PPP FL Senate: 66% of Meek's voters would support Crist if he committed to siding with Dems

[WI_DEM]

Charlie Crist's Big Dilemma

Charlie Crist led most polls from the time he left the Republican race for Senate until now because he was winning the Democratic vote. Now that Democrats in the state have gotten to know and like Kendrick Meek better some of Crist's support there has evaporated and as a result Marco Rubio is back in the lead. So what does Crist do now?

One thing Crist could do is flat out say he's going to caucus with the Democrats. Our poll last weekend found 66% of Kendrick Meek's voters said they would support Crist instead if he committed to siding with the Dems. 9% of Meek's voters said they wouldn't vote for Crist if he did that and 25% weren't sure.

There are perils for Crist in doing that too though. Only 63% of those currently supporting him say they would still do so if he said he would go with the Democrats while 20% say they explicitly would not vote for him if he did that and 17% aren't sure. Most of his remaining Republican support would dry up and he'd lose a fair number of independents as well.

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/

[rocktivity]

1. Unfortunately, that's a gamble we can't afford to take.

We don't need a Lierberman lite, especially when we might still send up with a Lieberman heavy.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[WI_DEM]

2. my guess is that many FL dems will see where Meek is in October and if it's unlikely

that he will win they will support Crist as the best way to stop Rubio.

[okieinpain]

8. it doesn't look like you have much choice. meeks is not even

in the picture.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. I think it's terribly sad

That a Democratic Candidate that won fair and square . . . is getting one-upped by a Neoconservative.

[ChiciB1]

4. BECAUSE OF THIS!!! Meek Has Come Off As A Very "Weak/Meek Candidate!!

And I don't doubt for a minute that many Democrats here WILL vote for Crist! At best Meek is DLC and to the "right" of Crist in people's perception.

They see the fact that Crist didn't shy away with his appearance with Obama and didn't cave on others issues as an asset! Meek is considered a "blue dog" here and Crist DOES seem to be sending the message that he will LEAN toward caucusing with Democrats!

I have seen people here saying that they never thought Crist was as moderate as he was, which surprised even me!! I campaigned hard against him, but now with RUBIO as an option... I WILL DO ANYTHING to keep RUBIO from winning!

I'll wait it for a while, but what I'm seeing from Meek, I don't like very much! Wishy-Washy at best. Then there's the whole issue of people thinking that he would NEVER have gotten elected had his mother not been involved!

And that's pretty much in a nutshell. And I say it again, I already know 7 Democrats who already decided that ARE going to vote for Crist! IF by some miracle Meek can get something going, they may rethink, but their opinion of Meek right now is pretty low!

Just sayin' what others here are sayin'!

[HooptieWagon]

6. Amen. Meek wouldn't have even been on the congressional ballot without mom's help.

He'sbeen in a safe district, and not faced a serious challenger. If he markedly ramps up his game, I'll reconsider; but the main goal has to be keeping Rubio out of the US Senate.

[flamingdem]

9. Crist is a better choice, Dem Floridians will ideally quietly move towards him

Note that there are those yelling about party loyalty, but in this case they are often secretly on Rubio's side, or anti-Obama at a minimum. In FL they know Meek can't overcome the numbers.

[HooptieWagon]

5. For pete's sake... Crist is no more a neocon than Obama is a Muslim.

Where did you pull that crap from? Crist has the backing of several unions, teachers, and trial lawyers. He supported the stimulus package. He's been an OK Governor - not great, but a damn sight better than Jeb. No matter which party he would caucus with, he would be far better in the US Senate than Jeb's boy Rubio.

[flamingdem]

10. Meek is right wing on Cuba Policy, he opposes Obama

He went as far as to oppose all remittances to Cuba from Cuban American families in the USA.

Now THAT is opportunistic, and he's against lifting the travel restrictions while Crist is
supporting changing the rules on Cuba travel.

[JustAnotherGen]

7. Okay - Fair enough

But I voted for Corzine this past November and NOT Dagget when the reality is -

Dagget would have been better for NJ.



Sorry - can't help myself - I like the visual of just ONE black person in the Senate. Who has been and will remain Democratic.