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May 15, 2009 — Florida: Polls and pols back Crist

The decision of Sunshine State Gov. Charlie Crist (R) to run for the US Senate starts out with support from high-ranking Republican lawmakers as well as strong support from GOP voters. As soon as Crist announced for the 2010 race to succeed retiring US Sen. Mel Martinez (R),  US Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Martinez promptly endorsed Crist, who faces a conservative opponent, former state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R), in the GOP primary. And rank-and-file Republicans are also behind Crist. In a Quinnipiac Poll of Florida Republicans taken April 6-13, Crist led with 54% followed by 8% for US Rep. Vern Buchanan (R), 8% for Rubio and 2% for former House Speaker Allan Bense (R). (Buchanan has since said he will not run for the Senate, but will seek re-election to the House.)  The big question now is, What will Jeb Bush do? Endorse Crist? Stay neutral? Run for governor? Stay tuned.

Kentucky: Bunning sets fundraisers

In the aftermath of a very poor 1^st Quarter return in his money chase for 2010, embattled two-term US Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) scheduled four fundraisers. The first was Wednesday in Washington. The second, hosted by a group of doctors, is scheduled for Saturday in Memphis. The third will be held the first week in June in Lexington, KY (horse country). The fourth will be later in southern Kentucky. Whether this will discourage would-be challengers, including GOPers, remains to be seen. Meanwhile, add another name to the list of potential foes for Bunning in next year’s Republican Primary. Cathy Bailey, a personally wealthy fundraiser for the Bluegrass GOP, has announced that she is interested in running for the Senate. In addition to raising money, she served as US ambassador to Latvia, as Kentucky’s Republican National Committeewoman, and as co-chair of John McCain’s Kentucky campaign. Meanwhile, backers of potential candidate Rand (son of Ron) Paul say he could launch a “moneybomb,” i.e., an internet-based “fundraising frenzy,” like his father did in 2008, and could have a major impact on the race.

Oklahoma: New poll gives Watts an edge

While at least two earlier surveys have shown US Rep. Mary Fallin (R-OK) ahead of unannounced-but-probable contender J. C. Watts (R), a former congressman, the latest poll for next year’s GOP gubernatorial primary, taken by Wilson Research Strategies, gives Watts 39% to Fallin’s 36%, with 5% for state Sen. Randy Brogdon (R), a social conservative. Watts is expected to announce any day now. In media interviews, analysts of the Wilson poll suggest Watts gained as it began to sink in that he was likely to run. Once the only African-American Republican in Congress, Watts had high approval ratings in all the recent surveys. Meanwhile, The McCarville Report says that the records show Watts did not vote in the 2006 gubernatorial election. Watts says he sent in an absentee ballot with his wife’s ballot and doesn’t know why hers was recorded but his was not.

Virginia: Drake won’t try a comeback

Former US Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA), who represented the Old Dominion’s 2^nd District (Virginia Beach, etc.) in Congress for two terms until her loss to now-freshman Glenn Nye (D), has announced that she will not seek a rematch next year. That leaves the GOP nomination in this competitive district up for grabs. So far, only attorney Chuck Smith has entered the race, but other names are getting mentioned, including state Sen. Ken Stolle, who is currently running for sheriff, and Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms.

North Carolina: Elizabeth outpolls John in Edwards saga

A Public Policy Polling (D) survey taken May 8-10 showed former presidential candidate/former US Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) with a 19% favorable rating among Tar Heel voters, to 69% unfavorable. His ailing, wronged wife Elizabeth, however, gets a 58% favorable rating to 22% unfavorable. Talk about hitting him where it hurts.