Rubio Slams White House, Crist over Oil Spill

CNN via Ethiopian Review ^ | 6/23/2010 | CNN

[Qbert]

Washington (CNN) – Florida Republican Senate hopeful Marco Rubio slammed the Obama administration Wednesday for its response to the Gulf oil spill. And Rubio did not miss the opportunity to criticize his opponent Florida Gov. Charlie Crist for not doing more to get the resources Florida needs to defend against the spill's onslaught.

"I think the federal government took its time responding to this early on," Rubio said of the spill in an interview that aired on CNN's The Situation Room. "I think that they weren't quick enough. I think that the bureaucracy continues to be in place."

"[W]e are the most powerful country in the world," Rubio told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "Every oil skimmer on the planet should be in the Gulf of Mexico by now. And they're not."

Rubio added that it is "tragic" to see what Florida is facing "because of the lack of response from the federal government" as more oil has come ashore in Pensacola even today.

Rubio is set to face off in a three-way Senate race this November against Gov. Crist and the eventual Democratic nominee. When GOP primary polling earlier this year showed Crist lagging behind Rubio, the Florida governor made the decision to forgo the GOP primary race and effectively concede the Republican nod to Rubio. Instead, Crist is running an independent Senate bid as a non-party affiliated candidate.

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

Every time I see Marco Rubio he impresses me more and more.

[supremedoctrine]

Is this the same interview which had a FReeper lamenting the other day that Rubio used the phrase “This can never, never, happen again”, no less than SEVEN TIMES?

[Calif Conservative]

I’m very concerned about Rubio’s viability in this race.

from Rasmussen on 6-9-10

*****
Republican Marco Rubio and Republican-turned-independent Charlie Crist are tied this month in Florida’s topsy-turvy race for the U.S. Senate.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Sunshine State finds Rubio and Crist each earning 37% of the vote, while Democratic hopeful Kendrick Meek trails with 15% support. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided.

A month ago, Rubio held an eight-point advantage over Crist.

Sixty percent (60%) of Florida voters now approve of the job Crist is doing as governor, up three points from a month ago. Thirty-seven percent (37%) disapprove. As governor, Crist has been very visible in addressing the Gulf Oil Spill
*****

Unfortunately, the early trend favors Crist.

Florida, gotta work hard to ensure this GOP Senate seat doesn’t flip to the liberals.

-George

[Qbert]

Yeah, Rubio needs to start capitalizing on Crist’s weaknesses, both personal and political; and he needs to use one of his best assets- his speaking ability- more to his advantage.

And right now, the sitting senator Lemieux is doing a much better job of hammering away at the administration over the oil spill than Rubio is.

But it’s not time to hit the panic button...yet.