Florida Senate Debate: They Came to Play

Are you kidding me? That is not the same debate I saw. Rubio didn't say anything with any substance and Crist said he vetoed half a million dollars worth of earmarks that Rubio wanted and showed Rubio is just another corrupt money-grupping politician. We saw this debate not knowing who to vote for, but Rubio was the WORST of the three.

I'm a life-long Democrat, but Charlie won this one, hands down. He put Rubio on the defensive, where he belongs, and, although politely and respectfully, made Kendrik Meek irrelevant. Given the choice: a right-wing extremest, an otherwise honorable congressman with suspicious connections to donor money, and a "waffler," (AKA someone who reads public opinion) I'm afraid I may have to go for the guy who listens to constituents.

Any got this one wrong. Crist got a number of clean punches on Rubio -- and he wasn't able to deflect any of them. He does support a major (privitization) overhaul of Social Security; he did get cozy with FL developers while speaker of the House, and he is an extreme social conservative. Did Amy miss those points (punches)?

I agree with Irene. Did Amy watch the same debate that Floridians saw?

As a Florida Resident I must say tonight the pride I felt casting my ballot for Marco Rubio a few days ago(absentee) was cemented with his appearance tonight. Marco made me proud. I too am a Conservative of "minority" status. I am a young black male conservative and a appreciate Marco, as a Conservative and as a man of Color, for standing firm on his conservative, constitutional ideals and never backing down. Gov. Crist, I'm sorry I voted for you in 2006, you've become a political hack!

I know first hand from being in Tall. Cris had cleaned up after rubio to fight for us families with children with disabilities. I was there 2 years ago and Cris stood up for the children in florida thank you Cris.Rubio fought us.

Really, Amy?

I am shocked that Amy saw the debate this way. Although, I lean toward voting for Crist, I was open to hearing from the three. Meeks was actually more passionate and forceful with his views, Crist was trying hard to look straight into the camera and speak to both parties, but Rubio? Are you kidding me? He looked down and glum, and mumbled and didn't talk about specifics at all. He didn't actually say anything. I'm sorry, Amy is totally wrong on this.

Crist clearly won and anyone who thought otherwise had their mind made up before it started. Rubio looked nervous and inexperienced and Meek said the word "important" over 100 times. He said it so many times that I had "importants" rather than listening to what he had to say.

Yes hands down Crist won. Amy must have been counting Meeks importants too and not seeing what everyone else saw.

I will definitely be voting for Crist. Meek and Rubio are not ready and aren't in the same league. Amy perhaps saw what she wanted and not what actually took place.

Wow. She thought Rubio won this debate? No way! He seemed nervous, unprepared, talked in vague generalities with no facts. He spoke less than anyone else, unable to defend himself or his policies. By the looks of these comments, nobody agrees with her. It seems Amy must have her own preconceived conclusions before she even saw the debate.

Amy, Christ was right concerning Earmarks, Rubio is still under investigation, and has not produced his tax returns. Also he blatantly lied conserning the football field. I think I saw a different debate. Rubio had little or no substance to any of his arguments. The stimulus did create jobs.
Meek held his own but lost any sense of rreliablity when he made the wallace comment. According to the The Buzz in Tampa the win went to Meek.

I am glad this live debate took place (voters were able to see the candidates raw and somewhat unscripted). Mr. Rubio stood his ground (on what he believes and stands for). With that being said, he cames across as though he did not care for the middle (working) class - at all. I truly believe that alone made him lose votes (and I am a Republican).

Governor Crist made (some) good points, but somewhat has a 'safe' place - with being an Independent. Out of the three candidates, Gov. Crist was the least 'finger pointing' and stuck to answering questions, and addressing issues. Rep. Meek is a true Democrat, and although one may not agree with his views...at least you know where he stands on the issues (as you do with Rubio).

I'm ready to see the next debate!

I'm going with the former state trooper of the year. He had he most DUI arrest,
No telling how many lives he saved.
Congressman Kendrick Meek directly answered evey question answered and made sure the audience knew where he stood on the issues. Christ was smooth, but his record is rough because his positions have change so much. They may change again if elected. Rubio spoke in platitudes, sounded nice but provided no substance.

