Rubio Blasts 'Heckler' Crist in Debate

Florida's leading candidates for U.S. Senate traded sharp words on Sunday during a debate at the University of South Florida, according to Politico. A rapid back-and-forth between Republican Marco Rubio and independent Gov. Charlie Crist often left out Democratic state Rep.Kendrick Meek, who distinguished himself from his rivals on the topic of tax cut extensions for the wealthy.

When discussing Crist's exodus from the Republican Party to enter the Senate race as an independent, Crist fired back at Rubio with allegations of misuse of state party funds, which the Republican called "patently false." Rubio called Crist a heckler after being repeatedly interrupted in the debate's closing moments, prompting Crist to say "That's the way it is. Welcome to the NFL."

Rubio Leads Crist 41 percent to 26 percent, with Meek garnering 20 percent, according to the latest poll from St. Petersburg Times.