The upcoming race to fill former Senator, Mel Martienez's seat has taken seen some drastic changes in recent weeks. Florida Governor, Charlie Crist has decided to run as a Independent in hopes of improving his chances of defeating his Republican opponent, Marco Rubio. The Republican primary polls were showing Rubio in the lead for the Republican nomination, which left Crist with little option then to leave his party. The growing influence of the Tea Party movement has impacted many campaigns across the nation and Crist has found himself another casualty of its work.
Crist has seen himself challenged for his veto of a state education bill that would have based teacher pay on merit and student performance. The decision to push for such legislation shows a apparent lack of compassion and common sense on the side of its supporters. The lack of funds in Florida's budget has left departments feeling the heat. Education has seen it's budget slashed and little hope for an increase in funds. Florida's teachers are given less to work with and expected to produce even more. Crist was aware of the potential effects such legislation would have had on many Floridians who work in a necessary area of public service.
Republican nominee Marco Rubio has used the Governor's veto against him in addition to Crsit's acceptance of Stimulus funds provided by the Obama Administration, in hopes of providing unemployed Floridians with temporary work while they search for something long term. Rubio has gained appeal with the Right Wing of the Republican party and has remained untarnished by recent controversy over use of Republican Party funds on personal expenditures. He has failed to be consistent on his stance on Immigration reform and has thrown Hispanics under the bus with his shift on policy.
Sadly, the Democratic Party has seen itself in a state of invisibility because of a lack of a viable candidate to run against House Represenative, Kendrick Meeks. Meeks has been a respected, experienced member of the House and vigiliantly fought for preservation of Florida's everglades and expansion of unemployment benefits to combat the effects of increased layoffs in the state. Meeks stood in suuport with President Obama on Health Care reform but has failed to raise his level of visibility outside of his South Florida district. Currently, the Republicans have raised the most funds, while Crist has the needed fame among the Floridian populace because of his tenure as Governor. Meeks has found himself falling third in the push to raise enough funds for a tough, three way battle between himself, Rubio, and Crist.
The reality of the race reveals little hope for the Democrats at this point in time. Unless Meeks is able to attract more attention on a state wide level, Crist offers appeal to Conservatives and Liberals. Crist is likely to support Republican platforms on Gay Marriage and Abortion but has been a supporter in private investment in alternative "green" energy sources and worked to restore and preserve Florida's Everglades. Crist's recent veto of the Merit Based legislation bill has given him some popularity among Florida's teachers. Rubio has mass appeal to conservative voters for his alignment with the Tea Party movement, which has served as a detriment to moderate Republicans all over the nation.Time will tell how the election will pan out but if the election were to be decided this week, Crist would probably win the seat. Rubio would likely trail Crist by a small percentage while Meeks would find himself in third place.
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