In my litle political knowledge, I think that Mr. Crist won by far, as a republican, I always vote for republicans, I always voted for Mr, Graham, a Democrat that as a governor did the best for Florida, and I know that Mr. Crist will be senator Crist next November.

Marco Rubio is my man. He is the only one who realizes that the rich are sending their money overseas because that is the only place where they can turn a profit. Unless Obama and his comrades prevent it, the rich will leave this country in droves and invest in a country that is friendlier towards entrepreneurs and businessmen. I have never been paid by the lower and middle classes. My checks have always been signed by millionaires. They are the job creators and they love this country, but they will not continue to invest in a country that demonizes them and wants to take well over 40% of their money.

WE SHOULD PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY. I am 37 and when I am ready to retire there will be no social security because of cradle to grave Obamanomics that is crippling this country. You know, I wanted to take my wife to a Cuban restaurant that had been around for years. They went out of business. Before that, we had a Variasian Crazy Buffet in our area. Now that is gone too. Businesses are being crippled by the endless regulation and taxation of liberal Democrats. This is the same reason why healthcare is so expensive. Healthcare does need an overhaul. We need kick those lawyers out of the health industry and stop treating illegals for free. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I waited to vote until I saw the debate tonight to make sure I was not wrong in my vote. It goes to Marco Rubio. Crist is a finger in the air politician and Meek is likeable but has been a rubber stamp vote for Pelosi and will be the same for Reid.

I wish we had a true independent for whom I could vote.

I don't know what debate Amy watched, but Rubio was not only way off, he didn't even answer the last question concerning where he stood on Gay Adoption; never even addressed the question. And where on earth does he get his figures from? You can't predict 10 yrs from now what the deficit will be!! Rubio seems to forget that President Obama inherited a deficit also. He wants the deficit down, but no tax raises for the rich. Right. Governor Crist clearly won the debate, although I am not entirely in agreement with everything he said. However, he at least addressed and answered each question. He has a lot more "cool" than Meek. I am a registered Democrat, but will probably vote for Governor Crist; as I live in FL, and he did fight to save jobs down here. George S should have said to Rubio: "Please address the question asked." Rubio is so far right that I think he is somewhere out in the Atlantic; he needs some coffee for a change.

Rubio was the most polished and straight forward of the three candidates. How anyone could trust Crist at this point is beyond me! As for Meeks, he is passionate but obviously stands at opposite poles from Rubio on just about every major issue. What I love about Rubio is that he tells it like it is. We cannot keep spending like we are or we are headed for ruin. Everyone is going to have to tighten their purse strings,starting with the federal government! Rubio will make sure this happens.

CHARLIE CRIST is the only candidate that we can trust...his record and experience is proven. Charlie clearly won this debate. Rubio is a puppet that asked the people to vote for the "other 2 candidates" 5 times. What kind of backbone does he have?? Now on the other hand, Meeks is a 6.3 ex-football player, but a nice guy. I know all of them personally. Charlie has and always will care about the State of Florida. After all, Charlie grew up in Florida and went from Elementary School through College in this great state. People who truly care about the State of Florida will vote for CHARLIE CRIST.

Rubio and fiscal conservatives like him are just the medicine our country needs to right this sinking economy. Progressives had their shot and have made a bad economic spell even worse. It is time for the level-headed citizens to take the keys back from both establishments and do what has to be done ourselves. The establishment is too busy trying to keep their jobs than to do what has to be done...cut taxes AND spending....just like all of us have to do when our money is tight. Government should be no exception!

Charlie will (and should) win in Florida in November. He is flat out the best candidate. Rubio is nothing but an inexperienced charlatan running on a "negative, fear mongering" message. If Meek was smart he woould get out so his voters could go to Charlie (which they should be doing anyway). Anything to keep a far right extremist like Rubio out of the seat.

Thats ridiculous. Government is not like your household. All economists say that it is up to the government to make investments in education, infrastructure, and other areas for our future. It is up to government to help with unemployment and keep teachers and police and firefighters working. Since people have stopped spending, and corporations have stopped investing and have been hiring back, it is up to government to take up the slack...or we could get into another depression. That was what all the experts said and continue to say. To compare the government with your household is really a juvenile way of thinking. Rubio has no answers. Just lots of slogans...like some of these other tea party people. Slogans are easy. Governing is more complicated than that.