Campaign Crawlers
Rubio It’s You
A young conservative declares for Senate in Charlie Crist’s Florida.
(Page 2 of 2)
Rubio will certainly have an uphill battle in taking on Crist. If the election were held this week he would lose big. But the race isn’t this week. It’s 15 months from now. Plenty of time for both Rubio and Florida Democrats to knock some bloom off the Crist rose.
“There’s no reason for Crist’s popularity to stay high,” McManus said. “The Democrats will be painting a more partisan face on him.”
The 2010 Florida Senate race will be instructive in more ways than just deciding what Republican means in Florida. We’ll also see if those tens of thousands of new Democrats the Obama campaign managed to register really plan to make Florida a blue state or were just infatuated with Obama.
While Florida was going for Obama in 2008, Democrats picked up only one seat in Florida’s 160-seat legislature. And Floridians voted the conservative line on a plateful of constitutional amendments. But between 2004 and 2008, Florida Democrats picked up a net gain of more than 288,000 voters and lead Republicans in registration 4.7 million to 4.2 million. Party registration numbers in Florida are always tricky due to the left-over conservative Democrats who are registered with a D but haven’t voted for a Democrat since JFK. There are, of course, fewer and fewer of these as the years go by.
McManus said South Florida, three-term Congressman Kendrick Meek, now the likely front-runner on the Democratic side, “can be counted on to try to replicate the Obama model.” It’s far too soon to predict if change will still charm two years after our rookie president was sworn in, if Obama’s Florida organization can be brought back to life, or if Meek is as slick and glib as Obama.
Rubio is just shy of 38 years old. He can sometimes come across as a brash graduate student. If the Florida Republican bench were deeper he might still be refining his game in AA ball. But the Republican bench isn’t deep. So if Florida conservatives want a voice in the U.S. Senate any time soon, young Rubio has about a year to learn to hit big league pitching.
This one should be worth watching. And considering the current Republican/Democrat lineup in the U.S. Senate, the race will enjoy a national audience. Perhaps even serious national contributors. Stay tuned.
About the Author
Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.
Michael L. Hauschild| 5.11.09 @ 8:04AM
Approval in the 60's of 70's? Given the historical 50/50 split in Florida I do not think that particular polling will do him much good in the Republican Primary as much of that total is certainly independent or Dems. I am not familiar with Florida election law but a closed primary certainly is called for when dealing with RINO's. Inflation, the entitled's personal flat tax hell, will be the driving most of the elections in 2010. You go, Rubio.
2Anglico| 5.11.09 @ 9:08AM
Florida is a CLOSED primary. Charlie Crist is the EPITOMY of a RINO. Or at least he is not a conservative.
Pete Moss| 5.11.09 @ 10:18AM
Crist is nothing but a big fat target for a primary with a Real Conservative running. Given the numbers Martinez has had as Senator, why would anyone think Crist would be accepted any better?
Crist did tie up one loose end a few months ago and remove that issue from any future races....He managed to marry a Woman. No doubt he was informed by good 'ol Johnny McCain that the single but straight act was a bit of a swallow in big league politics.
Rubio should be able to hang Obama around Crist's neck like an anvil in the primary.
Good hunting Marco!
Linda Sandoval| 5.11.09 @ 11:20AM
Rubio sounds like someone who stands up for what is right & not what is what is politically correct (or where the wind is blowing that day)
Where can I send money to support Rubio?
Marc Jeric| 5.11.09 @ 3:34PM
We need more people like this Rubio - he at least knows about that communist paradise in Cuba.
jr| 5.11.09 @ 4:40PM
I'm a Floridian. Rubio good, Crist very bad. I couldn't believe it when he started championing Hussein and bailouts. We, the people defeated the speed train in a past election and this joker and money friends brought it up again -- sort of like the trash that goes on in Kalifornia every day. To balance the budget - typical politicians - raised taxes. And Crist has a line item veto that he could have used. A total joke from east to west and north to south, and we are in between.
D SAMMIS| 5.11.09 @ 7:22PM
As a conservative ex-Republican I wouldn't vote for Crist again. Martinez was/is a disaster. I happen to think that the USA should unilaterally open up Cuba, which gags most Cubans in the USA and most Republicans, but after 50 years it' s time to try something else.
Jo| 5.11.09 @ 7:48PM
I live in Florida and am a Republican.
Charlie Crist lives in Florida but he is NOT a Republican. He supports Obama for political favor.
He has ambitions to run for President and will betray anyone to realize his goal.
Contrary to popular belief, he is not well liked in Florida.
scottd | 5.12.09 @ 12:50AM
People United for Medical Marijuana (www.pufmm.org) want to know if the candidates support a patients right to choose medical marijuana for treatment. What good does it do the state to arrest and jail Cancer, MS, HIV/AIDs patients hoping to alleviate the ravages of their condition? How does your state rep. or senator vote on this matter? Or do they run and hide when presented the facts? I am conservative, in that it is between a Dr. and the patient, leave the govt. out of it!!!
Pingback| 5.12.09 @ 1:18AM
race42008.com » Blog Archive » Rubio v. The Specter Republican links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Brian| 5.12.09 @ 6:49AM
What a great opportunity to retire Crist once and for all. Go Rubio
Richard Baker| 5.13.09 @ 7:42PM
The only concern I have is the political seduction which will attempt to "moderate" his conservatism. With all the political whores either running or holding office in both parties, Rubio would be advised to be forewarned.
George Stelogeannis| 5.14.09 @ 7:59AM
Let's support Rubio for the Senate. Crist is too much of a Democrat for me. He throws out empty words and does nothing for the people. Let's get rid of Crist once and for all. Good luck Mr. Rubio, I'm supporting you.
Gasparini, L| 10.20.09 @ 5:37AM
U say it, George
Pingback| 6.23.09 @ 9:34PM
BlueRidgeForum » Tea Party Topics? Florida’s Marco Rubio vs. Beltway GOP links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
vouchercodes | 1.6.11 @ 8:49AM
I think I should do something after reading that