Florida Dems: How are you feeling about the Senate race now?

I have been observing Kendrick Meek for some time now, and I have to say he doesn't excite me. I wish he did.
I'm not the bigggest fan of nepotism or legacies, so perhaps I have a bias.

Although I do admit to believing Crist was not so bad when he got elected, as he did some good things, but I'm not his biggest fan. His recent comments about having to rethink the drilling issue has me interested again.
Before Charlie Crist had visions of being John McCain's boy, he was considered an extrememly moderate Repuke. His recent veto of an education bill passed by the GOP controlled legislature indicates he's got some gravitas.
He essentially is pissing in the face a powerful Florida GOP today, and that is at least fun to watch. :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

So if it appears that Meek has no chance, and Crist does, would you support Crist, knowing the alternative is Marco "Let me have your credit card" Rubio? :shrug:

I fully expect to get partially blasted here by the Dem stalwarts, but it's a serious inquiry on my part. I'd like to know how others are feeling about this race, because Crist will announce his race as an independent today, and this race will be top news the next few days.

To those Meek supporters out there, I hope that I am proven wrong about his chances, but I tend to be a pragmatist on these matters, and my party loyalty is tempered by reality.

For those who will say Charlie Crist is merely an opportunist out for himself, I would not argue with you.
When Shrub was running for re-election, and I was employed by Florida Dem Party, working on the Kerry campaign, my response to Kerry critics was that "if Bush was running agains Goofy, I'd be wearing a Disney shirt, not this one."

I don't trust Charlie Crist- would prefer him over Rubio of course, but will not be voting for him. Period. I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of Obama down here- which will help Meek tremendously- and it will be about how many voters come out and how much progress the Dems make overall on financial reform, jobs, etc. AND provided the Democrats aren't spineless and are not afraid to do things like thank Crist repeatedly for supporting Democratic ideas (such as the stimulas money which created over 150,000 jobs) and showing what a scum tea-party asshole Rubio is-- we might have a chance to win this thing. It's going to be interesting, that's for sure....

He has work to do, certainly, but "no chance"? It's too soon to write him off as hopeless at this point.

I said "if it appears he doesn't have a chance" (as in the future), and note that
I said I hope I'm proven wrong.

:hi:

So beware anyone who is pushing that line.

If Crist IS (emphasis on IS) the only realistic chance to defeat Rubio, I have to go with Crist. Rubio is a toxic POS somewhere (not just to the right), but up the right arse-crack of JEBtm.

Crist occasionally shows a brain and has a brass pair for standing-up to the baggers.

Ideologically, he is not far from our Democratic Senator, Bill Nelson and is definitely to the left of the last two Senators... namely Mack and Martinez.

I don't think my assessment will be far off what most dems will be thinking. If Meeks has no chance, we can't let Rubio win by default. You have already seen some squeaks by the teachers unions (think Dem. establishment) moving towards supporting Crist.

An important point in Florida... Crist has never lost a state-wide election.

from what most Dems are thinking, but I hope you will agree that it is too early to write off Meeks as a complete non-starter. Better to work for the Democratic canddiate first and foremost. Crist may be a dark horse in the race but he is 2nd choice, and my assessment is also probably not far off from what most Dems are thinking.

and may become the beneficiary of a Repug divorce and blood bath... http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/can-kendrick-meek-win-the-flor.html

However, it is hard for me though to find a place where Meek can get traction between the other two. EXCEPT if the mud and blood get to thick he can sell himself as Mr. Clean (meaning his really short hair). With the look he has... hmmmmmm might even be a great political ad.

The thing I don't have a good grasp of (from my perch over my home state in the UAE) is how the Northern part of Florida (and specifically the Repugs there) feel about Rubio.

With those folks, I gotta be honest here, I don't know what wins out teabaggery, or racism. However, I suspect those folks, at the end of the day, stick with Chain Gang Charlie.

Crist is not that much different than Bill Nelson in many ways.

I watched an interview with Meek on BayNews9 today. He is a great guy, and he would make a good senator....but he has a ways to go to even begin to compete with Rubio.

