(R)asmussen Poll--FL Senate: Rubio (R): 41% Crist (I) 30% Meek (D) 21%

[WI_DEM]

Republican Marco Rubio continues to hold an 11-point lead over independent candidate Charlie Crist in Florida’s race for the U.S. Senate.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Florida finds Rubio with 41% support, while Crist, the state’s current governor, picks up 30% of the vote. Democrat Kendrick Meek comes in third with 21%. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The race remains Leans Republican in the Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Senate Balance of Power rankings. Two weeks ago, the findings were virtually identical: Rubio 41%, Crist 30%, Meek 23%.

www.rasmussenreports.com

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

1. I starting to believe that there's absolutely nothing that can be done to help Meek...

And that's very, very sad. He had a great debate and knows what he's talking about.

I don't believe that Floridians want Rubio; what it looks like is that Crist and Meek are splitting their votes, which it making it difficult particularly for Meek.

Perhaps it's time for him to leave the race and join Crist. As much as I hate it, looks like many Democrats are being fooled by the charlatan that Crist is.

Oh, well...

[HughMoran]

2. Rube-io is going to win unless something radical happens

...and either Crist or Meek drop out.

[AtomicKitten]

3. Looks like Crist is pulling ahead of Meek again.

Not my state, but I would give serious consideration to voting for Crist to keep that teabagging clown, Rubio, out of office.

[flamingdem]

4. Thank you! I think FL Dems need to make a personal and maybe quiet choice

No need to feel guilty when voting for Crist. Crist is to the left of Meek on some issues and is basically well liked. Meek won't quit .. why should he.. so it's up to Dems to decide if they want Rubio or not..

[COLGATE4]

14. You're absolutely right. As much as I would prefer Meek to

win, there's not a snowball's chance in hell he's going to pull it off. Here in the Tampa Bay area I have seen exactly ONE Meek commercial, while being inundated by commercials for Rubio. If we don't hold our noses and quietly support Crist we're going to have a Senator who will make the present Rethugs pale in comparison. We need to be realistic here.

[flamingdem]

18. My thoughts are with the Dems of Florida, a noble group!

Someone on MSNBC said the FL Dems are "practical" and I really hope that's accurate!

[catgirl]

27. The result of that will be a split vote and Rubio win

Unless the dems vote for the democrat, we lose. It's happening in Alaska, as well.

[catgirl]

26. Crist is dropping (losing voters)

He should drop out. He decided to run as an indie after losing the repug primary, hoping
to garner enough votes from both parties to win. He has failed. He isn't getting many R
votes, but he's siphoning off just enough dem voted to spoil it for both himself, and for
Meek.

If anything, dems should be pissed at this point that he's so self-absorbed, that he would
stay in the race at this point.

[AtomicKitten]

29. Crist dropped even with Meek but now is 10 pts ahead of him.

Clearly voters are vacillating.

I obviously don't live in Florida so my 2-centsworth (1-centworth with inflation :)) is issued from the bleachers.

I strongly prefer Meek but he has never exceeded 25 pts and has hung mostly in the high teens. Polling seems to show Crist in a better position to take on the teabagger, Rubio.

I mostly don't want Rubio (nor any other teabagger for that matter) to win. It will dumb down the Senate by at least 50 IQ points. That's what I find terrifying --- :scared:

[catgirl]

31. But Crist was WINNING before

My point: He has peaked alrerady. He has zero chance of winning. The repug voters he had before, have fled to Rubio.
Meek has a chance if Crist leaves the race (which he probably won't do). :-(

[AtomicKitten]

32. Now that you mention it, I do recall when Crist was leading.

Well, take heart. It ain't over til it's over. There's bad blood between Crist and the GOP. If he's bitter enough about that, perhaps he will drop out knowing that if he doesn't Rubio will probably win.

If I were a Floridian, I'd check the polls the day before the election and decide then what the smooth move would be. I have to admit I'm transfixed on preventing Senator Teabagger from taking a seat in Congress. I expect the polls to do somersaults before November and anything could happen.

Cheers.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

34. Respectfully, You Really Should Inform Yourself About Florida Politics

Crist has actually increased his perecntage of Rerpublicant votes but it's not as if he had many after leaving the party. The problem is he is losing Democratic support to Meek which makes Rubio very happy.

Florida is 1/3 Indy, 1/3 Republicant and 1/3 Democrat.

