Politico.com: Clinton tried to persuade Meek to quit U.S. Senate race
by Ana Valdes | October 28th, 2010Politico.com is reporting that former President Clinton tried to persuade Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek to drop out of the race during his recent visit to Florida.
According to Politico, Clinton had twice convinced Meek to drop out and endorse independent Gov. Charlie Crist, and both had even agreed to announce Meek’s early exit during an endorsement rally Oct. 26. But Meek changed his mind last weekend, according to the report.
Meek’s campaign manager, Abe Dyk, denied Thursday that Meek ever considered dropping out.
“The article is not true. Kendrick Meek was never dropping out of this race, is never dropping out of this race, and will never drop out of this race,” Dyk wrote on Meek’s website. “Kendrick Meek will always stand up for the middle class and will not leave Floridians a choice between two lifelong conservative Republicans who only stand with the special interests. Kendrick is the Democratic nominee so if anyone should drop out, it’s Charlie Crist.”
Politico.com also says Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna confirmed that one of the president’s top aids “initially served as the intermediary between Meek and Crist, and that Clinton became involved only when Meek signaled that he would seriously consider the option.”
Clinton campaigned for Meek in Tampa and Orlando Oct. 19-20, and encouraged hundreds of followers to vote for Meek and others on Florida’s Democratic ticket.
Rumors that Meek was considering dropping out of the race surfaced a couple weeks ago, after a Wall Street Journal article cited two anonymous Republican sources saying Meek would endorse Crist. Earlier this week, the conservative blog The Daily Caller also reported similar rumors.
In both instances, the Meek campaign has blamed Crist for spreading the rumors.
Crist campaign spokesman Danny Kanner said “while this story is accurate, the Governor’s focus is on uniting common-sense Democrats, independents, and Republicans behind his campaign because he is the one candidate who can defeat Tea Party extremist Marco Rubio and deliver bipartisan results for Florida in Washington.”
October 28th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
I consider myself a liberal Democrat, but as is President Obama, I am also a pragmatist. Kendrick Meek, as good of a man & lawmaker as he is, CANNOT win this race. As to his refusal to bow out & support Governor Crist, I quote from Scripture: “Pride goeth before the fall”. And, folks, what a fall it will be if Marco Rubio gets elected to the Senate.
October 28th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
At the last debate, David Gregory asked Mr. Crist, “So is your vote for sale?”
It appears negotiations are continuing between the Democrats and the No Party Affiliation candidate.
But if it’s good for Charlie, I guess Charlie will tell you its best for Florida.
Can you really believe that?
October 28th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Go Crist..Finally except for Meek people are reLizing he has no chance.I hope Kendrick comes to his senses..
October 28th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
this is the second time bill clinton has interfered in local politics where he doesn’t belong. the first was trying to rig the pennsylvania. floridians should resent it. democrats should resent it.
October 28th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Ask yourself – was there an offer to Meek? Did they get anyu commitments from Charlie?
Remember: The Obama Administration, using Bill Clinton as an intermediary, promised Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania a job after Arlen Spector (R2D2, PA) switched, and they offered Andrew Romanoff a job to drop out of a primary with Bennett in Colorado.
I’m so happy they’ve changed the way they do business in Washington. Not!
October 28th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
I like hearing that Clinton tried to help Meek bow out gracefully. I always respect what Bill Clinton says and I was a little confused by his endorsement for Meek. It makes me feel better about my decision to vote for Crist who still has a chance if the majority of Meek supporters would back Crist. I hope Meek can humble himself and put his pride aside and announce his support for Crist. Its the only way to keep Rubio out.
October 28th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
It is imperative for us good thinking people to unite now behind Governor Crist to stop Rubio. We must put partisan politics aside.
October 28th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Come on Ken, if you really care about Florida you will do it for us!!
October 28th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Even the Big Dog, Meek’s staunchest supporter, knows Meek is toast.
It is time now for us to do the right thing and support Charlie Crist even if Meek was your first choice.
October 28th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
You all have to be dreaming if you can trust Charlie to do anything but do what’s best for Charlie. If somehow the Republicans won the Senate – where do you think he’d want to caucus. He has no scruples whatsoever – and is exactly what we don’t need in DC – unless ya’ll think he represents Hope and Change????
October 28th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
I lived during 14 presidencies and I thought I had seen sleazy corruption. This Administration is the worst, abomination of graft I have ever seen, and has no conscience or morality as are the co-conspirators in the mainstream media who give them aid and comfort. This is common for Chicago so the Obama Mob believes anything goes in the rest of the country. Obama has proudly admitted he has his “enemies” list and they should “sit in the back”; how presidential is that and he doesn’t mean terrorists? What a way to bring the parties together!
It will be interesting to hear Crist dance around this. No doubt he will claim no knowledge. This is the pathetic idiot who actually claims his opponent will take his own mother’s socials security and will take away Roe v. Wade, which is a court decision not legislation; but, a guy who took three times to pass the Bar Exam wouldn’t understand the difference.
October 28th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
SHENANIGANS!
TOTAL BS.
October 28th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
This story is being double confirmed by reliable Democrat sources. It is not a story put out by Crist’s people.
The point that it is a clear signal and cover for Democrats to now unite behind Crist as the only option to stop Rubio.
October 28th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
If the People of Florida would just remember that it was MARCO RUBIO who DIRECTLY RUINED our State’s automobile no-fault system, President Clinton would not have to try to sway the course of local politics!
October 28th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Meek is a lost cause. PEOPLE: Don’t waste your precious vote…vote for crist, a moderate
October 28th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Clinton trying to get Meek out of the race.
Clinton saying that Robert Byrd’s membership in the KKK was for a purpose and should be excused.
Clinton asking PA senatorial candidate Joe Sestak to step down so Arlen Specter could would have a clear path(Rahm Emanuel instigate this)
Clinton backing CO senatorial candidate against the Obama candidate…Obama candidate won the primary.
Clinton is a jerk. He inserted a cigar into the vagina of Monica in the Oval office. He also had oral sex in the Oval office. He is a seriously flawed man. It’s not a random thing with Clinton it’s ingrained. NO respect for him.
Clinton continues to think he is relevant. His time is over.
October 28th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Meek should come to his senses and quit the race NOW. He knows he cant win so what is he trying to prove? Idiot!
October 28th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Kendrick Meek would FOREVER be labeled a QUITTER if he dropped out.
Meek fought off Jeff Greene and won the democrat primary.
It is a shame that certain people in south Florida are campaigning against Meek.
Return the favor and don’t ever vote for Shelly Vana, Joe Abruzzo, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Maria Sach, Dan Gelber, Ron Klein. Get the drift?
October 28th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
For mer President Clinton is Meek’s biggest supporter. Even he know’s it is over.
Enough said.
October 28th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
i early voted and already voted for Meek. But he seems to be stuck in the lower 15 percent always of the vote. If it takes his withdrawal to stop the lunatic Rubio and his teaparty crazy cohorts from marching to the senate, by all means, Meek must drop out and deliver the votes to crist. If he won’t, those who have not voted yet and are considering voting for Meek on Tuesday should start thinking of voting for Crist instead. Heaven forbid Rubio wins.
October 29th, 2010 at 6:39 am
LEON… YOU JUST WASTED YOUR PRECIOUS VOTE. Meek will only get 15%, and because of people like you, Rubio will be elected..Independents, Democrats, intelligent, moderate Republicans, unite around Charlie Crist!!!!!!!