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Subscribe to RSSPost-Labor Day general election ad season in Florida kicks off today with new spots from two of the Senate race’s three candidates. And party identity -- not to mention overall campaign strategy -- is front and center.
Independent candidate Charlie Crist’s first general election ad stresses a central plank of his candidacy – that Americans are tired of partisan bickering and should bet on a senator unshackled by the demands of a particular political party. “As an independent, I will take the best ideas of Democrats and Republicans to get things done,” Crist promises in the ad.
“At the end of the day, there’s only one party I work for,” he concludes against the backdrop of the word “Americans” – an anagram of the letters making up “Republicans” and “Democrats.”
But while Crist’s ad names no specific policy positions that address achieving “our common goals,” Democratic nominee Kendrick Meek uses his first spot to enumerate his stances on a litany of state and federal issues (He also doesn’t shy away from his party identity – he notes that he’s the state’s “Democrat for Senate” within the first three seconds of the ad.)
“With three of us running, you should know what makes me different,” Meek says in the mostly positive spot, going on to underscore that he is pro-choice, opposes privatizing Social Security, and supports raising the minimum wage. (He tweaks Crist – not by name – on the issue of offshore drilling, emphasizing that he opposed it “before AND after the BP spill.” Crist withdrew his support for drilling in April, saying that the BP disaster illustrated that practice is “the opposite of safe.”)
Meek is also quick to note that, of the three candidates in the race, he’s “the only one … who took on George Bush.”
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Good ads from both men, but I think Crist's simple message might make a more lasting impression on voters.
Meek makes it very clear he is a Democrat and he followes the Democratic ways, so he will never get my vote. Crist is just a wishy washie turn coat. He wouldn't give back the donations he got when he was a Republican donated by Republicans, so how could you ever trust him when he says anything.
Crist, like Bloomberg, only works for one party: himself. I wonder how much pressure is on Meek to step aside in this race; Obama seems fond of dictating to his party membership, as long as it benefits Obama.
I've seen the polls; get ready for Senator Rubio.
No Joe, Maybe you are from Florida, but the friends and relatives I have who live there say no way to Rubio (some are Democrats, Some are Independents, and some are Republicans - none are voting for Rubio). No doubt, Charlie has put a big kinker in Rubio's drawers, should be interesting to watch. No doubt I'm rooting for anyone who does not have that r beside their name, I like FL, would like to vacation more there, but I refuse to spend much of my hard earned money in a totally republican state. If Tennessee continues the trend we are in I'll do all my shopping on line and drive to KY to buy groceries - not giving the republicans one dime to waste on the rich kids.
Joe: I don't know what polls you are looking at. Rubio doesn't lead any of them.
Crist became an independent when it was clear that Rubio was going to win the nomination. Crist is an opportunist who is only interested in getting elected. Perhaps the people of Florida will act similarly to those in Pennsylvania and recognize Crist's flip flop.
Rubio leads in the polls right now:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/2010_florida_senate_race.html
Polls doesn't mean anything unless it's like 20 point margin
Just say NO! Vote Rubio. There again, I haven't heard much of anything else from a Tea Party candidate other than no. It would be nice to hear someone from the right say yes once in a while. At least then I would know what they stand for (I already know what they stand against).
Its like voting for either Huey, Duey, or the lock ness monster.
I am Floridian for more then 30 years. Meeks has always voted party line lacking of backbone to challenge his party and vote for Florida, the only reason he is in office, because of his Mother gerrymandering of his District when she was in office, there is no Republican running in that district because of that. Christ will only steal vote from Meek and as solid as the Republican are Rubio will be the Senator of Florida.Christ still has to show us Floridian a better job of being Governor and not of his best fan . As much as the nation media come to all kind of conclusions. Floridians are much smarter then they think in the nations media
I cant trust Crist.. so im voting for Kendrick Meek