"Why doesn't Kendrick Meek (D - FL) get more respect?"

[Clio the Leo]

What About Kendrick Meek?
Mark Blumenthal | April 15, 2010

Why doesn't Kendrick Meek get more respect?

For the last few months, when talk turns to Florida, political pundits have focused on the meteoric rise of Marco Rubio over Charlie Crist in the state's Republican primary for Senate. And today, with a new poll from Quinnipiac University showing Rubio opening up "an elephant sized 56-33 lead" over Crist, the commentariat seems more taken with the possibility of Crist running as an independent. The same survey shows Crist with a not-quite-statistically-significant 32% to 30% lead over Rubio in a three-way race with Meek, trailing at 24%.

But largely lost in this discussion are two important findings: First, in the most likely match-up for the fall, Quinnipiac shows Rubio leading Kendrick Meek by just six percentage points (42% to 38%). That's roughly the same margin as on the current trend estimate on our chart (43.7% to 38.5%). By that measure, Meek currently runs closer to his likely Republican opponent than do incumbent Democratic Senators Reid (NV), Lincoln (AR), and Specter (PA).

Second, only about a quarter (26%) of the Florida voters surveyed by Quinnipiac currently know Meek well enough to rate him -- 18% rate him favorably, 8% unfavorably. Rubio is better known (58% can rate him), but Meek has far more room to grow, and Rubio's negatives are growing (36% favorable, 22% unfavorable). With four more months of a bruising primary battle still to come, that trend is likely to continue.

Consider some other factors that have gone largely unrecognized: Meek has so far raised a not-insignificant amount of money ($4.6 million as of December), and his campaign pulled off a bit of an historic first by qualifying for the ballot by collecting over 140,000 petitions rather than paying a $10,000 fee,

And then there is this potential wild card: Meek can make far bigger history by being the first African American elected Senator in Florida (and in the South since Reconstruction), a fact that is unlikely to be lost on Florida's Democratic base. While Democratic candidates nationwide may be up against an enthusiasm gap, Meek has a shot at generating the same sort of enthusiasm within Florida as benefited Obama in 2008 (with the side benefit of having all those first time voters that the Obama campaign registered two years ago). Meek's successful petition effort is a sign that his campaign is putting the requisite field mechanism into place for just such an effort.

If polls continue to show Meek running close to Rubio (or close to both Rubio and Crist in a three-way contest), the historic nature of his candidacy combined with Rubio's high national profile should combine to capture the attention and imagination of the Democratic small donor base nationwide. If that happens, Meek should have little trouble raising the funds necessary to saturate Florida's airwaves in the Fall.



http://ow.ly/1z3oR

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http://www.kendrickmeek.com/





Just my gut feeling on this, but I think the President is MUCH more interested at seeing Meek win in FL than seeing Giannoulias win in IL. (Sorry teabaggers)

[DrToast]

1. Good question

I've wondered this myself. Why are we courting Crist? I've read Meek is not a strong candidate, but I haven't heard why.

[ej510]

2. One word he's "black".

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. You took the words right out of my mouth. Case closed. n/t

[SwampG8r]

13. as a floridian i sadly concur

[Hippo_Tron]

21. I didn't even realize he was black until I saw the pictures just now, then I realized you were right

The President won Florida, though, so the idea that a black man can't get elected there is bullshit.

[Dr Morbius]

3. Alexi Giannoulias has baggage. Obama can't embrace him...

...with that baggage until the people of Illinois do. It's just politics.

And Mr. Meek, well, I hope he does win, unless that moves him one step closer to inheriting the Earth. I'm not ready for that.

[Dr.Phool]

4. New Democrat Coalition.

Does it for me.

http://ndc.crowley.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=54

[flyarm]

5. me too! and maybe because we know all about him!! And not the stuff that makes the front pages! eom

[flyarm]

6. dupe.

[Change Happens]

7. He is getting my vote for sure.........nt

[KaryninMiami]

8. Most people I know, just don't think he really has a chance against Rubio

it's great to see that the polls are closer then I thought but it's a tough battle here and the GOP is extremely well financed and very loud as we all know. Then there are those pesky (to put it mildly) electronic voting machines. So if it's a close race- within 2 or 3 points, it will go to Rubio because of the rigging. Meek can only pull it off with a major lead- like over 5 points. Otherwise, there's no chance. And then there's the turnout and the fact that most people are just not that interested. Maybe if the Dems could focus on the fact that Rubio is a tea party member we might spark some interest but I'm just not so sure if that would do it.;

The other issue Meek is just not well known around the state and he is certainly not making a lot of noise yet. With that said however, a few major events with Obama carefully orchestrated around the state, and perhaps a few with Hillary - up in the Delray/Boca area where she's especially popular and some joint appearances with Bob Graham (who is still very respected here), maybe people will start to pay attention.

Time will tell.

[Cha]

9. I was just wondering the same thing?

Darn..I like him from up here but that's the people in Florida's decision.

[Cha]

10. Rep Kendrick Meek's voting record..

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m001148/votes/

[Yavin4]

11. My Gut Tells Me That Crist Has Something on Rubio

Otherwise why even take the chance of being humiliated in the primary. If Crist loses, his career in Florida politics will be dead as well. So, why even roll the dice here?

Crist must have something on Rubio that he will surely use.

[SwampG8r]

14. unless its that crist and rubio

were once lovers he has nothing
he is as surprised as anyone the way its worked out
he expected to waltz in with no problems

[quaker bill]

15. Rubio

was in the fund raising scandal neck deep and Crist has called for a federal investigation....

[peekaloo]

16. Bob Graham and Bill Clinton have offered up early support for him.

I plan on doing grunt work later this summer.

Let Chuckles and Markkko publicly slap each other around a little longer. :-)

[WI_DEM]

17. I said this yesterday that we should be helping Meek especially since this new poll showing him only

4-points down. This could be a competitive race and if Meek wins a big pick up for the Dems.

[iceman66]

18. Because if he did he might actually win!

This is supposed to be the Republican's year, remember?

[oviedodem]

19. I Personally think he is too antagonistic when questioned. Too

many times on interviews I have found him to be a little to confrontational with the reporter. There is a way to do it, and he has to learn that as a new kid on this senate scene.

[watercolors]

20. Maybe he needs a good campagian manager

I've yet to see one add for him, or even an interview. Most Fl don't know who he is , or that he is the Dem candidate for senate seat. He is well known in Miami area.