Showdown in Orlando

Last night, the three candidates met for a debate in Orlando.  Each of the candidates repeatedly listed their accomplishments that the other two could not match.  With Rubio taking a commanding lead, this is one of the last hopes Crist and Meek had for Marco to make a misstep.

Rubio played it safe and spoke almost exclusively about the his position on the national debt.  He avoided all other types of questions.  This was likely a strategy to avoid talking about issues that would either dissatisfy the Tea Party supporters or on the other hand, more moderate Republicans.  So he chose something he knew everyone would agree on; Fixing the national debt.  He successfully managed to steer clear of all other questions by taking shots at Crist's flip flopping on certain issues.

Crist avoided the flip flop accusations and discussed his accomplishments as governor.  When doing this he targeted specific demographics.  He made comments directed at teachers in which he stated that he vetoed a bill that would have tied their pay to their student's academic performance.  He noted that he vetoed a bill requiring women to get ultrasounds, and they he supported Israel as America's ally.  Clearly Crist was trying to target women, teachers and the Jewish residents of Miami.  All obviously key groups in Florida.

Meek went after Crist by calling him "weak" for not running against Rubio in the primary.  The purpose of this was to get Republicans thinking that Crist truly is not someone a Republican should be voting for.  Meek also called out Crist for flip flopping.  Meek dismissed attacks about he and his mother's shady business dealings with government contracts as attacks against his family.  Meek discussed the job market which could be important considering Florida's unemployment rate is 12 percent.

Basically, Rubio avoided anything controversial because he has a large lead.  Crist brought up his accomplishments as governor which should be fresh in people's mind (he still has a positive approval rating for his job as governor).  Meek went after Crist and spoke of jobs.  His strategy of going after Crist much more than Rubio is to get all the Democratic voters of Florida to get back on his side and turn this into a two man race between the parties.  Unfortunately, it is far to late for Meek at this point as he trails by 35 points.