Should Marco Rubio give up?

Yup, former state GOP finance chairman Al Austin says in today's story, who as Charlie Crist's finance chairman when Crist tried to take on Bob Graham understands underdog campaigns: "Rubio's going out there doing so poorly that he might want to reconsider his decision to run," said veteran Republican fundraiser Al Austin, who hosted a Crist reception last month and noted the difficulty raising money in a poor economy. "I'm not very optimistic about where the economy's going. Fundraising is going to get tougher with each passing month, so getting ahead at the early stage of the game is a huge advantage. It's just hard to generate support when people think you haven't got a chance."

Our take? Rubio's still a (limping) contender, but the next three months in the fundraising doldrums of summer are make-or-break. As much as we love the idea of covering this whole battle-for-heart-and-soul of the GOP stuff, the reality is you can't  tweet your way out of 30-point poll deficit and eight-to-one financial disadvantage.

Comments

[Undecided Republican voter.]

Adam - and you can't blog your way toward being an editorial writer, either.

But we do appreciate most of what you do. Stay out of the political pundit training zone, though. Get a bunch of good, informed, veteran sources instead.

[You're time is up angry little man]

What's the difference between God and Marco Rubio?

God doesn't think he's Marco Rubio.

[Bob W.]

Indeed, Charlie Crist has been disappointing in some areas. He has focused on areas that are contrary to what he said he would do as a candidate, but who doesn't.

Who could have forseen the events of the past three years. Overall, he has been a very strong and steady Governor and is probably better suited to be a US Senator than a Governor. He will serve Florida and the nation well.

Mr. Rubio on the other hand has demonstrated virtually nothing. He campaigned for 100 ideas and delivered little but pr and baloney.

He needs to take his time, pay his dues, and grow up some. He clearly has potential, but is about to flush it down the toilet on an ideological jihad, which is a shame.

Where are all the statesmen who should be intervening and clearing this situation up?

[Rae]

Depends on who you ask. Austin is in Charlie's bag. He would think "yes".

As for the rest of Florida: we need somebody who is working for us. Not working to get elected to something higher every time.

[Blue Lizard]

Should the SP Times go out of business?

[Paul]

It is all about lies and money.
Charlie told the biggest lies and collected the most money.

Please do not Charlie and the GOP
(Greedy Old People) prove again that
"Money talks and BS walks" and buy another election.

The fact that someone can buy more adds
and T.V. time does not make them a better elected official.

It just makes them more beholding to more special interest groups.

Charlie has proven to be a very poor
and part time Governor.

[Ben]

SOMEONE, ANYONE RATHER THAN CHUCKLES CRIST !!

[Short answer/Long answer]

Yes!/Doesn't matter, the race was over before it started, so if he wants to sacrifice himself in a bloody, public way for no good reason, so be it!

[cheater cheater pumpkin eater]

If Charlie spent a little more time Governing and little less time on the campaign trail it would be a different story. Alas, there is no hope for Charlie to realize the error of his ways at this point.

[whasup]

Austin says he's "not very optimistic about where the economy's going."

Yet he wants to send Shucking Chuckles, the Dumbocrat who loves Demobamacrat policies to Washington?

How contorted can one's 'logic' get?!

Super Mario will just keep plugging along, like the apparently hapless video game character.

Then after Shucking Chuckles further outrages most Republican primary voters during next year's legislative session, he'll pick up incredible voter support.

[terminator]

sounds like Chuck and the RPOF are starting to get a little nervous.

Austin's entreaty for Marco to back down is merely a desperation move to clear the decks for "empty chair" Chuck so he can focus on Meek instead of a bitter intra-party feud which could blow up the GOP ship (especially upon the possible entrance of Jeb Bush on Marco's side).

The message is, drop out and we'll throw you a bone. We'll make you Secretary of DBPR (or some other useless agency) and you can spend the next two-four years figuring out which office you'll run for next.

Most voters will be turned off by the obscene amount of money Crist has raised and will correctly recognize Chuck has been bought and paid for by the special interests.

Marco has secured the base, now he just needs to work outward from there focusing more heavily on the I-4 corridor. Should Jeb decide to enter the fray, you've got a completely different ballgame.

These guys are so predictable!

[...]

