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GOP Puts Cash Behind Marco Rubio, Asks Crist for Cash Back
Florida Senate Candidates: Marco Rubio (left), Kendrick Meek (center) and Charlie Crist (right)
(Credit: CBS/AP)The Republican Party is putting serious cash behind their Florida Senate candidate Marco Rubio -- while at the same time needling Republican-turned-independent Charlie Crist to refund his former Republican donors.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is investing $2.5 million -- the maximum allowed under federal law -- into campaign advertising for Rubio's Senate campaign, the St. Petersburg Times reports. The investment will help Rubio compete financially against Crist; the Florida governor reported this month having more than $8 million in cash on hand compared with Rubio's $4.5 million, according to the Times.
Crist and Rubio are also up against Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek, who has just $2.5 million left in the bank after a primary battle against businessman Jeff Greene in a primary, the National Journal reports.
While the governor may have the cash advantage right now, the NRSC wrote a mocking letter to Crist this week, asking him to return the funds he received from the Republican Party before abandoning the party. The NRSC gave $10,000 to Crist's campaign last summer, the Hill reports.
The letter notes that Crist said on CNN he would return donations to those who asked for their money back. Crist changed his position on this issue after he gave money back to Jim Greer, the former Florida Republican party chairman who has been charged with fraud.
In the letter, the NRSC focuses on Crist's relationship with Greer as well as Crist's tendency to change positions on issues. "We look forward to getting our money back before you change your position again," reads the letter, signed by NRSC executive director Rob Jesmer.
Today, the NRSC turned the letter into a website that encourages others to "get your Crist refund."
Recent polls show a tight race between Crist and Rubio, while Meek trails in the three-way race.
CBSNews.com Special Report: Campaign 2010
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Stephanie Condon Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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