Newly released fundraising numbers show Kendrick Meek (D) and Charlie Crist (R) pulling in 1.2m and 4.3m respectively in the last quarter. Republican challenger Marco Rubio pulled in $340,000.
For some state perspective, consider (according to Adam Smith of the St. Pete Times):
"This was the first fundraising period since Rubio announced his candidacy, though earlier this year he raised about $250,000 when he was still in an exploratory phase. At this point in the 2004 Republican Senate primary, Mel Martinez raised $1.7 million, then-U.S. Rep. Mark Foley raised more than $700,000, Larry Klayman raised $673,000 and Bill McCollum raised $330,000."
And for some national perspective, check out the first quarter numbers compiled by Hotline here. Either way you cut it, Crist's numbers are phenomenal. That kind of money doesn't put an end to the Rubio candidacy, but Rubio will need a large contingent of small donors to run his "insurgency" campaign. Remember as Obama courted this low-dollar voters eager for change, he was able to capitalize upon their investment in him in his path to victory. They came back to give again, and could be counted upon to fill the rallies and engage in social networking on the Obama train. Wow for Charlie; very good for Kendrick, and toot toot for Marco.
About Me
- Martin J. Sweet
- is a professor, political commentator, and Director of Content for thelaw.tv. Sweet was the 2005 co-winner of the APSA's Corwin Prize for the nation's best dissertation in the area of public law. His book, "Merely Judgment: Ignoring, Evading and Trumping the Supreme Court," is forthcoming from the University of Virginia Press in November 2010. Professor Sweet is a regular political contributor for local television and radio stations, and has been interviewed for his political analysis numerous times by the Miami Herald, Palm Beach Post, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, Sarasota Herald Tribune, Scripps-Howard News Service, as well as the Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Daily News, and the Washington Post. Sweet has also been an invited speaker and panel moderator for national and local education, civic, and religious organizations.
