Politics

Chris Christie Doesn't Want You To Think Rick Scott Can Debate Charlie Crist And Win

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Published October 9, 2014 at 8:38 AM EDT

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday will meet his Democratic opponent, Charlie Crist, for the first of three October debates.

And Crist, of course, will mop the floor with Florida's Republican governor. Says who? Says Scott's new best friend, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. The chairman of the Republican Governors Association. That's who.

It's traditional for surrogates of the perceived weaker debater to lower expectations before a debate. But during a joint appearance of the two governors Wednesday in Kendall, Christie didn't just lower the expectations. He threw them down and then stomped on them.

Here's what he told a few dozen Scott supporters at a campaign phone bank office:

WHERE THEY CALL FROM: Rick Scott campaigners make their phone calls from offices like this one in Kendall, where the governor appeared on Wednesday with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

"Charlie's debated as a Republican, Charlie's debated as an independent, now Charlie's debating as a Democrat," Christie said. "So, anybody who can debate on every side of those issues has got to be pretty skilled and pretty good. So, be ready now. Be ready because you're going to see one of the best performers you're ever going to see on stage next to Governor Rick Scott. But that great performer is going to be on stage next to a great governor, and you vote for the great governor."

Scott beamed as the crowd cheered the trashing of his debating prospects.

Christie appeared to be enjoying himself during a three-day, four-state campaign tour that brought him to the aid of Republican governors and candidates for governor in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, in addition to Florida.

Many believe Christie may have put the NewJersey Bridgegate scandalbehind him and is now launching his own presidential campaignby doing repayable political favors for top Republicans in key states.

Scott, meanwhile, is preparing for the debate showdowns. He'll meet Crist on stage Friday at 7 p. m. at Telemundo's Miramar studios. It will be translated into Spanish and broadcast in South Florida on WSCV-Channel 51.

Leadership Florida and the Florida Press Association are sponsoring a second debate Oct. 15 at Broward College's Davie campus. It will be seen on WFOR-Channel 4 and also broadcast on WLRN (91.3 FM) and most of Florida's other public radio stations.

The final debate will take place Oct. 21 in Jacksonville and it will be shown on CNN.