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Kendrick Meek 
Thu Jul 29, 2010 at 12:51:54 PM EDT
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The political specter many of us feared for some time may yet get the best of Florida Democrats this August. Following a multi-million ad blitz, vanity candidate Jeff Greene is posting a lead of 33-23 over Kendrick Meek in the most recent Quinnipiac poll. The same poll shows Rick Scott is beating Bill McCollum in the governor's race.
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Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 15:36:08 PM EDT
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AMELIA ISLAND, Fla., July 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This past weekend, U.S. Senate candidate Maurice Ferre took a bold stand in endorsing The Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment placed on the Nov. 2nd ballot as Amendment 4. He addressed crowds in both Tallahassee and Amelia Island, FL, to elaborate his position in supporting this important measure for the long term health of Florida's economy. "This November 2nd, Florida voters will decide to accept or reject Amendment 4. This Florida constitutional change, called The Florida Hometown Democracy Land Use Initiative, came about because almost one million Florida registered voters signed the petition. It has cleared all legal requirements and will be on the November 2nd ballot," said Ferre After spending 25 years in the public sector, Ferre knows firsthand the outside pressures that influence the decisions of our elected officials. "I was a practitioner of this black art. As a City of Miami Commissioner, Mayor for twelve years and later, a Metro-Dade County Commissioner, I saw the pattern repeat itself time and time again. It's important to stress that not every application, or change of land use plan and major zoning change or variance, was bad. Most were good. Most of the lawyers, developers, lobbyists and bankers are also good guys, well intentioned, honest practitioners. The changes were necessary because there is no way to codify every good project, every square peg that doesn't fit the round hole. There must be a process that gives the special circumstance relief, but it is time to tighten the noose on rampant, unrestricted development in Florida." READ MORE AT: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/democrat-maurice-ferre-steps-out-from-the-crowd-as-the-only-us-senate-candidate-to-endorse-the-florida-hometown-democracy-amendment-99261219.html
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Thu Jul 22, 2010 at 16:24:55 PM EDT
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Kendrick Meek is winning the Democratic primary, according to a new poll from Public Policy Polling, but just barely. And without the support of African-American voters, it appears he wouldn't be winning at all. The poll also concludes: "Democratic voters seem uninterested in this election. Most Democrats have rallied behind Charlie Crist." The poll release, if you follow the link, leads with news of gubernatorial hopeful Rick Scott leading Bill McCollum handily in the GOP primary, but I want to dissect the latter half of the release, which to me carries far more important information for Florida progressives. Democrats in Florida need to get behind Meek now, or they may regret a lack of choices later.
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Thu Jul 22, 2010 at 14:48:43 PM EDT
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By Darcy G. Richardson • July 22, 2010 Floridians might need a lantern when looking for an honest candidate for the U.S. Senate this year, according to the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). The bright Florida sunlight might not be enough to find one. Read More
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Wed Jul 21, 2010 at 21:27:13 PM EDT
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3 of 4 major Fl Senate candidates make 'crooked list' by Beth Reinhard Naked PoliticsFlorida voters should be swelling with pride. The state has the dubious distinction of having three of its four major Senate candidates — ex-Republican Charlie Crist, Republican Marco Rubio andDemocrat Kendrick Meek – make a national list of the most “crooked candidates.” The list was compiled by the Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group that blew the whistle on former Republican Rep. Mark Foley. Also on the list: Republican upstart candidate Allen West, who is trying to take out Democratic Rep. Ron Klein. Florida really outdid itself, providing more than one-third of the names for a list of 11 people. To view the whole list click here. |
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Thu Jul 08, 2010 at 22:19:01 PM EDT
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Twenty-five years ago, near the end of his 12-year reign as mayor of Miami, Maurice Ferre compared himself to a surfer, a politician skilled enough to navigate a continually shifting wave. “You’ve got to shift your weight at the right time or you get wiped out,” he said back then. http://www.uncoveredpolitics.com/2010/07/waiting-for-a-wave-maurice-ferre’s-steady-quest-for-the-u-s-senate/
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Thu Jul 08, 2010 at 12:29:39 PM EDT
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If we can spend $1 Trillion in two useless wars, we can certainly spend $1 Trillion in overhauling and upgrading our transportation systems over the next ten years.
