Charlie Crist & Marco Rubio

I’m sure everyone has heard the rumor that Marco Rubio is dropping out of the race.  It couldn’t be further from the truth.  Rubio is in this for the long haul.  He has said on numerous occasions that he will NOT be dropping out to run for another post.

This did not stop the Associated Press yesterday from spreading scuttlebutt that Rubio was making an announcement today dropping out of the Senate race.  I contacted the Rubio campaign last night and they stated they were just victims of a Rumor Mill.

So we have to ask ourselves, why would the Crist campaign spread these rumors?  Simple, they are trying to neutralize support for Marco Rubio, who will go TOE to TOE with Crist.  When contacted for comment regarding this article the Crist campaign responded with “Email us for an official comment”  I am still waiting for a response.

Charlie might have the support of Democrats but he first has to make it out of a Republican primary.  Most Full Fledge Republicans will vote for Rubio and not Crist as shown in previous straw polls around the state.

Jill Zarin

Republican Governor Charlie Crist will head the home of Jill and Bobby Zarin next week to raise money for his U.S. senate campaign, reports say.

Zarin, who stars on the Bravo reality show The Real Housewives of New York, is good friends with Carole Rome Crist, the governor’s wife, and was even invited to their St. Petersburg wedding last year.

In the “Season One: Lost Footage” episode, Zarin describes Carole has one of her best friends, and talks about Carole’s lavish Hampton’s society parties.

The host committee for the fundraiser includes the likes of Donald Trump, New York Yankee Johnny Damon, and New York Knicks player Al Harrington.  Click HERE to see the invite

Marco Rubio

PALM BEACH – Former House Speaker Marco Rubio is making a big prediction in his Senate race: If voters listen to ideas instead of casting their ballots based on television commercials, he will beat Gov. Charlie Crist in the Republican primary.

Rubio spoke at the annual Florida Society of News Editors/Florida Press Association conference today and fully acknowledged his underdog status to Crist, who has raised $4.3 million compared to Rubio’s $340,000.

“I have to hope and believe that ideas still matter in American politics. If we live country where all you’ve got to do is raise a lot of money and just run enough commercials to convince people that you’re not who they think you are, than we have much bigger problems than me not winning an election,” Rubio said. “I hope that principles still matter. I hope that being able to outline a clear vision of the future still matters in America, and if it does, then I’m going to win.”

Crist, who is ahead of Rubio in the polls by a 2-1 ratio, attended a luncheon hosted by the news editors in the same building. But the governor declined an invitation to appear with Rubio at the candidate’s forum that immediately followed the lunch, saying “I have governing to do today.”

The only major Democrat in the race, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, wanted to attend the event, but couldn’t because votes were being held in Washington.

But even without Crist, the event still managed to show a contrast between the governor and Rubio as Senate candidates.

Crist has said little about his candidacy and even less about issues facing the federal government. Rubio took questions for 45 minutes about a wide range of issues — Cuba, taxes, the environment, the federal stimulus package, immigration reform, Supreme Court appointments and more — and answered them thoughtfully and with detail.

He pointed out the biggest difference between him and Crist is that Crist supported the $787 billion stimulus package and he wouldn’t have.

“I just don’t think our government should spend money it doesn’t have and I don’t believe that stimulus spending will stimulate the economy. I just don’t,” Rubio said.

Instead, he said the best way the federal government can help the economy is to completely reform the tax code and reduce the capital gains tax to help attract companies who may now be heading overseas.

He said another big difference between him and Crist is that Crist supports a “California-style” environmental policy to limit carbon emissions. Rubio said he supports the development of new clean energy technology and hopes for day America uses no coal or fossil fuels, but he doesn’t want to hurt the economy now to get there.

Rubio said climate change is “global. As of yesterday India and China continue to refuse to comply.”
”I have no interest in America being the cleanest third world country on the planet and I think that that’s where we’re headed if we pass cap and trade legislation,” he added.

Rubio also sprinkled in a little humor when one editor pointed out that Washington leaders like Sen. John Cornyn, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, are endorsing Crist.

“Yeah, that sucks, doesn’t it?” Rubio said with a smile.

“I’m not running to be a part of their club,” he said more seriously. “At the end of the day it doesn’t make a difference to me who they’re supporting. I’m running because I believe so strongly that the issues that we face are that important and I want to speak out about them as long and as effectively as I can … So how do I overcome it? I have to work real hard. I have to come to forums that my opponents don’t show up to.”

SOURCE: Tampa Tribune

Charlie Crist & Marco Rubio

When Charlie Crist entered the race for the US Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez, an interesting ad came out from the Rubio campaign.

It would seem as though Charlie Crist is worried that a debate with Rubio would cause him to lose supporters.  Crist and Rubio have both been invited to the Palm Beach Forum Today.  Crist will actually be in West Palm this morning but will be leaving shortly after.

Asked today when he might debate his primary opponent, Crist said, “I have no idea.” Rubio has challenged Crist to a series of 10 debates before the August 2010 primary.

