E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Ever since Charlie Crist launched his independent bid for Florida Senate's seat, Democrats have had two opportunities to win the three-way contest -- either with Crist (who would likely caucus with the Senate Dems) or with the Dem nominee (Kendrick Meek).
But polls increasingly point to the third option taking place: Republican Marco Rubio winning.
A new Quinnipiac poll has Rubio at 46% among likely voters, with Crist at 33% and Meek at 18%. That matches a new CNN/Time poll, which has Rubio at 42%, Crist at 31%, and Meek at 23%.
What appears to be happening is that Crist and Meek are dividing the anti-Rubio/Republican vote. And that's even playing out in the TV ad battle.
In recent days, the Meek campaign and Florida Democratic Party have aired a new TV ad hitting Crist for conservative positions and statements the Florida governor has made in the past.
Meanwhile, Crist has an ad blasting both Meek and Rubio.
So the question becomes: Are the Meek and Crist camps engaging in mutually assured destruction, guaranteeing a Rubio win?
Meek spokesman Adam Sharon argues that there is no path to victory for Crist, while there is one for Meek (by consolidating the Democratic vote). Sharon adds that as polls continue to show Meek ticking up -- and Crist ticking down -- the Meek camp will begin to engage Rubio if they pull ahead of Crist. "Once we turn the corner and get ahead of Crist ... then it becomes a totally different race."
Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff tells First Read: “Besides fighting to ensure Kendrick Meek is our next U.S. senator because it is the right thing to do, Florida Democrats know that Kendrick is the only candidate who can beat Marco Rubio. Kendrick is the only candidate who can stop Rubio’s extreme philosophical agenda -- the Tea Party agenda that Rubio wants to impose on Florida.”
Leave a Comment:
"Democrats engaging in mutually assured destruction in FL?"
________________________________________________________________________________
Didn't they already do that passing Obamacare, Funds for Friends and other acts against the will of the people?
Madison, thank you for your oh-so non-relevant response.
You need to drop the 'will of rhe people' Fox approved talking point. The 'will of the people' elected Obama. Geez- get over it already...
Madison, care to enlighten libs on the Funds for Friends. As for Obamacare, if it were as awful as republicans say, why then is so much of it part of Boehner's Pledge for America. Truth, the awful truth is the repubs are lying--again.
I see a lot of sour grapes from the leftists and wanna be leftist RINO's. Jumping ship didn't work out so well for Spector. Won't work for the others either. Waffles. Dems are talking a big talk right now. If a few weeks they will be whining again.
It's up to the good people of FL to make sure they keep the tea bagger as far away from the halls of Congress as they can!
I'm hoping that Charlie can somehow pull this out... since he's one of the last Republicans in this country I save an ounce of respect for!
nuff said!
I just love the way Republicans USE minorities in hopes of drawing support in their Party...
They engaged in the same tactic when they elected Michael Steele as Chairman of the RNC...it didn't work out too well for them then a Rubio certainly won't draw Hispanic voters in Florida...
They Republicans trashed Justice Sotomayor and they don't give a fig about immigration reform...if so, they would have dealt with that issue while they had the opportunity to do so (8 years of it)...
We all know that the TEA PARTY definately doesn't give a rats ass about immigration....
Although I know this won't happen, the only way to keep Rubio out of the Senate is for Meek to suspend his campaign. Christ bowing out won't equate to Meek pulling ahead of Rubio. While everyone supporting Meek is a democrat, Christ has a stronger hold on the center than either Meek or Rubio. What this translates to is that most of the people who would vote for Meek would rather vote for Christ than Rubio if Meek drops out. However, if Christ drops out, his supporters would probably split pretty evenly between Meek and Rubio, thus ensuring a Rubio victory.
Excuse me, what do democrats have to do with Charlie Crist's decision to run as an independent? Nothing. Perhaps Crist is taking republican votes from Meeks. This makes it sound as if Meeks should bow out of the race so Crist can win. There are no guarantees that Crist will caucus with the dems, and I doubt he will but he would sometimes vote with them especially cloture votes.
