Rubio Takes Big Lead in Polls, Crist has Concerns With Ballot

Recent polls suggest that Marco Rubio is widening his lead over Charlie Crist and Kendrick Meek.  Rasmussen's poll done on September 14th has Rubio garnering 41 percent of the vote, Charlie Crist with 30 percent of the vote and Kendrick Meek comes in at 21 percent.  Rasmussen's plus-minus rating system also has Rubio leading with a 61 percent approval rating.

Rubio's sudden charge to take an 11.4 percent lead in the polls is probably due to the growing GOP support nationwide.  Since the economy has gone from bad-to-worse under Democrats (unemployment is hovering around 10 percent), support for Democrats is waning.  This is just as true in Florida where the Democratic nominee only has 21 percent in the polls.  Rubio is riding the Tea Party fad to a large lead in the polls.  Independent Charlie Crist has lost a great deal of Republican support since leaving the party.  Florida Republicans are on the attack and claim that he was never a "true conservative".  In my opinion, many Florida voters--liberal and conservative alike--are wary of Crist's independent status.  As a former Republican, many Democrats probably do not trust him to represent their values.  On the other hand, many Republicans consider him a traitor.

Election Projection Poll List

Apparently even the ballot is being made an issue.  Due to Crist's independent status, his name is going to be appearing 9th out of 10 candidates on the ballot.  Crist was quoted as saying, "obviously it's an issue", but than later said, "I don't think that's an issue".  Crist also incorrectly stated that he would be listed 8th on the ballot.  According to studies done about name placement on ballots, there is no evidence that the order of candidates makes any difference.  What will really hurt him is that he has no party ID.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/charlie-crist-listed-9th-on-ballot-for-us-senate/1121783