Vote for Crist if you must, but supporting Meek's candidacy helps Grayson and Sink.

[blondeatlast]

THIS is why it's unthinkable for Meek to drop out:

http://thehill.com/opinion/columnists/markos-moulitas/123935-dems-gambit-in-florida

[Bumblebee]

1. Valid point but it does sacrifice the prospect of stopping Rubio, so I guess

it's a question of what's more important. I can see people torn between the two and I respect that. Personally, I would like Rubio not to make it to the Senate more than preventing having another GOP governor, but that's my personal preference and I don't live in Florida.

[blondeatlast]

2. There's a big diff between voting for Crist and advocating for Meek to drop out or stop

campaigning.

That's what I'm talking about--some here think Meek should drop out.

[Dawgs]

7. Crist won't win unless Meek drops out.

Meek can do it in such a way that he supports voting down Rubio.

[blondeatlast]

9. Are you willing to risk a crucial 13% of likely Dem votes for Grayson and Sink for that?

I'm glad I don't have the dilemma of the Florida voter, but encouraging Meek to drop out is bad, bad, bad for the Democrats.

[Dawgs]

12. Are you saying that African Americans will only vote if the black guy is running?

Really?

:shrug:

[blondeatlast]

14. Are you saying you are willing to write that bloc off?

And no, I'm not saying that--but it is a strong consideration.

[ellenfl]

17. i DO live in fla and i do NOT want scott as my governor.

jeb was bad enough. we need a dem back in the governor's mansion more than we need a repub senate seat to turn dem. if rubio wins, we have not lost a seat, we have just not gained one.

ellen fl

[blondeatlast]

18. Here in AZ, I've learned that the local/state races are more critical to my everyday life

thatn Semate.House/Presidential ones.

Governors matter--few know that better than Arizonans.

:thumbsup:

[ellenfl]

19. exactly! eom

[elleng]

3. 'Thirteen percent

of Florida voters are — like Meek — African-American, and right now polls show him with 71 percent support in that community. That vote will be critical to Democrat Alex Sink’s chances in the virtually deadlocked gubernatorial race. In a campaign where every vote will prove critical, Democrats can’t count on Crist delivering new votes to other Democratic candidates. Abandoning Meek for Crist would almost surely depress African-American turnout and cost Democrats elsewhere on the ballot.

Indeed, that African-American support won’t just be important for Sink. Democrats have a bona fide pickup opportunity in Florida’s 25th congressional district, where 10 percent of voters are African-American. Democrat Joe Garcia, who narrowly lost the seat by six points against then-incumbent Mario Diaz-Balart in 2008, will need to maximize the Democratic base vote in a district that runs narrowly Republican.

Farther north, Rep. Alan Grayson is perhaps the top national GOP target this cycle, and represents another narrowly Republican district. While only 7 percent of his constituents are black, he’ll need every one of their votes to survive this competitive race.

Hence, a bargain appears to have been made — surrender Democratic chances at picking up the Florida Senate seat in order to run and boost a candidate who will hopefully help other Democrats up and down the Florida ballot this year.'

edit: 'holding the governorship would be a huge assist to Obama’s reelection bid in 2012, as keeping Florida blue will be a top White House priority. In addition, Florida’s governor has a veto over the state’s congressional redistricting in 2012. While a ballot initiative aims to strip that power from the partisan Legislature into more impartial hands, holding the governorship will be critical if that effort fails.'


Good, useful explanation. Thanks

[blondeatlast]

4. It's critical that Meek maintains a strong presence. nt

[Dawgs]

8. Are you saying that African Americans will only vote if the black guy is running?

:shrug:

[Dawgs]

10. Sorry. That's what the opinion piece says.

:hi:

[blondeatlast]

11. Is it a risk that FL Dems are willing to take? GOTV ALWAYS helps Democrats.

Always.

[Dawgs]

13. Yes. Keeping Rubio out is a risk I'd be willing to take.

Maybe because I have faith that the African American community will still vote; even if it's not for a white person.

[elleng]

16. I'm quoting the piece, for rationale for admin's approach to this, nothing more.

[Unvanguard]

5. That is a very good argument.

And perhaps a decisive one.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. I'm an outside observer

To the FL Senate seat - but one thing I noted in the article -

Meek and Crist are duking it out. Leaving Rubio basically unscathed - correct? It seems to me that Meek should be doing hit job attacks on both Rubio and Crist. Anyone seeing any local advertising where he's doing this . . . i.e. going after them both?

[Hell Hath No Fury]

15. I just watched "Outage" last night --

I knew about Crist being gay and having a beard, but I was unaware of his many anti-gay stances.

Crist can go fuck himself for all I care.