Marco Rubio Wins Pinellas Straw Poll 106-54 Beats Crist on his own turf

Marco Rubio defeated Charlie Crist in the REC straw poll held tonight in Pinellas county.
Pinellas county is the home of Charlie Crist and this must be a huge blow to his campaign efforts thus far.

Marco Rubio has successfully defeated Charlie Crist in every single straw poll held in Florida over the past year.

UPDATE:
Marco Rubio comments on tonights win!
Miami, FL – U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio issued the following statement regarding tonight’s Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee straw poll victory (106-54):


“I continue to be humbled by the outpouring of support for our campaign. Tonight, Pinellas County Republicans joined a growing chorus of Floridians voicing their support for our vision built on the timeless conservative principles of limited government, traditional values, free enterprise and individual freedom.

“Like Republicans all over this state who have stepped forward to stand with us, Pinellas Republicans understand that the way to rebuild a united, strong and expanding Republican Party is to stay true to the mainstream values all Republicans and most Americans share. Tonight’s vote reaffirms what I believe to my core: principled conservatism doesn’t just win elections, it provides a proven and successful path for governing and policy-making.”

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.

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)

Marco Rubio vs Crist in Palm Bch Co. Straw Poll Oct. 14th

The Palm Beach County Republican Executive Committee will hold the next straw poll in Florida's Senatorial race bewteen former House Speaker Marco Rubio and current Governor Charlie Crist on Wednesday October 14th.

Thus far, Rubio has crushed Crist in local straw polls. Rubio has skunked Crist 11-0 in polls across state. Rubio has won by HUGE margins.

Crist may be sensing the heat. He decided to make an unannounced visit to the Pinellas County Republican Party meeting Monday night.  This visit may illustrate that Crist is starting to understand that he is not held in great favor amongst many Florida conservatives and so he is scrambling to the right to stop the bleeding.

Crist's contributions dropped by half last quarter while Marco Rubio's contributions nearly tripled to 1 million dollars.

The Palm Beach Post printed the following on Oct. 11th:

Palm Beach County's Republican Executive Committee, which split 65-65 on an August motion to "censure" Gov. Charlie Crist for embracing President Obama's stimulus package and other departures from Republicanism, will conduct a straw poll Wednesday on the Republican U.S. Senate race between Crist, former House Speaker Marco Rubio and six other Republicans.

Udate: Rubio won the straw poll 90 to 17 over Crist. Click here for list of all straw polls held thus far.

Marco Rubio 49.Charlie Crist 0. Hernando County Straw Poll

It's obvious that there is "something" going on within the Florida GOP. There is an undercurrent of conservative thirst to elect a true conservative to the US Senate in 2010.


Regardless of the fundraising prowess of current Governor Charlie Crist and the support he has received from the elites of the party, Crist has not shown the ability to reign in the conservative base. This becomes overwhelmingly obvious when you look at the results the straw polls being held throughout the state. Crist has not prevailed in a single one and is being annihilated by Former House Speaker Marco Rubio.

Marco Rubio is running a grassroots campaign based on prinicples, values, and true conservative beliefs which reflect the hunger of those seeking fiscal responsibility and overall limited government.

Rubio may not be winning the fundraising battle (Yet) but he has tapped in to the very heart those seeking new representation in Washington. A US senate seat.

Here is a list of the county straw polls that have been held so far that illustrate the extraordinary margins received by Marco Rubio against Crist. It is hard to ignore and may be giving Crist a reason to be worried.

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
Without a doubt. Rubio has a chance to win in 2010.

Marco Rubio Wins Gilchrist Straw Poll-Hernando Straw poll Thursday

Marco Rubio claims another victory in Florida county straw polls being held throughout the state. Rubio has not lost a single vote and continues to trounce current Governor Charlie Crist. Crist supporters are discouraging the straw polls! I wonder why....

Rubio defeated Crist 11-1 in the small county of Gilchrist. A larger straw poll is expected on today Thurday Sept,17 in Hernando County.

Here are my pervious posts on the straw polls for other counties:
First Straw Polls

Second post of straw polls.



Here is a link to the full story from TBO.com

Excerpts:

Hernando, with 48,966, will be among the larger counties where local party organizations have held straw votes. County Chairman Blaise Ingoglia wouldn’t predict how the vote will go, but said, “People in this area tend to be a little bit more conservative.” He wouldn’t say who moved for the vote.

Party organizations in about half a dozen counties have held straw votes in the primary, in all cases voting for Rubio. Rubio is pitching his campaign at the conservative side of the party spectrum; his backers have been seeking to hold straw polls in county organizations, and Crist supporters oppose them.

Marco Rubio says ,"The People will Decide"

Former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio speaks to The Ledger.com in this 10 minute interview.