You can not win a statewide race in FL without indy support

Beside Rubio the biggest winner will be Jeb Bush who is Rubio's mentor and political enemy of Crist. Don't be surprised if either parlays the win into a presidential race.

Don't confuse Rubio with Christinme O'Donnell or Sarah Palin. He tacitly supports the TeaBag agenda without saying anything incendiary.

DemocratSinceBirth
FloridaResident Since 1970

[catgirl]

35. I get Florida politics

And I've seen how third party candidates can help blow it for democrats in Florida (democrats like Al Gore, for instance).

[DemocratSinceBirth]

36. Nader Was A Fringe Candidate Who Got About 2% Of The Vote

Crist has won three statewide races-governor, attorney general, and education commissioner.


The political and economic climate in Florida is terrible for Democrats. Without Crist to siphon off independent and soft Republicant votes Meek would be losing by thirty points.

[catgirl]

39. I don't get the 30 point logic

But I do know that Crist has already peaked and cannot win.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

40. You Are Correct It's A Tragedy

Crist can't win . Meek can't win.

I get my thirty point margin from the last time there was a Senate race in Florida where the political and economic environment was as bad for Democrats. It was 1994 and Hugh Rodham lost to Connie Mack by more than thirty points. The demographics have changed but not that much. In fact where it has changed has helped Rubio. There are more Hispanics.

Florida is a tough nuts for Democrats at the state level, All the popular statewide Democrats are either retired or gone from this Earth. It's really disheartening.

[musiclawyer]

5. This sucks

If I was POTUS I would offer Meek something enticing enough to make him get out.

[Ter]

8. There's no guarantee they would go to Crist

Of those 21%, Crist would need like 17% of them, and that's if he gets all of the undecideds.

Also, wouldn't that be a potentially impeachable offense if Obama asked him to drop out for a job offer? Even if no, it will be if Republicans win the House.

[Drunken Irishman]

9. We're probably cooked here regardless.

But I'd wager we have a better shot with Meek out of the race than Crist. If Crist drops out, Meek loses by 20-30 points.

If Meek drops out, the race automatically becomes competitive. Maybe within five points.

[Awsi Dooger]

12. No doubt about it

Crist would have a chance in a 2-way race. Meek simply isn't impressive enough. On Hardball last week Matthews asked him a couple of atypical questions and Meek couldn't adjust at all. He defaulted to standard themes. I had to click the channel, frustrated. When you're struggling to defeat Jeff Greene it reveals mega vulnerability.

In a tough environment you need extra special candidates to pull out unlikely races, coming from behind. Otherwise the early indications will simply reassert themselves. It's not much different than a basketball game when the road favorite grabs an early 20 point lead. The home crowd may get excited when their hard trying overmatched squad cuts it to 6, but don't hold your breath on getting over the top. Inevitably that game goes back to 15.

I keep seeing hopeful threads of tightening polls. But as someone who deals with variables and outcomes every day, foundation is more relevant than late desperate grasps. Voters made up their minds months ago. I didn't read the Chuck Todd thread but if he's saying the cake is already baked it's because he understands the same thing, that late shifts are common in primaries among like minded individuals who can shift on a dime, but in general elections the dynamic and numbers are much more rigid. Late means very little. I can't believe Obama and his top advisers didn't realize it. The energy and emphasis and talking points needed to be out there 6 months ago.

[Dr.Phool]

33. Too late to get out.

Ballots are printed, and were mailed out a week ago.

[Robbins]

6. Crist

After seeing him on Lawrence O'Donnell last night It proves he Is carlatan.He can't name one thing he would do different now as
Independent.He wouldn't admit he was wrong In saying Palin would make a good president!and he Is trying to play boths ides In abortion debate.Democrats should vote for Meek.

[young but wise]

7. Agreed.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. It Would Be Nice If Folks Took The Time To Learn Ablout Florida Politics

In a two way race Meek would be losing by Hugh Rodham like proportions. Google the 1994 Florida Senate race. Meek is a Democrat in a state that tilts Republicant in what is turning out to be a big Republicant year. The stars would have to been aligned perfectly for him to win and they aren't. Many Democrats have made the calculation that Meek can't win and are supporting Crist. They will vote for him not out of love but out of fear and loathing for Rubio.

