Florida's Crist and Rubio Clash on National TV, Debate Issue of Trust

March 28, 2010 — -- It's rare for a Senate primary to draw national attention, but the race for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in Florida has garnered widespread notice as a fight for the heart and soul of the GOP.

That debate, pitting Gov. Charlie Crist, a champion of President Obama's economic stimulus package, against former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, a favorite of Tea Party activists, played itself out today on Sunday morning television.

Appearing on "Fox News Sunday," Crist and Rubio clashed on the economic stimulus, Social Security, taxes and illegal immigration. But the overarching theme pushed by both candidates was the question of trust.

Rubio charged that Republicans cannot trust Crist to stand up to Obama's agenda in Washington because the governor embraced the president's economic stimulus package shortly after the president took office.

"This election is about trust," Rubio said. "Who do you trust to go to Washington and stand up to Barack Obama and offer a clear alternative?"

Crist stood by his support for the stimulus, arguing that it saved 87,000 jobs in Florida including the jobs of 20,000 teachers. He then countered by repeatedly alleging that Rubio has a record of enriching himself rather than the people he serves.