MORE WORMINESS IN FLORIDA – AT 8:36 A.M. ET:  The Florida race for a U.S. Senate seat, once considered reasonably safe for Marco Rubio, turns more tumultuous by the day, and Rubio's future is in serious doubt:

The emergence of a politically unknown billionaire self-funder in the Florida Senate race is prompting top Democrats in the state to say publicly what some have been whispering for weeks: If Jeff Greene, who got rich betting on the collapse of the housing market, becomes their nominee, many in the party will have the cover they need to get behind Republican-turned-independent Gov. Charlie Crist.

Greene is detested by Dems.  His background is filled with baggage.

Establishment Democrats in Florida, for now, are sticking with Rep. Kendrick Meek, who lags far behind in early general election polls against Crist and Republican Marco Rubio. Yet with Greene promising to drop at least $40 million of his fortune on the primary and pulling neck and neck with Meek in one survey, Sunshine State Democrats are beginning to consider the increasingly realistic prospect that their nominee might be a “meltdown mogul” — one who collects erotic art, had Mike Tyson serve as his best man and once hosted “Hollywood Madam” Heidi Fleiss as a house guest.

If Democrats start endorsing "independent" Charlie Crist, the current governor and former Republican, Crist might win a decisive advantage.  Still, it's Florida, and you never know. 

Crist is currently leading in the three-way race, even without Democratic support.

This is too bad, and bad luck for Marco Rubio, a true rising star in the Republican Party.  We'll follow the race closely.

June 16, 2010