Poll Shows Underdog Trails In 2010 Florida Senate Race

By Leah Valencia, The University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service

A poll commissioned by Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) showed that he trails Gov. Charlie Crist (R-Fla.) in the race for the state’s Senate seat by a margin of 47-31 percent.

According to the Sept. 23-28 poll of 800 likely Florida voters, 47 percent said they believe Crist is doing a good job, but only 27 percent say they are certain to vote for him on election day.

Crist’s public support has recently declined and many Florida voters have claimed that he is putting his own personal ambition ahead of his state by running for Senate mid-term.

Meek's campaign is trying to capitalize on Crist’s vulnerability, saying that Florida voters can be swayed and that, given his background of service, Meek has a good chance of winning.

During a press briefing hosted by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee on Wednesday, Meek said he plans to gain momentum with the support of notable Democrats such as former President Bill Clinton and Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) in his corner.

“I will be a stronger and stronger David in this David-versus-Goliath battle,’’ Meek said.

Democrats Entering 2010 Races Strong, Says Sen. Menendez

Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, stated Tuesday that he believes any predictions about future elections are still premature, but expressed optimism over his party's ability to maintain control of the Senate.

"We are still fourteen months away from an election...and that's an eternity," Menendez said in a pen and pad session with reporters.

However, Menendez believes that Democrats are still better positioned for the long-term, noting that Republicans have done nothing to put the U.S. in better economic shape. According to him, health care reform is a strong asset for Democrats because Republicans' strategy is for the elimination of the public option.

"Republican strategy is short-sided...they have forfeited the two biggest issues: the economy and health care," Menendez said.

Can the Democrats take sixty seats in the Senate?

In a briefing with the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) spoke of the funding from special interest groups for Republican senatorial races. Over $16.3 million has been spent on attack ads against Democrats in strategic swing states such as New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Colorado by the Chamber of Commerce and its affiliates. Schumer pointed out that "the good news is that it's not working" with the polls showing overwhelming support for Democratic candidates in Virginia, New Mexico, Colorado, Alaska, and New Hampshire. Schumer believes that "the message of economic change is succeeding everywhere" and the Democrats are the ones expected to bring this change.