Welcome to the dog days of summer here in the Magic City- where something about the dead heat of summer makes people say bold and honest things (like the quote above). Take the case of aspiring democratic Senate candidate Maurice Ferré, whose speech before the Floridians for Better Transportation Conference today (excepted below) was a refreshingly bold statement about the changes that need to be made to Federal Transportation Policy. I think he hits on important points and outlines a progressive policy for transit expansion in the US. It is especially refreshing to hear a candidate for the United States Senate cite smart growth as a transportation priority for Florida. I wonder if any of the other candidates for Florida’s Senate seat - Republican, Independent or Democrat alike – are willing to establish a similarly progressive position on this important issue? http://www.transitmiami.com/2010/07/07/visionary-words-by-senate-candidate-maurice-ferre/
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Fri Jun 18, 2010 at 15:01:25 PM EDT
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Jeff Greene is running attack ads against Kendrick Meek in the Washington, D.C., market, according The Hill, and is apparently trying to stoke the possibility of an ethics investigation on the Democratic Congressman. I think it is highly unlikely this will have any effect on an investigation, but the fact Greene is going negative on Meek could have a devastating effect on the chances of electing a Democrat to the Senate this year.
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Thu Jun 10, 2010 at 11:10:13 AM EDT
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If this poll is true, then my faith in the intelligence of the electorate will be rattled forever. Disgraced health care executive Rick Scott is leading sitting Attorney General Bill McCollum in the Republican primary for Governor, according to a new Quinnipaic poll. It also shows the Democratic Senate primary between Rep. Kenrick Meek and credit swap pioneer Jef Greene tightening at a rapid pace. Quinnipaic put out a poll yesterday which had some jarring results, but nothing like this. Frankly, I am wondering if we are seeing an outlier, but we won't know until other poll data comes out.
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Wed Jun 09, 2010 at 22:42:47 PM EDT
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He shouldn't celebrate unless the trend continues, but Gov. Charlie Crist sees more good news than just the Senate polling numbers in the new Quinnipiac poll. His favorable ratings are at 52/33 right now, the best showing for Crist since January. Ultimately, that is the number that may best reflect the long-term outcomes of the race.
Looking at the trend lines, the governor seemed to be on an eternal slide in polls for some time. His highest favorables still date back to August 2009 when he clocked in at 68/21. But the constant assault from Marco Rubio and the tea party movement took its toll, to the point where Crist was polling at 48/35 in mid-April. His job approval rating as governor run very closely along the same trend lines. It seems his switch to no-party status, both as a candidate and in his voter registration, seem to be paying off politically though. The governor has created a maverick glow around himself and is bouncing upward in the minds of voters.
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Sat Jun 05, 2010 at 20:42:12 PM EDT
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and when did he know it? That is the question on many minds as more details surface on the Jim Greer arrest. Attorneys for the ousted and indicted Republican Party of Florida chairman are now saying a deal for his company to do party work was legal and that Gov. Charlie Crist knew about it from the get-go. Additionally, they claim sitting Sen. George LeMieux was in on it too. The Miami Herald, linked above, broke the story today.
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Thu May 20, 2010 at 14:02:38 PM EDT
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One thing Bill McCollum has in common with Alex Sink, and Kendrick Meek has with Marco Rubio and Charlie Crist -- no one has a SIGNATURE ISSUE!!!! For the PR guys not familiar with the term, it is the one (and maybe only) issue associated with a candidate, if they win. In other words, if I vote for him or her, that is what I get. It is the most obvious example of "cause and effect." Examples: Nixon in 68--"I will end the war." Carter in 76--"I will not lie to you." Reagan in 80--"Tear down that wall, Mr. Gorbachev." Cliinton in 92--"It's the economy, stupid." Bush II in 2000--"Compassionate Conservatism." Obama in 2008--"Change." Come on folks...this stuff is not that hard. But, pleeeze, not "I've got a plan," or "I am going to run it like a business," or "I'll take one game at a time..."
