Let's talk about Florida and the thing we all refuse to talk about

[LynneSin]

I've been at DU here for 8 years and about a month or so ago I posted about how we should not be supporting Charlie Crist. I haven't voted for a republican since I voted for Arlen Specter back in the late 80s. So anyone who wants to question my devoutness to all things democrat you've got the wrong gal.

But I'm looking at the polls and it's looking really bleak down in Florida. Rubio is an irritating teabagger buying himself an election. Crist is trying hard as an independant and Meeks is looking woeful back in last place. Yet if you combine the votes together for Crist and Meeks you'd be way ahead of Rubio. (Meeks+Crist = 51% vs/ Rubio's 40%).

At what point do we say 'Let's get this done and get behind Crist'. I know, he's an independant AND a former Republican. But he's also about 2000 times better that Rubio on any given day of the week. I have some diehard friends down in Florida who are probably even more democratic blue than I am and even they are starting to think 'Time to go with Crist' better to have the ex-Republican as our senator than an extremist teabagger.

I have to think about how this would play out if it were my own state. We're lucky here in Delaware, Coons is leading strong against that whackadoo O'Donnell. But for a week there rumors were strong that Castle would do a write-in. That made me nervous. O'Donnell could probably count on a solid 35% of the vote. The moderate of both parties and independants that kept Castle elected in a strong blue state were voting for Coons but could probably be open to a Castle Write-in Vote. ALthough I couldn't imagine voting for Mike Castle, it did worry me that if he ran as a write-in the fall-out could give O'Donnell a senate seat. I can't even imagine what I would do if I had a scenario that could possibly put someone horrible wrong in as my senator.

So I have to wonder this question - at what point do we suggest to Floridians to vote for the candidate that can beat the Teabagger? What about you DUers from Florida, how is this playing out right now? I never thought in a million years to suggestion not voting democrat but if face with a right-wing extremist how could I even think of making that suggestion.

Your thoughts?

[Parker CA]

1. What if Crist were to drop out and people rallied behind Meek? I'd like to see numbers for both

scenarios. One thing is for certain, Rubio would be a disaster.

[LynneSin]

2. at this point Crist has 31% to Meeks 20% - Crist just looks stronger.

And if Crist dropped out what guarentee would we have that the republicans who might be supporting Crist now would vote for a democrat? And with less than a month less could we get Meeks strong enough to overtake him.

[Parker CA]

9. Meek is sounding very strong. His interview with LO on his new show was terrific. I'd like to see a

poll on single candidates (Meek and Crist) vs. Rubio.

[chimpymustgo]

5. Thank you. Fuck Crist. And Alex Sink is counting on a large BLACK VOTER turnout in the Gov race.

CRAZY to back one of the Republicans...and lose BOTH races.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL DEMOCRAT.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. Been Here Bofore The Mouse

Right now it looks like we are going to lose both.

[flpoljunkie]

13. Crist cannot beat Rubio. We need Alex Sink as governor. Republicans have ruined our state.

Nate Silver says Rubio now has over an 85% chance of winning the senate race. Sadly, I think the cake is already baked here for the loathsome Rubio, so I am very likely going to vote for Kendrick Meek, barring some unforeseen circumstance--like a major Crist surge, but I just don't see it happening.

Kendrick Meek stood up to Jeb Bush long ago in Tallahassee leading a 25 hour sit-in regarding affirmative action in state contracts and university admissions and led a successful statewide petition drive calling for a state constitutional amendment to make class sizes smaller--which passed and the Legislature is trying to gut with another amendment in November. The Republican do not want to spend money on our schools--unless it is for tax deductible scholarship vouchers for their Chamber of Commerce pals.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

24. I Think The Cake Is Baked Too And Democrats Should Vote Their Conscience

In defense of Charlie he has always been great on race issues. It was Charlie who restored the right of felons who served their time to vote. This prohibition fell most heavily on African Americans. He's also a lifetime member of the NAACP. I detested Jeb Bush, Connie Mack, Bob Martinez, and Paula Hawkins but it was hard to get a "good hate" on for Charlie.

