Charlie Crist’s Slipping Polls, GOP Civil War, and Georgia’s High-Stakes Mayor and Governor Races

 In this late-October episode of The Kudzu Vine, host David is joined by co-hosts Catherine and Tim for a wide-ranging political discussion focused on Republican infighting and key races in Florida and Georgia. The show opens with light banter before turning serious, beginning with new polling that shows Florida Governor Charlie Crist’s approval rating slipping below 50% and his once-commanding Senate primary lead over Marco Rubio steadily shrinking. The panel agrees this reflects a broader trend within the GOP: a sharp move to the right that is alienating moderates and empowering Tea Party–aligned activists who increasingly view figures like Crist as “RINOs.” The conversation expands to the Republican civil war, highlighting Lindsey Graham’s backlash after criticizing Glenn Beck and the growing influence of conservative media personalities such as Beck, Limbaugh, and Hannity. The hosts argue these figures now function as the de facto leaders of the Republican base, leaving traditional officeholders vulnerable to primary challenges.Attention then shifts to Georgia politics, beginning with the Atlanta mayor’s race. New polling shows Mary Norwood leading but unlikely to avoid a runoff, while State Senator Kasim Reed is surging and Council President Lisa Borders appears to be losing momentum. Catherine, a city resident and Reed supporter, notes growing grassroots energy, key endorsements (including from Jay Bookman and Stonewall Democrats), and improved campaign execution as signs Reed is peaking at the right moment. The episode closes with analysis of the Georgia governor’s race, where polling shows Roy Barnes holding a steady lead while Thurbert Baker posts a notable jump, underscoring volatility and high undecided numbers as the election cycle intensifies.