YIKES – AT 7:30 P.M. ET:  To say that Marco Rubio is running away with the primary race for the GOP Senate nomination in Florida is a vast understatement.  From Rasmussen:

Support for Florida Governor Charlie Crist’s U.S. Senate bid has fallen this month to its lowest level yet. Just 28% of the state’s likely Republican voters support his candidacy now, down six points from March.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely GOP Primary voters in the Sunshine State shows former state House Speaker Marco Rubio edging up a point from last month to 57%, his highest level of support to date. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, and 12% are undecided.

Republican Primary voters see Rubio as a stronger candidate than Crist in the General Election. Eighty-one percent (81%) say Rubio would be at least Somewhat Likely to win if nominated while just 63% say the same of Crist. Those figures include 53% who say Rubio would be Very Likely to win and 30% who see Crist as Very Likely to win.

The latest polling of the general election contest shows both Crist and Rubio with a double-digit lead over their likely Democratic opponent, Congressman Kendrick Meek. You can check the latest Florida polling updates and other news every day on the Rasmussen Reports Florida Page.

COMMENT:  There is only one flaw in this script.  There are reports that Crist may drop out of the GOP primary race and run in the general election as an independent.  While Rubio is sinking Crist in the primary, his support is heavily, and understandably, among conservative Republicans.  Moderate and liberal Republicans favor Crist.  If Crist runs as an independent, he can be the spoiler, and siphon off enough votes for the Dem to win.  The seat is currently in Republican hands, and holding it is crucial.

I'd like to see some polling on a three-way race, with Crist involved.  I'm sure Crist's people already have done such polls.

April 12, 2010