‘Fan-gate’ dominates Florida debate

Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) initially declined to join Democrat Charlie Crist for a debate Wednesday night because of Crist’s use of an electric fan at his podium.

Scott said Crist’s use of the fan violated rules stating that candidates could not use “electronic devices (including fans).”

Scott eventually joined Crist on stage for the heated debate, but that did not keep “Fan-gate” from appearing on the front pages of The Miami Herald and Sun-Sentinel.

Crist adviser Kevin Cate tweeted a picture of the agreed-upon rules, which includes a scribbled note “that the debate hosts will address any temperature issues with a fan if necessary.”

“Are we really going to debate about a fan?” Crist asked.

“This is a remarkable, sort of a trivial issue no matter what side you believe you’re on,” said Florida Times-Union editor Frank Denton.

A local reporter tweeted a photo of the fan Crist was using:

Fan at Charlie Crist’s feet keeping Gov. Scott of debate stage. @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/IQsxmMtmLg

— Steve Litz (@SteveNBC6) October 15, 2014