by Javier Manjarres
Last weekend’s CPAC Florida event in Orlando was an important high-profile event for candidates to hob nob amongst the activists within the Republican Party of Florida and give a boost to both their name recognition and their campaigns. While the focus of attention was on the Republican Presidential nominees, the Senate candidates vying to unseat U.S. Senator Bill Nelson were also jockeying for position in their highly contentious race.
Former Staet House Leader Adam Hasner won the CPAC Florida straw poll with Colonel Mike McCalister coming in second, followed by former U.S. Senator George LeMieux and businessman Craig Miller. Most pundits see the Republican primary shaping up as a two-man race between Hasner and LeMieux. Miller is showing signs of life as he has finally begun to roll out his campaign, while McCalister’s campaign seems to have lost a lot of its early momentum, even though he came in second place in the straw poll to Hasner.
While McCalister is still running a spirited campaign, his past Military record has recently come under increased scrutiny, as McCalister is fending off accusations that he has embellished his service in the U.S. Army. As McCalister struggles to find his footing, his campaign’s questionable retention of campaign manager Jason Sager and affiliation with other within the fringe wing of the Republican party like Ellen Snyder of West Palm Beach,indicates that he hasn’t been able to attract top-flight staff to further his campaign’s efforts.
LeMieux on the other hand has surrounded himself with very polished help, but he will struggle in the race because of his past dealings with the disgraced former Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida Jim Greer as well as his close ties with Governor Charlie Crist.
The political barbs between Hasner and LeMieux are likely to continue as the race moves forward, but if the race takes on too much of an unnecessarily negative tone, Miller could very well be the beneficiary of the fallout, as voters will begin to lose interest in a ‘cat fight’ between candidates and seek an alternative.
13 Responses to “Adam Hasner Wins CPAC Straw Poll, Senate Race Turns Negative”
So how come you don’t mention that McCalister was only 3-4 points behind Hasner?.. And the attacks on McCalister have been disproven.
I also support McCalister. And as you said, the attacks on McCalister have been disproven . . .but noone seems interested in putting those facts out. I would be interested in finding out who spread those lies. If Hasner wins the nomination,I may have to vote Democrat for the first time in 40 years.
McCalister has a great speaking skills and the ability to inspire voters, which will get people to the polls. Hasner is boring and will not garner any independent votes. The only way to beat Nelson is with someone who will inspire people to get out and vote, not bore them to death.
I have met both Hasner and LeMieux…. I wasn’t certain about Hasner .. but I know LeMieux voted WITH NELSON more than against! No way would I support LeMieux!
Yesterday I heard Mark Levin come out in support of Hasner as a REAL conservative that we can trust .. THAT IS ENOUGH FOR ME!
How come you didn’t post the straw pole numbers? Hasner won by how much? McCalister came in second by how much?
Silence is deafening.
Let me understand this correctly. Mike McCalister almost beat you in the CPAC pole and has consistently beat you in the Q-Poll with his low budget staffers? Did I hear that right? You and Adam have thrown every smear you could against the man and you only beat him by four points at CPAC? With all of that Adam is tied with Craig Miller for last in the Q-Poll twice in a row. With all of Adam’s fund raising and once having met Marco Rubio, that’s the best you can do against a relatively unknown, unfunded, unstaffed candidate? Yikes.
I love Adam’s new web sidebar ad. It has a picture of LeMieux and Crist whispering sweet nothings in each other’s ears. Above the pic it says “LeMieux” in fancy script, and below that “It’s French for Crist”.
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I’ve said from the beginning Hasner would be the man. You McCalister people are starting to get creepy like the Ron Paul bearers.
I’m with Cat. Levin’s endorsement of Hasner is all I need.
We had a townhall with George LeMieux in Fort Walton Beach about 3 weeks ago. LeMieux was asked about his vote on S510 The Food Stalinization Act and if he had reformed.
He did not say that he reformed, but he did invoke “I did it for my children.”
“French for Crist” – I really enjoy that advertisement!
Adam Hasner is a great candidate for our party. And he is the only intelligent, viable conservative (and one with a proven record) who can beat Senator Nelson.
Go Adam go!
For those of you who do not know about Mike McCalister, google “The colonel has to use the restroom,” then click on video.
Ha Ha. Get your reporting straight. Jason Sager is not nor was he ever McCalister’s campaign manager. Nothing you say or write about McCalister is true. You didn’t mention that in the Florida public policy poll that came out two days ago, McCalister is in first place and your Fake conservative, Hasner, was at the bottom again. I’d rather read the National Enquirer for more accurate information. But then, that’s where you acquired your reporting skills in the first place, isn’t it?
The People of Florida who follow the candidates will make the selection – not the polls. We are smart enough not to be swayed by other’s opinion – Col. McCalister will be the nominee to upseat Bill Nelson – not these “little boys” who are playing politics. What experience in life have they had – none. They are still wet behind the ears. Col. McCalister, the same as Rep. Alan West have been put to the test of life. These men represent the strength and mind-set to be the strong leaders we need so very much running our government and cleaning up the mess that is going to be left after Obama and his Czars leave.