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Anti-tax group still eyeing Rubio's bid but with reservations

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By WILLIAM MARCH | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 10, 2009

TAMPA - The Club for Growth, a conservative political committee known for spending big bucks in Republican primaries, is still interested in Marco Rubio's challenge to Charlie Crist but wary of his lack of fundraising success so far, its director said.

"It's less than what we'd been hearing would be announced," executive director David Keating said.

He said the group will still be watching the Republican primary race for the U.S. Senate and considering whether to intervene to support Rubio.

Rubio reported raising $340,000 during the second quarter of 2009, the first fundraising reporting period of his campaign, while Crist reported raising $4.3 million.

"We have to look at his race versus all the others we're interested in, and there are going to be a lot of competitive races," Keating said. In deciding which races to participate in, "We look for the most bang for the contribution buck – a race we think can be competitive."

The anti-tax, business-oriented political group has been known to spend $2 million to back a favored candidate in a Republican primary, as when its former president, Pat Toomey, ran against Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania in 2004.

Specter said that affected his decision to switch parties, and attributed the losses of other Republican moderates in primaries to the Club's involvement.

The Club has repeatedly bashed Crist for backing President Barack Obama's stimulus plan and imposing tax and fee increases in Florida. In May, it suggested Crist might change parties. Meanwhile, it has spoken favorably of Rubio, who interviewed Club leaders last month, seeking their endorsement.

Keating said Crist has also requested an interview.

Keating said the Club doesn't care how much Crist raises: "To us, the more important total is what Marco's able to raise to get his message out. I'm guessing that's in the $4-5 million range."

A poll by the Club, like others on the race, showed Crist far ahead of Rubio among Republican voters but also suggested Crist's support was "soft," and that Rubio could sway GOP primary voters if they learned about him, according to the Club's pollster.

Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761.

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