Marco Rubio Cuts Crist lead to 10 Points

It's official! Marco Rubio is a viable and strong conservative candidate for the US senate race in Florida.  Crist now leads by only 10 points. A 46 point negative differential for Crist since January. That is a HUGE number in what is becoming a close race with another 9 months to go.

Rubio has consistently gained ground against his moderate rival Charlie Crist.

Without a doubt,  this race is shaping up to be a contest between the "GOP Establishment" and conservative base. So far the base is not backing down.

Rubio has defeated Charlie Crist 14 to 0 in straw polls held throughout the state this year.

How long will it be before he beats Crist in statewide polls?

UPDATE:
Hotair.com weighs in. Shock poll: Rubio within 10 points of Crist in Florida

Thirteen Straw Polls in a Row for Marco Rubio

Rubio in front of Crist AGAIN!

From The Buzz
Okaloosa straw poll goes for Rubio, McCollum, Putnam:

Chalk up another straw poll victory for Marco Rubio. He garnered 86 votes to Gov. Charlie Crist's 4 votes during a straw poll today hosted by the Okaloosa Republican Exec Committee.

This makes 13 in a row by huge margins for Marco Rubio. To call it a trend would be an understatement. It is a movement at this point.

Conservatives are rallying around Marco Rubio in huge numbers. That, combined with the fact that Independents are moving towards the Right is a positive for Rubio and conservatism.
Gollop:

Independents Inch to the Right


Changes among political independents appear to be the main reason the percentage of conservatives has increased nationally over the past year: the 35% of independents describing their views as conservative in 2009 is up from 29% in 2008. By contrast, among Republicans and Democrats, the percentage who are "conservative" has increased by one point each.

There are still 9 months left until the primary election in August. A few key endorsents could put Rubio over the top and I believe that will happen.