That said, if I were a democrat in FL and realized Meeks could not win, I would vote for Crist rather than let Rubio win because Congress does not need any more extremist republicans.
Perhaps Crist is taking republican votes from Meeks.
Possibly, but I doubt it. You'd be hard pressed to find a Republican that would tarnish their purity by voting for a democrat. I think you'd have better luck finding a 3 legged ballerina. There are I'm sure moderates out there who are being pulled away from Meek by Christ, but the terms 'moderate' and 'republican' are mutually exclusive these days.
Why is that the only people who get published on here are those 2 dimwits Anita & Fiesty. Spouting typical nonsense with there progressive liberal agenda. When you disagree with them, its always your a racist, teabagger, right wing nut jobs, etc. I wonder do you yell & type really fast when you write this crap girls?
Anyone gets posted here, all they have to do is write something--it's instantaneous and you're here, aren't you?
Greg Rodcih,
Rilled you up so bad that you posted TWICE!! LMAO!!! Name calling are we?...
It appears that your momma gave birth to one...
BTW...I don't yell...but I do type really fast...
Greg- its 'always' a racist, teabagger, etc...? Really?
Feisty and Anita that are the ONLY ones that get published here?
Really?? I need to start paying closer attenion, I guess.
Feisty and Anita have every right to post whatever they choose here (within the confines of Newsvine rules) Greg. I seldom agree with either of them, but they have as much right to be here as you do.
And you're right ladies, "dimwit" should get him tossed for the day as other stuff like it has gotten others popped.
Drive By- sorry, no one saw your comment because only Anita and Feisty are being posted.
All have the right to be and post here. And also have the ability to ignore the same old posters you note day after day saying and posting the same talking points. In this case on this forum more often liberal. Once in a while you can hear the opposing view and on a rare occasion or two you read and learn, or hear of a new idea that is worth some follow up. That is what makes it worth coming back and reading the posts from time to time.
The Independent-2245816,
This same old poster hasn't been out here in a while...and as for what you call "talking points"...perhaps you're right about that...because I still keep coming out here regardless to how long I'm absent to see the same old right wingers...engaging in the same old tired Obama bashing, Democrat bashing, lies and phooey...
So glad that you're able to get some really great new ideas from us from time-to-time...
Why is that the only people who get published on here are those 2 dimwits Anita & Fiesty. Spouting typical nonsense with there progressive liberal agenda. When you disagree with them, its always your a racist, teabagger, right wing nut jobs, etc. I wonder do you yell & type really fast when you write this crap girls?
LOL We HEARD you the first time Greg! ;0)
Thank you so MUCH for the insightful post! lol
Hey Anita - isn't calling someone a 'dimwit' considered a PERSONAL attack in accordance with the NV COH?
He got my vote...
Would you prefer calling republicans socialist/communists/lazy, no goods who are like stray animals--that's what they call us--and those who do it are Congressional leaders.
Red,
That's so true...let's see if he gets reprimanded for it...certainly has mine...
Damn, Greg- why can't I get these 'two-fer' specials like your posts on down at my local malt shop?
(and hey- y'ever notice lately it's only Anita, Feisty and YOU that get published on here??)
The dems and Crist are both going to lose here. It is no surprise at all. Crist will be the big loser because he'll have no where to go.
And Anita, you can't have it both ways. You criticise the repubs for their lack of minority outreach and then criticise them because they aren't running the type of minority you like. It wouldn't matter to you who they ran if they don't match your ideology.
Now we have mental telepathy...don't we?...How the hell do you know what type of candidate that I want to see running...and what is my ideology?....
A blind person without sight has an even greater sense of their surroundings than a sighted persons...
Republicans or Tea Baggies...what ever they are calling themselves these days (under disguise) have no interest in MINORITIES...they are too fearful of them...
