Here is why Charlie Crist Refuses to Debate Marco Rubio

Once again current Florida Governor Charlie Crist refuses Marco Rubio's invitation for debates.

Crist is obviously afraid to confront either Rubio or the electorate with his positions on key issues?
Why you ask? Because he does not know himself what he believes in. Is THIS who we need as the next senator of the Great State of Florida. I think not...

Check it out for yourself:

Rubio Calls Crist's Bluff-Debate Me Then!

Marco Rubio wasted no time in "calling-out" Charlie Crist after Crist vowed to fight back against Rubio's successful and accurate attempts to paint him as a RINO.

Rubio's answer to Crist's promise to fight back? DEBATE ME!

Very smart on Rubio's part. Here is the press release issued by the Rubio camp:

“Let the buyer beware of anything Charlie Crist is selling. If Governor Crist can’t be honest about his own record of endorsing the stimulus, he shouldn’t be trusted to talk about other people’s records truthfully and accurately. While his history of running false, misleading and negative campaigns says otherwise, we nonetheless hope this signals a new phase in this campaign where Governor Crist will actually step up and directly engage Marco Rubio in a series of debates. Floridians deserve better than candidates hiding behind ‘anonymous’ websites and lobbyist hatchet men.” ---Alex Burgos

UPDATE!
Rubio campaign sends a letter and direct challenge to Crist to debate the issues.

Eric Eikenberg

Campaign Manager
Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate
P.O. Box 1694
Tallahassee, FL 32302

Dear Eric:
As you are probably aware, on June 22 of this year, Marco Rubio invited Governor Crist to participate in a series of at least 10 U.S. Senate debates, beginning this fall. Organized by GOP organizations in each of Florida’s media markets, these unprecedented debates would cover a full range of state and national issues, while showcasing Florida as a national leader in promoting the very best political discourse the Republican Party has to offer.

At that time, Marco acknowledged the differences that exist between him and Governor Crist on issues like wasteful stimulus spending that has failed to create jobs, cap-and-trade, property tax reform, judicial appointments, property insurance and a struggling Florida economy that has seen unemployment rise to a 34-year high. Marco expressed his belief that several debates would help bring these and other differences to light.

Unfortunately, Governor Crist has shown no interest in debating Marco thus far.

Instead, the media has widely reported on behind-the-scenes maneuvering by your campaign to attack Marco and his record. Today, the National Journal’s On Call reports that, “FL Gov. Charlie Crist will step up his direct engagements with his opponent. … Crist will attack former FL House Speaker Marco Rubio.”

Marco welcomes the challenge and invites Governor Crist to reconsider his reluctance to directly engage in face-to-face debates. In light of Governor Crist’s “governing” commitments, we would be happy to work with you to formalize a debate schedule that will help our campaigns rise above the typical 30-second commercials, slick slogans and bumper stickers that define too many of our country’s political contests.

For example, we hope you will consider the December 17 debate being sponsored by the Biscayne Bay Young Republicans and the FIU College Republicans, which will be moderated by Michael Putney from Miami’s WPLG-TV. There is also a January debate sponsored by the Tampa Republican Club, which will be moderated by the St. Petersburg Times’ political editor Adam Smith.

I look forward to your reply and the contest ahead.
Respectfully,
Pat Shortridge
Senior Advisor
Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate

Marco Rubio Hits Back Twice as Hard

In a letter to supporters, the Marco Rubio campaign sent out this email in response to Charlie Crist's newest attacks against rival Rubio.

The Rubio team does not seem intimidated by the tactics. In fact, they hit back twice as hard asking for Crist to debate the issues.  Crist has continued to hide from any debates.

Here is the letter(with links):
Supporter-


We all knew this day would eventually come. After months of negative headlines about his stewardship of Florida, pretending he is unopposed in the GOP primary and refusing to debate Marco Rubio on the issues affecting Florida’s and America’s future, Charlie Crist has finally acknowledged he has a real fight on his hands and is reverting to his tried and tested approach of smearing whoever stands in his way.

Faced with Marco’s growing momentum and a public growing increasingly sour about his own record of supporting tax increases, the wasteful Obama stimulus package and cap-and-trade, Crist and his allies are lashing out with misleading, negative and personal attacks. As the Miami Herald reports today, “Crist allies are starting to push back at the notion that Rubio is a conservative’s dream candidate.”

Unfortunately for Crist and his allies, they are running up against a wall of respected conservatives who have seen Marco up close and can vouch for his credentials:

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich: “… has pegged Rubio as a rising national political figure and calls 100 Ideas ‘a work of genius.’”

Former Gov. Jeb Bush: “He’s got all the tools. He’s charismatic and has the right principles.”

Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey: “Marco Rubio is a champion of freedom and an inspiring leader for the next generation of the conservative movement. His track record and conservative convictions are a breath of fresh air in a party looking for new leaders to advance the principles of limited government, lower taxes and economic liberty.”

Sen. Jim DeMint: “There is no question Marco Rubio will be a big part of the Republican Party’s future, but I believe if we are to defeat the forces of Big Government now controlling Washington, Marco Rubio needs to be a big part of the Republican Party’s present. He has the skills and ideas we need to rebuild our party, reform our government, and renew our nation.”

Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist: Rubio is “the most pro-taxpayer legislative leader in the country.”

Syndicated Columnist George Will: “His preventive medicine includes limited government, tax reform, spending restraint and removal of all impediments to the entrepreneurship that makes America a place ‘where poor people can put billionaires out of business.’”

National Radio Host Laura Ingraham: “He's not the favorite in this race, but he's the best one running. I'm all about supporting true conservatives.”

You see, Marco has the truth on his side and the conservative credentials to back it up. But he needs your help to get the word out and fight the smears, which is why we’re asking you to help today in two ways:

First, help make sure Marco has the resources to set the record straight by donating to his campaign. Your support will help ensure Marco’s message reaches all Floridians.

Second, urge Charlie Crist to accept Marco’s Debate Challenge. As voters, you deserve to see candidates go face-to-face on the issues of greatest concern to you. So far in 2009, Governor Crist has shown more interest in standing on stage with President Obama at a pro-stimulus rally than he has in standing on stage with Marco debating ideas. That’s not the kind of campaign you deserve.

Thanks for your support,
Team Rubio

Absent Gov Charlie Crist Flip Flops AGAIN

Florida Governor Charlie Crist will be leaving for Chicago tonight to raise money from insurance executives he once celebrated putting "the nail in the coffin" of.

THEN: GOVERNOR CRIST

..."When the Florida legislature finished its spring session last year, Republican governor Charlie Crist hailed lawmakers for what he considered their most important accomplishment: 'You put the nail in the coffin this afternoon on the industry that was hurting our people.' ...

'I am amazed at their level of greed and I am amazed at the callous nature of their corporate decisions,' he told the St. Petersburg Times last summer." ("'He's No Jeb Bush,'" National Review, 4/7/08)

NOW: CANDIDATE CRIST

"Gov. Charlie Crist has a busy day [Thursday]: A morning meeting of the clemency board ... followed by a fundraiser in Chicago for his U.S. Senate campaign. This one is hosted by Tallahassee lobbyist Fred Karlinsky and a cadre of insurance bigwigs, including Richard Parillo Sr. and his son of the same name, execs in the United Auto Insurance Co." ("Crist's Thursday: Felon's Rights In Tally, More Cash In Chicago, St. Petersburg Times, 9/23/09)

Charlie Crist still seems to have a propensity to follow the direction of  the nearest "wind sock" without regard to his constituency.

He continues to ignore the conservative base and allows himself to be persuaded by those who prefer a more liberal tack.

I am amazed at the callous nature of  HIS decisions and his refusal to debate a boni fide opponent (Marco Rubio) during the campaign.

This isthe same Charlie Crist who supported Barack Obam's Stimulus Plan and said,

"It's important that we pass a stimulus package. It's important. It is important to do so to help education, to help our infrastructure, and to help HEALTH CARE for those that need it the most. The most vulnerable among us. And let me finish Mr. President by saying that we need to do it in a bipartisan way."... 

Later he changed his mind for political expediency and called the Health Care Plan "cockamamie". 

From TBO.comORLANDO - Florida Gov. Charlie Crist called President Barack Obama's proposed health care overhaul "cockamamie" as he and the state Republican Party tried Saturday to get activists charged up for the 2010 election year.

Marco Rubio Wins Gilchrist Straw Poll-Hernando Straw poll Thursday

Marco Rubio claims another victory in Florida county straw polls being held throughout the state. Rubio has not lost a single vote and continues to trounce current Governor Charlie Crist. Crist supporters are discouraging the straw polls! I wonder why....

Rubio defeated Crist 11-1 in the small county of Gilchrist. A larger straw poll is expected on today Thurday Sept,17 in Hernando County.

Here are my pervious posts on the straw polls for other counties:
First Straw Polls

Second post of straw polls.



Here is a link to the full story from TBO.com

Excerpts:

Hernando, with 48,966, will be among the larger counties where local party organizations have held straw votes. County Chairman Blaise Ingoglia wouldn’t predict how the vote will go, but said, “People in this area tend to be a little bit more conservative.” He wouldn’t say who moved for the vote.

