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Crist Campaign: Party-Switch Rumor Another Example Of Rubio 'Trying To Distract People'

Eric Kleefeld | February 25, 2010, 3:25PM

Former state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL)

2010 elections, Charlie Crist, FL-SEN, Marco Rubio, Senate '10

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Gov. Charlie Crist's (R-FL) Senate campaign is firing back at the latest round of rumors that he might be about to leave the Republican Party and run for Senate as an independent.

"This is patently false," said Crist communications director Andrea Saul, in an interview with TPMDC. I then asked Saul whether she thought the latest incarnation of this rumor might be an attempt by the campaign of Crist's opponent in the Republican primary, Marco Rubio, or by Rubio's supporters attempting to retaliate for the new reports about Rubio's use of the state party's credit card.

"Marco Rubio continuously does whatever he can to distract voters from the reality of his record," Saul responded. "There's a clear pattern that Speaker Rubio on the campaign trail says things that do not match the reality of his record, and this is yet another example of him trying to distract people from that."

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Andreams

February 25, 2010 4:21 PM

I live in Fl and the coverage here in the state isn't anywhere near as informative as TPM. Thanks for the info!

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ericf

February 25, 2010 4:24 PM in reply to Andreams

For us who don't live in Florida, are there any Democratic candidates? They never get a mention. I realize Crist was heavily favored and the Rubio campaign is why they get all the coverage. Just wondering what the Democrats are doing. Surely with someone so far off to the right as Rubio, there's an opening if the Democrats can seize it.

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TaylorB1

February 25, 2010 4:57 PM in reply to ericf

Alas, it's a little late now for any electable Dem to jump in and take advantage of the GOP bloodletting...we Dems are saddled with Rep. Kendrick Meek who has virtually zero chances of winning in this current environment.

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Wise Woman

February 25, 2010 5:48 PM

Saying that Kendrick has "zero chances of winning" is certainly an overstatement. I would not underestimate him. He's very personable, travels the state tirelessly meeting with voters of all stripes. He is a former Florida Highway Patrolman, so for an African-American Democrat he has a unique ability to connect with some of our North Florida Dems who lean "R" in Federal races. There was just an article about that very thing in our local paper. His mother, Carrie Meek, is a legend in South Florida Democratic circles.

He's likely to be the first Senate candidate in Florida to qualify by petition, no mean feat which means he and his canvassers have touched a lot of voters. Although it takes discipline, the best strategy right now is to let Rubio and Crist beat each other up. They're doing a great job of it I must say.

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