Charlie Crist has a tough road ahead of him to win Republican votes.  Many area Republicans are siding with Marco Rubio and his conservative views.  Rubio has had much success as speaker of the Florida House. Rubio wrote the book 100 Innovative Ideas for Florida’s Future. The book was compiled after Rubio traveled around the state to gather ideas from citizens. Many of the issues that he pushed for in his first year as speaker came from ideas in this book.

Charlie Crist

TALLAHASSSEE – The Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate campaign today announced that total contributions to his senatorial campaign amounted to more than $4.3 million as of the quarter ending June 30, 2009.

“I am humbled by the support that I am receiving from the people of Florida and around the country,” said Governor Crist. “I take their support seriously and continue to work every day to honor the trust and confidence they have placed in me.”

Governor Crist announced his senatorial campaign on May 12, 2009, 41 days into the second fundraising quarter. In just 50 days, Governor Crist received contributions from Florida and around the nation for an average of $86,000 per day.

“Clearly Governor Crist’s record of cutting taxes, fighting for Florida’s students and fighting for the safety, rights and freedoms of all Floridians is resonating with people across the state and around the nation,” said Campaign Co-Chairman and former Senator Connie Mack.

In addition to the support Governor Crist has received from contributors, Governor Crist has also been endorsed by National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn, Senator Mitch McConnell, Senator John McCain, Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Mel Martinez, former Senator Connie Mack, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart.

Marco Rubio

Today on the Guetzloe Report Former Speaker Marco Rubio stated that he supports the Audit the Federal Reserve Bill.  If he were an Elected Senator in the US Senate he would support this bill.  The house version of the bill HR-1207 already has more than the majority of the House signed on as Co-Sponsors.  Here’s the audio of the interview

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Audio courtesy of The Guetzloe Report & Ax The Tax

HR-1207 was introduced by Ron Paul (R-Galveston, TX) and Co-Authored by Bill Posey (R-Melbourne, FL) Currently it has 253 co-sponsors in the House.  S-604 has been introduced in the Senate by Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Currently it has 3 co-sponsors.

Sen. Jim DiMint of South Carolina attempted to include it with a pre-existing bill but Democrats argued that it violated Rule 16 even though many of the items in the current bill violated the same rule. I guess we can chop that one up to party politics.

Kendrick Meek

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Democrat Kendrick Meek raised about $1.2 million for his Senate campaign over the past three months while Republican Marco Rubio took in more than $340,000.

Meek, a congressman from Miami has now deposited more than $3 million into his campaign account since announcing his candidacy in January.

Rubio, a former House speaker from Miami, announced his candidacy in May.

Rubio and Meek released their figures Tuesday.

Republican Gov. Charlie Crist’s Senate campaign hasn’t announced their fundraising totals for the quarter ending June 30. However the Orlando Sentinel last week stated that Crist had raised almost $3 Million.

All are seeking the seat Sen. Mel Martinez is leaving after one term.

TALLAHASSEE – The Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate Campaign today announced the endorsements of Congressmen Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Mario Diaz-Balart.  ”Charlie Crist understands that freedom is under attackand it must be protected with clarity and firmness by the United States. He will be an effective Senator for Florida. I strongly support him,” said Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart.

During his time in Congress, Lincoln Diaz-Balart has successfully tackled issues such as tax relief for hard working American families, significant education reform, transportation funding, protection for the Everglades, and bringing common sense and discipline to the federal budget. He continues to work on such important matters as keeping Americans safe at home and abroad, affordable healthcare, sound immigration policy, and the expansion of freedom and democracy to those who remain oppressed.

“With his commitment to a strong national defense, a world-class education system, and ensuring that all Floridians have access to health care, it is clear that Charlie Crist will be a strong advocate for Florida in Washington D.C.” said Congressman Mario-Diaz Balart. “He is exactly the leader that we need and I look forward to supporting and campaigning with him.”

Since his start in Congress, Mario Diaz-Balart has served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has helped deliver millions of federal dollars for the I-75 widening project and Miami-Dade Transit.   He was recently appointed to serve as the Ranking Member of the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee of that Committee.   He also serves on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee and the Highways and Transit Subcommittee.

His other committee assignments include the Budget Committee and the Science and Technology Committee.

Steve Precourt & Rubio

State Representative Steve Precourt (District 41 -Winter Garden) announced his endorsement of Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate.

Born and raised in Orlando and a District 1 resident, Precourt represents a significant portion of West Orange County and was supported by more than 70% of its residents when he was elected in 2006.

Precourt publicly endorsed Marco Rubio in Orlando at the Tea Party event held on July 4th the Amway Arena. Precourt, said “that there were not a lot of us in the Florida Legislator that have the backbone to come out and endorse him right now, but I want to tell you publicly that I am endorsing Marco Rubio in the Senate campaign.”

Below is the video of this endorsement.

Marco Rubio

Central Florida Politics has exclusive video of Marco Rubio delivering his empowering speech in Orlando.  He touched on several key points that are very interesting.  Rubio is running against Charlie Crist for the US Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez.