Candidates Tom
Gallagher and Charlie Crist each claimed to be the
"true conservative" in the Republican primary for governor
of Florida during a Monday night debate that sounded
much like the ad war they have launched against each
other. Indeed, the back-and-forth heated up earlier on
Monday in a new television ad released by chief financial
officer Gallagher, imploring voters not to be fooled by his
opponent's latest attacks that label him a
tax-increasing flip-flopper and to oppose Crist
because he supports gay rights.
The ad, titled
"Sorry Charlie," notes that Crist, the state's
attorney general, supports abortion and civil unions for
gays. "Tom Gallagher opposes gay civil unions and is
endorsed by Florida Right to Life," the ad says. "Only
Jeb Bush conservatives get to be governor."
Gallagher, 62,
has campaigned as a conservative Bush supporter on all
issues and has aggressively criticized Crist as being
liberal.
Crist claims he
is opposed to same-sex marriage but believes same-sex
couples should have some rights similar to those afforded to
married heterosexuals. The Gallagher ad comes after
Crist released his latest television ad Friday,
attacking Gallagher for supporting tax increases.
Crist, 50, has run a campaign promoting a more moderate
philosophy on social issues than his opponent.
"You've run for
governor three times. Liberal, pro-choice, antigun,
and so pro-tax you supported the state's largest tax
increase," the Crist ad said. "Each time you run for
governor you're a different person, but you're still
taxing Tom Gallagher."
Crist and
Gallagher face each other for the Republican gubernatorial
nomination in the September 5 primary. Monday's debate was
the final meeting of the two candidates ahead of next
week's elections. (AP)