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Mon May 03, 2010 at 11:07:33 AM EDT
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I've always opposed misguided efforts that threaten Florida's economy and environment by haphazardly drilling offshore. The vast oil spill off the coast of Louisiana - which led Gov. Crist to declare a state of emergency in several Panhandle counties - confirms this sad truth: the cost for error in Florida is too great. If thousands of barrels of oil spill over into our coasts, our economy, environment and military will all bear the brunt of massive corporate irresponsibility.
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Sun Mar 21, 2010 at 18:22:44 PM EDT
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{First, a quick plug for my blog Senate Guru.}
As we await the historic vote on health care reform, it's important to remember that we're just ten days away from the end of the first fundraising quarter of 2010. The fundraising totals reported in this quarter will be pivotal to determining the tenor of many races for the rest of the year. If there is any time to contribute, now is the time!
Please head over to the Expand the Map! ActBlue page and contribute whatever you are able to these terrific Democratic candidates for Senate.
| Democrat | Currently At | End-of-Quarter Goal | Distance to Goal |
|---|
| Kendrick Meek | $25 | $300 | $275 |
| Bill Halter | $445 | $750 | $305 |
| Joe Sestak | $1,320 | $1,600 | $280 |
| Paul Hodes | $1,447 | $1,700 | $253 |
| Robin Carnahan | $1,163 | $1,400 | $237 |
Remember, the contribution you can make isn't just a donation to a single candidate or political campaign. It's an investment against Republican obstruction (and conservaDem enabling) and an investment toward achieving that more perfect union.
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Fri Mar 19, 2010 at 12:02:55 PM EDT
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( - promoted by Florida Politics)
{First, a cheap plug for my blog Senate Guru. You can contribute to terrific Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate via the Expand the Map! ActBlue page.}
Recent polling from Public Policy Polling and Research 2000 suggests that Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek is in terrific position to win Florida's 2010 U.S. Senate race. With Republican Marco Rubio well ahead of primary challenger Charlie Crist in the polls, but far behind on fundraising, Rubio will likely emerge victorious from the primary, but out of campaign funds and politically badly bruised, as well as positioned to the extreme right ideologically. Congressman Meek, on the other hand, is steadily campaigning and fundraising and will be well-positioned for the general election.
As such, Senate Guru has added Congressman Meek's campaign to its Expand the Map! ActBlue fundraising page, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars for Democratic candidates for Senate in the 2008 and current 2010 cycles.
To kick off the addition of Congressman Meek, we're looking to start off with just $100 raised to get the ball rolling. Just five $20 contributions would be a great start! Can you chip in $20?
Visit the Expand the Map! ActBlue page to chip in if you can!
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Tue Mar 09, 2010 at 23:49:22 PM EST
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Coincidentally enough, Florida is the state with both the highest rate of identity theft, and with a governor suffering through the most prolonged identity crisis in recent political history.
Charlie Crist’s “Man In The Mirror” confusion was in full view during the 2010 State of the State speech, when he launched his third 180-degree turn since becoming governor in 2006 - this time trying desperately to swing back towards what was a winning identity for him back then.
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Wed Aug 12, 2009 at 10:12:31 AM EDT
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By: Kendrick Meek As a candidate running to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate and as a four-term member of Congress with a 15-year public service record, I have taken great pride in representing my constituents to the best of my ability. In recent years, there has been an explosion of new technologies that help elected officials stay more in touch with their constituents. Later this week, in Pittsburgh, the top people behind the creation of that technology and the best practitioners of this new media will be gathered at Netroots Nation. I'll be there with them learning from the best. Netroots Nation is one of the most important annual events in the progressive movement and it is both a place where I can reach out to some of the key opinion leaders in the online world and, hopefully, a place where I can learn how to more effectively use new media tools. I tweet, and maintain a fan page and personal page on Facebook, but new media is not only about the latest social networking sites online or applications on my iPhone. It’s about issues and public policy, and finding ways to help our economy move from recession to recovery and the men and women who attend Netroots Nation have critical ideas on how we move our country forward.
