New CNN/Time Poll Gives Meek a Bump « The Washington Independent
Rep. Kendrick Meek’s (D-Fla.) campaign was relying on a bump in the polls following his victory over Jeff Greene in Florida’s Senate primary, and a new CNN/Time poll indicates that he may have gotten one. He still trails both former House Speaker Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Gov. Charlie Crist (I-Fla.) in the Senate race — Rubio has 36 percent and Crist has 34, compared to Meek’s 24 — but it’s a significant boost over the previous numbers that showed his support dipping down into the mid-teens:
“„“A three-way race is producing a three-way split among Florida voters,” says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. “Meek wins majority support among Democrats while Rubio picks up seven in ten Republicans. Among Independents, it’s Crist with 45 percent, distantly followed by Rubio with 29 percent and Meek with only 16 percent of Independents.”
“„The survey also indicates a geographical divide.
“„“Crist is doing best in the Tampa Bay area and along the southern Gulf Coast. Meek does best in the Miami area. Rubio’s best region is the northern part of the state, including the Panhandle.”
“„The winner will succeed GOP Sen. George LeMieux, who was named to replace fellow Republican Mel Martinez, who stepped down from his seat last year.
With all three candidates shoring up support from distinct geographical areas, it’s unlikely that any will fall by the wayside completely. But demonstrating he’s within striking distance is absolutely crucial to Meek in avoiding a scenario in which Democrats flock to Crist and the race effectively becomes a two way contest between Crist and Meek. Time will tell whether the jolt to Meek’s numbers is merely a flash in the pan or something he can build upon.
