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The Rocky Balboa fight of politics is occurring right before our eyes here in the Sunshine State.
Charlie Crist, the ever-popular governor of Florida with approval ratings in the 60's is getting more than he ever bargained for in his race for the United States Senate from Marco Rubio, the former speaker of the house in the Florida state legislature.
The pundits predicted an early landslide. The Republican establishment in Florida offered Rubio an easier office to win.
Maybe Attorney General?
Rubio declined.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) even threw their hat behind Crist the week he announced.
So what.
So how is Rubio still around?
It's definitely not the money as Crist has all but dominated that game by taking part in establishment fundraisers in Atlanta and Washington, DC. Meanwhile, Rubio has been touring the state.
Of Florida that is. Not Georgia, and not DC.
Again, how is Rubio still around? Could it be the conservative message and not the message that Crist recently offered by being one of a very few Republicans to endorse President Obama's stimulus package, a stimulus package of which only 36% of Americans believe is actually working? Or the fact that Crist said that Florida's above average unemployment was "not that big of a deal"?
Not to mention the fact that voters may be considering Crist a lightweight as Rubio has challenged Crist to ten debates. Ten debates that Crist has declined because he is supposedly too "focused on governing" and is saving sea turtles instead.
The Facts
Crist has recently outraised Rubio approximately 12-1. Yet, for those voters that know both Crist and Rubio, the polls are evenly split between the two.
Rubio has recently adorned the cover of National Review and has all but been endorsed by such conservatives such as George Will, Mike Huckabee, Jim Demint, former speaker of the House Dick Armey, and Jeb Bush.
Crist's endorsements? John Cornyn and the Republican DC establishment who along with the rest of Congress has a 16% approval rating. Again, so what.
Rubio has also won practically every Republican straw poll in Florida, including Hernando county, Crist's own back yard.
Crist? The guy's too worried about saving sea turtles to worry about straw polls.
So why is Rubio's message resonating?
It's simple.
True conservatism, principles, honesty, and authenticity.
Look for the upset in the primary just 11 short months from now.
Comments
Straw polls a year before election day are hardly an indicator of frontrunning. Rubio may get the support of a far right populace, but if a decent Democrat heads up against him he'll get crushed. The awfully rated congress you mentioned (where one of your prestigious endorsements for Rubio work, in case you forgot) needs moderates, not far left or far right politicians. I'd rather get bipartisan bills pushed through than more fuel for the bickering fire we're blessed with in the 111th Congress. The only sword Rubio and his supporters have to strike Crist with is his stimulus bill supporting, which will be pretty weak against the otherwise politically pristine aegis of Crist's renowned gubernatorial term.
My name is Alexander Andrew Snitker. I am running as a candidate for the US Senate in 2010 for the State of Florida. I am a Libertarian candidate. I believe that the 2 party system has failed us as a country and we need citizens-legislators in Washington to put us back on track for liberty and prosperity for all Americans.
I am sure that you can agree that most of the elected officials are no longer listening to the people. The time has come to make your voices heard. We will have a unique opportunity here in the state of Florida to show the rest of the country that a candidate with ideas who cannot be bought by special interests can WIN.
Log onto my website www.snitker2010.com and read over my ideas. If you agree with me then pass this information to everyone you know. For far too long we have been told that a 3rd party candidate cannot win. Fortunately that decision is not up to them. IT IS UP TO YOU.
Alexander Snitker
asnitker@tampabay.rr.com
www.snitker2010.com
See my ap
Rubio is not ahead in fundraising because he took Republican money and did not return it and the Dems are pouring in money to him to beat Rubio.
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