Jeff Greene and Kendrick Meek make for a dynamic contrast in the Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate.
Greene's rival shared the stage with former President Bill Clinton on Monday and other party stars. The next day Greene is pitching his platform to a group of about 25 homeless people and volunteers at a West Palm Beach shelter.
"I've been running against the political establishment since the day I got into this race," Greene said. "I mean, I'm the outsider."
While he may not be getting the same free publicity as Meek, with his party-insider support, the media are paying attention to Greene. Trouble is, it's not always for the reasons he'd like.
The billionaire candidate has been accused of hosting wild parties on his yacht, parties involving drugs and nudity. While Greene himself hasn't shown up in any of the pictures, and accusers are for the most part anonymous sources, the salacious stories are impossible for the media to ignore.
Greene adamantly denies any wrongdoing.
"I don't even know who this is (making accusations), but I can tell you, we have a zero-tolerance policy -- always have, always will," he said. "Anything to do with anything illegal ... there was never drugs or firearms or anything around me or around my yacht."
Just over a week ago, polls were showing Greene in the lead, climbing from obscurity with a multimillion-dollar blitz in advertising. But when early voting began last week, polls began showing Meek in the lead.
Now, with less than a week to go before polls close, Greene says he's relying on his message to give him the edge in a competitive primary.
"So," he claims, "it's a clear choice between a failed career politician and a self-made businessman who will get results and not take any special interest money."
Reach Lane Wright at lane@sunshinestatenews.com, or at (561) 247-1063.