Part of me wants Crist gone... and being in the minority in the US Senate might be a humbling experience for Crist... and if he ultimately pulls a Specter, maybe those who are running the party will wake up...

Then part of me wants Rubio to push conservative ideas... because we all know Crist will sing the song, but his actions - if elected - will speak a foreign language... which then, maybe those who are running the party will wake up...

Then part of me wants Rubio to win... so maybe those who are running the party will wake up...

[Not often]

Adam, it isnt often that I agree with anything you write so vehemently (quite often the opposite) but your lips speak the truth to God's ears on this one.

Marco can Twit, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube all day long but at the end of the day, NO ONE KNOWS HIM and being down 30 is his best case polling scenario right now.

Charlie will be strong on TV and in mail and if you figure that 1 week of TV costs 2.5-3 Million and right now Marco isn't on pace to raise that until after the race is over.

[Bill Dillon]

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Keep on going Marco! My second check for you successful bid is in the mail.

[Buzzard.]

For The Times to pay this much attention to one candidate...not even a candidate of their preferred flavor...this early in the game shows something, and I'm not sure it's honorable.

The Times is afraid of Marco because they know he represents true Republican ideals. Charlie used to, but he has slipped.

The Times would prefer a democrat candidate win, but if that's not possible, they prefer Republican lite.

[Stan]

Charlie never has been our Governor....

- spent the 1st part campaigning to be McCain's VP pick....

- spending the current part campaigning for US Senate....

Why do we pay this guy ?
How much are we paying for him to use the state plane to fly him to "events"..only to find the main reason he is there is a fund raiser.
Charlie works for us...WE are his boss...Charlie, WE want to see your schedule & the use of the State planes !

[CRIST=SPECTER]

Why is it that Chuckles the Clown's people are the only ones calling for Rubio to quit? If Chuckles has this thing in the bag, why don't they just stay quiet or urge Rubio to stay in so they could embarrass him?

Chuckles wouldn't have a dime in his coffers if it wasn't for the fact that he's still a sitting governor who can sign or veto crap for anyone wanting something out of state government. As for the fat cats in Washington, they don't care for him either except for the fact that they think he can win the general election. They are playing with fire when they bet on Chuckles, because he's nothing more than another Arlen Specter who will vote time and again with the Democrats and even switch parties the INSTANT it suits him.

If Chuckles were senator now, he would:

-have voted for the stimulus
-vote for cap and trade
-vote for amnesty
-vote for socialized medicine

In short, all the major issues of our time, Chuckles the empty suited Clown would vote with the socialists on EVERY major piece of legislation. Even you idiot contributors to him know it deep down inside.

He is a disgrace and must be sent home to his rented house in St. Pete.

[']

same old song and dance. buy your way into political office - especially if you are bought and paid for by the special interests and lobbyists. not all of us are as dumb as "mr." crist thinks we are...

the election process and fundraising needs to be reformed before anything will change ANYWHERE. as long as fundraising is permitted, politicians will ALWAYS be bought and paid for - your interests will NEVER be what they care about...

[Pondongo]

No - he shouldn't

[Let's get the evil ones out of politics]

He should, but he won't. We all know that Satan is both arrogant and relentless. But like his protege Marco, he's going to lose in the end.

[Jake]

I understand the importance of raising money early in an election season, but I think it's pathetic for write off a candidate when the election in question is more than one year away. Are we really at the point where all a candidate has to do is say: I've raised $4 million, so the nomination is mine? No debate? No discussion of the differences between the candidates? Is this really the best way to choose those who represent us in Washington?

[Jake]

One more thing...I find it hard to believe that if the Governor has had time to raise $4 million in the last few months that he is "focused on governing."

[Brian Miller]

Give Up? Not only will he not give up, but he will win this primary without a doubt. Crist may have the general election won already, but he is not going to get through the primary from a real Repubilcan, one who may actually be president one day...Sorry Charlie, thats not you, so pack it in now cause when you lose this race, no one here in FL or elsewhere around the nation is going to be sad to see you go. Do me a favor Charlie and quit now

[I agree, the System needs purging]

at 9:54 Jake Norquista the Rubio shill writes:

"Is this really the best way to choose those who represent us in Washington?"

How hypocritical. He's a paid "liar for hire" and an integral part of the very system he's pretending to condemn. If the shoe were on the other foot and Marco were raising big bucks, he'd be prasing him for his "popular support."

