New Quinnipiac Poll puts Jeff Greene ahead of Kendrick Meek in Florida U.S. Senate race

[oberliner]

Florida businessman and U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Greene has opened up a wide lead over his rival Kendrick Meek, according to a Quinnipiac Poll released today.

Greene, who has put millions of his own money in his campaign, continues to bombard the airwaves with ads attacking his opponent - a move which has overwhelmingly increased his visibility, and has voters favoring him over the more experienced Meek, a U.S. Congressman since 2003.

http://www.examiner.com/x-59063-Miami-Nonpartisan-Examiner~y2010m7d29-New-Quinnipiac-Poll-puts-Jeff-Greene-ahead-of-Kendrick-Meek-in-Florida-US-Senate-race

Also:

Meek won't pledge to back Greene

Rep. Kendrick Meek, who has been branding himself as the only authentic Democrat in the Florida Senate race, stopped short Wednesday of saying he would support rival Jeff Greene in November if the billionaire defeated him for the party’s nomination.

Speaking on a conference call with reporters to announce a 10-day statewide bus tour, Meek used harsh language to describe his opponent, portraying him as a deceptive political opportunist attempting to purchase the Aug. 24 primary.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/40355.html#ixzz0v85p3Nql

[jenmito]

1. Greene is a Repub.-turned-Dem. who has spoken out against Islam, Muslims, etc.,

according to a woman on Rachel Maddow's show tonight who worked in Bush's admin. naming him as an example of Islamaphobia being on "both sides."

[oberliner]

2. What has he said?

Do you have any links?

[DCBob]

6. here ya go..

Greene: "Parts of it that say something like, everyone has a chance to accept Allah and Muhammad's teachings and if they don't the infidels must be killed, there's all kinds of this crazy stuff. I think, unfortunately, that's motivating extremists."

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/06/kendrick_meek_tries_to_paint_jeff_greene_as_a_musl.php

[oberliner]

7. Thanks

I have a feeling that the Democrats are in trouble in Florida this year.

What do you make of Crist?

[DCBob]

14. I think Crist is going to win this regardless who is the Dem nominee..

I also think Crist will likely caucus with the Dems and will probably be a more reliable vote on liberal issues than many current Dem senators. It will also piss off the GOP. So Crist is not a bad deal for us as Democrats.. imo.

[ChiciB1]

25. I Live Here In Florida AND Most People I Talk To Are "Leaning" To Crist!

Meek has come late to the party, and is so DLC! Plus, as I've commented several times here, many Democrats I know will be voting for Crist in the end.

Most say they will vote for Meek in the Primary, but don't think he has a chance in hell of winning!

I myself won't vote in the Primary because I have decided that Meek isn't a real fighter and think Crist at least WILL stand his ground! Meek has NOT impressed me, I feel he's an Obama underling and I don't think I want to fall for empty promises again!

JMHO! And yes, I have gotten grief here for saying what I just said already, so go ahead... I DON'T even care about ATTACKS!

[DCBob]

38. You will probably be thoroughly bashed in a few minutes.. but I do understand your viewpoint..

However, I still think people should vote for Meek in the primary regardless of how they feel he will do in the general against Crist. I dont think you want that maniac scumbag Greene as the Dem nominee. How embarrassing that would be.

[golfguru]

40. LMAO at Crist will hold his ground

the dude just switched all his positions from conservative to liberal
in a heart beat once he lost the primary.

[DCBob]

43. Maybe Crist was liberal all along and was faking being a conservative..

ever thought of that?

[golfguru]

45. Yes, entirely possible but would you trust a faker?

[DCBob]

46. There are alot of "fakes" in politics... especially on the Republican side.

As a voter its a matter of judging who is the least "fakiest".

[golfguru]

51. LMAO n/t

[JustAnotherGen]

48. Not going to attack you

You have to select the person you feel will best represent your interests as a Floridian. No shame in that! ;-)

[flpoljunkie]

50. Charlie is not known for 'standing his ground,' tho he's preferable to Rubio. Vote Meek in primary.

And, any other good Dems running.

[golfguru]

39. Crist will siphon away enough votes from the dem candidate

and fewer votes from Rubio, and Rubio will sneak by.

[DCBob]

42. So what do you suggest we do to stop that maniac teabagger Rubio from winning?

that's the most important thing.. right?

[smalll]

9. I would say that, pound for pound, measure for measure, Islam is currently the most anti-progressive

major religion in the world. :shrug:

[IndianaGreen]

13. Christianity has Islam beat on that!

[Divine Discontent]

19. mmmm...

don't know if that's entirely true, IG, lol. We've got some pretty liberal Christian outfits in the world (Metropolitan Community Church, Unitarian Church, and some of the Episcopals, and even some Catholic diocese would argue they're very liberal).

[seattleblue]

30. So Christians stone women for adultery?

Christians make women cover their faces in public? Christians stop women from driving, owning property, and voting? I didn't know that.

[golfguru]

41. Yes all Christian women in my town wear the Burqa

and not allowed to drive cars and can not attend schools and
can not go shopping without their husband in tow (sarc).

[DCBob]

4. Wow, this Greene dude is a real piece of work. Why is he even a Democrat??

This will surely make it easier for FL Dems to switch to Crist.

[DonCoquixote]

3. As a Florida democrat

I must truly say, I HATE KAREN THURMAN, who has let the Democratic party become the joke that keeps on giving. It would be one thing if she was focusing on the governor's race, but now, at a time when the GOP is vulnerable, Alex Sink is...actually, can someone tell me what Alex Sink IS DOING?, not like I have seen a bloody ad!

