Marco Rubio Agrees to Take Part in Seven Debates

Former House Speaker Marco Rubio, the Republican nominee in the U.S. Senate race, announced on Thursday that he had accepted seven invitations for debates in September and October and is calling for Democratic nominee U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek and Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running without party affiliation, to join him.

I am the only candidate for Senate who has outlined specific ideas and proposals as a clear alternative to the wrong direction that Washington politicians are taking our country, said Rubio. I enthusiastically accept these opportunities to debate my opponents and present Floridians with the clear choice they have between a faithful loyalist of Washingtons agenda, a say-and-do-anything opportunist who only cares about winning, and the clear, idea-based alternative I am offering.

I sincerely hope Governor Crist and Congressman Meek will agree to these debates as well, added Rubbio. Floridians deserve an honest exchange of ideas and thats exactly what these debates will give them.

Rubio agreed to appear on NBCs Meet the Press on Sept. 5, a debate on Univision in Miami on Sept. 17 and a debate at WTVT in Tampa on Sept. 28. In October, Rubio agreed to a debated moderated by George Stephanopoulos in Orlando on the 6th, Leadership Floridas debate in Fort Lauderdale on the 20th, a debate in Tampa moderated by CNNs Candy Crowley on the 24th and a debate on the 26th in Orlando moderated by NBC News David Gregory.