New poll: Crist takes big lead -- Crist: 41% Rubio: 30% Meek: 12%

[DCBob]

Regardless of whether billionaire Jeff Greene or Congressman Kendrick Meek wins the primary, neither gets even 17 percent of the vote in a three-way contest with Crist and Rubio, according to results from The Florida Poll.

Assuming Meek wins his primary and is in the race, Crist leads Rubio with 41 percent of the vote to Rubio's 30 percent, with 12 percent going to Meek, according to the poll of 590 likely voters surveyed from July 24 to July 28. The poll has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

Assuming Greene wins the Democratic primary, however, changes things. In that case, Crist gets 37 percent to Rubio's 29 percent, and Greene gets 16 percent, poll results show. That leaves Crist and Rubio in a statistical tie when the survey's margin of sampling error is taken into consideration.

The Florida Poll was conducted by New York Times-owned Florida newspapers, including The Ledger, and the University of South Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland.

more: http://www.theledger.com/article/20100730/NEWS/7305081/1002/SPORTS?Title=Governor-Surges-Into-Lead

This is hardly surprising. Everything seems to be falling Charlie's way ever since he shed his "R". Seems to me the only question left now is who does Crist caucus with... however that is becoming increasingly clear it will likely be the Democrats.

[DCBob]

1. Is there anybody left who thinks Meek has any chance at all of winning this thing?

He probably wont even win the Dem nomination the way things are going. I know these are just polls but his numbers keep going down with every new poll. I just dont see how he can turn it around.

[tsuki]

45. I get a glossy smear card in the mail weekly from that snake Greene.

He should be extradited to Belize and have to pay the fine for destroying the coral reef instead of paying millions to destroy Meek.

[DCBob]

52. I totally agree with that.. Greene makes Crist look like saint..

imo.

[MineralMan]

2. Crist is a Republican, Through and Through.

Don't be deceived. He only left the party because he thought he would lose the primary. Like all Republicans, you can count on him to obstruct anything important if he wins this.

[DCBob]

3. Many voters in Florida would disgree with that..

from the article..

Republicans have tried to label Crist's abandoning the Republican Party to run as an independent as an act of political desperation. But for voters like Sarah Cross of Sarasota the move is being received more as an act of defiance to the political status quo. Cross, a Democrat, said Crist's move showed political bravery at a time when most politicians just go along to get along.

"When Crist was running as a Republican, I never was going to vote for him," Cross said. "Once he had done something like that to put his own future at risk, I thought he really is trying to do the right thing."

Barbara Abowitt, a retired teacher who lives in Bradenton, had a similar view. She said Crist's switch showed he was willing to stand up to his party, not just in leaving the Republicans but also in vetoing legislation like Senate Bill 6, the teacher tenure bill.

"He was willing to buck his party," said Abowitt, who calls herself an independent voter.

[JonLP24]

11. He only did the "right thing"

when he was polling below 20 points in the primary. If he felt he had a shot of winning, he would have stayed an 'R'.

[LostinVA]

13. Bingo

[DCBob]

14. I think Crist is a "closet" liberal and has probably been considering dumping the GOP for some time.

He sure seems to be relishing his new label.

[MineralMan]

16. What makes you think that? Seriously.

Seems to me that he just figured out that he couldn't win the primary, so he decided to "switch parties" and run as an "Independent." What gives you the idea that, if elected, he will act any differently than the Republican he is and has been?

It's difficult for me to believe how many people who are Democrats have been duped by this purely political party "change." Mark my words: Crist is just another Republican and, if elected, will act just like any other Republican.

I'm not in Florida. This is up to Floridians. Good luck with that.

On edit: Oh...never mind. You're not a Floridian, either. Feh!

[DCBob]

18. He has never been a hard core Republican. He seems to have many left leaning viewpoints..

such a women's right, gay rights, environment, education, etc. Ask any long time Floridian, they can tell you better than me.

[MineralMan]

28. There you go again, advocating for a non-Democrat for a Senate

seat. Crist is not a Democrat. He is a Republican who became an Independent because he couldn't win the Primary. He's still a Republican. But, you're praising him. Why?

[DCBob]

51. what was inaccurate about my post??

[MineralMan]

32. You just go right ahead praising Crist. It's pretty clear that you

want him to win. Don't pretend otherwise. Your posts read like campaign literature for him.

