May 07 2009
Marco Rubio to Run in 2010 Regardless of Crist Candidacy
On May 5, Marco Rubio, a conservative Republican and former Florida State House Majority Leader announced his intentions to run in 2010 for the U.S. Senate, despite a possible candidacy by more moderate Republican and current Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Since launching an exploratory committee in March, Rubio has stepped up his criticism of Crist, claiming that the still-quite-popular governor betrayed core Republican ideals.
Crist’s approval amongst his Republican constituency has faltered in recent weeks, primarily due to his support of President Obama’s stimulus plan back in February. Rubio, a Cuban-American, will have no trouble capturing the large conservative Cuban population in southern Florida.
According to the latest Quinnipiac poll, Crist’s approval rating is holding at 66 percent. Rubio, according to Pundits, has the capacity to run competitively against Crist. But his alienation of the moderate wing of the Republican Party could bring down his campaign. On Monday, Rubio told the St. Petersburg Times that “If you agree with [moderate Republicans] Susan Collins or Olympia Snowe on some of these issues, you might as well become a Democrat.”
Crist is expected to run, but has yet to formally announce his candidacy.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0509/Rubio_running_for_Senate_gunning_for_Crist.html?showall
