U.S. Senate Race: Marco Rubio (R) v. Kendrick Meek (D) v. Charlie Crist (Political Opportunist)

Up for review: the race for the U.S. Senate in Florida between Republican Marco Rubio, Democrat Kendrick Meek and Political Opportunist Charlie Crist. Twelve short months ago this race was considered a shoe-in for Florida Governor Crist. He was riding high in popularity and was seemingly unbeatable for this race. The political landscape can change in an instant and in this last year the rise of the Tea Party has proven to be beneficial to candidate Marco Rubio while the earthquake change of conservatism has shoved Crist aside.
During the campaign for the Republican nomination, it grew apparent that former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio was the only true conservative in the race. Governor Crist had embraced many issues that indicated a shift leftward, including his literal embrace of President Obama and the corrupt, bloated stimulus package pushed through Congress. While the nomination battle raged, Rubio and his personal story and advocacy of conservatism started to gain ground and Crist attempted to paint himself as the true conservative in the race. Rubio, however, offered the substance and principles Crist lacks. The Rubio campaign relied on grassroots efforts in the beginning to keep his candidacy alive while preaching the greatness of America and all that she has to offer. Speaking of his own family, Rubio could point to his immigrant roots and say to audiences this is what make America unique in the world. Framing his story around limited government and lower taxes, Rubio understands that conservatism is the inheritor of the tradition started by the Founding Fathers. Espousing a “sunny”, positive view of our nation, Rubio campaigned with an enthusiasm about America that reminds many of Ronald Reagan. Having experience in the Florida legislature has also provided him with a political touch that was initially underestimated in comparison with the once deft abilities of Governor Crist. Backed by popular former Governor Jeb Bush, Rubio has been able to tap into the growing unease with the Democrat/Obama agenda while constantly reminding voters that greatness in this nation never flows from the anointed in government, but from the hard working efforts of men and women who go to work each day and provide for their families. His belief in those men and women as the backbone of our national pride and success is a truth he learned from watching his father work multiple jobs to give his own family a better life. Rubio points to his own life as a testament to the power of the conservative ideology and the looming bankruptcy awaiting the country if the current path is not altered.
Every campaign faces difficulties along the way and Rubio’s had been no different. Crist began the allegations of inappropriate use of a Republican Party credit card by Rubio and has continued trying to tie a sense of abuse of office to Rubio ever since. The problem with this line of attack is that Rubio answered all of these questions and has been cleared by investigators and auditors of wrong doing. The blame belongs with former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer, a man personally chosen for the position by Governor Crist. Crist’s association with Greer should be a major disqualification for further time in office because it smacks of enriching themselves via political office. Greer has been indicted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Crist was his benefactor. It is difficult to believe that Crist had no involvement or knowledge of some of the misdeeds by his hand picked chairman when Crist and Greer were politically inseparable. Combine his judgment of Greer and their association with Crist’s policy decisions and you have a politician in the truest sense. It only becomes worse when Crist decided to run as an Independent and leave the Republican Party when it became obvious he would lose the nomination to Rubio. After frequent assurances that he would remain a Republican at rallies as well as on televised appearances and debates, Crist abandoned the party to make a run as an Independent. This further confirmed the already growing view that Crist was a political opportunist and possessed no principles other than an allegiance to himself. Marco Rubio stands in contrast to Crist as the only conservative in the race for U.S. Senate and is worthy of all conservatives votes. He will be a voice for average citizens and small businesses, a belief in limited government and future prosperity for the country.
Finally, the Democrats nominated Congressman Kendrick Meek as their candidate for Senate. Meek is an unabashed liberal and a champion of big government. He supported all of President Obama’s initiatives and would continue to be a strong advocate for higher taxes and more federal intervention in the economy if elected to the U.S. Senate. Meek is obviously no friend to the conservative cause or the Tea Party, but in comparison to Charlie Crist, Meek at least possesses a core set of ideals that he believes in. For that, Congressman Meek deserves respect for standing up for what he believes. Charlie Crist could learn from his two opponents how to be a principled person standing for election. If elected, Kendrick Meek would seek a greater role for the federal government on almost every level, an increased budget deficit which is already bloated beyond comprehension and be a staunch ally to the ever growing government and private sector unions. Congressman Meek is as liberal as they come which is why Marco Rubio should be the next U.S. Senator from Florida.