A discussion of the Florida Senate Campaign between Meek, Crist and Rubio. The main point made is that Rubio has been getting a free ride for much of the time while Meek and Crist slug it out. Rubio has taken a number of shots at Obama without either Crist or Meek reminding voters that much of Florida’s and the nation problems are the result of decisions made by the Bush brothers.

Hey, this is Kendrick’s New Media Director, Kenneth Quinnell. Wanted to drop in after the primary victory (57%-31%, while being outspent $27 million to $3 million) to thank everyone who supported us and keep you up to date on what we’re doing moving forward.

First I wanted to make sure you saw Kendrick’s victory speech:

View it here or read the transcript below.

It’s the speech of a Real Democrat who is running against two conservaties. Everyone knows Marco Rubio is the darling of the Tea Party crowd. But don’t forget that Charlie Crist was calling himself a “Reagan conservative” just a few months ago. (Incidentally, we’ve posted a bunch of his recent “I’m a conservative” press releases to our website. Since he’s gone Independent, it seems like some people want to give him a pass on his lifelong history of being a proudly outspoken conservative.

I’ve also included below our latest campaign strategy memo. Please give us feedback on the speech and the memo and we look forward to continuing our conversation with the Netroots.

Pay close attention to the Florida Senate race this fall, and especially to conservative Republican Marco Rubio. The tricky path that would lead Rubio to victory in November is the same path the Republicans might take in the 2012 presidential race.

If you haven’t seen it yet, the campaign released a new web video this morning, asking the question, “How do you find the real Democrat in the Florida U.S. Senate race”? Take a look and tell me what you think. Video and transcript after the jump…

This week, the White House made a big announcement: they would back a vote to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In my opinion, it is a vote that is long overdue.

Crist, Rubio, Tied in Florida

The need for more regulation and stiffer enforcement was illustrated in April in blood: 29 dead coal miners in West Virginia, seven dead workers at an oil refinery in Washington State, and 11 dead on a Gulf of Mexico oil rig — followed by an ecological calamity. Stiffening regulation and enforcement is more government, not less. But it is government performing an essential basic role – protecting its citizens and preserving the environment in which they live.

I’ve always opposed misguided efforts that threaten Florida’s economy and environment by haphazardly drilling offshore. The vast oil spill off the coast of Louisiana – which led Gov. Crist to declare a state of emergency in several Panhandle counties – confirms this sad truth: the cost for error in Florida is too great. If thousands of barrels of oil spill over into our coasts, our economy, environment and military will all bear the brunt of massive corporate irresponsibility.

Yet another Immigration Diary, but I promise this one is interesting.

Yesterday Governor Crist made the decision to run as a No Party Affiliation candidate for U.S. Senate. This put me in a commanding position to be the next Senator from Florida. Governor Crist’s decision to run as an Independent makes this a three-way race, with Speaker Rubio effectively winning the Republican nomination. That means on election day, Floridians will have a choice between a strong, progressive Democrat who fights hard for everyday Floridians and two registered Republicans who together were the architects of Florida’s failed economy, who both are embroiled in a tax evasion scandal, and who both favor more tax breaks for corporate special interests and the wealthy as their only economic proposal.