Part I: The Florida Primary
For little under a year, the Republican Florida Primary had been brewing out of control. Popular Florida governor Charlie Crist, a representative of a more moderate brand of Republicanism was veering off against Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, the youthful Cuban-American Conservative Firebrand. Crist was supported by the National Republican Party, as well as most of the Republican Leadership in Congress, including Senators John McCain of Arizona, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Rubio was supported by the grass root Tea Party organizations, and more 'rogue' elements of the Republican Party, including former Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska, and Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina. Crist attracted more older, and more independent voters. Rubio attracted younger and more energetic Floridians.
Governor Crist was the early favorite in the race, was the choice of the party establishment but angered conservatives, especially the growing Tea Party movement, when he was one of the few Republicans to endorse President Obama’s $787-billion economic stimulus plan. State House Speaker Marco Rubio, initially a long-shot contender, was quickly embraced by the so-called Tea Party movement, whose strength was quickly multiplied by claims of victory in Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts with the election of Scott Brown, and Crist’s support had continued dwindling. Crist also faced the hardship of being an incumbent governor during incredibly harsh economic times, and the anti-incumbent sentiment was felt not just in Florida, but around the United States.
Marco Rubio said the state and national Republican hierarchy's endorsement of Crist meant little in the primary race. The expensive and divisive primary was causing the likely Democratic Opponent, Congressman Kendrick Meek of Florida's 17th Congressional District's polling numbers to go up against both Republicans. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele ignored the issue, focusing more on lambasting Meek rather than bring the Crist supporters and Rubio supporters together. Crist publicly stated that he would support whoever the winner of the August 24th Primary was, but even Crist's closest advisors and family members knew that the primary was taking a large toll on the Governor's patience.
Crist was lambasted by Rubio for his moderate politics, particularly focusing on Crist's support for the Stimulus package, and the controversial appointment of George Lemieux to the vacant Florida senate seat. Rubio stated that Crist "would not stand up to the radical economic policies of President Obama, as shown by his weak kneed support for that disaster of a stimulus package." Crist was one of the many establishment Republicans who were facing tea party challenges due to their past economic compromises with Democrats. Polling the day before the 2010 Florida Republican Senatorial Primary was as follows:
August 23rd, 2010 Polls:
Speaker Marco Rubio: 52%
Governor Charlie Crist: 37%
Other/Unsure: 11%
