Florida Senate Race 2010(The Seat Nobody Wants)

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

It looks like this is shaping up to be the seat nobody wants. Is this seat cursed like Burr's or something. So far the GOP has had an incumbent  Mel Martinez retire, and two of the strongest candidates turn it down Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist. The Dems haven't had it any easier as the top recruit Alex Sink has turned down seat not once but twice. The Dems have one more big name candidate that they could run and the GOP has a handfull

Republicans
First Tier
Rep. Connie Mack IV - out
State House Speaker Marco Rubio
Atty Gen Bill McCollum  - out
Gov. Charlie Crist - Back in

Second tier
Rep. Vern Buchanan
State House Majority Leader Adam Hasner
Former State House Speaker Allan Bense


Democrats
First Tier
Rep. Allen Boyd -out
Rep. Ron Klein
Rep. Kendrick Meek - Declared
Mayor Pam Iorio

Second Tier
State Senator Dan Gelber - Declared

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I'm still on board Mack's ships. But I might transfer to McCollum's or Rubio's if necessary.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I'd would say that if Crist were to run he would need to wait till the end of the year after the budget crisis has passed. But it would still be seen as running away from the states problems. Given Cornyn's strategy of recrutiing candidates early, which is very wise, I don't think Crist would delay the process. I suspect he will either announce soon that he is not running or continue the same statement he put out on the a few days ago saying he was focused right now on the needs of Florida. After which Connie Mack will declare his candidacy. I am pleased that many of Crists people are pushing Mack right now. That decreases the chances of a bitter primary as Crists support would be necessary for anyone else to challenge Mack and have a shot.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I read an article today that said that the reason no one important wants to run is that they fear they wont be able to raise the necessary money to compete with the economy being so bad. I can't find the article now but thats the gist of what it said. It also said that someone like Vern Buchanan who is loaded would have the advantage cause he can self fund if necessary. I disagree with that sentiment but never the less I want to know what some of you think of this theory.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Connie Mack won't run for the Senate.
He defers to Crist.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2009/04/mack-wont-run-for-senate.html

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/981064.html

I almost forgot about this. Looks like Mack is trying to build up some brownie points with Crist. Maybe he is thinking about retaking his daddy's seat and if he were to take down Bill Nelson he would definately need Crist's help.