Monday night’s gubernatorial debate between Charlie Crist, Jim Davis, and Max Linn seemed to introduce quite a few topics that we have heard little about in this election cycle (including gay marriage/civil unions and the high violent crime rate in Florida). With only a week left until election day was the introduction of these issues beneficial to voter education or should the time have been spent on the larger issues in this state (home insurance, property taxes, education, etc...)? Also, how will Max Linn’s criticisms of both candidates affect voters and the perceptions held about both candidates?

Matt Bray
Land O’ Lakes, FL

In the debates last night, they finally allowed Max Linn to participate. What significance does this have on the governor race? Is there any national significance as well?
Sophia Dedon

How will Max Lynn’s appearance in the debate affect the outcome of the election?
Frank Kerney

Dear Matt, Sophia, and Frank:

No doubt about it!  Last night’s debate was certainly the most exciting one in quite awhile!  The court-ordered admission of Max Linn (Reform Party) into the debate came at the “eleventh hour.” Neither Chris Matthews, the moderator, nor Charlie Crist (R) and Jim Davis (D) had any warning.  Consequently, the debate was much more spontaneous than usual. The unpredictable, unscripted nature of the debate was what captured viewers’ attention.

Max Linn’s entry into the debate might energize the 22% of Florida voters who are not registered as either Democrats or Republicans.  Independent voters tend to be young and, to date, there has been little evidence they have been energized by the gubernatorial election.  However, Linn did little to promote the Reform Party, choosing to focus his attacks primarily on frontrunner Charlie Crist.  Still, voters now know there’s a third option out there. To what degree that will be enough to make independents (or undecideds) vote is uncertain. 

Perhaps the more powerful and long-lasting impact of Linn’s entry will be to force debate schedulers to include “minor” party candidates in future debates, not just the Democratic and Republican party nominees.

As to issues, some viewers were disappointed that too many national issues over which governors have little authority were covered at the expense of more Florida-specific issues.  The glaring omissions were discussions of higher education, immigration, health care, national and homeland security (especially with Florida’s large number of ports, airports, and military installations), and the environment (most notably water).

The late entry of Max Linn onto the gubernatorial stage, the excitement it has generated, and the possible turnout ramifications of his candidacy just go to show why pundits and prognosticators are cautious about predicting election results with a week left to go in the campaign—especially in Florida!

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