Washington Post

By Aaron Blake and Matt DeLong

Sunday Rundown: A quick wrap-up of the Sunday talk shows.

CNN: STATE OF THE UNION - Sparks fly in Florida Senate debate

Things started off civil but gradually descended into chaos as Republican Marco Rubio accused Gov. Charlie Crist, running as an independent, of "heckling" during a debate between all three Florida Senate candidates. Ironically, Crist had denounced bickering between the two major-party candidates, but spent a lot of time talking over Rubio and demanding that he release financial records. Rubio has faced allegations of misusing a Florida GOP credit card for personal expenses. "I've never had a heckler at the debate, I've always had them in the audience," Rubio said.

Both Crist and Democrat Kendrick Meek sought to paint Rubio, the front-runner, as a right-wing ideologue. Meek questioned Rubio's sincerity about the deficit, pointing the to the Republican's support for extending Bush-era tax cuts for top earners at a cost of $700 billion. Meek slammed Crist, formerly a Republican, for changing some positions and mounting an independent bid for Senate. "We know why the governor is running as an independent, because he couldn't beat Marco Rubio," Meek said.

NBC: MEET THE PRESS - Steele expects 'unprecedented wave'

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said of the Republicans' momentum in next week's election: "There is a vibration out here that is unlike anything I've ever seen. ... I think you're going to see an unprecedented wave on Election Day." When asked about gaffes made by Republican candidates across the country, Steele poked fun at himself: "Lord knows, I'm familiar with foot-in-mouth disease."

Steele defended Republican-leaning outside groups who don't have to disclose their donors, saying there's "not one shred of evidence" that they have done anything untoward. Steele said Democrats' accusations are unsubstantiated. "If you have evidence to the contrary, produce it," Steele said. "Put up or shut up."

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