FL-Sen: M-D poll shows Rubio competitive in (R) primary

Mason-Dixon for Sachs Communications. Primary voters. MoE 6% (No trend lines.)

All Republican primary voters

Crist 51
Rubio 23

Among respondents who know both candidates

Crist 33
Rubio 31

Given that just 52 percent respondents had heard of former Florida Assembly speaker Marco Rubio, that means the MoE on that second set of numbers is likely around 8-9 percent. So don't bet the farm on those numbers. But regardless, expect the topline numbers to equalize over the course of the campaign (and we've still got something like 14 months left to the Florida primary. Rubio will have the money and wingnut media access. Not just wingnut radio, but the likes of the Wall Street Journal, which seem to be feeding the rumors that Crist is gay, titling an op-ed that had nothing to do with Barney Frank::

Hurricane Charlie: The Republican Barney Frank

In a year's time, wingnut media will have turned Crist into their biggest villain since tire gauges and "empathy" drove them to blithering rage.

If Crist wants to be governor senator, his best chance would be to switch parties and run as a Democrat or independent. I'm not saying I want him doing that. We've got enough fake Democrats already. Just pointing out the same thing Arlen Specter discovered not too shortly ago -- any hint of "moderation", real or perceived, is enough to doom you in a Republican primary.