[DCBob]

5. Latest polling has her in the lead.. she is benefiting from the chaos on the GOP side.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/07/ppp-poll-alex-sink-tops-both-republican-contenders-in-florida-governors-race.php

[JCMach1]

22. You are exactly right about the Florida Dem. party... not just Thurman's fault

but she has been the captain of the sinking ship.

[ChiciB1]

28. I Don't Think I've Seen ANYTHING From Meek Either!! Thurman Is A

JOKE, and taking my time to talk about her is REALLY A WASTE!! Living in this state is DIFFICULT enough as it is!

Katherine "Cruella" Harris was my Representative for two terms so you can imagine what it's like where I live!

Democratic Party is so LAME here!

[BluegrassDem]

8. Greene winning would virtually assure Crist the African-American vote

Which would help him immensely.

[smalll]

10. Also, as Meek has not said he would endorse Greene - plus Meek had no chance in the general -

at least so the polls tell us --

perhaps the best Dems can hope for in Florida is to elect Crist? And doesn't a Greene primary win make an eventual Crist victory just that more likely? Maybe this is a Good Thing?

[Marsala]

11. Well, a Crist victory would certainly annoy the wingnuts

And it's definitely better than Rubio getting into the Senate. So Greene beating Meek would probably have a net benefit for the progressive side, though it's certainly embarrassing for the Democratic Party of Florida.

[IndianaGreen]

12. Greene has a D after his name. Who cares that he is a scumbag and a crook?

You must be obedient serfs and vote for the man or woman with the D after the name.

[Freddie Stubbs]

15. Crook? What laws has he broken?

[DCBob]

16. he broke one in Belize..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/23/jeff-greene-senate-candid_n_657266.html

[Freddie Stubbs]

17. He wasn't aboard the boat at the time of the alledged incident:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/water/belize-jeff-greenes-yacht-tore-up-coral-reef-left-unpaid-fines-up-to/1110511

[DCBob]

18. there's the matter of the fines he refuses to pay..

not sure why.

[HooptieWagon]

47. The boat owner is responsible for the damage whether he's aboard or not. n/t

[HooptieWagon]

31. google some of the stories the St Pete Times /Miami Herald have published on Greene.

He's a real slime ball.

[scheming daemons]

20. does it really matter which Dem comes in 3rd place?

[WI_DEM]

21. If I were a citizen of FL I would support Meek if he won the primary but I would vote for Crist if

it were Greene.

[PinkSunset]

23. If Greene wins we get to choose between

2 former republicans and 1 republican

Great choices....right?

[HooptieWagon]

32. Welcome to the Florida Democratic Party...

Crist is likely now more liberal than Nelson.

[peekaloo]

52. Welcome to DU!

I'm trying to remain optimistic and think that Greene has peaked. Obviously the Meek campaign were looking to bag the primary and save the resources for the GE until this scumbag floated to the surface.

I'll make no predictions but according to one local news-guy the media are set to have a field day with Greene in the upcoming weeks leading up to the primary. :-)

:hi:

[flamingdem]

24. How strange, Crist more liberal than Green? nt

[Yavin4]

26. This Is Actually Great News for the Democrats in Florida

1. The number one goal is to stop Rubio from winning, and only Charlie Crist can do that.

2. Openly supporting Crist over an African American Democrat like Meek is bad mojo, and it may supress Dem turnout which would violate goal #1.

3. However, if Jeff Greene beats out Meek for the nomination (and Meek has publicly stated that he hates Greene), then that opens the door for Meek and the Dem establishment to support Crist. Again, see goal #1.

Now, Crist is no prize, but he's clearly better than that facist Rubio.

[ChiciB1]

29. AND THAT'S WHY So Many Democrats Are Going To Vote For Him!!

ANYTHING to keep Rubio from winning! Just that simple!

[brooklynite]

33. The question is: does Meek then endorse Crist...?

...or does he take his ball and go home in a huff?

[DCBob]

34. It will be very interesting to see what Meek and the Democratic establishment do if Greene wins.

I cannot imagine them getting behind Greene. I think they have no choice but to make a deal with Charlie.. and I think Charlie is more than willing to work something out.

[bigwillq]

35. Is the DEM establishment

getting behind Meek? It seems like many are content to vote for Crist. Why aren't they, at least it seems that way to me, not getting behind Meek?

[DCBob]

36. Rahm was just there doing a fundraiser, Biden was there earlier, Obama is going for a Dem event..

where Meek will have a "prominent role" in a couple of weeks... but the FL voters though just dont seem impressed with Mr Meek... for whatever reason.

[bigwillq]

37. Thanks

for answering my question. I appreciate it. Haven't been following that race as closely as I probably should.


edit: Probably could've Googled to find out info, but I like to here DUers accounts of what's going on on the ground. Would really like some Florida peeps to answer my question. Maybe one or two will.

Again, thanks for getting back.

[Divine Discontent]

44. FL checkin' in... I'm not impressed with him either. various reasons.

[Political Tiger]

27. "Greene, who has put millions of his own money in his campaign, continues to bombard the airwaves.."

"...with ads attacking his opponent."

I got a call from Greene's campaign just yesterday asking me if I will vote for Greene in the primary and I said no, precisely for the reason quoted.

[flpoljunkie]

49. 'Meek won't pledge to back Greene.'

Neither will I!