Politico Ranks Marco Rubio's Campaign at Top of the Top 10

It shouldn't surprise anybody in Florida who's been watching state politics that Politico's list of "10 of the greatest 2010 campaigns" would include Marco Rubio -- but guess what? The list begins with Rubio.

Politico editors said their selections were "based on degree of difficulty, beating the odds or overcoming fierce opposition or prevailing winds."

Here's how they put it in writing about Rubio's bid for the U.S. Senate:

"Its easy to forget now, but this former Florida state lawmaker and son of Cuban exiles was once a no-name, 35-point underdog to an incredibly popular and polished governor.

"With strong backing from national Republicans, Gov. Charlie Crist was smashing fund-raising records and on his way to national stardom by capturing the states open Senate seat. But that was 2009.

"Rubio would become one of the first candidates to harness the energy of the burgeoning tea party movement, and a patient approach and a disciplined message ultimately propelled him to front-runner status. In the end, he beat Crist twice first driving him out of the primary in April 2010, and then clobbering him by 19 points on Tuesday."

Marco Rubio has caught fire. He is probably the most recognized face nationally of any nonincumbent candidate on the 2010 ballot. He's on his way, the sky's the limit.