Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek said today that billionaire real estate developer Jeff Greene, his rival for the Democratic Senate nomination next Tuesday, does not have the qualities necessary to effectively represent Floridians in the world's greatest deliberative body.
"He doesn't have a record, he doesn't have a vision and he doesn't have the will and the desire to serve everyday Floridians," Meek said in an interview on the ABC/Washington Post "Top Line" program.
Meek argued that Greene has yet to make inroads among Democratic primary voters despite pouring millions of his own dollars into the race.
Two recent polls show Meek opening up a double-digit lead over his well-funded rival.
Both candidates have accused each other of ethical misdeeds. In recent days, Greene has taken aim at Meek for using a portion of his Congressional allowance to pay for a $977-a-month lease on a "flexible-fuel" GMC Yukon.
Meek brushed off the criticism from Greene, arguing that his rival "has so many issues that he's coming up with these unfounded arguments."
Whoever wins Tuesday's Democratic primary will face a three-way race against former state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) and Gov. Charlie Crist (I) in the fall.
Recent polls show that Crist would best either Meek or Greene among Democrats in the fall -- a situation that has created something of a dilemma for national Democrats.
Meek argued today that once the primary is over, Democrats will coalesce around his campaign.
"Once we get out of the primary, I think we'll start seeing a new day," Meek said, adding that he is confident that President Obama, who visited the state for a fundraiser on behalf of Florida Democrats last night -- and made a sandwich stop with Meek -- will return to campaign for him.
"When he does come back , I'm pretty sure if he's available to campaign with me, I know he will," Meek said.
Greene has brushed off the Obama visit, telling the Miami Herald, "I've been running against the Democratic establishment since I got into this race."
Posted By: Kendrick Meek
Friday, August 20th 2010 at 10:59AM
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