Both vying to be the state's next U. S. senator, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio, clashed over the federal stimulus, illegal immigration and taxes.

On "Fox News Sunday," in their first face-to-face debate, the candidates in the closely watched Republican primary wasted little time going on the attack.

Rubio, a former Florida House speaker, "views public service as a way to enhance his personal enrichment" and claimed his opponent used campaign money for personal expenses that included a $134 haircut, repairs to his minivan and flights, Crist said.

Rubio, a Tea Party favorite, denied the allegations and criticized Crist for campaigning "on behalf of a failed stimulus program."

Rubio said, "So it is about trust. Who do you trust to stand up to Barack Obama and offer a clear alternative?"

"When you're in a tough economy, sometimes you have to do the kinds of things that make sense in order to be able to keep people employed. You can't just be off on some limb rattling the cage and saying you're going to do great things." Crist said while defending his support of the stimulus package.

The nation could reduce the deficit by, raising the retirement age for eligibility and changing formulas that provide automatic increases tied to inflation, Rubio said on Social Security.

Crist countered that Social Security could be saved by eliminating waste and fraud. (With Inputs from Agencies)