WASHINGTON, March 28 (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio, both vying to be the state's next U.S. senator, clashed over the federal stimulus, illegal immigration and taxes.
In their first face-to-face debate, on "Fox News Sunday," the candidates in the closely watched Republican primary wasted little time going on the attack.
Crist said Rubio, a former Florida House speaker, "views public service as a way to enhance his personal enrichment" and claimed his opponent used campaign money for personal expenses that included a $134 haircut, repairs to his minivan and flights.
Rubio, a Tea Party favorite, denied the allegations and criticized Crist for campaigning "on behalf of a failed stimulus program."
"So it is about trust," Rubio said. "Who do you trust to stand up to Barack Obama and offer a clear alternative?"
Crist defended his support of the stimulus package. "When you're in a tough economy, sometimes you have to do the kinds of things that make sense in order to be able to keep people employed," he said. "You can't just be off on some limb rattling the cage and saying you're going to do great things."
On Social Security, Rubio said the nation could reduce the deficit by raising the retirement age for eligibility and changing formulas that provide automatic increases tied to inflation.
Crist countered that Social Security could be saved by eliminating waste and fraud.
The governor said he would run as a Republican, not an independent, though polls show Rubio holds a double-digit lead.