DemocratSinceBirth
Florida Resident Since 1970

[DCBob]

10. This race is a damn shame.. the majority of Floridians do not want Rubio as their Senator..

but looks they are going to get him. I wish Florida had a runoff rule. That would change everything.

[Mz Pip]

11. Then the majority

shouldn't vote for him.

I really am surprised by these numbers. I do not get Rubio's apppeal at all.

[DCBob]

13. Looks like 40% wins this election.. Have you heard Rubio talk?

He is a slick, good looking clean cut fast-talking car-salesman type. He sounds intelligent.. even when spewing RW crap. Unfortunately many voters are taken in by that.

[Mz Pip]

16. No

but if he is slick then I can understand how that can happen. Just look at Sarah Palin.

[flamingdem]

20. Don't forget demographics, he's Latino! He does try to avoid being too Cuban American

so he doesn't alienate those who can't stand the extremist Cuban Americans in Miami.

[Inuca]

25. I did

He is indeed slick. If he makes it to the Senate, he may become the new DeMint and Coburn rolled into one (probably smarter than both).

[catgirl]

28. Republicans are loyal to their candidates

They'll vote for Rubio whether they like him, or not. Rubio has been stuck at 42% It's
the reason why Crist is falling in the polls, is because the repugs came home to roost.
If Crist drops out, Meek has a good chance of winning.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

30. If Crist Drops Out .

If Crist drops out Meek has as good a chance of losing as bad as Hugh Rodham did in the 1994 Florida Senate primary in a similar political and economic environment.

Even if Meek got every Democrati vote he would be around 33 1/3 % as 66 2/3 of Floridians are indys or Republicants.

DemocratSinceBirth
Florida Resident Since 1970

[DCBob]

37. That's the brutal hard truth many on this board cant seem to understand.

Only way Meek could win if he was the only one on the ballot.

[flamingdem]

19. sigh. Still hoping for a miracle on this one nt

[DCBob]

38. I think there are still a few cards to play before Nov 2..

I have hope.

[ibegurpard]

17. Crist is a despicable cipher

and I can't believe that anyone on this board supports him.
When you're so desperate to defeat a Republican that you'll elect another Republican then you need to have your head examined.

[LAGC]

21. Voting is all about the "lesser of the evils."

Crist has betrayed the Republican Party and endorsed many left-leaning positions. That's why conservatives are so united in support of Rubio.

Fact is, Crist and Meek are dividing the left-leaning vote. Come mid-October, whoever is polling worse (Meek or Crist) needs to drop out of the race, or else Rubio will win.

I know if Meek withdraws, it will hurt the Florida Democratic Party in the short-run, but a Rubio victory would be even harder to recover from.

Sometimes you just have to cut your losses...

[DemocratSinceBirth]

23. Floridian Since 1970

The die has been cast. Rubio is going to win. I tire of saying this but I will. Florida tilts Republicant. The Congressional delegation is majority Republicant. The Republicants have near veto proof votes in the state House and Senate. For a Democrat to win statewide office he has to be and the political and the ecoomic environment has to be perfect and Meek isn't and the political and economic environent sucks.

Rubio-Crist would be a race. Without Crist Meek would lose 60-40 to 70-30.

[Radical Activist]

22. Rassmussen was farthest off in the primary.

Meeks did a good 20% points better than their last poll predicted.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

24. Actually, Rasmussen And CNN Time Show The Smallest Rubio Lead

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/fl/florida_senate_rubio_vs_meek_vs_crist-1456.html

Poll have margins of errors but not twenty percent.

[1stlady]

41. I live in FL

and can say with absolute certainty, that Meek will lose any way you cut it. With the three way race, he looses, with Crist dropping out he looses. He can't win in this political environment,dems need to vote for Crist to keep Rubio away from the senate.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

42. This Is A Sad One For Sure

~

[The Wizard]

43. Floridians will get the Senator

they deserve.

[florida08]

44. mid term elections

are a bust for progressives. The state is center/right. There's no governor candidate to support for us. The senate race will be bought. I am a bit encouraged that while Rubio's polls have gone up..no surprise there..so has Meek's while Crist's has fallen.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100930/ARTICLES/100939912/-1/entertainment?Title=Meek-gaining-ground-on-Crist-in-new-polls

While Crist may enjoy a range of support from moderate republicans to independents he's not firm on many issues. I hope democrats and progressive leaning independents will vote for Meek and just let Crist split the republican party. He should not be splitting the dems up.

