D.C. conservative groups taking note of Marco Rubio's haul

With Marco Rubio reportedly raising nearly $1-million in the last quarter, Charlie Crist no longer has the sheen of an inevitable winner, said Americans for tax Reform President Grover Norquist.

"Clearly Rubio has made the case to a lot of people that there's room for a serious challenge...He's gaining credibility," said Norquist, noting that Rubio could continue generating interest among conservatives nationally. "This is the only race in a major state that has a clear cut campaign for the future of the Republican party...It may be the Reaganite candidate versus the sort of John McCain candidate."

David Keating, executive director of the Club for Growth, said the group is eager to examine the details of Rubio's report, including how much he's spending, but, "We're certainly going to a closer look at getting involved in this race...If he can sustain that rate, I think he'd have enough money to get his message out and have a good shot at winning,'' said Keating, noting that a Club for Growth endorsement can bring more than $1 million to a campaign.

"If we come to the conlcusion that we think it's a winnable race and we make that recommendation, I wouldn't be surprised if our members donated that kind of money,'' said Keating, who said Charlie Crist is expected to meet with the group later this month.

"The Rubio campaign has now proven its a legitimate effort for the nomination,'' another Republican strategist, John Weaver, told Beth Reinhard at the Herald. "While the governor obviously is the frontrunner, it is no longer far fetched to see how Marco Rubio wins this race. National and state conservative leaders -- from the grassroots to real opinion leaders -- are beginning to rally behind Rubio as their "cause" for this election cycle. If this continues, and Rubio builds on this fundraising success, we could see a huge upset forming in Florida."

Comments

[...]

Do you hear that, Mr. Crist? That is the sound of inevitability.

[NRSC]

Uh..yes..Florida? Could we rescind our endorsement? Yes, we will be staying neutral until this race works itself out.

Thanks,
J. Cornyn

[Crist=Milktoast]

Looks like this race won't be walk in the park that Gov. Fan-feet was hoping for.

[Wate to See]

It better be real close to $1 million, and let's see expenditures, too, and Crist's numbers. This is a whole lotta celebratin' early, let's hope the real numbers holds up. It would be pretty dumb to over-promote knowingly, but maybe they just hope for a big early blast of PR and nobody notices the real report.

[Crist=Milktoast]

That's right, 3:47. You hold out hope, buddy. I'm sure the Cristonistas will find some way to spin $1 Mil as a bad thing.

[...]

It will be interesting to see the explanations of why $999,999, or any other number, is not NEARLY $1 million...

[Marco begs for money.]

good job MARCO. you raised 1/4 of what Crist raised in his first quarter in your third. Keep up the lame work.

[For Charlie Crist, Pinellas has become his firewall against Rubio's straw ballot insurgency]

For Charlie Crist, Pinellas has become his firewall against Rubio's straw ballot insurgency.

http://bit.ly/8AU3k

[...]

$1 million and a 100,000 people directly reached vs. $4 million and IOUs to lobbyists - lots from out of state non-voters... hmmmm... yes Marco, keep up the good work - you seem to be making many (including 4:16) very uneasy!

[The Turtle and the Hare]

We know how that race ended up,

GO Marco!!

[.]

My guess is the day after session, you will see a mass of people sign on to Rubio's campaign. The money will really start flowing then. I hear a bunch of lobbyists say they don't want to give to Crist but have to. They plan on showing their true colors after session.

[What?!?!]

Uh oh, Charlie. Looks like the straw poll folks are voting with their wallets!

[Gator]

RPOF did a great job this Quarter, The chairman has been meeting with major donors and getting contributions.
All this unhappy donor stuff was BS, plus some hard hitting mail brought in some big dough. Crist and McCollum stepped up too.

I will be the first to say GOOD JOB Chairman Greer!!!! and the RPOF Team.

Now let the Crist/Greer haters begin.

[Not buying him.]

Marco Rubio is just a cuter a Ray Sansom. Nope, I'm not voting the lesser of two evils this time. This Republican is just going to stay home (and keep my wallet shut).

[John Stewart]

Good job Marco Rubio - YES YOU CAN !!!!
We Need to get rid of the McLame's in the republican party !!!
We need change real change ... McLame/Obama's buddy Charlie Crist will be in for a real tough primary...Hello lets try a true Reagan conservative like Marco Rubio

[whasup]

Super Mario just keeps chugging along, collecting momentum.

That little tune keeping Shucking Chuckles up at night is the annoying sound of that good old video game.

By primary night, he'll be stark raving mad from the relentless, powerful sound of it.

I can't wait!

[Michelle O Has Backhair]

Ah, another career politician in the making! That's JUST what this state needs. 6 years from now, you all will hate him just like all the rest of them. Shake yourselves and think about what you all believe in, and I bet it's not career politicians. The "Tanned One" is already in this category. I'd vote for Boobio if he pledged to NOT seek reelection.

[Finally]

Since the "Moderates" took control of the GOP, we've lost the U.S. House, lost the U.S. Senate, lost the Whitehouse, turned Florida from Red to Blue in the last Pres election, and on and on and on.

Finally, Rubio offers an alternative to the failed policies of "we like big government too" Republicanism. AND IT IS WORKING!!! I'm getting out my checkbook again!

[terminator]

Gator:
try slithering back into the slimy swamp you crawled out of.
Bet most of Chuck's money came from out of state fundraisers not good old fashioned hard working Floridians who can't stand the sight of spray tan, fake hair dyed, empty chair, stuffed suit, androgynous Charlie Crist.
Face facts. Chuck and his buddies Frenchie Lemieux and Fatboy Jim Greer are in real trouble and they know it.
Marco's poll numbers will continue to crest the next three months.
Once session's over Chuck's fundraising totals will drop off precipitously.
Charlie better get his fan out, his tan and masquera are starting to melt.

[Save our Democracy - vote DEM]

Well, we can only hope that the backing of both Rove and Norquist (the two most dishonest and evil men in politics) exposes Marco for the enemy of the people that he really is.

[Jim Greer]

Governor Crist? Are you okay? Sit down, governor. It will be alright. You look a little pale, "Frenchie! Fire up the tanning bed!" Here governor, breath into this paper sack, slow, deep breaths. That's it...

[LEMIEUX=CRIST=SPECTER]

HAHAHAHAHA Chuckles the Clown must have wet himself today at the thought of little Marcito raising one million big ones.

Hey Chuckles, we know you're a puny, little, skinny, spray-tanned weasel and when things don't quite go your way you hide inside a closet like a scared little girl, but look on the bright side, you do-nothing caricature of yourself: you at least talked a good lookin' rich broad into marrying you. I'm sure she'll settle out of court and leave you enough for a down payment on a cute little starter home in St. Pete.

[Ace]

Thannks termie,

Gator:

RPOF is close to running insolvent. Its sad when people stop donating to RPOF and give thier money to Rubio. What worse is when the cross Monroe St. and start begging FSU students for money.

[sam adams]

Greer and Crist are as crooked as a Georgia road map.

Party Purge Greer couldn't direct a car wash.

The $4.1 million collected reads like a who's who from a grand jury report.

Rubio for Senate/Dockery for Governor!