Party organizations in about half a dozen counties have held straw votes in the primary, in all cases voting for Rubio. Rubio is pitching his campaign at the conservative side of the party spectrum; his backers have been seeking to hold straw polls in county organizations, and Crist supporters oppose them.

Marco Rubio: "Crist is a Fair Weather Republican"

From Politco.com

Marco Rubio does not hold back when he explains the tactics that Charlie Crist will use to try for a win in the 2010 Florida Senate race.

Rubio has been consistent in his values and policies while Crist has based his decisions on the latest poll results. Crist tries to use popular sentiment as a guide to HIS future and totally disregards those with true principles that disagree with him.

..."At the same time, Crist’s support for the stimulus continues to embolden conservatives such as Rubio to attack the governor as a fair-weather Republican — a complaint he has lodged repeatedly in their primary battle. Rubio’s campaign press releases now refer to the issue as the “Charlie Crist-backed-stimulus-bill.”


“I have no doubt that Charlie Crist is willing to go to Washington and oppose the Obama administration if it’s popular,” Rubio said in an interview. “If it’s popular to be with the Obama administration, he’ll be with them — that’s what he proved last February.”

Marco Rubio Compares Policies with Crist

This is a Herald/Times video of an interview with Florida Senatorial candidate Marco Rubio. Rubio seems to flummox the reporter to the point where he (the reporter) wonders if he will keep his job.

Rubio seems very determined and I am encouraged by his steadfast commitment to his values and the fact that he believes that he is gaining more support every day.

Rubio Continues to Stomp Crist in State Straw Polls

Marco Rubio has scored yet another victory in a county straw poll. Rubio destroyed Gov Charle Crist 23 to 2 in the Bay County REC straw poll.

Rubio has not lost a straw poll yet that I have seen. Some party officals in certain counties are even afraid to conduct a straw poll for fear of the results.

It is unlikely that the committee, with about 300 members, will actually hold a poll vote Monday night. The more likely scenario: Some activists will push to set a date to hold such a vote and others will attempt to quash that -- at least for now.

Results from other straw polls are included in my earlier post here. Rubio won all of them in a big way..

UPDATE: No GOP Straw Vote in Broward County. Click here for the full story.

Video: Marco Rubio says, "Being Like them doesn't work."

Here is video from a "Drive the Discussion" appearance by US Senatorial candidate Marco Rubio.

Part One:


Part Two:


The last few minutes of the video above (part two)defines Rubio's campaign in a lot of ways.

Rubio:

The American people are as great as they have ever been.Now what they need is leader that is worthy of them. What the American people need are leaders worthy of the greatness of our people.

I close by saying this. It is not inevitable that our political process be degraded in this way. It is not inevitable that the scourge of modern politics be leaders that will do or say anything to get elected and manipulate public opinion. That is a choice that we will make or not make. It is not inevitable that America will be permanently diminished. That is a choice that we must make or not make and that is what my campaign will be about. About giving you one of what I hope will be many choices for a new direction for our party and our country...

Crist Hides from Debate with Rival Marco Rubio

Current Gov. and US Senatorial Candidate Charlie Crist has again slithered out of an opportuntiy to debate Marco Rubio. He's TOO Busy!

It seems as though Crist is relying on name recognition alone to propel him to the Senate. He has refused to appear with Rubio regardless of the venue. Rubio has challenged Crist to debate on several occasions.
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From Miami Herald

Top Fla. candidates to debate without "busy" Crist

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
AP Political Writer
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Florida Gov. Charlie Crist once again opted to wear his governor's hat instead of appearing with other Senate candidates Friday to talk about his campaign.

Crist appeared at a breakfast during the Florida Association of Realtors annual convention instead of accepting an invitation to a political forum later in the day.

"They invited me to come speak as governor and I wanted to honor their invitation," Crist told reporters. "I've got other stuff to do tonight. I've got a busy job."

There was no official business on the governor's public schedule after 10 a.m. Friday. The forum was scheduled for 5 p.m. Crist did plan to attend Republican Party of Florida events Friday night and Saturday, also in Orlando.

The other two major candidates seeking the seat Sen. Mel Martinez is giving up - Democrat U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek and Republican former House Speaker Marco Rubio - plan to attend the event.

Also appearing are the two major candidates for governor, Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum and Democrat Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. The election will be held next year.

Crist's decision is similar to an event last month. He attended the Florida Society of News Editors/Florida Press Association annual conference to give an award to a staff member, but declined to stay for a Senate candidates forum that immediately followed the awards luncheon.

He did briefly mention his Senate campaign during Friday's breakfast, almost as an aside while saying that he used to work for former Sen. Connie Mack.

"The U.S. Senate, by the way, I happen to be running for it and I would like your help," Crist told the real estate agents. "We need to take that Florida common sense away to Washington D.C. now more than ever."