Crist takes "DeBait" Finally Crist v Rubio debate will be on Fox

Governor Charlie Crist has refused to debate his senate primary rival Marco Rubio for months.

FINALLY, now that he is losing in the polls , he has decided to debate Rubio during Cris Wallace's Fox News Sunday.

RUBIO FOR SENATE COMMENTS ON UPCOMING DEBATES

Miami, FL – Marco Rubio for Senate today released the following statement following Governor Charlie Crist’s decision to finally accept Rubio’s call for debates.

“After eight months of waiting, Marco Rubio is pleased Charlie Crist has finally accepted our long-standing invitation to have a real debate on the issues affecting Florida's and our nation's future,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos. “For nearly a year, Charlie Crist has avoided a serious policy debate or an honest discussion of his record. Instead, he has relied on the broken politics of shrill name-calling, cynical reinvention and petty attacks.

“Only now, when his campaign is increasingly desperate and willing to say and do anything to turn the tide, has he apparently realized the importance of a substantive debate on the issues.

“FOX Network has shown serious interest in this primary campaign since day one and was the first national news organization to extend an invitation for a debate. Marco Rubio gladly accepted immediately and will be happy to debate Charlie Crist on Meet the Press or anywhere else after he has kept his commitment to have the first debate on FOX on March 28. No national news organization has shown greater interest in covering this race than FOX. It’s unfortunate that Charlie Crist doesn’t understand this."

It's about time!! I have chronicled Rubio's repeated requests for debate and Crist's seemingly endless quest to refuse them.

Here are some of those stories starting in JUNE of 2009:

Marco Rubio Calls for Debates with Crist (June 22, 09)
Video: Marco Rubio Ad-Let the Debate Begin  (July 7, 09)
Crist Hides from Debate with Rival Marco Rubio (August 21, 09)
Rubio Calls Crist's Bluff-Debate Me Then!  (November 17, 09)
Video: Here is why Charlie Crist Refuses to Debate Marco Rubio (November 18 2009)
Again: Rubio Demands a Debate with Crist  (December 16, 09)
Marco Rubio: Charlie Crist Will Not Debate Me (February 6, 10

Fasten your seatbelts and make the popcorn. This is going to be fun!!!