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Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 17:12:48 PM EDT
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Watching the flurry of bill signings and vetoes coming out of Florida Governor Charlie Crist's office in recent weeks has been akin to watching a confounding, if not outright conniving Republican remake of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. Call this version, Gov. Crist & Mr. Candidate. While Gov. Crist still gives every indication of doing the business of governing, his alter ego is already campaigning to be Florida's next Republican U.S. Senator. To that electoral end, Mr. C wants and needs Gov. C to be viewed as a moderate Man Of The People, a Middle Class-friendly, bi-partisan vote getter. And so, in the days since signing a much-maligned new state budget -- a budget that puts plenty of extra hurt on Florida's most vulnerable citizens without asking for any significant sacrifice from its more prosperous ones -- Gov. Crist has been playing a strategically savvy, oh-so-selective "I'll make it up to you" game with recession-battered working and struggling families. Read the rest here.
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Thu Feb 12, 2009 at 19:13:57 PM EST
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Cross-posted at the new FriedGator.com
So there is a new poll out by Strategic Vision in the red hot race for Florida Senate. With the election 22 months away this poll means very little -- but that is not going to stop wild speculation and an attempt to read the tea leaves:
 1) Kendrick Meek seems to be the weakest of the field in the General Election. Despite being one of the most well known and his ability to get heavyweights like President Clinton, Chris Korge, Steve Hildebrand, Ana Cruz, and I hear Obama consultant Blue State Digital -- Meek is the weakest of the Democrats against all of the Republican challengers. In every match up against Republicans, he is trailing by 3% to 14% behind the other Democrats but two (Dan Gelber and he trail Connie Mack by the same percentage, and Gelber loses to Rubio by a bit more).
This means Meek has a real ceiling with those that know him -- just look at the Bense/Meek match up where he trails Bense by 7% -- Gelber trials him by 3%, Klein beats him by 7%, and Iorio beats him by 8%. Meek has a hill to climb -- much more than I would have expected. And his 10% in the Democratic primary is not anything brag about either. He better hope the Big Dog is will to come back for him -- he's going to need it.
 2) Pam Iorio is the strongest of all the Democrats and does pretty good in the primary. Pam Iorio beats every Republican but Charlie Crist in this poll. Her name recognition isn't higher than the other candidates, so this means she must pull voters from the I-4 cooridor away from the Republicans. And despite what the Buzz says -- she does pretty well in the primary considering she is within margin of error of Meek. This race is wide open, and it looks like Iorio should be seriously considering it.
 3) Dan Gelber has room to grow, define himself, and win. While Dan Gelber's Democratic Primary percentage isn't great (4%) it is 3% higher than the last poll and once you see the general election he doesn't do too bad. Given his name recognition I would guess that he performs about at the level of "generic Democrat." While this doesn't show incredible support for his Senate run, it means that Gelber has the most opportunity to define himself and in a wide open race that will help a lot. He will have to tap into the internet and the grassroots to pull it off -- and he's off to a bit of a rocky start getting his message out (just find his Senate annoucement video on youtube). But with Meek getting ready to launch a new site, he's going to have to move fast to win the internet primary.
 4) Charlie Crist for Senate gets more support than Charlie Crist for Governor. There is no question Charlie is popular, but one interesting fact from this poll -- he does better running for Senate than Governor. When polled about re-election as Governor against a generic Democrat Charlie is about 8 points lower than when polled against Dan Gelber in this poll. I think this makes it clear there might be more to "Charlie for Senate" than Carole wanting to be a hop, skip, and a jump away from the shops in Georgetown. If Charlie has seen the same polls and is looking at the budget deficits ahead -- it might just be easier to run for Senate.
 5) Connie Mack IV is still the man to beat. Take Charlie out of the situation, and Connie Mack the IV is the man to beat. I don't expect this to last and I am sure most people think its Connie Mack the III, but its going to help him in the primary and he could end up staying the man to beat for a long time to come if Charlie opts out in May. Plus his Congresswoman wife from California used to be married to Sonny Bono -- so that should help with the older population.
So there you have it, my attempt to read the tea leaves, and more importantly notice a few things out of this poll others seem to have ignored. Looking forward to seeing some more polling on this race to make comparisons.
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