Anybody that reads your posts knows your ideology Anita.
Kirby,
Then that's a good thing....
It is fine with me. I don't pretend to be one thing when I am another and neither do you. Works for us both, doesn't it?
That's your opinion...and you know what an opinion is don't you....
Rowr!
Jeez! Are we in kindergarten, or what?
As of right now? Apparently.
Just a little banter lol...I do want my coloring book back though, because I stayed in the lines...
Is it a Methodist coloring book? Did you color inside the lines really well?
How did you know?!....yes I do color inside the lines VERY well...I like absolute clarity...
I'm friggin' psychic. XD
Jeez Anita, if you like clarity how can you post here with the likes of us? And, OMG, I recently converted to Methodism. Does this mean we are related?
Kirby,
Hardly...LOL!!!Believe it or not...I get a lot of my material from some of the stuff that's posted out here by Republicans...it inspirational...
"Didn't they already do that passing Obamacare, Funds for Friends and other acts against the will of the people?"
This kind of comment drives me crazy - Pres. Obama won in a landslide, Dems had 60 Senate seats, a huge majority in the House, the majority of governorships around the country, and the majority of state legislatures. We live in a representative democracy, which means that our elected reps pass the laws, not a FOX news poll.
Well said! Drives me crazy, too. They have no ideas, they repeat talking points and then complain when something good for the people is accomplished--after 40 years of both GOPers and Dems trying to pass health care reform, they complain about it but only because their fearless leaders tell them to.
Chris-
By 'People' Madison means those that believe Obama is a Kenyan Anti-Colonialist Marxist that must be stopped before he completely destroys their idea of America. The rest of the Country (i.e., those that voted for and support Obama) aren't really people- they're Kenyan Anti-Colonialst Marxist Socialist Leftists that stole this country by electing a Muslim with a fake birth cirtificate. The 'Real America' are people like Madison.
Let me know if I left out any derogatory right-wing adjectives.
Tea Party is just another name for Republican Party. Members of the Tea Party are those Republicans who refused to accept the Democrats huge victory in the last general elections. They are those people who became so bitter with the outcome of the last general election and therefore decided to continue with their 2008 campaigns against the Democrats without stopping. The Democrats called off their 2008 campaigns immediately after the elections while the very bitter and disappointed members of Republican Party decided to continue with the 2008 campaigns non stop under the disguise of the name Tea party. They are republicans hiding under the name Tea party so that people do not blame Republican Party for not having called off their 2008 campaigns at the end of the elections.
Sarah Palin for example became very sad when she lost and that bitterness of losing made her not recognize the current administration. She decided to console herself by continuing to run all over the country criticizing and throwing insults at the current administration under the cover of Tea party.
Democracy requires that when you lose in a fair election, you should accept defeat. Shake hands with the winner and be ready to work with the winner until the next election time. Respect people’s decision.
Showing disrespect to the elected leaders implies that you do not respect the people who elected them in those positions.
Sam,
Great posting and I couldn't AGREE with you more...
The Republicans are just a bunch of yellow belly lemmings that are seeking to rob their low informational supporters by selling them a pile of crap...
They steal money from them with empty promises...Palin is a prime example and so is her daughter....
Off topic...Bristol needs a makeover...she looks older than I do and reminds me of Loretta Lynn's do years ago...I like Loretta (the coal miners daughter)...but that young-in needs to start looking like a young lady and age approprite and not some throw back from the 50's and 60's....
I am thinking you missed the part where TEA is for Taxed Enough Already. If you think that status or the motivational calling for political discourse is the exclusiive realm of the republicans, you are serously mistaken.
Anita, you need to give it a rest. Lemmings, stealing money with empty promises then personal attacks on Bristol. Your credibility and integrity are compromised.
The Independent-2245816,
No...you didn't miss TEA...I'd like to know how that compute paying taxes to "taxed enough already"...hell they don't pay enough taxes "D-PETA" those tax cuts is what's hissing them off...
So the reasoning behind TEA is farcical...they just want to obstruct...they remind me pf a bunch of whining babies...
they dislike the way the election went and they "want THEIR" country back...the country where they evaded taxes and kept their feet on the necks of the working class...that country where they hid their money that was already under taxed in Swiss bank accounts and off shore banks...
that same country where they can feel privileged while they turn their noses up at the working class...those people that actually keep this Nation operating....
Bristol is trashy and old fashion...she needs a make over and more help other than dancing with the stars...she's okay but nothing that I am watching...I just watch the recaps...
My credibility is just EXCELLENT....
Why vote in FL as the fight will surely give the office to the Republicans. The Democrats will be split and the Republicans will unite and, unless their fight between sane and tebaggers gets worse than the Dems. they will win.
Adler...
The Democrats aren't divided as to what PARTY they are...that's a Repubatea issue...I don't think that the voters in Floria will elect a Tea bagger...Rubio is a bagger...
Please enlighten me as to fighting that happening in the Democratic Party that jeopardizing the election...the Tea Party and establishment Republicans seems to hold center court right about now...
They are eating themselves up at the advice of Rush Limbaugh...he's the master puppeteer that no Republican seems to want to go public and claim...do you think that it's because they don't want to take ownership of the losses in November?...
If he wins time to get the F*ck outta Florida for real.
If meek wins you can bet it wont be long and there will be a long list of abandoned homes. Seems to be a democratic theme bankrupt, tax and destroy. Just take a look at the whole country in the hands of the democrats. A living nightmare!
The nightmare was brought to us courtesy of the republicans under the leadership of Bush/Cheney, or should that be Cheney/Bush? I was never quite sure. And despite the incessent spinning by the media of the talking points repeated by you, and the love affair between the pundits and the Republican Tea Party. I am confident as people vote, they will remember who got us in the mess we are in. And who has worked to clean it up? It sure is not the party of no.
Jeff T. I agree 100%. And I'm a liberal African American who 'likes' Meek. The simple truth is that I also like Christ, and Christ has in my opinion a MUCH better chance of beating Rubio.
One of the two, (Christ or Meek) has to do the right thing for Florida and fall on their sword.
Florida, do not let this man (Rubio) anywhere near Washington!
Marco Rubio is your text-book big-business, special interests politician. If the people of Florida want the status quo in DC to remain - he's the guy for the job.
Despite the utter disenchantment with either party, Kendrick Meek is not going to be a viable candidate. His credentials are solid to be the voice of Florida - he's served in the Florida House and Senate since 1995 - unfortunately, he simply doesn't have the clout to swing independents and moderates away from Crist. Helluva great guy, though.
Charlie Crist is doing exactly what he needs to be doing if he hopes to be put in office. (despite the numbers from this poll) Now, Crist has made some political moves in his capacity as Governor over the past year to garner popularity for his senate run - including vetoing a wildly unpopular education bill that would have linked 30% of a teacher's pay to their student's performance on an even more wildly unpopular and unproven state standardized test. He recently issued a statement paper, flip-flopping from his view while campaigning for Governor - rejecting a state ban that disallows gay couples to adopt children. (I believe Florida is 1 of only 2 or 3 states that still impose this ban) And with the recent gulf-disaster, he flip-flopped his opinion to supporting a ban on offshore drilling. Granted, all of these were political moves but they are moves that are aligning him to an ever-growing indepenent population. Especially here in Florida.
But, lest we forget this is the state of Florida - a traditionally conservative state.
It's the same insanity in Florida as it is across the nation - people whine, yell, b*tch, and complain about the bums in office yet they either keep sending them back to office or elect the ones who were molded by the ones they were just b*tching about - but expect different or better results. However, with this election - the options aren't the most enticing. Especially if you view our current race for Governor....yikes. Point of advice - if you're a moderate or an independent: Florida's fun to visit. :) But I wouldn't put it too high on my to-do list to move here any time soon.