Update: 11-15-09: Marco Rubio Wins 14th Straw Poll in a Row

Last night Marco Rubio succeeded in winning his 14th straw poll in a row against Charlie Crist. Rubio has not lost a straw poll yet and has won all of them by impressive margins.

Some political aficionados are trying to downplay the significance of the Rubio wins but it is clear that there is an underlying current of true conservative enthusiasm within the conservative base.

Former Governor Jeb Bush practically endorsed Marco Rubio during an interview.

Bush said national party leaders should not be trying to push Crist as aggressively as they have. He said Rubio deserved a fair shot against Crist in a primary.

"I think he should be given a chance. I think that the idea that the national party would pick a winner a year and a half before an election is the wrong way to go."

If Jeb Bush is right and my instincts are correct I think that Charlie Crist may not be as confident in 2010 as he seems to be now. Money can buy you air time but it can not buy you character. That is a lesson that Charlie Crist could learn From Marco Rubio.

Here is the running total of straw polls held to date.

Marion County GOP: Rubio 40, Crist 8, abstain 4

Hernando County GOP: Rubio 46, Crist 0

Gilchrist County GOP: Rubio 11, Crist 1

Republican Women's Club of Duval Federated: Rubio 65, Crist 4

Northwest Orange Republican Women Federated: Rubio 49, Crist 3

Jefferson County GOP: Rubio 30, Crist 6

Highlands County GOP: Rubio 75, Crist 1

Pasco County GOP: Rubio 73, Crist 9

Lee County GOP: Rubio 60, Crist 9

Florida Federation of College Republicans: Rubio 19, Crist 6.

Bay County GOP: Rubio 23, Crist 2

Palm Beach County: Rubio 90, Crist 17  (10-14-09)

Okaloosa County: Rubio 86, Crist 4 (11-08-09)

Orange County : Rubio 211, Crist 27 (11-13-09)