CRIST LEADS IN FLORIDA – AT 8:57 P.M. ET:  A new Rasmussen poll shows former Republican and born-again independent Governor Charlie Crist leading in a three-way Senate race.  Via RealClearPolitics:

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist leads Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Kendrick Meek in a three-way Senate race, a new Rasmussen poll finds (May 3, 500 LV, MoE +/- 4.5%). Down big in the polls, Crist left the Republican primary last week to run for Senate as an independent.

Crist (I) 38 (+8 vs. last poll, April 22)
Rubio (R) 34 (-3)
Meek (D) 17 (-5)
Und 11

The poll shows Crist picking up some support since a poll taken two weeks ago, prior to his announced switch. With Crist's move from the GOP, RCP now ranks this race as a Toss Up.

COMMENT:  This shows that a week is a lifetime in politics.  It was only yesterday that fast-rising Republican star Marco Rubio looked like a shoo-in.  The cost of overconfidence. 

We'll have to fight for this one.

May 4, 2010