Top Crist Political Advisor admits to Collaboration in anti Rubio Website

The Crist campaign may have a little more explaining to do after a top political adviser to Crist admitted that he helped develop an anti-Rubio website.

Heffley originally denied that he was involved.

"...That's insane, Heffley told Buzz. Someone forwarded him that Hitler YouTube video the other day, Heffley said, and he was so offended and annoyed about that and the barrage of one-sided attacks on Crist lately that he sent out a bunch of news articles to people who were putting together a Web site. He didn't create truthaboutrubio.com, but he was happy to feed it with factual news accounts in the public record..."

But this today from the Palm Beach Post

"...— TALLAHASSEE — An anonymous Web site aimed at embarrassing Republican Gov. Charlie Crist's political rival appears to have backfired after one of Crist's top political advisers admitted that he helped develop the site.


This latest twist in a suddenly sizzling primary race is at least the second time Rich Heffley, a powerful Republican political operative, has assisted a shadowy political group on behalf of Crist.

"This was me going off half-cocked and I'll never do it again," said Heffley, an influential Tallahassee lobbyist who has billed Florida Republicans nearly $6 million for campaign work in the past decade.

But the campaign for Republican Marco Rubio — a former state House speaker hoping to become the first Floridian in modern state politics to hand a primary defeat to a sitting governor - is questioning whether Heffley would have inserted himself into the U.S. Senate race without consent from Crist's campaign or the Republican Party of Florida.

"Certainly this doesn't pass the smell test," Rubio campaign spokesman Alex Burgos said..."

Rubio Campaign Strikes back against Crist for Bogus Website

In an email sent out tonight, Marco Rubio's campaign excoriates the Crist machine over a bogus website designed to try to denigrate the former Speaker.

Here is the text of the email:

Yesterday, we told you about a new wave of attacks that are being launched at Marco. Since then, it’s become clearer why these desperate attacks are taking place and who is responsible for them.


Several news reports have indicated a close advisor to Charlie Crist is behind the effort to go after Marco. Even Crist himself has acknowledged being aware of the effort.

Marco’s surge, combined with Governor Crist’s freefall, has the Crist campaign desperate. Their pitiful, error-filled, up again, down again, “anonymous” website is only the latest example.

Is this the kind of campaign you want to see? Marco, for one, believes you deserve better. He entered this race looking forward to a serious, idea-driven campaign about the future of our country and which direction we should go. That’s what he has talked to you about for the past five months.

This is the same website that was brought to everyones attention by Erick Erickson at Redstate.

Video: Marco Rubio on Your World with Neil Cavuto

Here is a video of  Marco Rubio's appearance on Fox' "Your World" with Neil Cavuto.

Rubio corrects Cavuto's info on current polling data and states that the Republican Party should be the home of  conservatism.

Rubio says, "Republicans are tired of being told that they have to somehow be more like democrats in order to win elections. And I think that this campaign is going to prove that that is not true."

Marco Rubio: Crist is not a Conservative

I decided to repost this audio after listening to it again with emphasis on Rubio's declaration that Crist is not a conservative.
I agree! I think it is about time that conservatives had a candidate that is not afraid to tell it like it is.

Listen to the audio of Rubio on the Joe Scarborough  radio show and what he says during the 7:35 mark in response to Joe's question about whether Crist is conservative.

Rubio says, "No I don't think you can call him a conservative..."

Marco Rubio on 'The Joe Scarborough Radio Show' 10-27-09

After he appeared on MSNBS's "Morning Joe" Marco Rubio appeared on  Scarborough's radio show to continue the interview.

He was allowed much more time to give his opinion and it is well worth a listen. 

Rubio: "Crist is not a conservative."

Video: Marco Rubio Interview on MSNBC Morning Joe

Florida conservative candidate Marco Rubio appeared on MSNBC's Morning Joe today. There were some interesting exchanges between the "hosts" and Rubio.

Dan Senor: All of the Washington Republicans are supporting Crist and I think it is going to blow up in their faces!

Rubio: I think what is going on is that people are tired of apologizing for their principles.

Rush Limbaugh: It has Begun

In six short minutes, Rush Limbaugh summed up exactly what I have been thinking for months now.

Although he did not mention Florida's Senatorial candidate Marco Rubio (R) by name, he did mention the race in Florida in which "conservatism is on the rise". Is that an endorsement of Marco Rubio? Rubio is the only conservative in the race for US senate in Florida for 2010. His rival, Gov Charlie Crist, is widely considered a moderate at best.