[flpoljunkie]

50. I understand the restoring of felons rights is proceeding very slowly.

Unless things have changed.

[RockaFowler]

52. VERY SLOWLY

My husband has been waiting for 10 years. But go ahead and think that Charlie is doing a great job

[flpoljunkie]

56. Assume you are not referring to me thinking Crist has done a great job. I do not.

[RockaFowler]

59. Not directed to you - sorry

:hug:

I know you are frustrated as much as I am about all of this :hug:

[angee_is_mad]

86. someone with sense

thank you!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. The Truth

This is a bad year for Democrats. Whether or not the Democrats deserve to have a bad year is of no moment. We do not know if it will be a little bad, pretty bad, or very bad.

The last time the political environment was this bad for Democrats the Democratic candidate for Senate lost by over thirty points. Google the 1994 Florida Senate race.

[demwing]

48. Crist pulls from both camps. If he dropped out, it would likely put Rubio

over the 50% margin

[tsuki]

62. Crist is pulling from the Republicon in UCLA (unknown corner of

lower Alabama). Even tho Rubio took 80% of the vote in the primary in my county, I expect Crist to win here.

The Dems here are holding tight. I don't know what will happen election day.

On the down side, we are a low population county.

Alex Sink is ahead of Scott. The medicare scandal has hurt him badly.

[zipplewrath]

3. Only meek can win, only meek should win, Crist is the spoiler

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/columnists/orl-thomas,0,7080626.columnist

This guy doesn't agree with you, and he loves him some republicans.

Basically Meek has a good chance to pick up alot of Crist voters. But Crist doesn't have a prayer in hell of picking up nearly enough Meek voters.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. Thomas Is The Clown That Wrote That Bob Graham Was A Lousy Governor

Why should I believe he has the best interest of Democrats at heart?

[wmbrew0206]

28. Please show me a model that has a large part of white, conserative voters in north Florida

voting for an African American man from South Florida that is much more progressive than most of Florida.

Anyone who says that Meek stands a good chance to pick up enough Crist votes to win diesn't understand the dynamics of Florida.

[zipplewrath]

79. Neither of them have a prayer

Without the other one leaving the race, neither of them have a prayer. But Meek has a better chance if Crist leaves, than Crist has if Meek leaves. There is a certain population of "anyone but Crist".

[global1]

4. Question? Didn't Crist Say He Would Caucus With The Dems If Elected?.....

I thought I heard this somewhere. Didn't the Repugs dump Crist? I thought he was pissed at them and that is why he ran as an Independent.

[FBaggins]

11. No. He tried to hint enough to pick up some votes...

...without being clear enough to lose the republicans who are still in his camp.

[lunamagica]

20. No. His ads are all about how he has NO attachment to EITHER party

How he is "the best choice" because he will have to ties to any Party.

[FBaggins]

10. How can it be the "thing we all refuse to talk about"...

... when it's the thing that comes up every time the Florida race is mentioned?

Yet if you combine the votes together for Crist and Meeks you'd be way ahead of Rubio

In the real world you can't do that. Not the least of which because votes are already coming in and the ballot isn't going to be changed. The people who show up in the booth and just vote for the guy with the "D" next to his name aren't going to change.

[Bluenorthwest]

12. Charlie Crist, October, 2008, on Palin being potential President:

"I think she'd do a great job. I mean, realize that, you know, she really is the only executive that's running -- the only one who has been the head of the government in Alaska. She's held executive positions as a mayor, executive position as a governor. Made those kinds of decisions. I think she's ready."

So how'd you feel about that sort of Republican then? What evidence is there that he is any different now? He's comparing her to Obama, saying she's more experienced. I'd not ever vote for such a person. That would be my choice. I'm a Democrat, not almost a Republican. I seek Kendrick Meek vs two Republicans. Two Palin Republicans, no less.

