Kendrick Meek Agrees to Marco Rubio's Debate Challenge

With former House Speaker Marco Rubio, the Republican candidate in the race for the U.S. Senate election in November, calling upon his rivals to join him in seven debates, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, the Democratic nominee, accepted the challenge for five debates and is looking to change dates for the other two.

"There is only one real Democrat in this race and I look forward to debating my two conservative Republican opponents, said Meek, trying to link Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist, who left the GOP to run without party affiliation. Meek is attempting to keep Democrats from backing Crist. I am the only candidate who has consistently supported a woman's right to choose, opposed offshore oil drilling before and after the BP oil spill, advocated for the repeal of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 1 percent and for increased tax relief for the middle class and small businesses, and supported the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. I have a track record of fighting for the middle class and my opponents do not. Those distinctions will be made clear during these debates.