FL Dems are too used to just not saying much on any topic lest they raise the ire of the GOP....and I see campaign after campaign being run that way. Trying to be too compatible with everyone and their views.

an invisible candidate. Charlie, on the other hand, to me at least has always been in the wrong party. He does not march in lockstep, he does not pay "respect" to Jeb the way he was expected to and the list goes on. As a registered IND I plan on voting for him in the primary. What happens after that is up in the air. His veto of that awful education bill was a winner for him and I wish him well. Charlie is a smart guy and knows politics and Tallahassee inside out. I hope he plans to caucus with the Dems if he does win.

Kendrick has my vote. I was ready to oppose Crist when he was the shoo in to win. I still oppose him. I would prefer him to Dumbo Rubio ( I can not stop staring at his freakishly large ears). But Kendrick is a good man, and even if he's behind now just wait and see how Charlie and Dumbo tear each other down. This can only be good for Meek I think.

vote Meek to make sure he does. If Crist has the best chance of winning I'll vote for Crist.

So long as Rubio does NOT win! Rubio is a fascist ideologue.

I'd like to see Meek get into the game a little more.

It's the old problem of voting strategically or voting your mind. Even strategically, it becomes a question of short term/long term. The GOP is in trouble in Florida, they just don't know it yet. They are riding the "angry white male" problem, the whole time their state is turning very brown. It is becoming vastly more urban than rural. And the population of retirees is stagnating. A strong showing by Meek could begin to turn the tide down here, even if he doesn't win. Remember, in 2 years Nelson is back in the barrel.

Crist can't be trusted. The things he's done that you like were his GOP version of triangulation, trying to find the "magic middle" where he could move to the national stage. He's got his eyes on the White House and he didn't want to move too far right. Rubio you know will be bad, with Crist, you'll never know when it's coming.

Don't ya wonder if Grayson has his eyes on 2012?

One of the most evil, back-stabbing, and yes 'really' a business-oriented Republican I had to deal with carried a D after her name when she was in office.

I am sure I am not the only one who has worked in state politics that has experienced this.

If the race comes down to Indie Crist and Teahadist Rubio, the Republicans ultimately win no matter who takes the prize. We all know that if Crist takes the Senate seat he will be embraced and accepted as one of their own by Senate Republicans. And moderate though he may be, he will vote with the Republicans a good deal of the time.

Rubio= :puke:
Crist- has stuck one toe out of the Repug closet... will he step further??
Meek- Another Obama, or Deval Patrick waiting in the wings...??


Remember in Florida politics, the "he-coon walks just before the light of day..."

So, should be interesting...

when he called himself "an old he-coon". Rest in peace, Governor Chiles.

democratic year...

If you have the choice between Meek, Crist, and Rubio, you have to decide between what you believe in and who has a chance to win. If Meek has no shot, then you must prevent Rubio from winning because you lose big-time in the ideology department with Rubio.

only slightly less big time in the ideology department with Crist. Either way, Crist or Rubio, the Republicans win.

night after night fighting for us during the Bush years, when most everyone else had gone home.

He deserves your vote.

:thumbsup:

I have been involved and around Florida politics my whole life.
This is undoubtedly shaping up to be one of the most interesting races in a long time.

If a Crist election would be so good for the GOP, the attack dogs would not have gone after him like fresh meat.
For Cheney to have come out after him so hard, and then several of his other prominent GOP supporters to follow suit, they must have some major concern. Crist's departure is also a hit to the national reputation of the conservative movement. When they are trying to sell themselves as having a bigger tent than one big enough to hold a tea party, the departure of a so-called moderate doesn't help the cause.

For those solidly against Crist, "did you know when elected Governor he reinstated the rights of convicted felons who had served their time, much to the chagrin of conservatives'? Although that seems like the right thing, prior to that a felon would have to apply to have his rights reinstated, including the right to vote. As you can imagine, not many did.

I'm not at all counting Meek out in this race, and I will support him. However, I'd be happy if I could find an
ANYONE BUT MARCO bumper sticker.


This is getting good :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

And you gave a good explanation about how important it is to at least acknowledge that Crist has supported quite a few progressive values, even more so than a number of Dems in this state. It's really a shame. :(

But yes, this is gonna be exciting!

I think he'd make a great Senator for Florida!

I want to meet him in person, if possible.

Wait while Crist let's his true self out and see if Meek will really step up to the plate as a stronger candidate.

If someone such as Alan Grayson were running for Senate it'd be a no-brainer, but unfortunately that's not the case.