[seafan]

47. Nov. 2009: Rubio: "I can't think of anything her and I disagree with off the top of my head."

Less than a year ago, Rubio publicly gushed over how he'd welcome Sarah Palin's endorsement. And after she was then widely seen as a right-wing extremist, self-serving, acid-tongued cobra.

Rubio says he largely supports the tea party protesters, many of whom have cast health care reform as a socialist takeover. (The feeling is mutual: FreedomWorks, the conservative lobbying group that has helped organize the protests, is planning to mobilize thousands of volunteers on Rubio's behalf.)

Asked if he would welcome the support of former GOP vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor Sarah Palin, Rubio offers an unqualified yes, adding that "I can't think of anything her and I disagree with off the top of my head." ----CBS; The Hill, November 9, 2009

Rubio must be driven out. The thought of 6 years of Rubio tearing down Florida from the US Senate, under Jeb Bush's tutelage, is repulsive.


We Floridians are now faced with the reality: Do we want to lose with Kendrick Meek, or do we want to win with Charlie Crist?

[Bluenorthwest]

55. You are being boondoogled- yet again.

You have willingly made your choice out to be one of two Palin loving Republicans. You are promoting the idea of voting for the 'best' Republican instead of the Democrat.
Florida. Every election it is a 'special case'. It just gets old. You are yeilding that seat without a fight, based on presumptions.
I love your argument, that Rubio praised Palin more recently than Crist! Yeah, that really matters. Stretch to fit Republican voting modalities.

[quakerboy]

58. Thats sure not how it appears from the outside

From up here at the far corner of the country, just looking at polls, it sure looks like the reality is: do you want to lose with Kendrick Meek, or do you want to lose with Charlie Crist.

[BlueJazz]

14. Being a Democrat and a Floridian, I may, for the first time in my life,..

...not vote for a Democrat. Rabido is a disaster and Meeks is so far behind, a Plow horse would have a better chance against a horse like Secretariat.

The sad thing is Meeks is even going DOWN in the polls and I can live with Charlie. He's a decent person.

[COLGATE4]

15. K&R. The one thing we cannot do is let Rubio win! n/t

[PopSixSquish]

16. "Charlie Crist Only Cares About Charlie Crist"

Direct quote from my mother who has worked in higher education in Florida for years. She even said that dealing with Jeb Bush as governor was easier than Crist.

Do you really think that if it comes down to control of the Senate, that Crist wouldn't jump right back over to the Republican side if the "sweets" were right?

The man was touted as a VP Candidate for John McCain and only changed to independent because the Florida GOP abandoned him.

If Marco Rubio hadn't entered the race, Charlie Crist would be standing right next to all of those idiots bashing Obama and smiling...

[flyarm]

33. I guess your mother missed how Charlie stood up for the teachers of the state against the republican

legislature???????

[wmbrew0206]

77. You mean after he realized he was going to go independant and did it for political points?

[Exilednight]

17. We never get behind Crist. Independent means just that ..........

Odds are that if elected the rethugs will be more than happy to welcome him back into the fold

If they don't, then he will at caucus with them. Let them have their own Liebermann - we already have ours.

[woofless]

18. No.

Meek deserves our vote. I vote for Democrats.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

19. The choice is Rubio or Crist. Crist already burned his bridge to the GOP. He'll caucus Dem. nt

[wmbrew0206]

29. Until it suits him politically to cacus with the Repubicans.

[flyarm]

37. well one thing we can all be damned sure of ..Rubio will caucus with the repukes and teabaggers!

so wow we win !! by losing!! woo hoo!!

lets see do we go for the sure tea bagger?? or the sure Repuke caucus'er?????

hmmm you are leaving us with a real dilemma!!:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[OmahaBlueDog]

21. View this in a broader context. Rubio would probably be no worse than Mel Martinez

Sink would be a huge improvement on Crist as Governor.

I like Kendrick Meek, but he's in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nevertheless, if the Dems cut and run, African American voters will see that as a signal that they don't matter.

[flyarm]

38. You certainly do not know who or what you are talking about! Rubio is 1 million times worse!

Rubio was created by Jeb and the Bush machine!

count on that! and not in a good way!

