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Rubio Rides Republican Wave, Puts Crist Out Of Work
November 3, 2010
Republican Marco Rubio rode a rising national GOP tsunami to an easy trip to the U.S. Senate Tuesday, getting help from a divided Democratic electorate split by Charlie Crist’s independent bid.
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants and a former speaker of the state House, was one of several conservatives swept into office Tuesday as an angry electorate protested the policies of President Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress. While Republicans were poised to take control of the U.S. House, it wasn’t clear yet whether they’d take the Senate. The Florida seat that Rubio was taking had already been in GOP hands.
Rubio, 39, ran as a fiscal conservative who will fight against Obama’s policies, and was a Tea Party favorite. He was so popular with conservative Republicans that Crist, an extremely popular governor, quit the GOP primary when it became apparent he would lose to Rubio.
While running as an independent, Crist clearly staked out Democratic positions, posing himself as an alternative to Rubio with a legitimate chance to win, unlike, he said, Meek.
Meek, who left a safe U.S. House seat for the run, was in third place in most polls for much of the race – and it got worse for him as time went on, as Crist began telling Democrats they should go with him if they wanted to keep Rubio out of Congress.
The race got heated, but both Crist and Meek offered gracious concessions early in the evening Tuesday, Rubio said.
And as he did during the campaign, Rubio said he wanted to return the GOP to promises it has made but not kept, to control spending and lower taxes.
“We make a grave mistake if we believe these results are an embrace of the Republican Party,” Rubio said at a victory party in Coral Gables. “What they are is a second chance.”
The seat is being vacated by caretaker U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, who was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to fill a vacancy – but supported Rubio in the race. The seat became vacant when former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez quit early.
Several Republicans praised Rubio with backhanded final slaps at Crist, who Republicans derided as willing to compromise principle to get elected.
“Through it all Marco never compromised his beliefs for momentary fame, he never traded his take on the issues for votes from interest groups, and as a result voters are sending a United States senator to Washington who they can trust to stand up for Florida regardless of the circumstance,” said incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon.
Meek lamented the role Crist played in the race, saying that his willingness to float between the two parties was not a virtue, as Crist had argued, but a vice.
“The lifelong bedrock that makes our party great and this nation flourish is rooted in principles of equality and social justice, of protecting our environment and defending a woman’s right to choose,” Meek said in a short concession speech. “These are not sometime Democratic values, but all-the-time Democratic values. On our essential beliefs, we can never compromise because too many people in the generations preceding us have toiled and struggled for the liberties we now enjoy and the way of life we deserve.”
Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, mourned the third-place finish by his friend Meek, with whom he had a sit-in in former Gov. Jeb Bush’s office with when the pair opposed Bush’s “One Florida” anti-affirmative action hiring proposal.
But not only did Meek and Crist split the vote – both ran into a buzzsaw in Rubio on a night when conservatives around the country were enthusiastic to send a message to Washington. And Rubio was a formidable messenger, Hill said.
“We were hoping the numbers would’ve been a little closer, but you have to remember the guy (Rubio) ran a sitting governor out of his own party,” said Hill.
By David Royse
The News Service Florida
Comments
13 Responses to “Rubio Rides Republican Wave, Puts Crist Out Of Work”
I am a bit amused that the vocal Rubio supporters appear to have no familiarity at all with his reputation.
Bill Nelson represents the interests of The Family, the Christian political group with whom he lives in D.C. They have very weird rituals, some of which are quite vulgar.
I had an opportunity to talk one-on-one with Marco Rubio early on in the campaign, and you can tell a lot about a person in a very short period of time.
I am impressed with his character, his sincerity, and his desire to work hard for the people of Florida in the US Senate. He is the Right Man at the Right Time for our country.
Congratulations to Marco Rubio! Our next Senator.
Now if we could just get rid of Senator Nelson, who represents only Senator Nelson – he needs to retire before he gets married to UpChuck Schumer…and he’s so far Left that he’s off the spectrum.
“Rubio, 39, ran as a fiscal conservative who will fight against Obama’s policies, and was a Tea Party favorite”
And no one thinks he will just let everyone from cuba come over to florida and not blink twice to think about it? Of course…
I think the Judge’ when they are on
ballot for what ever they should have to disclose thier party R-D.It would help me to know where they are
in this system!
If we think Slick Rick is go to stop the septic tank inspection we all must be dreaming. I Know he said he would, but I bet you he is going to take the Fifth
when the question come up agian. I guess if selling crack was consider a white
collar crime a dealer could get elected the same way this crook did. What a great country we live in.
I hope Charlie Crist realizes he has only himself to blame for the loosing outcome as Florida’s U.S Senate. You cannot be trusted Mr. Crist because you supported, sneaked and signed a bill into law (required septic tank inspections and etc…) without the voters knowledge and/or consent. You gave us no voice in that matter, but in the end we had a voice and now you are reeping that reward.
Sneaky is as sneaky does!
Mr. Rubio, you present yourself as a good honest family man who only wants whats good for Florida citizens. I hope and pray that you will continue to listen
to us and honor our needs and not do anything sneaky behind our backs. The
future is what you make of it from this day forward. Good Luck!
I have a feeling Charlie’s next job will either be peddling Gucci ties from the trunk of his car or maybe working for a tanning salon. Am wondering how long that “marriage of convenience” will last now that the ride is over.
@Just An Old Soldier
Why thank you sir.
Looks like Charlies support of Obama’s “Yes we Can!” agenda ran into a brick wall of “No You Can’t!”
@ John – good one!
Congrats Mr. Rubio. Don’t let Florida down. Remember what you said in all those campaign speeches. Good bye, Mr. Crist. You blew your chance.
We have high expectations for you, Mr. Rubio – don’t let us down!
Glad to see Rubio win… He seems like he has “character and honor” unlike Charlie, taking republicans contributions and refusing to return it after he decided to change parties …BIG MISTAKE!
Sorry Charlie…We were looking for Tuna that tastes good, not Tuna with good taste.
(Yeah, I know. I couldn’t resist)