This coupled with fact that Rush was in attendance during a Marco Rubio Fundraiser at the West Palm Beach restaurant Pistache  in September may be a big hint as to where Limbaugh's instincts have taken him. I am not saying that Rush has endorsed Rubio (yet). But I am saying that it is easy to deduce his thought process in regards to his hopes for the outcome of the Florida senate race based on what he is saying.

Here is a partial transcript of Rush' remarks. The full transcript is available at the link below.

Conservatism on the Ascendency

RUSH: ... In the first hour today we had this from Rasmussen Reports: "73% of Republican voters say congressional Republicans have lost touch with their base. Just 15% of Republicans who plan to vote in 2012 state primaries say the primary's representatives in Congress have done a good job representing Republican values," and that would be conservative values. So you're not alone. You're among 73%. Sarah Palin and Rick Santorum have now thrown down in the New York election. They have endorsed Doug Hoffman. Talk radio has thrown down, ditto Florida. Conservatism is in the ascendancy. Conservatives are ascending, money is flowing and we're turning a corner...

These "Republicans first" and these Republicans-in-name-only, these people who claim that they want to be moderate Republicans, "That's the only way we're ever going to be win the broad-based election," are just missing the point. I don't know what's so hard to figure out about going back to 1980 and 1984 and looking at the results. Sarah Palin is defying the party. Rick Santorum is defying the party. Forty-nine percent say no health care reform better than the current plan. This also from Rasmussen. Slowly we creep, my friends, to getting a majority of people who understand. "Forty-nine percent of voters nationwide say that passing no health care reform bill this year would be better than passing the plan currently working its way through Congress." I think it has begun.

Click here for the entire transcipt.

Charlie Crist Loses Cato's Grade A Tax Rating

Current Florida Governor and US Senate candidate Charlie Crist has been touting his "A" grade on tax policy from the Cato Intsitute in his latest radio ads.

Cato Institute's Tax Policy Director Chris Edwards is now having second thoughts about that rating.

In an email sent out by Edwards he rescinds his original evaluation of Crist's tax record and points out that the evaluation was made much earlier and before Crist decided to raise taxes on Floridians.

From an Edwards email:

According to the Herald’s Naked Politics (October 16), Gov. Charlie Crist is trumpeting his grade of “A” on Cato’s “Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors.” The governor earned the grade in last year’s report based mainly on his property tax cuts and moderate spending approach.

I am pleased that Crist values Cato’s ratings because we work hard to make them accurate and nonpartisan. But as the report’s author, I am concerned that the governor has fallen off the fiscal responsibility horse since the report was written in mid-2008.

In particular, Crist approved a huge $2.2 billion tax increase for the fiscal 2010 budget, even though he had promised that $12 billion in federal “stimulus” money showered on Florida over three years would obviate the need for tax increases.

About $1 billion of the tax increases are on cigarette consumers, which will particularly harm moderate-income families. The rest of the increases are in the form of higher costs for often mandatory services, such as automobile registration, which is really just a sneaky form of tax increases.

These tax increases will be particularly painful to Floridians in the short-term because of the recession. But Crist has also jeopardized the state’s long-term finances with his expanded subsidies for hurricane insurance. Hurricanes are a major challenge in Florida, but giving big subsidies to coastal property owners, driving private insurers out of the state, and guaranteeing a massive state bailout when the next hurricane hits strikes me as the height of fiscally irresponsibility.
Sincerely,
Chris Edwards
Director of Tax Policy
Cato Institute
Washington, D.C.

Crist is in a tough battle with former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio for the chance to compete against the Democrat challenger Kendrick Meek. Crist's lead in the polls was cut in half by Rubio this week and Rubio is gaining grassroots conservative support along with an impressive number of contributions to his campaign in the last quarter of over a million dollars.

The momentum is clearly in Rubio's favor at this point and Crist has reason to worry about his bid for senate.

Video:Marco Rubio Attends "Happy Hour"

Marco Rubio appeared on Fox News' "Happy Hour" program today.

His interview was very informative in the short time he was allowed. It is refreshing to hear a person who knows what he believes in and does not avoid the answer by trying to change the subject.

It's easy for Rubio because he believes in the principles that represents and he is not willing to change them based on popular opinion at the time.

Crist Drops Below 50% in Florida Senate Race

The latest Rasmussen poll for the Florida republican senate primary race has current Gov. Charlie Crist dropping below 50%.

Crist has 49% vs Marco Rubio having 35%. This is the first time that Crist has been below 50% against Rubio and Rubio has been able to cut Crist's lead in half since August.

Rubio is favored among the conservative base and Crist is seen as a moderate...or maybe even a little left of center. Crist has been called a RINO and nick-named "Wind-Sock" Charlie for his changing positions.

Marco Rubio Campaign Launches Two new Web Ads

Take a look and enjoy these awsome new Marco Rubio web ads:

"Higher and Higher"


"Free Fallin"

Marco Rubio: Crist does not respect informed voters

In this short audio clip from 92.5 FM Fox News with Mandy Connell, Marco Rubio says that Charlie Crist does not respect the intelligence of the electorate.

His answer was in response to a question about Charlie Crist's radio ads which came out last week.

Crist's ads were deceptive at best and downright misleading when it comes to his record.

Marco Rubio Speaks at the Sarasota Republican Club

(Photo courtesy of Republican Party of Sarasota-
Marco Rubio with the President of the Sarasota Republican Club, Chuck Volker)

Jeremey Wallace of Harold Tribune has the hightlights of Marco Rubio's appearance at the Sarasota Republican Club today.

Here are some excerpts of the story:

...Rubio said he feels he’s the only candidate in the race for Senate committed to fighting the Democratic agenda: “I’m running for U.S. Senate because I disagree with them. I’m running for U.S. Senate because I believe the majority of Americans disagree with them. I’m running for U.S. Senate because I believe that the majority of Americans deserves a voice in Washington that will stand up to this agenda and offer an alternative — a voice that will stand up and say that America in this century can be greater, more exceptional, more prosperous, more upwardly mobile than the one of the 20th. And I’m running for U.S. Senate because I do not believe that there is a single other person running in this state for this position who believes these things, will fight against these things and will offer a clear alternative.”

That alternative, Rubio said, includes fighting for a balanced budget amendment, for a simpler federal tax code and against attempts to create a single-payer health care system...

Rubio Campaign Responds to new Crist Radio Ad

The Crist campaign decided to spend a little of it's huge war chest by releasing a radio spot today which is airing on conservative talk radio shows. Here is the text of the Crist campaign ad. I will add the audio when I can get it. Read the Rubio campaign Response below!

Udpate: Here is the link to the audio of the Crist ad.

Washington is out of control, yet the president has the same tired answer for every problem – to spend more of your money.
I’m Charlie Crist. I’m running for the U.S. Senate because Washington needs a dose of Florida common sense.
In the last two years, federal government spending has grown by over 25 percent.
Here in Florida, I’ve slashed government by 10 percent. That’s $7 billion.
And we’ve passed the biggest tax cuts in Florida history.
Last fall, the conservative Cato Institute graded all 50 governors with a fiscal report card.
I’m proud to say that I was ranked #1 in America.
Less government, less taxes. It’s more than a slogan. It’s my commitment and the record I’ll bring from Tallahassee to Washington.
We can’t spend our way into prosperity or tax our way into growth.
Let’s cut the size of the federal government and return your family’s money so you can decide how to best spend it.
I’m Charlie Crist and I approved this message.

The Rubio campaign quickly responded with a countering fact check of the ad and released the following statement.

“Just like government can’t tax and spend its way to prosperity, Charlie Crist can’t fundraise and spend his way into being a conservative. By hitting the airwaves this early in the campaign, it’s clear he’s concerned that his abysmal economic record, embrace of Obama spending policies and Marco Rubio’s rise are a recipe for his defeat. Despite his best efforts to sell himself as a conservative, Charlie Crist can’t fool Floridians who are feeling the pain of the Crist economy and know his record of embracing wasteful stimulus spending, raising taxes and supporting cap-and-trade." -- Alex Burgos, Rubio campaign spokesman

The Sun Sintenal has a Great breakdown of the ad and tears it apart.

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.

Video: Marco Rubio at Candidate Fest explains why he is running

Marco Rubio answers the question, "Why are you running?"

"Because I think America is the single greatest civilization in human history. I believe that everthing that has made this country great is being threatened by the direction that this leadership would take our country..."

Karl Rove Endorses Marco Rubio-Snubs Charlie Crist

Former Presidential advisor to George W Bush ,Karl Rove, has endorsed former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio for US Senate.

Rove chose Rubio over moderate republican and current Florida Governor Charlies Crist.

Rove joins a list conservative big shots in supporting Rubio.
Rubio has been endorsed by:
Senator Jim DeMint
Ginny Brown-Waite
Mike Huckabee
Laura Ingraham
Mark Levin
Dick Army
Newt Gengrich
and many other well know conservative.....

Read the entire story at MSNBC.