Hint: There are Democrats running for this Senate race. If you lived in Florida, you'd probably know that.

[WillyT]

33. Hey MM... Don't You Get It Yet ???

Apparently, the good people of Florida have bought into the "Don't Let Those Crazy Rightwing Republicans Get Into Power" argument.

According to the polling, they think the only way to prevent Rubio from getting into the Senate is to support Crist.

You see... the "Don't Let Those Crazy Rightwing Republicans Get Into Power" argument, does not necessarily mean supporting Democrats in order to keep the loons out.

That's the giant loophole in the argument, and is also known as...

being hoisted on your own petard.

:shrug:

[MineralMan]

35. Well, electing a Republican to beat a Republican

ain't my idea of keeping the Republicans out of power, somehow. I dunno...I'm funny that way.

[Dappleganger]

63. If Rubio loses that is a GOOD thing.

The state of FL's democratic party is so DLC that there is practically no difference between them and the moderate republicans of FL.

BTW, this Greene fellow who is running for governor as a Dem is just as REpublican as Crist and nobody is crying about him.

[Dappleganger]

61. The "Don't Let Those Crazy Rightwing REpuglicans Get Into Power"

Those of us who actually LIVE in this state are being subjected to the crazy right-wing tea party/ultra-religious nutcase bills, and the one person who stood up to them and vetoed those bills was Crist.

Now I am not saying that anyone should support them, just that people around here do remember who fought for them and it will probably reflect their thoughts on it at the polls.

I really think that those on this thread who don't live in FL should remember that they don't have to live with the consequences of a very weak, but strong DLC Democratic party within this state. It's the party which is in a heck of a lot of trouble and needs to be changed.

[LostinVA]

38. Exactly -- which is why I quit playing with said poster

Because it is just a DC game for Bob.

For example: I have NEVER liked Tim Kaine, but voted for him as VA Governor, even though he is a very conservative Dem. But, at least he was a Dem.

[lpbk2713]

4. Rubio's biggest mistake ...

... aligning himself with any member of the corrupt and evil BushCo Crime Family.

WTF was he thinking? :rofl:

[DCBob]

5. plus his affiliation with the teabaggers.. he is now desperately trying to distance himself...

from them without pissing them off... a very tight tight-rope. I think Rubio has peaked and his final numbers will be about the same as they are now.

[lpbk2713]

19. That too.

He now has the almost impossible task of performing damage control on the perception he has created
for himself as a lunatic fringe weirdo. And I don't see him overcoming that barrier at all.

[DCBob]

20. I think the only chance of Rubio winning is if the non-Rubio vote splits exactly in half..

and that seems less and less like a possibility.

[marmar]

6. Lieberman caucuses with the Democrats too.....

Snakes in the grass.

[LostinVA]

8. +1

I cannot believe posters are publicly allowed to advocate Crist over a Dem or left-leaning Indie.

[myrna minx]

24. It's the new pragmatic DU.

:We are suppose to take loyalty oaths, love it or leave it, unless there's a Republican that tickles our fancy. Then it's ok to support a republican. :crazy: I don't understand this place anymore.

[LostinVA]

39. That is an excellent way to put it, MM

:wtf:

[DCBob]

9. Lieberman is a "snake" but he usually votes with the Democrats..

If he decides to switch parties it will make passing legislation even more difficult.

[MineralMan]

17. Lieberman is a snake. He uses his pivot position to force

Democrats to accept less than the best results. He is no Democrat. He is no Liberal. He is a snake.

[LostinVA]

7. Crist is 100% GOP, and only changed his affiliation to win

I think it is appalling so many people on here, as well as Dems in FL, are supporting him over a Democratic candidate, or another, more left-leaning Independent.

[DCBob]

10. 100%?? wow thats quite a bit.

He doesnt get any credit at all for vetoing Jeb Bush's education bill?

[LostinVA]

12. Yeah, 100%

Collins and Snowe also have good votes, too, but that doesn't make them Dems of Independents, it just means they aren't Right Wingers.

[DCBob]

15. So what percent are Snowe and Collins?

You math skills fascinate me.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

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[MineralMan]

30. Look. You're praising Crist. You've done it in more than one post here.

I'm known to many to be a realist and a pragmatist, but I can see when someone's advocating for a Republican in an election.

You said: "Get real or get lost."

No, thank you, very much. I'm not getting lost, and I'm very real. Crist is a Republican. He may not be a right-winger, but he's a freaking Republican. You don't get to tell anyone to get lost here.