Rubio covers many important subjects including the war on terror, budget, Charlie Crist, and how the "people" will decide the winner of the race for Florida's US senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez.

Rubio is very passionate about saying, "We will Win". He has been gaining huge grass roots support and feels that Conservatives will help him beat current Gov Crist in the primary battle. He stresses that the "establishment" will not decide this election.

Rubio has virtually annihilated Crist in half a dozen straw polls during the past couple of months. Many of those polls were held in large counties throughout Florida.

Rubio Continues to Stomp Crist in State Straw Polls

Marco Rubio has scored yet another victory in a county straw poll. Rubio destroyed Gov Charle Crist 23 to 2 in the Bay County REC straw poll.

Rubio has not lost a straw poll yet that I have seen. Some party officals in certain counties are even afraid to conduct a straw poll for fear of the results.

It is unlikely that the committee, with about 300 members, will actually hold a poll vote Monday night. The more likely scenario: Some activists will push to set a date to hold such a vote and others will attempt to quash that -- at least for now.

Results from other straw polls are included in my earlier post here. Rubio won all of them in a big way..

UPDATE: No GOP Straw Vote in Broward County. Click here for the full story.

Is Crist Losing Ground to a Rubio Surge-Crist Censured in Volusia County

From Sun Sentinel.com
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist censured in his own state.
By Jack Furnari

In a move sure to strike fear in the hearts of the current regime in charge of the Republican Party of Florida, the Volusia County Republican Executive Committee passed a motion by voice vote Saturday morning censuring Republican Gov. Charlie Crist.

The Volusia motion ends with a wink and a nod to the Republican Party of Palm Beach County's own battle over censuring Crist. In what might be perceived as a plea for solidarity from Palm Beach County REC members, the resolution says: "Governor Crist's appointment of Democrats to boards is not limited to Volusia County. He also appointed Democrat Pricilla Taylor to the Palm Beach Board of County Commissioners; and he appointed Democrat Carrie Hill to the Palm Beach County School Board."

Back in April, the PBC Republican Party voted 66-24 to table a Crist censure motion introduced by REC member Steven Ledewitz until August. Now that August is here, the Board of Directors of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County, in anticipation of the motion being introduced again at the upcoming Aug. 12 meeting, recently voted 9-0 to oppose any motion to censure Crist.

Disclosure: As a member of the Board of Directors of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County, I voted, along with the rest of the board, against the local motion to censure Gov. Crist.

In an e-mail sent to grass-roots conservative activists across the state, former Palm Beach County resident and current Volusia County REC member Sally Stewart wrote: "This is the first step toward taking back our government. We need counties throughout the state to send a message that we don't like business as usual.... Our elected officials pander for our votes and when they gain office, turn their backs on us and do the bidding of the big-money lobbyists and special interests."

Click here to read the full article that spells out the reasons for the censure vote.

Rubio is gaining momentum and I think Crist is starting to feel the heat.

Marco Rubio Destroys Charlie Crist in Yet Another Straw Poll

From Florida's The Buzz

Marco Rubio crushes Charlie Crist in another straw poll
If Republican Executive Committees decided statewide primary elections, Charlie Crist's senate campaign would be in big trouble. The Pasco and Lee county RECs have held informal straw polls lately, where Marco Rubio blew away Crist among the party faithful. Last night, the Highlands GOP held their own vote that produced 75 votes for Rubio and one for Crist.

"People were very conservative and they don't like what's going on. They're just upset with the way things are going with Crist. They think he's abandoned us,'' said state committeeman Chuck Oakes.

-------------------------------------

This is the 3rd such trouncing that Crist has received from contender Marco Rubio. Rubio has consistently beaten Crist in such straw polls.

Earlier this year Rubio has beaten Crist in Pasco and Lee Counties. Here are some stats for each county mentioned above.

In Pasco, Rubio won 73 to 9 over Crist.
In Lee County Rubio won 60 to 11.
Very stunning margins if you ask me...

Lee County: The county makes up the entirety of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the most populous county in Southwest Florida.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2000, the population of Lee County was 440,888. The population estimate for 2008 was 623,725

Pasco county: U.S. Census Bureau for the county is 462,715. Its county seat is Dade City, Florida. It is the 38th fastest growing county in the country with a 30.6% increase and has grown by 105,403 residents since the year 2000.

Highlands county: The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the population was 97,346 Its county seat is Sebring, Florida. The county comprises the Sebring, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area.

It seems as though Charlie Crist may be starting to understand what that little sticker on his side view mirror means. "Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear"

Can't wait to see Rubio again. This time in Jacksonville Beach on August 4th.

Update:August 2nd 2009
From TampaBay.com

Local Florida Republican activists cool to Gov. Charlie Crist's Senate campaign...

Sept 3rd UPDATE: Marco Rubio wins another straw poll.

Rubio wins 65 to 4 over Crist