Alex Sink-Rick Scott Debate Ends With a Fizzle

The debate between gubernatorial candidates Democratic state CFO Alex Sink and Republican nominee Rick Scott ended with a quick series of questions -- most of which had nothing to do with Florida.

Moderator John King from CNN called for a lightning round. Scott said he would not comment on whether homosexuality was immoral. Sink said that Gov. Jeb Bush and Republicans were wrong in trying to interfere in the Terri Schiavo case. Scott and Sink both agreed that the Obama administration was wrong in trying to lift economic restrictions in Cuba. Both candidates did not know the states minimum wage, which they thought was $7.55 instead of $7.25. They both thought that NPR was wrong for firing radio commentator Juan Williams.

All of this is fascinating but it has little to do with the states problems. CNN showed the debate to a national audience -- but with Floridas unemployment at almost 12 percent, the Sunshine State needs solutions. While there was some talk about the states problems, there was a good deal of focus on Barack Obama, abortion and the various problems Sink faced at NationsBank and Scott faced at Columbia/HCA.

There was little focus on Florida issues in this debate and, with a close battle between Sink and Scott and the state lagging in the economic doldrums, the Sunshine State deserved more attention in the final -- and possibly pivotal -- debate to see who will be the next governor.