[DCBob]

49. I wouldnt say "praising".. describing would be more accurate.

sorry about the "get lost" comment.. it just slipped.

[MineralMan]

29. Your loyalty to a Republican fascinates me.

And you're not even a Floridian. What gives here?

[DCBob]

64. your confusion astounds me.

Crist is NOT a Republican.

[jonnyblitz]

21. support for this anti-gay closeted gay snake Christ here on DU

is another shark jumping moment for this site. Apparently it is ok to support a fuckng REPUBLICAN as long as he runs as an independent and polls better than the actual Democrat running. what fucking DIGNITY so many here have!!1 :rofl: :puke:

[DCBob]

22. Who's supporting Crist? Just discussing polling numbers and the candidates involved..

I thought that's what this site was about?

[MineralMan]

31. I call BS. Here's what you said in one post, just upthread:

He seems to have many left leaning viewpoints...such a women's right, gay rights, environment, education, etc.

That's not discussion poll results. That's advocating the man for this office, pure and simple.

[DCBob]

47. and what is wrong with that?? those things are all true.

??

[Forkboy]

34. Who the fuck are you trying to kid?

:rofl:

[MineralMan]

36. Oops!

Replied to wrong person. Sorry.

[LostinVA]

37. He's replying to DCBob, not YOU

[MineralMan]

41. Crap! I edited the post. Thanks.

[Forkboy]

40. My reply was to DCBob, who has been pushing Crist all along.

[MineralMan]

42. Yah...sorry. I edited my post.

Sometimes, I'm an idiot. This was one of those times.

[Forkboy]

43. No worries. Done it myself before.

:toast:

[DCBob]

46. you guys are hilarious!

thanks for the entertainment!!!

[Forkboy]

53. What...no tip?

Fucking cheapskate.

[DCBob]

54. Here's a tip...

Crist will win no matter what a few DUers post on this board.

[Forkboy]

56. Well then, you'll be a happy man on that day.

[DCBob]

58. I suspect alot Democrats will very happy..

defeating Rubio the teabagger will be a major victory for Floridians.

[Forkboy]

60. I suspect a lot of Republicans will be thrilled as well.

[DCBob]

62. are you kidding??.. they hate Charlie now.

do you even read the news?

[Forkboy]

65. Yeah, they'll hate having a homophobe in office.

[FreeState]

44. Agree - anti-gay politicians should not be supported here

Crist is against adoption and marriage - he should be shamed here not encoraged.

[MineralMan]

48. +100

[LostinVA]

50. Especially since he isn't even an anti-gay DEMOCRAT

[JCMach1]

26. Don't mistake Rubio for Crist...

[DCBob]

27. Yeah, that might explain it..

That person does seem a bit uninformed.

[Raineyb]

78. The confusion seems to be on your end. You seem to be under the mistaken

impression that just because Crist has decided to leave the Republican party, which he only did for political expediency, that he has given up all those vile and disgusting beliefs that drew him to the Republican party in the first place. He hasn't changed what he is and no amount of shilling on this board and cries of "he's an independent" will change the fact that despite the fact that Crist is running as an independent he's nothing more than a filthy god-damned Republican.

Those who shill for Crist aren't fooling anyone. The stench from their hypocrisy is stifling.

[JCMach1]

83. Rubio is by far a greater evil than Crist... and definitely to the left of Martinez

and to the left of Ben Nelson for that matter...

It is doubtful Meek is even going to get out of the primary with Greene pounding him 24/7. I don't trust Greene at all.

It is called dealing with the reality at hand.

[Raineyb]

84. Crist is a fucking Republican. If this is supposed to be a Democratic board

and people sure as hell will say so should someone say anything nice about the Greens, then you cannot shill for Crist and not expect to be called out on it. Crist is a fucking Republican. THAT is reality. You shill for Crist, then you're shilling for a Republican. In which case I don't want to hear shit from the whiners about those who may consider voting Green. At least a Green is a progressive. You shill for a Republican. THAT is reality whether you admit it or not.

Must be the new sensibility around here. It's disgusting.

[JCMach1]

85. First, I will never 'shill' for Crist and intend to vote for Meek in the primary

Having said that,,, even the primary is no sure thing for him. Greene is likely to win and Greene is not really a democrat as far as I can determine.