[OmahaBlueDog]

74. You are aware that Mel Martinez was a co-chair of Junior Bush's 2000 campaign?

"Instead Of `Outrage,' How About Explanation?"
Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel

"It takes nerve for Gov. Jeb Bush to say in a television ad for "Mel" Martinez that Betty Castor did not do enough to deal with Professor Sami al-Arian when she was president of the University of South Florida.

Bush says he did the ad after "I saw the (Castor) ad on television and was outraged." The ad by Betty Castor, Martinez's opponent in the U.S. Senate race, shows George and Laura Bush in a smiling picture standing next to al-Arian in the 2000 campaign -- one year after Castor had left USF. President Bush, through Karl Rove, later invited al-Arian to the White House, on June 20, 2001.

Al-Arian now is awaiting trial on charges of helping to finance terror. Since Jeb Bush has chosen to weigh in, it is time for him to answer for his own conduct.

As special counsel on organized crime to Florida Gov. Reubin Askew, I was responsible for liaison with federal law enforcement agencies and heard -- usually before anyone else -- of criminal investigations and related actions. I know what a governor can and should do."

Read more at: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2004-10-25/news/0410220781_1_al-arian-jeb-bush-laura-bush

[Inuca]

45. Wrong. Martinez was one of the sane Rs

Much better than the average Senate R. Rubio OTOH would bring that average down by a LOT.

[OmahaBlueDog]

75. Martinez was a campaign co-chair and fundraiser for Bush/Cheney

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Martinez

Note the following from the article:

"Despite an absence of a quorum, the Senate approved The Palm Sunday Compromise, formally known as the Act for the relief of the parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo (S. 686 CPS), in the early hours of March 20, 2005, to allow the case of Terri Schiavo to be moved into a federal court. The bill passed unanimously by voice vote and no formal record of the vote was made. Bill Frist (R-TN), Rick Santorum (R-PA), and Mel Martínez (R-FL), the only Senators present, voted for the bill with the remaining 97 Senators not present."


Sane "R"? Sorry. No.

[madfloridian]

71. Martinez and Rubio can not be compared in the same breath.

Rubio is an extreme rigid right winger, Martinez never was.

[OmahaBlueDog]

72. I beg to differ

Martinez ran a despicable, smear based campaign aganinst Betty Castor. Martinez basically accused Castor of harboring terrorists. He marched in lock step with the Bush Cheney agenda.

[madfloridian]

73. Do you know Rubio?

Do you know Martinez?

They are like night and day.

[OmahaBlueDog]

76. I hate to repost what I've posted elsewhere

Despite an absence of a quorum, the Senate approved The Palm Sunday Compromise, formally known as the Act for the relief of the parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo (S. 686 CPS), in the early hours of March 20, 2005, to allow the case of Terri Schiavo to be moved into a federal court. The bill passed unanimously by voice vote and no formal record of the vote was made. Bill Frist (R-TN), Rick Santorum (R-PA), and Mel Martínez (R-FL), the only Senators present, voted for the bill with the remaining 97 Senators not present.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Martinez

[madfloridian]

82. Well, my friend, here is a list of Dems who voted yes Schiavo Palm Sunday bill

So let's be too judgmental here.

http://uspolitics.about.com/od/electionissues/a/sb686_vote.htm

"The bill then moved to the House, where a simple majority of members was required for a quorum (there are 435 members) and where suspension of the rules required a two-thirds vote of those present. Democrats forced a roll call vote.

The bill passed 203 (156-Rs and 47-Ds) to 58 (5-Rs and 53-Ds) ; there were 174 members absent.

