Posted on 04/11/2015 6:41:23 PM PDT by GIdget2004
If Marco Rubio fulfills expectations and announces Monday that he is running for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination and not re-election to the Senate, Florida's chief financial officer and a Democratic congressman will become the leading candidates to replace him.
Republican CFO Jeff Atwater would be the immediate favorite to replace Rubio after dominant wins in two statewide campaigns. Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy is not nearly as well-known. But he is seen as a moderate who can win crossover votes after defeating incumbent Republican Rep. Allen West in 2012 despite West's massive fundraising and national tea party support.
The race could be an opportunity for Democrats to pick up a seat as the party has a history of doing better in Florida during presidential years. President Barack Obama carried the state in 2008 and 2012, but Republicans won the governor's race and most other statewide races in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014. Democrats hold a 39 percent to 35 percent advantage in voter registration over Republicans.
"Florida is a different state in a presidential and a non-presidential year," said Democratic pollster David Beattie. "Regardless of who's on top of the ticket, turnout goes up. Being on the ballot on a presidential year is better for the Democrat."
(Excerpt) Read more at baynews9.com ...
Patrick Murphy is an idiot who couldn’t possibly have won without the corruption of the ballot box by the supervisor of elections. He has no chance in a statewide election. And the GOP loons in the legislature gerrymandered West out of a safe seat. Atwater has done a good job. I just hope that airhead Atty Gen doesn’t run for Rubio’s seat.
Lyndon Johnson was the first Senator to persuade his home state legislature to pass legislation which enabled him to run for President and still maintain his seat in the Senate just in case he lost.
I dont think we can lose any of these outstanding candidates simply because they want to take a shot at moving up. Legislation should be passed to keep them in the Senate just in case.
Marco Rubio ? Please keep your day job......
There is NO other choice but Ted Cruz in this race...
Marco ought to run for both the US Senate and POTUS.
No, they did not - since they are drawn by an "independent" commission in Florida.
If Rubio runs, Jeb will not. Rubio is a Bushie.
"Florida is a different state in a presidential and a non-presidential year," said Democratic pollster David Beattie. "Regardless of who's on top of the ticket, turnout goes up. Being on the ballot on a presidential year is better for the Democrat."Rubio won't be the POTUS nominee, but if Walker is, he'd could do worse than putting Rubio (or Cruz) as his running mate -- good luck Demagogic Party trying to hold the Latino vote.
If it turns out to be a Walker/Rubio ticket after Jebster declines to run, I will be sure that Walker is a made man with the Cheap Labor Express.
I agree. Except for immigration, which for me is a big exception, I like Rubio. He can be very enthusiastic talking about the American dream; not welfare but opportunities and hard work. I hope his seat doesn’t get taken by a Democrat.
He should keep his Senate seat if he can. He won’t be President.
Rubio is supposed to announce on Monday. Jeb has a lot of money to spend before he announces so he can start collecting again.
I think it would be good if you are right.
Like so many Floridians, Rubio is in a dream world.
Jebbie is all that matters with a Bush now, in FL, TX, and probably a few other places too like Red Hampshire.
Any hope of West ever running for office again? Met him once and was really impressed. Would like to see him in charge of Veteran’s Affairs.
So funny, ...... Texas Rangers support Ted Cruz
Florida's eGOP gerrymandered West out of his seat. Winning in a gerrymandered district is pretty much a no-brainer. Murphy would have needed to try pretty hard to lose.
He can’t run for both, and the FL legislature has made no move to allow him to do it. And he has said he would run for one or the other, not try to do both.
Of course, charming and voluble as he is, he never shows much closeness or enthusiasm for his Florida constituency in general....and probably half the local folks couldn't name him as their senator....and they couldn't name the other senator, whatshisname, either.
Jesse Watters would have a field day here.
Most folks I talk to remember former Governor Jeb with fondness and positivity....though they can't remember why.
Leni
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