Despite the apparent cracks in Crist's campaign, the polls show him handily defeating Kendrick Meek. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that the presumptive Democratic candidate, Rep. Kendrick Meek would be defeated handily by Gov. Crist. In a matchup against the teabagger candidate, Marco Rubio, Meek fared much better.
Gov. Charlie Crist's lead over former state house speaker Marco Rubio in the 2010 Republican U.S. Senate primary has been cut in half from 55 - 26 percent to 50 - 35 percent, but the Governor tops the leading Democrat, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, 51 - 31 percent among all voters, while Rubio trails Meek 36 - 33 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
If the prospect of an easier general election campaign is not enough to get you to cross party lines and vote in the GOP primary, consider the possibility of a shrinking Republican Party. As David Plouffe, President Obama's presidential campaign manager, explained on Meet The Press this morning, the Sarah Palin/Glenn Beck-led purist tea-bagger movement has the potential to cripple the Republican Party for the foreseeable future.
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If Republicans continue to purge moderates such as Charlie Crist, the party will be unable to put up candidates who could compete for votes from independents and conservative Democrats and moderate and liberal Republicans will continue leave the party in droves. According to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll, the number of Americans who identify as Republicans has fallen to an all-time low.
Only 20 percent of adults identify themselves as Republicans, little changed in recent months, but still the lowest single number in Post-ABC polls since 1983. Political independents continue to make up the largest group, at 42 percent of respondents; 33 percent call themselves Democrats.
There is always the possibility that Marco Rubio could defeat Kendrick Meek. Right-wing polling outfit Rasmussen recently released a poll showing that Kendrick Meek would lose to either Republican candidate.
A new Rasmussen Reports survey of Florida voters shows Governor Charlie Crist leading Representative Kendrick Meek by a 46% to 34% margin. In August, Crist led by 19 and in June he was ahead by 21.
Former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio leads Meek by a similar margin, 46% to 31%. In August, Rubio led by 13 percentage points.
Even Democratic Party leaders have acknowledged this possibility. MSNBC reported that there has been chatter in DC about finding an alternative to the Miami Democrat as doubts about Charlie Crist's invincibility have risen.
Still, while supporting Marco Rubio doesn't guarantee Democrats another Senate seat, a general election victory by Rubio does provide some advantages that a Charlie Crist win would not. First, a victory for a right-wing candidate will only strengthen the tea-bagger wing of the GOP. If the tea-baggers are able to point to a few victories in the 2010 midterms, it will be hard to ignore the voices of those who argue that the GOP should nominate a pure conservative for president in 2012. The sole voice of reason for Republican moderates will continue to be Meghan McCain.
Second, keeping Charlie Crist out of the Senate denies the Senate moderates another ally. Progressives have been very frustrated with the White House for shaping legislation to appeal to moderate Republicans such as Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. Charlie Crist, who joined President Obama at an event in Florida to promote the stimulus this spring, would provide the White House with another opportunity to water-down legislation in the name of bipartisanship.
I submit that supporting Marco Rubio in the GOP Senate primary is a win-win proposition for Florida Democrats. The primary will not be held until August 31, 2010, but in order to vote, you must change your voter registration to Republican at least 29 days before the primary.
Support Democrats! Vote Rubio!
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