Democrats Voting Yes

* Baca
* Baird
* Barrow
* Bean
* Berry
* Bishop (GA)
* Boren
* Brady (PA)
* Chandler
* Costello
* Cramer
* Cuellar
* Cummings

# Davis (TN)
# Edwards
# Engel
# Etheridge
# Fattah
# Ford
# Green, Al
# Herseth
# Higgins
# Holden
# Jackson (IL)
# Kanjorski
# Kildee
# Langevin
# Lipinski
# Lynch
# Marshall
# Matheson
# McIntyre
# McNulty
# Meek (FL)
# Melancon
# Michaud
* Mollohan
* Oberstar
* Pomeroy
* Ross
* Scott (GA)
* Serrano
* Skelton
* Snyder
* Stupak
* Tanner
* Wynn

http://uspolitics.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=uspolitics&cdn=newsissues&tm=462&f=00&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll090.xml

[OmahaBlueDog]

83. There's not a dimes worth of difference between Rubio and Martinez

Martinez was pro vouchers, against ending the Cuba trade embargo, against marriage equality, supported all of the Bush wars, and got a 100% rating from the NRTLC. How is Rubio worse?

Look, I like your posts and have a great deal of respect for your viewpoint. To me, it comes down to this: Meek drops out, and we endorse AT BEST a Senator who might caucus with us, but who would make Joe Lieberman look like Al Franken by comparison. To get this, we'd risk alienating the African American voter base that is the core of Kendrick Meek's support. Ask yourself this -- do you want Governor Rick Scott? I can only speak for myself; I would rather have Senator Rubio, and have the best shot at putting Sink in the Governor's Mansion.

[JoePhilly]

22. Strategy versus tactics.

Sometimes, to advance your broad strategy, you have to make a tactical move that seems counter to the Strategy.

This appears to be an example. Long term, we WANT a REAL DEM in FL .... tactically, we don't seem to be able to make our guy go. So, to hold some ground, you take what ground you can get, rather that give up all ground to the GOP.

It is a painful choice, but that is what politics is ... a an endless stream of hard choices. But through out, you better be trying to HOLD the ground you gain ...

[madfloridian]

23. Those of us having to decide most likely won't post it on DU

We will just make a decision and do what we have to do. Our ballots are here and sitting on the table.

This is one time I think my vote will be private.

There is a lot at stake.

[David Zephyr]

25. I respect however you decide. This one would kill me if I was there.

As you said there is "a lot at stake".

I expect the Karl Rove / Jeb Bush machine will wade in with a late October surprise to destroy Crist because I am convinced and have posted here since 2009 that Jeb Bush will be the Republican nominee against President Obama. And Florida is key to the Republicans taking back the White House.

I've posted here that if the polls showed Meek still down at the very last week, that I would vote against Rubio by voting for Crist. That kills me to say that, but I swear I would do it.

However you vote, I know you and respect you and it is your state. I think you rock and I don't envy you having to make the decision you do.

I will vote for you out here in California for Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer. :)

[wmbrew0206]

78. Sorry but I doubt Jeb will run to POTUS. His wife is batshit crazy and a huge political liablity.

She is crazier than the rethugs tried to make Teresa Heinz Kerry out to be.

[flyarm]

39. + mine too! eom

[angee_is_mad]

87. another progressive voting for crist

gotcha.

[David Zephyr]

26. Brave OP

Florida and Texas are the Bush machine strongholds.

Jeb Bush will be running for President in 2012 and will wipe out all the other Republicans and Karl Rove will be right there with him. Forida is critical to the Bush machine.

I predict that Karl Rove has a smear coming against Crist and a back up against Meek any day now.

We must keep Rubio from going to the Senate.

[treestar]

27. Cannot recommend highly enough

Reality is reality. Keep teabaggers out of positions of power.

[wmbrew0206]

30. This is something a lot of us have been talking about in Florida Seante threads, so

not sure how it is something we "refuse to talk about."

[angee_is_mad]

31. another pro-crist post

passive aggressively asking the dem to drop out.

I have a question, can crist win without the black vote that will sit home if Meek drop out?

[totodeinhere]

32. If Meek dropped out, not all of his supporters would ne necessarily go to Crist.

I'm afraid that Rubio would also win a two way race against Crist, partly because many of Meek's African American supporters would be angry and just stay home.

If I were a Florida voter I would stay true to the Democratic Party and vote for Meek.

