AP Calls Race for Rubio
UPDATED: A strong Rubio supporter describes his mood and the mood in Florida headquarters as "ecsf**kinstatic."
Here's the e-mail sent out to D.C. area Rubio supporters: "Thanks for your help. The bandwagon was really empty when you got on board! Shows what happens when a great candidate has the chance to compete."
Posted at 8:23 by Eli Lehrer
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The AP just called the race for Marco Rubio. The result seems to be a runaway victory for the uber-conservative face of the Tea Party, however do not be deceived. Marco Rubio did not run away with this race. On the contrary, he may not have won at all had the Democrats had the good sense to compromise in order to keep the GOP from easily taking the seat. With 40% of the votes counted, Marco Rubio leads his opponents, Charlie Crist and Kendrick Meek, 50% to 29% to 20%. Now, the math here is not so difficult. If Kendrick Meek had done as former President Clinton probably suggested, and dropped out of the race, and every single one of Meek’s votes would have gone directly to Charlie Crist. That would make this race 50%-49%. Furthermore, if Kendrick Meek had gotten out of the race, Charlie Crist would have probably raised more money. Marco Rubio raised $18.25 million after 10/13. Crist raised a totally respectable $13.38 million during that period. Meek, as he did the entire race, brought up the rear with $8.26 million during that period. But without Meek, Crist also would have been able to flood the airwaves just like Rubio did as the campaign closed.
Marco Rubio may have won this race no matter whether Kendrick Meek was around or not. But like Republicans in Alaska and Delaware who picked a primary winner without thinking about the general election, Democrats in Florida ignored their party’s brightest political mind, Bill Clinton, and stuck with a loser in Kendrick Meek. They may not have been fired up with Charlie Crist. But surely the Democrats would have been better off with the unpredictable Crist winning than Rubio.
Posted at 8:22 by Jeb Golinkin
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A strong Rubio supporter describes his mood and the mood in Florida headquarters as "ecsfuckinstatic." Not a word I've heard before but, a good night for Florida Rs to say the least.
Posted at 8:21 by Eli Lehrer
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Meek and Crist also killed each other in fundraising. Since 10/13, Marco Rubio raised $18.25 million. In that same period, Crist pulled in $13.38 mil and Meek $8.26 mil. You do the math: no Meek = a much closer fundraising race between Crist and Rubio. This is why the Democrats need to learn to listen to Uncle Bill Clinton. He’s still the brightest political mind in the Democratic party.
Posted at 7:52 by Jeb Golinkin
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The other big story in Florida has to be how right Bill Clinton was to want Meek out of the Senate race. With 17% of results in, Rubio is at 50%; Crist 29; Meek 20. In other words, if no Meek, it could be Marco Rubio 50, Charlie Crist 49.
Posted at 7:43 by Jeb Golinkin
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14% reporting in Fla Senate. The trend of the Democrat KILLING the independent and handing the race to the Republican continues. Rubio at 49. Crist at 28. Meek at 22.
Posted at 7:38 by Jeb Golinkin
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With 5% of precincts reporting, Marco Rubio is up big. Marco Rubio is taking 48% of votes thus far, while the other two candidates are absolutely killing each other. Charlie Crist is at 34% thus far, while Kendrick Meek is taking 16% of the vote. Without Meek in this race, Rubio would be shaking in his boots right about now.
Posted at 7:30 by Jeb Golinkin
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Just got word from a very well placed source that Marco Rubio is up by an amazing 21 points in the exit polls in Florida. In my judgment, this is enough to call the race for Rubio. No real surprise but the magnitude of his victory is even greater than the polls predicted. I think that Rubio is looking very good for a national ticket in 2012. Maybe even for the top slot.
Posted at 7:05 by Eli Lehrer