Rubio Leading Crist in Florida Republican Primary

Former Florida legislator Marco Rubio closed the gap in the race for the Republican Senate nomination and is in "a virtual dead heat" with Governor Charlie Crist, according to a poll, which has him up 47 to 44. In June, Crist was 30 points ahead of Rubio, a lawyer who served as speaker of the house in Florida, as Rubio had no name recognition among voters. Since then he's led a major grass roots effort in Florida to get to know the voters and raise money, as his opponent has a significant financial lead. Rubio is gaining momentum and money by running as a true fiscal conservative as highlighted against Crist's unpopular decisions to raise taxes in the midst of a major recession and perhaps most significantly, to stump with Barack Obama for the stimulus package loathed by the Republican base that will decide the contest. "At the time Crist appeared onstage with Obama in February, it seemed like good politics, with the president enjoying sky-high approval ratings. A full 64% of Floridians approved of the job he was doing with only 23% disapproving." Now? 49% of Floridians disapprove of the way Obama's handling his job while only 45% approve. While politicians often make mistakes, the Obama photo op and his backing of the stimulus seem truly stupid ones that may cost him the election and serve as a foreshadowing of other primary elections around the country.