U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek and billionaire real estate investor Jeff Greene, the two leading candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate race, met on Tuesday morning in their first debate. Despite different styles and backgrounds, Meek and Greene showed they agreed on a number of issues -- but that didn't stop them from attacking each another.
The debate took place at a crucial time in the campaign -- with Greene catching up to Meek, the long-assumed front-runner who had already driven off into other contests a number of strong candidates, including Sen. Dan Gelber of North Miami and former North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns.
A poll from Quinnipiac University released earlier in the month found the race was close -- with Meek at 29 percent, Greene right behind at 27 percent, and former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre, who is also running, with 3 percent.
Both Democratic candidates trail independent Gov. Charlie Crist and Republican former House Speaker Marco Rubio. A recent poll by the Florida Chamber of Commerce found Meek almost 30 points behind Crist and almost 20 points behind Rubio.
The debate between U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek and Jeff Greene started with both candidates on the offensive. Greene launched his attack first, blasting Meek for taking contributions from BP and calling him more of the same.
Meek offered more of a biographical introduction, reminding voters that he had served as a state trooper. Unlike my opponent, I have been a Democrat all of my life, said Meek, who added that he was the only one of the four major candidates in the race who had never run for office as a Republican -- a shot at Greene who had run for the U.S. House in California as a Republican and a shot at now-independent Gov. Charlie Crist.
The first question involved an ethics scandal involving people close to Meek, including his mother, former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek, being involved with controversial developer Dennis Stackhouse. The people of Florida need to know who youre working for, Greene said to Meek.
The real issue is this, said Meek. I have done nothing wrong or improper.
The second question was to Greene, asking him about his role in making money on credit defaults. Greene used the question to offer his own biography -- a self-made man as opposed to Meek, who inherited his congressional seat from his mother. Greene took exception to Meeks take thatGreenes investing in credit defaults was betting money against Floridians. My investments were against the biggest banks on Wall Street, said Greene.
Invoking a quote from financial legend Warren Buffet and bringing up books on the recession, Meek said that Greene had profited off the economic woes of Floridians.
You made millions of dollars on the backs of Floridians, said Meek. You want to be the U.S. senator because your wallet says so.
The two candidates even exchanged shots over the oil spill. Why wasnt Kendrick Meek standing up before it happened? demanded Greene, who wondered why Congress did nothing about BP, a company with more than 700 violations before the spill.
Despite the fierce jostling between the two candidates, Greene and Meek shared some of the same positions. They were both open to nuclear power in Florida if it is safe. Both expressed support for allowing gay parents to adopt children in Florida and extending Social Security benefits for same-sex partners. Both of the candidates expressed support for securing the borders from illegal aliens. Both expressed support for President Barack Obamas nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court. Both wanted to change the filibuster rule in the U.S. Senate. Both were in favor of protecting abortion rights.
While the debate generally avoided foreign policy, both candidates broke ranks from the party line. Greene and Meek expressed support for Israel and were critical of the Obama administrations policies toward that nation. They were both critical of Iran and open to the use of military action against that nation if it develops nuclear weapons.
The debate seemed to be fizzling out as Greene and Meek agreed on the issues. However, when asked about the federal stimulus bill backed by President Obama, Meek praised the measure -- and then bashed Greene for his role in Wall Street scandals.
Greene taunted Meek, saying the only job he had created was a consulting job for his mother. Meek went after Greene for the attack, noting his mothers long career in public service when she was a single mother.
Despite that testy exchange, both of the candidates offered some support for the stimulus.
We would have gone into a depression, not a recession, if it werent for the stimulus bill, said Meek.
Greene said the stimulus did not do enough for permanent job growth. Were in an economic world war right now, said Greene. This isnt a skirmish. Greene warned that other nations were looking to take American jobs.
Both candidates ended the debate by attacking one another again, Meek insisting that Greenes career in finance hurt working Floridians and Greene insisting that Meek represented corrupt politics as usual.
The debate was sponsored by the Palm Beach Post and was shown at the Post's Web site. It was moderated by Randy Schultz, editor of the editorial page.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunsinestatenews.com, or at (850) 727-0859.