Ironically, Jake Norquista is right on this, however. We're not going to have government "for the People" until we find a way to eject the lobbyists, liars, and propagandists like Jake Norquista from the political process.

[Deeply Saddened Conservative]

Well, Crist has been an awful governor in more ways then most people even realize, since much of what he has done or failed to do never even makes the papers, but what does make the papers is significant enough. Rubio was a good candidate just by virtue of not being Crist, but he had much to prove- since his leadership of the House, when closely scrutinized showed many instances of unprincipled waffling- often in favor of dubious advice from his Miami counselors, but he was guaranteed conservative support because he appeared to be so much more conservative than Crist by comparison. However, after this first quarter of fund raising he is now dead man walking- a truly pathetic showing considering that if you leave out the 150,000 that he raised on the internet- his total raising is less than if 100 people had contributed the primary max to his campaign- I would have contributed a max to his primary as would my husband, and have done so for other conservative candidates, but now that would only be throwing good money after bad. Tis a shameful showing for a candidate and his campaign team in a high stakes race. Maybe they can retool in the second quarter, but it will be much harder now, and if not may he just fade gracefully- at that point spending more time with his family is no disgrace.

[KilroyFSU]

This race will be won or lost in March 2010 (or whenever the primary will be held), not July 2009. I don't think money's nearly as much of a factor as the experts do. When people find out who Rubio is, they will support him, even if he is at a 10-1 fundraising disadvantage.

[how 'bout them repiggies]

What about Rubio's connection to Sansom?

[KilroyFSU]

10:14, don't despair. Rubio is the first candidate I've EVER given money to. It wasn't even close to the max, but these fundraising figures just show that we need to redouble our efforts, not to quit!

[Dave Kilser]

I saw and e-mail yesterday saying Crist is having a big St Pete fundraiser in September at the home of Tim Higham. It turns out that Higham is the finance chair brhind Deveron Gibbons record making fundraising efforts for Mayor.

I hear that Higham is one of the wealthiest people in St Pete will a very low profile and national trucking and software business.

It id the Highsm's and Austin that keep the pump primed to REACH the voters. Rubio need to do more of that

[Heck no rubio won't go]

I dislike the little feller,I don't think he can govern.Mine is not that of an extremist point of view though,I just want Rubio to beat up on Crist which we know is trade mark politics as usual for the extremists.Look at all the extremists out there swinging away and chuckles has not even left his porch.
Like him or hate him,chuck is a politician and a good one.
If Rubio can collect a few more bucks the national party will throw in big time and the Heritage Foundation has already been using assets to help.
Go rubio go,its the best way for Meek to win

[how bout them democan'ts]

I think Meek should give up. That Burns guy better reflects the ideals of the democrat party.

[zenator]

Doesn't much matter now. From here on out, Marco is pretty much just a dead man walking. Soon will come the endless stream of Crist endorsements from party leaders,including those resident in Dade County. And so on and so on. Marco's money will quickly dry up and his supporters will drift away.IMO Marco will not make it to Christmas.

[Homer J.]

I think Rubio should give up. The Republicans already have that Montgomery Burns guy who better reflects the wingnuts of the repiglican party.

[GOP SUPER VOTER]

Why should Rubio give up? HE IS GOING TO WIN! Wasn't McCain dead broke and flying coach for several months and he won the primary. You can not buy a statewide high profile election with a no show agenda, no show positive results, and a wired no/low cost electronic media. WE WILL GET HIS NAME ID OUT WELL BEFORE AUGUST 2010.
Last M/D poll 33-31% dead heat.
Al Austin is just a big money guy who will side with anyone that protects his business interests-public interest be dammed.
There are many many many more middle class GOP super voters like me that will not support Charlie/Obama Crist and his support of our liberal president and no amount of TV ads will change our minds

[shame on conservatives]

Conservatives would rather destroy the economy than allow a Democrat to fix it. Time for us to act like adults, and get behind President Obama's efforts 100%. Right-wingers only care about political power and they will gladly destroy your lives to get it back.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/opinion/10krugman.html?_r=1

[Calling it like it is- Salivating for a campaign issue]

Wait until the Democrats (Meek) get to hang that soon to be huge Brogan as Chancellor contract around Crist's head. All of the SUS schools are cutting to the bone, even disconnecting phones,laying off faculty, and further downgrading the quality of education in Florida and this administration is going to allow one guy to get more than a half million a year. For what? And why? Utter nonsense and this is going to be a major campaign issue for the Dems to use against Crist that he can't pass off as a BoG decision. If it happens under his leadership and watch it will be made his problem!