[flyarm]

35. he can't drop out millions of us already have our ballots and many many have already voted!

in the State of Florida.

We have a combo of early vote, vote by mail and election day voting.

If you don't know our voting laws, please keep your mis-informed opinions to yourself.

[totodeinhere]

36. No, I will express my opinion anytime I want to whether you like it or not.

The OP brought up the idea that he could drop out and I was just following up on it. I'm sure it won't happen, but if he really did want to drop out he could urge anyone who has not voted already to vote for Crist.

[flyarm]

40. and I as well..and you will not tell me or help me decide my vote!

he still can not now drop out ..millions of us already have our ballots..mine and my husbands are sitting on my kitchen table as I type..many dems I know have already voted...by mail!

Meek can not come off our ballots they are already printed and mailed out and early vote ballots are already printed.( see we have early vote in the state of Florida as well in case you don't know that ..and the ballots are already printed!)

[flyarm]

41. and that would be fraud to those who have already voted!

it would be a fraudulent election..that will not happen in Florida again. No one in the state would ever let that happen again.

Or no one would ever vote again in this state!

As it is many stay home now because they do not believe their votes count anyway.......... because of the 2000 general election theft and 2008 the democratic primary theft of our delegates.

[flyarm]

34. millions of us already have our ballots to vote by mail. I have had mine for 3 weeks.

and how and who I vote for is between me and my ballot!

I have held my ballot to see how this polls out.
But i must have my vote mailed in by the deadline.

However, I will state, my guts will be ripped out with a Rubio senator! It is a fate I can hardly believe I would have to live through.

And for those who don't live in Florida and don't have this decision, and can not vote in my state, i wish you would mind your own business. We Floridans know how bad Rubio is. You will only learn how bad he is if we do not vote responsibly!

Then don't blame us.

I have lived in 9 states and voted in 9 states in 40 years of voting, I have had to hold my nose many times in 40 years of voting. I have never had a harder decsion to make in 40 years than now! Ever.

We do not need others from other states telling us what to do or how to vote. We all live with our conscience.

All of our votes are between ourselves and our conscience and our ballot..it is why we vote with privacy, and why there are screens or curtains when we vote.

I understand some people think they are helping us..thank you, if you think you are... but many of us do not think you are.

[LynneSin]

53. BTW wonderful post

I honestly would hate the concept of someone coming into my state and telling me how to vote. And I hope you don't think i was trying to persuade people to vote for Crist. Honestly it's just one giant clusterf#%k in Florida your choices are the "Good but barely electable, the bad but somewhat tolerable and the horribly ugly."

I'm so glad I don't have to make that choice here in Delaware but I'll be honest. If Castle put his name in as a 3-way and tanked the Coons campaign, I have no clue how I would vote either. I think that's why Castle opted not to run for election because he knew that without a doubt his votes would come from Chris Coons and would only help Christine O'Donnell win the election. And Castle will not support the woman that accused him of a homosexual affair or told him to "Put your Man-Pants On". (BTW Mike Castle is supportive of Gay rights but he's been married forever and to claim he's having an affair at all is just wrong!)

[Honeycombe8]

42. Rubio is now at 45% or something. Crist + Meek = less % than Rubio. It's over.

Unless something scandalous turns up about Rubio or he says something really stupid, or Crist or Meek reveal that one of them is Superman in disguise, it looks pretty much over.

Meek never had a chance from the start. All Dems knew it. Unknown, young, and with a name like "Meek" in a party that has a problem with being perceived as "meek," well....the writing was on the wall.

[vaberella]

43. I think people need to stop promoting Crist on this site---end of story. n/t

[DemocratSinceBirth]

46. I Think Folks Should Vote Their Conscience.

That being said Meek is destined to come in third and Jeb Bush's and Karl Rove's hand picked candidate is going to win. That's life. Florida Democrats punked again.

