Primary Fights Get Personal in Arizona, Florida

(CBS)  Tuesday is primary election day in several states. Two states in particular, Arizona and Florida, are holding elections that are key to the Republican efforts to win back control of Congress. With the stakes so high, the attacks are getting personal, as CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes reports.

With the primaries just two days away, candidates in Florida are trying to leave the voters with a positive impression. But what Floridians are likely to remember most is just how nasty this campaign season has become.

The two top contenders in Florida's Democratic Senate primary are accusing each other of being crooks.

Jeff Greene's ads ask, "How corrupt is Congressman Kendrick Meek?"

Meek's ads say Greene is "profiting off of suffering.

Greene is a real estate billionaire. Reported exploits on his 145-foot yacht, the "Summerwind" have dominated campaign headlines.

Whoever wins will face off against Republican Marco Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist, who fled the GOP after trailing Rubio in the polls.

Interactive Map: CBS News Election 2010 Race Ratings

"If Governor Crist, who is running as an independent, wins the big question here is and gets asked it a lot, will he caucus with the Democrats or the Republicans," said Susan MacManus, a political science professor at the University of South Florida. "So he could well be the key to who controls the U.S. Senate."

That's because Republicans need to sweep all 10 competitive Senate races to reclaim the chamber. They need 39 seats to win the House.

A year ago no one thought Republicans had a prayer of taking back the House of Representatives, now it's a real possibility, what's changed?

"I think overall voter sentiment has changed," said Nathan Gonzales, editor of the Rothenberg Political Report. "People haven't seen the economic turnaround kind of hit home and they're looking for change."

That's fueling an anti-incumbent sentiment that has emboldened upstart candidates to take on established senators from their own parties -- including Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and John McCain of Arizona.

McCcain was forced to make a hard tack to the right, which could help him fend off conservative J.D. Hayworth in his Tuesday primary.

Congressman Hayworth isn't exactly the ultimate outsider, being a former member of Congress so McCain probably benefits from that too.

Now that primary season is almost over, candidates on the right and the left must work to woo swing voters who say the most important issue to them is jobs.

[dmgg711]

The mentality of who controls Congress is so out of ignorance. A little lesson of how votes go. Democrats-57; Republicans-41 and Independents-2; total votes need to pass a bill=60 votes. Now if the Republicans, aka 'the party of no', has vowed not to vote on any of President Obama's bill, how could the Democrats, who supposedly control the Senate, vote: Democrat-57; Independent-2; Republican-0=59.
Hmmm, I'd say that the Republicans rule, wouldn't you?

[endurorob_5]

lumos1 August 23, 2010 11:01 AM EDT
Thanks for proving the point robbie, and showing just how much you hate the middle class workers in America, while using the usual republican tool of fear, and the scapegoat of unions that have been in decline for 30 years. You republicans only want to support the oligarchy and your corporate American masters that continue to build factories in every 3rd world country and offshore jobs by the millions for "cheap labor."


I am a middle calss worker and never have and never will be a member of one of these unions. I have more self respect to be affiliated with one of these orginizations.

[omega42]

by lumos1
---------------------------------------------

They are always quick to point out that unions drove all the jobs offshore but the reality is that when NAFTA was first signed less than 10% of the private workforce belonged to unions. What this really says about these employers is that they don't even want to pay a living wage (even though a company like HP has paid out over 60 Million in severance to its two fired CEOs). The wealthy in this country have found willing allies in both parties to assist in the destruction of the middle class.

[omega42]

by lumos1
---------------------------------------------

They are always quick to point out that unions drove all the jobs offshore but the reality is that when NAFTA was first signed less than 10% of the private workforce belonged to unions. What this really says about these employers is that they don't even want to pay a living wage (even though a company like HP has paid out over 60 Million in severance to its two fired CEOs). The wealthy in this country have found willing allies in both parties to assist in the destruction of the middle class.

[Mortar_29]

Open letter for Democrats: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=662R2awSwPQ&feature=related

Open Letter for Republicans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5UeMFPnxbQ&feature=related

[endurorob_5]

omega42 August 23, 2010 9:09 AM EDT
How dare the workers ask to share in the prosperity of the company, eh? You are now and will always be a tool for the oligarchy Rob.


Unions have long oputlived their usefullness. They are now nothing but a bastion for overpaid, lazy workers. They drive up costs and lower productivity. They were the prime cause for outo company failures.

[Mortar_29]

Open letter for Democrats: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=662R2awSwPQ&feature=related

Open Letter for Republicans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5UeMFPnxbQ&feature=related

[TomColt]

The immigration issue will never be solved as long as we only view it as a domestic law enforcement issue. It's too big for that. Hatred wont keep anyone out, either.

The Germans used to have a very successful "guest worker" program that allowed Yugoslavs, Greeks and Turks to occupy low-end jobs and send money home. That collapsed on them once Yugoslavia fell apart and the Turks started staying to become citizens and permanent residents.

I do not know what the answer is, but I feel that whatever the solution, it will involve those originator countries in Latin America and some guest worker status for people who come here, earn a living, and return home once their economic well-being is met. That also implies, though, that the places they will return to are stable and prosperous.

[afmcalax]

Before people look at Republicans as saviors, remember under Republicans ...
1. Private sector jobs from 2000-2008 DECREASED
2. Private sector wages from 2000-2008 DECREASED
3. Started 2 unfunded wars while cutting taxes for the rich under the Republicans
4. Healthcare coverage cost skyrocketed and coverage DECREASED

Not a great track record for people that want take back power.

[Mortar_29]

Looks no different than the Dems, except #3.

[endurorob_5]

Interesting considering that private sector jobs coninue to decrease and the dems have been in charge since 2006. Oh, and the same with wages. Health care costs are projected to severly increase in 2011 despit Obama's health care "Reform" which he promised would decrease costs kinda the same as he promised his spending bill would prevent unemployment going beyond 8%. And the two wars still continue even though the dem controlled congress has had the ability to end them since 2006.

[wyodutch]

McCain spent $20,000,000 on the primary election.
.
Something very, very wrong with the Republic when a politcian is willing to spend that amount of cash to remain in office.

[Bisk1]

He coulda saved his money for his grandkids and family besides his family really need him, retired and instead of working to the death. Dumb Dumb Repugs !!

[babooph]

I will vote Crist & could care less who he caucuses with -BOTH major parties have sold out the public!

[Mortar_29]

So has Crist.

[PyRO_sTEVO]

every single alien "BROKE THE LAW!" Our Government, has allowed the invasion of 20 to 30 million criminals which is the largest invasion of any Nation, at any time, in direct violation of Article IV, Section IV of our Constitution. They allow the invasion, they force American tax payers to pay Billions of dollars to provide Welfare, Prison cells, Educate the invaders children, free medical care, the invaders break numerous laws,massive document fraud, & are destroying our schools, hospitals, communities, culture & standard of living while Robbing, Raping, Killing & Assaulting American Citizens WAKE UP PEOPLE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsH8xvjTAlo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btj6IeOFkis&feature=player_embedded
http://immigrationcounters.com/
http://www.ojjpac.org/memorial.asp
http://www.immigrationshumancost.org/
http://www.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty580.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KcwIy_fQuU&feature=player_embedded
Every Non-representing representative, up to and including obama and holder need to be IMPEACHED! for not upholding the oath of office that they swore to uphold and defend the Constitution! If these clowns were to do their job, this would all be a Moot point!