[Sick of Rubio, Sick of Crist.]

Let's hear from Kendrick Meek. I'm sick of these two developers' tools grabbing all the attention. I wouldn't vote for either of them, ever!

[Calling it like it is--a campaign issue]

Wait until the Democrats (Meek) get to hang that soon to be huge Brogan as Chancellor contract around Crist's head. All of the SUS schools are cutting to the bone, even disconnecting phones,laying off faculty, and further downgrading the quality of education in Florida and this administration is going to allow one guy to get more than a half million a year. For what? And why? Utter nonsense and this is going to be a major campaign issue for the Dems to use against Crist that he can't pass off as a BoG decision. If it happens under his leadership and watch it will be made his problem!

[True Conservative]

Keep in the race Rubio, we are behind you all the way. The only way for Crist to be shown to be the fraud that he is is for you to stay in and fight the good fight. Get him in a debate and show him to be the empty chair/empty suit that he really is. And Chuckles better hope that God's on his side and that we don't get a hurricane that hit's a major area this year or he'll be done without Rubio having to lift a finger. Thanks for bankrupting the state Chuckles and leaving us with underfunded socialized insurance. Change parties already!!!

[Yes, 12:49 is a "True Conservative"]

12:49 I think we understand now. You's like to see a major hurricane wreck the state and destroy Floridians' homes and lives, because it would help your boy Rubio get elected.

[Rae]

WARNING TO ALL COMMITTEEMEN, COMMITTEEWOMEN, RPOF OFFICIALS, RPOF-CHARTERED-CLUB OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS

The law that was passed a couple of years ago, with Governor Crist's backing, which allows the Party Chairman to remove anyone in any RPOF post for any reason anytime without appeal is now being used. You could be next.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2009/07/orange-county-gop-party-fight-getting-ugly.html

[Another evil foul selfish one bites the dust!]

We on the outside don't give a rat's rear-end whether you support Crist or Rubio. We love the circular firing squad because the victim is always Republican!

[former Republican Senator Rick Santorum,current paid Fox contributor leaked info to help Ensign Cover up]

This is no surprise to those of us aware of what motives drive extremists.
Santorum runs an "ethics" policy center BUT,its name is slightly misleading.The obvious purpose of his policy center is to help cover up ethics complaints about Republicans and fabricate ethics issues about moderates and Democrats. Here is a paragraph from this link below,(extremists own site) also note,Santorum leaked information he got when this victim called Fox news thinking,it was a news organization and not a Republican operatives network;
"A phone call to Santorum's assistant at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and an e-mail to Santorum's personal account were not immediately answered Friday morning."
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/lovers-husband-accuses-ensign-santorum-of-cover-up-2009-07-10.html

[how bout them democan'ts]

You are prescient, 01:01 Kenobe

[how bout them democan'ts]

Democan't candidates suck. Well, at least one of them.

[how bout them democan'ts]

Kendrick Meek and Charlie Christ have between them raised almost $8 million and the election is over a year away. Guess there's not much doubt who the big-money-election-buying crooks are backing.

["Real" conservatives? Or the Heritage Foundations interpretation of "real conservative]

My family as far back as I can remember were all conservatives,now? Many have left the party or just vote away from what is now called real conservatives by the extremists.
Biggest complaint? The lack of honest fact based news!

[Republican corruption style campaigning is Business as usual(look at Odom and the current legislatures)]

Corrupt campaigning and contributions are business as usual for the current extremists in the republican party.
http://www.opednews.com/toenjes_101504_Bush_DeLay.htm

[dirtbag]

1:08 Keep posting Norquista gotta draw attention away from your little hurricane faux pas at 12:49. Kinda dropped your drawers there let everyone see what a real heartless shite you are.

[What have the pro big business policies and Republican legislature done for out of work Floridaians]

What have they done? A house full of Republicans and policies unfriendly to workers as well as being big business friendly has done what for Florida?
What? Where are the Florida legislature created jobs saved or created?
THERE ARE NONE!!!