Why Crist Now Leads Rubio in Florida Senate Race | The Atlantic Wire

Why Crist Now Leads Rubio in Florida Senate Race | The Atlantic Wire

Why Crist Now Leads Rubio in Florida Senate Race

Florida's Republican Governor Charlie Crist is now leading in polls against Republican Marco Rubio for the 2010 Florida Senate race, where Crist will run as an independent. Crist's break with his party was seen as a sign that the GOP's hard-line conservatives were growing in power over the moderate wing of the party. A recent poll by the Florida Chamber of Commerce shows Crist with 42 percent support, giving Rubio 31 percent and Democratic candidate Kendrick Meek 14 percent. After months of Rubio leading Crist, often by double digits, the new poll is the latest showing a Crist resurgence. How did he do it and what does it mean for the Florida and for national races?

• Economy No Longer at Forefront The Florida Chamber of Commerce's Marian Johnson reports, "Interestingly, our poll also shows immigration and property taxes to be in the top three issues concerning Floridians for the first time in several years. ... Though the economy and job creation will certainly be weighing heavily on voters' minds going into the 2010 election cycle, education and the oil spill in the gulf are now two of the most important issues to voters and will become increasingly important on a statewide level."

• Dems Giving Up on Meek Liberal blogger Taniel writes, "Sure, these numbers could evolve once [Democratic candidate Kendrick] Meek starts increasing his name recognition but with all the noise about Democratic officials starting to move