Current Democrat Senator from Florida Bill Nelson is well expected to be defeated this fall by an active and motivated conservative grassroots push.   This will provide a Senate seat pickup for Republicans.   The interesting dynamic is the establishment chosen one being “Connie Mack” who coincidently endorsed Mittens in Florida and thereby he diminished his conservative credibility.   This latest poll seems to show that Mack might live to regret that decision.   A state level anti-establishment template similar to the national anti-Romney situation…..

I have held a hunch since the Nicky Haley endorsement in South Carolina that those who were elevated to election success by the Tea Party movement will regret joining Team Romney.   Tea Party activists, and grassroots patriots have a memory for those who stray from conservative principles and those who join with Romney may rue the day.

FLORIDA – George LeMieux came out on top in a straw poll conducted over the weekend by the Florida Federation of Republican Women in the state’s U.S. Senate race, beating out Rep. Connie Mack, who was considered to be the front-runner in the nomination fight.

Mike McCalister            – George Lemieux –               Connie Mack 

The poll, conducted at a federation forum in Tallahassee, is considered a key victory for LeMieux because the organization is made up of grassroots activists.

LeMieux, who served in the U.S. Senate for 14 months after he was appointed to fill the un-expired term of former Sen. Mel Martinez, is trying to win the seat now held by Democrat Bill Nelson.

Despite the results, Federation President Cindy Graves was quick to note that the straw poll was not an official endorsement of LeMieux in the race over Mack, or former Army Reserve Col. Mike McCalister, who is also seeking the GOP Senate nomination. (article)