Senate Debate Turns to Health-Care Laws

In the U.S. Senate debate, George Stephanopoulos turned to new federal health-care laws backed by President Barack Obama. Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running without party affiliation, said he liked parts of the measures but opposes others. It must be fixed and it must be done right, insisted Crist -- before attacking Republican Marco Rubio for wanting to overturn Roe vs. Wade. You havent been drinking the Kool Aid, youve been drinking too much tea, the governor said to Rubio, attempting to portray the Republican as an extreme conservative.

Rubio tore into the health-care laws, and into Crist and Democratic nominee Kendrick Meek for backing them. He said that supporters of the measure relied on false arguments and that it was a disaster.

This bill is a disaster, said Rubio. It cannot be saved. It must be repealed.

Meek defended the measure, saying he would vote for it again. He tore into Rubio and Crist for liking parts of it and opposing other parts. They want to empower the insurance companies all over again, insisted Meek.

Crist responded by praising his Cover Florida program that he signed into law, arguing that it provided an acceptable alternative to the health-care laws.

Rubio said he would never have voted for the measure and fired away at Meek for voting for it.