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Florida’s contentious race for governor pitting incumbent Republican Rick Scott against Democratic challenger Charlie Crist descended into farce Wednesday over a disagreement about a podium cooling fan at a debate that was supposed to be about issues. The event got off to a bizarre start when only Crist took the stage with the broadcast already live. The moderator announced that Scott would not come out because of a disagreement over the fan at Crist’s feet. Scott’s campaign reportedly said debate rules allowed for “no electronics on the podium.” A panelist then asked Crist if he was in violation of the agreement. The former governor responded by asking whether the debate was going to be about a fan, a comment followed by cries of “follow the rules” from some Republicans in the audience. Scott took the stage some six minutes late, and the candidates resumed the sharp attacks that have characterized the campaign.