| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Politix |
| Club for Growth Endorses Rubio |
| 2009-11-10 |
| The Club for Growth PAC, an anti-tax organization with considerable financial resources, announced on Monday that it is endorsing Marco Rubio in his Florida Republican primary battle with Gov. Charlie Crist for the United States Senate. The decision isn't that surprising; last week, the conservative group pounced on Mr. Crist's most recent statements that he didn't somehow endorse President Obama's $787 billion stimulus package when he appeared with the president last February and touted the effort. It immediately cut an ad against Mr. Crist, replaying the embrace between Mr. Obama and the governor at a rally. Mr. Rubio, a longtime state lawmaker and Republican leader in Florida, has attracted the attention of national conservatives in recent months as they search for candidates to energize their base. In a statement, Chris Chocola, the president of Club for Growth, said: "Marco Rubio is the real deal, one of the brightest young stars in American politics today, and a proven champion of economic liberty. He is a dynamic spokesman for the principles of limited government and economic freedom, and he will make a fantastic senator." New polls in the state hint at how hotly contested the seat vacated by Mel Martinez, a Republican, may be. In late October, a survey conducted for The Miami Herald and The St. Petersburg Times showed more independent voters shifting toward Republicans and conservatives, and a majority of those independents holding a negative view of Mr. Crist. While Mr. Crist has long outpaced Mr. Rubio in fund-raising, the Club's endorsement may be quite the booster shot for campaign funds and supportive advertising. The most recent example of the depth of its financial pockets could be seen in the investment -- around $1 million -- into the special congressional election in upstate New York. Its efforts to elect Douglas Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate, were unsuccessful, however. |
| Posted by:Fred |