of the United States.
Article VI. “The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several States Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust
under the United States.” Rubio has been offered the opportunity to sign the pledge but has refused to do so, I don’t know why he would refuse uphold and defend the US Constitution but he has. I would never support any candidate that will not support the US Constitution! Alex Snitker web site is: snitker2010.com
To see a signed copy of Alex’s pledge please go to The 10/4 pledge that is a pledge that is put out by the Tenth Amendment Center that says; 1.My votes will always be in favor of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State. Every Issue. Every time. No exceptions. No excuses.
2. I do, and I will continue to, oppose any and all efforts by the federal government to act beyond its Constitutional authority.
3. I will proactively introduce and support measures designed to adhere to the Tenth Amendment and preserve, to their fullest extent, the powers of the people of my district, and the legislators and administrations of my State.
4. I will introduce, sponsor and support resolutions affirming the sovereignty of the people of the each state under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
5. I will introduce, sponsor, and support legislation that seeks to repeal laws and regulations that are outside the scope of the powers delegated by the people to the federal government.
6. I will introduce, sponsor and support legislation that provide fair redress to citizens of my State in response to actions by the federal government which exceeds its Constitution authority.
7. Whenever I vote for a new federal power I will always make public my justification for it within the confines of the enumerated powers of the Constitution.
8. I will only vote in favor of a bill that I have thoroughly read considered and understood.
9. I will be accountable to voters. Upon request, I will make public every vote I cast while in office.
10. I will keep this pledge public, and will provide a link on my website
We need people at all levels of government that adhere to the constitution. We need people that know that their job is not to listen to the people and do their whim, but to protect and uphold the Constitution of the United States.
Article VI. “The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several States Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust
under the United States.” Rubio has been offered the opportunity to sign the pledge but has refused to do so, I don’t know why he would refuse uphold and defend the US Constitution but he has. I would never support any candidate that will not support the US Constitution! Alex Snitker web site is: snitker2010.com
To see a signed copy of Alex’s pledge please go to pensacola.tenthamendcenter.com and click on past pledge signers.
response to Mike “mike says:
September 18, 2010 at 6:48 am
Marco Rubio will be exactly like Mel Martinez you can count on it. What I know about Charlie Crist is that he is the only politician in Florida that ever said he was going to reduce property taxes and he did it. LISTEN TO ME YOU MISLED REPUBLICANS HE DID IT. Any lawyer like Rubio can promise anything but I know his history. On the immigration he already flip flopped from his days in the Florida Senate. He will flood Florida with more immigrants. I will vote for Charlie Crist period end of story.”
What are you smoking out there Mike? Our home value has decreased but our property taxes have increased. Crist also promised to drastically reduce homeowner’s insurance, and I don’t know ANYONE whose insurance premiums have not increased exponentially.
And one more bone to pick with you…………………Rubio was not in the Florida Senate, he was speaker of the Florida house, dude. Pay attention.
I voted for narci-crist and I am so sorry I did. I did not like Gallagher but no way could he have done a worse job as governor.
Marco Rubio is a conservative and is going to be an awesome Senator!
Alexander Snitker is a WACO who has no money and no shot in winning! A vote for a 3rd party candidate like Alex is a vote for Liberal Crist!
Please send this speech to Miller in Alaska. This is what he needs to say to Murkowski in a slightly altered form. And it would make a good TV ad in Florida. Florida does get it; that’s why Marco is ahead of Charlie by a huge margin already.
Marco in two years will have more experience, as well as much better experience, than Barrack had two years ago when he was nominated for President. If Marco was nominated for President, what could Obama say? Marco will still have more experience than Obama, except in golf and vacations, and in reading teleprompters.
Charlie is for Charlie, he is for himself….forget about “people first”…for “me first”, he betray his friends…Charlie Crist is not a leader, let him go home in November.
RUBIO speaks loud and clear….he is the man.