Rubio is a teabagger and a JEBtm surrogate who CANNOT be allowed to win office. So yeah, whatever it takes to defeat that when it comes to my back against the wall.

[Lorien]

88. Um, Greene is also a fucking Republican who just changed to a (D) recently

Crist's record is to the left of DLC Dems in many cases. Fuck the labels; look at what they DO.

[Dappleganger]

89. Oh please.

Stop sounding so reasonable. You might cause some heads to asplode.

*sarcasm*

;)

[Lorien]

87. Same with Greene. Ran as a repug before changing to a (D). nt

[MoonRiver]

55. Wow, how appropriate is that name Meek?

You'd think the FL Democrats could have come up with somebody a little bit LESS meek. :shrug:

[Lorien]

86. It's sad. He's running a pathetic campaign here. Zero name recognition

Greene is ALSO an ex- repug, so I don't know why anyone thinks that he's somehow superior to Crist.

[Stinky The Clown]

57. Unrec for flogging a lifelong Republican candidate on DU.

[DCBob]

59. your unrec was trumped by about 4 recs!

sorry stinky. ;)

[SteveM]

67. I'd still vote for Meek, if I still lived in FLA. Despite his stinking gun-control...

record. His stands may have helped push his poll numbers down.

[DCBob]

68. Well even so, you might not have the chance to vote for Meek.. looks like Greene the bazillionaire..

is going to win the Dem nom.

[SteveM]

70. dupe.

[SteveM]

71. Yep. Wouldn't be the first time I voted for an also-ran.

[Stinky The Clown]

72. Doesn't matter how many "trump" it. I will trumpet my same tune. Crist is a Repubican

And you and your posse are enablers.

By the way .... Bob ...... how did you know it was 4 recs? You have some sort of inside tracks with the mods?

[DCBob]

74. Why do some of you people think I am some kind of "insider"?? Wish I was..

Im just a regular guy trying to keep it real and stop the GOPers from taking over this country. BTW, I just happened to be watching the rec counts before and after you posted that. Some day you will realize the future Senator Crist will be a benefit to Democrats and America.

[Stinky The Clown]

81. So you sit there and refresh constantly to keep up with the rec counts for your posts?

I mean, it could have been 5 plus and one minus or four and eight.

But you knew it was four?

Electing repubicans doesn't help the Democratic Party I know of. Is the party now the refuge for turned out repubs? :shrug:

[DCBob]

82. No I dont.. how inane that would be! Question Stinky: How would you feel if the future Sen. Crist..

caucuses with the Dems and votes with the Dems most of the time?

[The Wizard]

66. Christ can't caucus with the Republicans

He's not in the Klan.

[flvegan]

69. I've got a bad feeling that Crist is going to win the whole thing.

Knowing that en masse, the voters go by what the magical tv box tells them. That means the ads and "news" media. Rubio is a scumbag, and only the teabaggers and the most devout rethuglican voters are going to vote for him. Crist is going to take a lot of his middle right to center supporters without pause. Then there's the democratic candidates. Where to begin. Meek has finally started running some decent ads slamming Greene, yet Meek is now "involved" in a criminal investigation. Lots of "sick of the same old shit" dems are going to vote for Crist because of his recent decisions. A few of which, I might add, are far more left-leaning than how most of our Congress (D) would make/try/vote for.

I certainly don't support Crist, never will as I don't trust him, but I see him taking this.

[Stinky The Clown]

75. Well said. And if more people started actually saying that, it *might* help the Dems.

Instead we see lots of so-called Dems flogging the Crist Good News at every chance.

[Robeson]

90. Fair and accurate reporting...

...my brother in St. Pete has essentially said the same.

[demmiblue]

73. Unreccing the republican.

[Stinky The Clown]

76. Hey ..... uh ...... Bob ....... I gotta question ......

Your profile sez your in Rockville, MD. Yet you seem to always have the latest and greatest skinny on ol' fancy Charlie down there in Florida.

What did you think of Connie Morella?

[DCBob]

77. She was bit before my time but she was well liked here.. many Democrats voted for her repeatedly..

I think the only reason she got ousted was because we got sick of Republicans, all Republicans, due to Bush.

[TheKentuckian]

79. Well, unless they change that (R) then they are good as gold. GOLD, I tell ya!

[TheKentuckian]

80. Well, unless they change that (R) then they are good as gold. GOLD, I tell ya!