DemocratSinceBirth
Florida Resident Before The Mouse

[vaberella]

49. Once again...I'm tired of seeing Crist promoted on this site.

A man who doesn't stand for a single Democratic ideal.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

51. Crist Is A Lifetime Member Of The NAACP

He's the governor who removed the prohibition on felons who served their time from voting; a prohibition without which George Bush wouldn't have "won" Florida and the 2000 election. It's also a prohibition that fell most heavily on African Americans.

It's academic. Rubio is coming in first, Crist is coming in second, and Meek is coming in a distant third. Meek is running in a purple state in a Republicant year with little name recognition.

[Bluenorthwest]

54. I too am sick of it.

Knowing that good Democratic volunteers are working hard to elect Mr Meek, while DUers promote the Palin loving Crist is disgusting to me.

[wmbrew0206]

80. Would you rather read about rainbows and daffidills that will spring up in front of Meek as he

walks to victory?

Or would you rather have a realistic dialogue about the state of the race and what the best options are for democrats to prevent a Tea Party victory? This is a big race in a swing state and we need to be able to have a frank conversation about what our best options are. Sometimes our best option is to not lose rather win.

[Sancho]

44. Meek can't win the I4 corridor or the panhandle...

I'm not a Crist fan and usually vote straight Democratic, but this is really a mess. I hate the idea of Rubio getting a seat that he'll never lose. Crist has a chance if the independents vote for him. At least Sink is looking good for now. There is a debate tonight and I hope she does well.

[wmbrew0206]

81. Thank you. It is hard for a lot of people here to understand that.

[Joanne98]

57. Meek can't win. He needs to drop out so we can wrap this up.

Sorry. But he's done to far.

[RockaFowler]

61. Cool

That means we can call all the rest of the races around the country where Democrats are behind. I'm so glad we can't fight for a Real Democrat any longer. I feel so much better. Thanks for all of your help. I now know that the Republicans will win all over because we can just throw in the towel now.

[mkultra]

60. im afraid to say this Crist is the best possible opponent

i vote dem to beat republicans. In this case, i would vote indie.

[Dinger]

63. IS This DEMOCRATIC Underground or independent underground?

Just asking.

[RockaFowler]

64. It's Crist Underground

I'm sick of it. And someone told me earlier this week that people are allowed to support CharLIE Crist on here. I'm flabbergasted

[mkultra]

68. i would much rather meek win than crist

but frankly, its the same principle that should effect peoples voting in generals with indie parties. Its very important that the repubs not be allowed to fuck us again.

[RockaFowler]

70. But they are

Crist is a Republican - always has been. So, the Democrat we have running is being pushed aside around here for a Republican. Love it. Just love it.

[mkultra]

85. i feel your pain

[mkultra]

67. You know the answer

and i agree with you completely.

[Akoto]

65. As a Floridian, for me, it's as simple as this ...

Meek doesn't have the support, so it's Crist or Rubio. We gamble if we go for Crist, but we are most assuredly damned if we let Rubio take office.

I refuse to let party lines affect the future of my state. We don't have the luxury this time around. It's easy for outsiders to scorn us on this issue, but they won't have to live with the consequences of residing in a state where that nutjob is in power. At least Crist has some sane moments here and there.

[Change Happens]

66. I did! on Wed. Please see my thread on this issue:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=467366&mesg_id=467366

[zulchzulu]

69. I would take Crist over Rubio any day

Rubio can actually be a contender teatard if he wins in the future. Crist on the other hand is at least a moderate on many issues.

[AtomicKitten]

84. Again it's not my state so I defer to the natives, but I DO NOT WANT a teabagger Senator.

If that means one or the other (Crist, Meek) drops out, I'm all for it. Not sure how the coalition works but if together they can take out Wannabee Senator Teabagger, again I'm all for it. Just do it. Thank you.

[BreweryYardRat]

88. Eh, I'm going to vote for Meek, unless he drops out before Election Day.

To paraphrase a line from one of Harry Turtledove's books: "If Rubio wins by one vote, then I'll be sorry."

This sort of shit is why we need instant run-off voting. I would really like it if my vote could go to Crist if Meek doesn't get a majority.