[Bluenorthwest]

45. So most of Florida Democrats reject Meek

Is this because he is black? Sure looks that way to me.

[DCBob]

46. That's part of it but I suspect most of Crist's Dem support is from Dems who like him and..

voted for him as Gov and also realize Meek is a lost cause. BTW, its a cheap shot to try to frame this situation as racism.

[Bluenorthwest]

47. So you think it is part of it, thanks for that honesty

I tell you why I thought that in the first place. None of the Crist proponents among us can manage to say a good thing about him, if they 'like him' they need to state why that is, but they do not.
I vote for Democrats, if that bothers you so much, alert on me. Or, you could list the reasons you like Crist so much. Compare and contrast your candidate to the Democratic candidate, and show us why you pick Crist over the Democrat, using policy. If you can.
So the Crist backers claim they can predict the future. That is all they have. Not one policy, not one skill the man has is offered up. Just a repetition of 'Meek is a lost cause'. Well, why is that? There has to be a reason. Are his policies over the top? What IS it about Meek that turns so many to sputtering in favor of a Republican Reject, in vague terms that always demand a faith based acceptance of the poster's prognostications.
What ARE the reasons, other than crystal ball gazing, that you prefer Crist to the Democrat? Anything about policy? At all? Just trying to pick the winner, and go that way?
I just see that none of the Crist voters can explain why they support him. And that is telling. They also can not say why they reject the Democratic candidate. And that is telling.
Feel free to give reasons other than prophecy and polling. If there are any you can mention.

[DCBob]

49. You do realize even if Meek got all the Dem vote he would still lose..

According to some poster up above about 2/3 of FL voters are Repub or Independent. And it's hard to imagine any significant number of Repubs or Independents voting for Meek. That's why Meek is a lost cause.

[Bluenorthwest]

50. You agree that race is part of it, yet when offered the chance

to state why Crist is a preferred candidate. And again, it is telling. I asked for policy. I was told prior to Iowa that Obama could not win. A lost cause. That would be President of the United States Obama. They said he could not win. Impossible.
And let me be clear. I vote for Democrats. By your logic, no Florida Democrat could ever win a Statewide election, thus they should always vote Republican. Due to the 'lost cause' factor. Well DC, I tell you this. Building a Party might not always mean winning each election. Building takes time, and if that is where Florida is, that is where they are, and victory in that arena is not about winning but about growing, about loyalty, a foundational base. If they can never win, then the goal has to be altered, or the DNC should simply walk away from the waste of money.
Winning a war does not mean winning every battle you know. If Democrats can not win, we can not win. Rushing over to last month's Republican so one can say they voted for the winner is nuts. Do that and we never win, ever. Vote Democratic regularly, and we might win sometime.
Until Florida becomes a contender, the Democrats there need to try for 'personal best' and keep pushing the margin closer together, and make that the goal. There is no magic wand, it takes time and hard work. I recommend taking the time and doing the work, rather than voting for Republicans claiming to be 'independent'.
I have never and will never vote for a Republican. I'm an actual Democrat. I support Meek as does Obama, Gore, Clinton, and all Democratic leadership. I do not hear them saying 'oh, lost cause, just vote for Republicans'.
Anytime you want to explain Crist's superiority in terms of policy, feel free. Till then, it is what it is. Prognostications and guess work, capitulation and a startling lack of long term vision.

[DCBob]

51. From what I know it takes a well known popular moderate Democrat to win a statewide election in FL..

Meek is not that person.

[Bluenorthwest]

52. Again, no mention of policy just this repetitive statement that

Meek can not win. A statement that has nothing to do with voting for Crist. Don't you feel silly being asked for policy reasons you prefer Crist to the Democrat, and then sputtering about your predictions of wins and losses?
Reagan Democrats and Crist voters who need to 'win' are like people who say we should not bother to build a house, because it will rain tonight, and we can not finish in time. So we should not build a house to protect from next week's rain, because tonight we will get wet.

[DCBob]

54. If you read the news you would know a quite a bit about Crist's policies..

As Gov of FL he has and is governing a great deal more like a liberal than a conservative. I suspect he would be the same as Senator.

[Mass]

48. Seems neither Crist not Meek has a chance, so why not do the right thing and vote for a Democrat?

[Colobo]

53. This guy Meek will get us Rubio. That's sad.