Rubio Trails Crist by 15 Points

The new Quinnipiac Poll suggests that conservative U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio is making gains in Florida. The new results among GOP primary voters, with trend lines:

Gov. Charlie Crist (R-Fla.) – 50 (-5)
Marco Rubio – 35 (+9)

The same poll finds President Obama’s approval ticking up slightly and Rubio narrowly trailing Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), the likely Democratic nominee who’s gotten a second look now that he might not be facing the popular governor next November.

Back in May, I pointed to Rubio and to California Assemblyman Chuck DeVore as conservative dark horses with Tea Party support who could upset Republicans’ plans. And today Rubio is trailing the GOP’s preferred candidate by 15 points, while DeVore is in a dead heat with the party’s favorite in California.