Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist met Tuesday evening in Jacksonville for their third and final debate before the Nov. 4 election -- a near gnarled-teeth growlathon between the two who postured aggressively not in a junkyard but in front of CNN cameras and a worldwide audience.
The debate set the scene for the final wrap-up of an incredibly tight race in the Sunshine State, almost certain to come down to the wire. The verbal sparring was all personal at the start, with both candidates working to out-do each other for purity of motive and who had the more humble upbringing.
Scott honed in on Crists untrustworthy behavior, saying hes made policy positions based on political expediency, ready to jump from one position of power to the next.
It only took Crist six minutes to bring up Scotts time as CEO of HCA/Columbia when the health care company was the subject of a federal investigation for fraud, but Scott quickly returned fire at Crist for his close associations with Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein and other former associates now in prison.
Crist was asked by debate moderator Jake Tapper about his judgment on criminals like Rothstein -- a point the GOP and Scotts team have made a theme of their gubernatorial campaign.
I dont have a crystal ball, said Crist. "... Anybody can go bad ... I had no control over that."
Scott repeatedly accused Crist of being the reason behind significant job losses in the Sunshine State while he was governor -- an accusation Crist was quick to dispel.
When asked whether he thought he was to blame for any of the job losses Florida suffered during the Great Recession, Crist insisted, No, I dont think I was [to blame].
While many of the topics discussed in the debate were similar to the two earlier meetings between the two, some questions ventured into new territory.
Both candidates were asked about their position on death warrants -- an issue which quickly turned ugly for Scott when Crist criticized the delay of an execution last year so Attorney General Pam Bondi could attend a campaign fundraiser.
She apologized, said Scott, defending Bondi.
Scott again attacked Crist over being all talk and little action on a variety of issues, including global warming.
Hell have climate change and global warming conferences, and then hell do nothing, said Scott.
Polls still show Scott and Crist neck and neck during the last two weeks of the election. The two will meet at the ballot box Nov. 4.
Reach Tampa-based reporter Allison Nielsen via email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen
