Marco Rubio - U.S. Senate - 2010

Tallahassee Democrat
Leon Republicans Back Rubio In Latest Straw Poll
By Bill Cotterell
Wednesday, 2/3/10

Republican Marco Rubio scored another straw-ballot victory today at a luncheon of the politically savvy Capital City Republican Club.

Rubio got 71 votes to 15 for Crist in a test of support in the GOP primary for the U.S. Senate nomination. Rubio campaign spokesman Alex Burgos called it “more good news from the grass roots.”

Crist earlier today said he puts little stock in straw ballots. He expressed confidence about the Aug. 24 primary.

What, Crist was asked, did he think of the string of straw polls around the state that have overwhelmingly supported Rubio?

“Not a lot, as I’ve said before,” Crist said. “You know, the only poll that matters is Election Day, and I can’t wait for it.”

The primary is Aug. 24.

Rubio has run up a long, unbroken string of straw-ballot wins in county Republican meetings and GOP luncheon clubs across the state.

Crist has not won any. Last week, a statewide poll showed Rubio in the lead 47-44 in the GOP race. That’s a huge reversal from the early days of the race. In June, the same pollster had Crist ahead 54-23. The change has come as Florida’s unemployment has worsened and Rubio’s more-conservative-than-thou message has resonated.

Early this week, the non-partisan Capital Conservatives club gave Rubio a 40-0 win in another straw ballot.

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