Rubio renews calls for debates, Crist camp begins push-back in GOP Senate primary
by George Bennett | November 18th, 2009
Rubio
Rubio made a public pitch for debates Tuesday while speaking to more than 100 people at the Martin County Republican Women’s Federated in Stuart.
Crist
It’s part of a new, more aggressive Crist campaign strategy after several weeks of bad press for the Guv.
See the Rubio campaign’s latest debate proposal to the Crist camp after the jump…..
November 17, 2009
Eric Eikenberg
Campaign Manager
Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate
P.O. Box 1694
Tallahassee, FL 32302
VIA FACSIMILE: (850) 907-1219
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
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Sentenced to die for crimes judged heinous and cruel, inmates await execution in a 9 feet by 6 feet cell.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Come on CharLIE, its just a good ole man to man debate. Don’t worry the moderator will protect you from questions concerning sexual orientation and will not ask you about Bruce Carlton Jordan or questionable connections with Mori Hosseini, Alan Mendehlson, Harry Sargent, Dr Steve Scott, Scott Rothstein (we know you don’t really know him anyway, because you said so! No need to bring him up, huh!) political contribution donors. Those free jet flights that you reimburse for with those disappearing checks! None of this will happen. Moderators will only allow “straight” forward questions about job performance and history, which is a good indicator of your future performance in behalf of the people you love and represent, in case you have forgot, thats the people of Florida. Please come forth and give us a chance to see the great narcissist Governor of Florida perform. After all its just another photo op for you.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Tim, please include this in your column.
Linda Miklowitz
850 559-1312 cell
Miklowitz & Associates
Government Relations
Tallahassee, FL
A celebration of the life if H, “Rusty” Gordon will be Saturday, December 5, at 1156 Park Lane in Haverhill (west of Belvedere Road exit of I-95), Florida. The gathering begins at 1 pm, the service at 2 pm.
Gordon, a feminist, lesbian advocate, archivist, concert producer, athlete, coach, teacher, recreation therapist, Democratic precinct woman, died October 27 of progressive, supranucleic palsy at age 67.
Rusty founded The Whimsy Political Clearinghouse in 1967 that collected some 10,000 books and articles, some rare, on 12 topics and later maintained Loops, or e-mail lists, to send articles on those topics to some 200,000 readers and activists.
Rusty was born in New York City on May 8, 1942, the daughter of the late Irving and Ann Goldberg. She is survived by lifetime partner Davilyn Whims of Haverhill.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Hey Crist if you have nothing to hide then debate and dont hide behind your staff! Be a man for a change!