Even as a new poll shows him trailing U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., in the Democratic primary to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., was endorsed by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday morning.
“I am proud to endorse Congressman Patrick Murphy for the United States Senate,” Obama said on Wednesday. “Patrick has been a tireless champion for middle-class families and a defender of the economic progress that American workers and businesses have made. In Congress, he's fought to strengthen Medicare and Social Security, reform our criminal justice system, and protect a woman's right to choose. Floridians can count on Patrick Murphy to stand up for them every day as their next senator."
"I'm proud to endorse Congressman Patrick Murphy for U.S. Senate, a leader who knows what's important: growing our economy from the middle class out, helping families put food on the table and save a little for the future,” Biden said. “Patrick Murphy has the progressive values, the work ethic, and the youthful energy the U.S. Senate needs. He'll work tirelessly to bring people together to make a difference for Florida's middle class."
"I am honored that President Obama and Vice President Biden are endorsing my campaign for Florida's middle class families,” Murphy said. “The president, the vice president and I share the same values and commitment — strengthening Social Security and Medicare for our seniors, protecting a woman's right to choose, and growing America’s middle class. Over the past seven years, President Obama and Vice President Biden have been champions for Democrats and hardworking families across our country, and I am humbled and proud to receive their endorsement and campaign shoulder-to-shoulder with them for what we believe in.”
Murphy’s camp announced that Biden will be campaigning with the congressman later this month.
On Tuesday, Public Policy Polling (PPP) released a poll showing Murphy trailing U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., in the Democratic primary. The poll showed a plurality of Florida Democrats--45 percent--remain undecided while Grayson takes 33 percent and Murphy pulls 22 percent. Navy veteran and attorney Pam Keith and life coach Lateresa Jones, both of whom are also running in the Democratic primary, were not included in the poll.
Republicans quickly fired back on Wednesday, insisting the Obama endorsement came right after the poll was released to try and give Murphy a boost.
“Murphy's Washington handlers are hitting the panic button,” Greg Blair, a spokesman from the National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC), said. “It's no coincidence this endorsement was announced a day after a new poll showed Murphy losing his primary by double digits. This is a candidate who has no credibility with his own party's base and the Democrat establishment is doing everything in its power to prop him up.”
Wadi Gaitan, a spokesman for the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF), also insisted Obama’s endorsement would backfire on Murphy.
Hardworking Florida families are eager for a change of the last seven years of President Obama’s unsuccessful policies that have resulted in a stagnant economy and less opportunity,” Gaitan said. “Voters deserve a leader that will fight for effective government reforms and economic growth – Patrick Murphy is not that person.”
But, even as he leads Murphy in the polls, Grayson is feeling the heat after news emerged that the U.S. House Ethics Committee is investigating his work as a hedge fund manager and if there were any conflicts of interest he was involved with. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has called for Grayson to get out of the race and, last week, started gathering petitions demanding he drop out.
In the meantime, Grayson is staying in the limelight. Earlier this week, he threw his support to U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., for the Democratic presidential nomination. On Tuesday, Grayson announced that he and U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., who is running for the Republican nomination in the Senate race, would hold debates across the Sunshine State.
“Florida faces serious issues, and deserves a serious debate,” Grayson said on Tuesday. “Rep. Jolly and I share that common goal: give voters an honest and clear choice for the direction of our state and country. I’m honored that Rep. Jolly has accepted that awesome responsibility. Not all candidates would. As the leaders in this race, we owe it to the people of Florida.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