While Crist has financially overwhelmed Rubio to date, there are many Republicans -- particularly those in Flordia that are close to former GOP Gov. Jeb Bush -- who have publicly become more comfortable airing their skepticism about Crist in public. One of those Republicans with close ties to the Bush family, Karl Rove, has signaled his preference with his wallet. Rove confirms to NBC News that he has contributed a $1000 to Rubio's campaign, the donation will be made public when Rubio files his next FEC report (due Oct. 15).

Audio:Marco Rubio on the Martha Zoller Radio Show

This is the audio from today's Martha Zollar Radio show. During the interview Marco Rubio discusses several issues and takes a , well deserved, swipe at Charlie Crist.

Rubio: "Charlie Crist is no Jeb Bush Republican!"

Marco Rubio Hits Back Twice as Hard

In a letter to supporters, the Marco Rubio campaign sent out this email in response to Charlie Crist's newest attacks against rival Rubio.

The Rubio team does not seem intimidated by the tactics. In fact, they hit back twice as hard asking for Crist to debate the issues.  Crist has continued to hide from any debates.

Here is the letter(with links):
Supporter-


We all knew this day would eventually come. After months of negative headlines about his stewardship of Florida, pretending he is unopposed in the GOP primary and refusing to debate Marco Rubio on the issues affecting Florida’s and America’s future, Charlie Crist has finally acknowledged he has a real fight on his hands and is reverting to his tried and tested approach of smearing whoever stands in his way.

Faced with Marco’s growing momentum and a public growing increasingly sour about his own record of supporting tax increases, the wasteful Obama stimulus package and cap-and-trade, Crist and his allies are lashing out with misleading, negative and personal attacks. As the Miami Herald reports today, “Crist allies are starting to push back at the notion that Rubio is a conservative’s dream candidate.”

Unfortunately for Crist and his allies, they are running up against a wall of respected conservatives who have seen Marco up close and can vouch for his credentials:

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich: “… has pegged Rubio as a rising national political figure and calls 100 Ideas ‘a work of genius.’”

Former Gov. Jeb Bush: “He’s got all the tools. He’s charismatic and has the right principles.”

Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey: “Marco Rubio is a champion of freedom and an inspiring leader for the next generation of the conservative movement. His track record and conservative convictions are a breath of fresh air in a party looking for new leaders to advance the principles of limited government, lower taxes and economic liberty.”

Sen. Jim DeMint: “There is no question Marco Rubio will be a big part of the Republican Party’s future, but I believe if we are to defeat the forces of Big Government now controlling Washington, Marco Rubio needs to be a big part of the Republican Party’s present. He has the skills and ideas we need to rebuild our party, reform our government, and renew our nation.”

Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist: Rubio is “the most pro-taxpayer legislative leader in the country.”

Syndicated Columnist George Will: “His preventive medicine includes limited government, tax reform, spending restraint and removal of all impediments to the entrepreneurship that makes America a place ‘where poor people can put billionaires out of business.’”

National Radio Host Laura Ingraham: “He's not the favorite in this race, but he's the best one running. I'm all about supporting true conservatives.”

You see, Marco has the truth on his side and the conservative credentials to back it up. But he needs your help to get the word out and fight the smears, which is why we’re asking you to help today in two ways:

First, help make sure Marco has the resources to set the record straight by donating to his campaign. Your support will help ensure Marco’s message reaches all Floridians.

Second, urge Charlie Crist to accept Marco’s Debate Challenge. As voters, you deserve to see candidates go face-to-face on the issues of greatest concern to you. So far in 2009, Governor Crist has shown more interest in standing on stage with President Obama at a pro-stimulus rally than he has in standing on stage with Marco debating ideas. That’s not the kind of campaign you deserve.

Thanks for your support,
Team Rubio

Mark Levin Endorses Marco Rubio for US Senate

Conservative talk show radio host and best selling author Mark Levin endorsed Florida senate candidate Marco Rubio for US senate tonight.

The endorsement was made during an interview with conservative senator Jim DeMint.
Senator DeMint endorsed Rubio earlier this year.

Levin said to SEND HIM MONEY and vote for him!



I will post the audio of  Levin's endorsement when it becomes avaialble.

UPDATE: 10:50 PM
Here is a rough transcript  of Levin's endorsement:
This comes at about the 50 minute mark of the audio. The audio is available here .It's the 10/01 show audio.

...Rubio Florida and Toomey PA. These are two SOLID solid conservatives who believe in the Declaration of Indepencence........

Mark Levin: ...These are two solid conservatives (Rubio and Toomey) who are running against the system. Running against really their own republican establishment and running against the democrats. Mark, what can I do? Well in these states you can do something very direct and very specific. You can send these candidates money! You can make sure you are registered to vote.....It's that simple.... We need these men NOW!!!