The Club for Growth has released a poll showing Florida Governor Charlie Crist with a clear lead in the state's Republican Senate primary. However, Club for Growth executive director David Keating said that the survey also indicated some positive signs for former state Speaker Marco Rubio:

"It's clearly a winnable race, it's not going to be an easy race. Rubio's going to have to be able to communicate his message and his position on issues."

also,

"The shocking part is not so much Rubio going up but Crist going down so dramatically." (when the ballot focused on Rubio without negative information about Crist).

While the poll shows a 30 point lead for Crist, the race is far fom over. There are many who have yet to endorse a candidate, the Club for Growth included, and things could very easily swing in Rubio's direction in a very big way.

The key for the Rubio campaign will be establishing name recognition throughout the state. Marco's numbers are substantially higher amongst those polled who are familiar with both men. In fact, it's a dead heat.

 An endorsement from the Club for Growth, which many are anticipating, will certainly help. Governor Crist's signing of two major tax bills does not sit well with the CFG and Rubio's anti-tax stance is certainly more to their liking.

Look for Marco Rubio to make substantial gains as people get to know him and the conservative principles that he champions. This primary race may well serve as a barometer for the pulse of the Republican electorate far beyond Florida.