Kendrick Meek's concession speech

Rep. Kendrick Meek gave a composed concession speech to Republican wunderkind Marco Rubio in front of an anemic crowd of 100 supporters at the Rusty Pelican on Virginia Key.

Appearing alongside his mother, former Rep. Carrie Meek, his sister, wife and two kids, Meek congratulated the incoming senator for attaining a victory that he said "no one could foresee a few years ago."

"From some who came from the outside to come inside to take the type of commanding lead he had a month ago is to be commended,'' Meek said.

Meek also said he had "charitable words" with Gov. Charlie Crist, whose decision to run as an independent likely grabbed voters who would have otherwise voted for Crist.

"The governor and I didn't see eye-to-eye,'' he said. "In fact, I think he did bring about some confusion about where he stood [on issues]. But this campaign is over. The people have spoken."

Meek said he hasn't given much thought to what he''ll do next - aside from fishing and spending time with his family. The campaign was tough to win in this political climate, he said, given the anti-Incumbent, red tide sweeping across the country's political landscape.

"I feel that we put on the best race we could in these circumstances,'' Meek said, adding that "Rubio achieved a  "victory we did not see a couple years ago."

--- ROBERT SAMUELS

Comments

[Telling It Like it is]

I Voted for Meek! I hope there will be a position for him for serve Florida again. We need him to continue being an advocate for us.

What is surprising however, is how similar Rubio sounds to our President. He uses some of same exact phrases, the American story of immigrants, America is the best country- etc, etc. Please Rubio stop plagiarizing the President is his campaign in 2008.

[Em]

Meek was a class act through out the senate race. Just when you think Florida is going to have an election cycle without drama, Crist reared his ugly head & even restorted to dragging Clinton into it. I voted Rubio, but Meeks would always be my second choice over Crist.

[SB210]

It's funny when the real thing shows up and is accused of parroting the charlatans. Marco Rubio is an immigrant success story. His family came to the US in search of the American dream...and he is achieving it. Better yet, he has put the whole immigration debate into perspective...America openly welcomes legal immigrants! Mr. President step aside for the real deal! Obama represents everything and nothing. Note to Mr. Rubio: you have a very good start...now think it all through and be careful.

[Tim Elyone]

Rubio actually says "EXILES" instead of immigrants, why is that?

[LateDrinker]

RE: Exiles. Google "Fulgencio Batista" and the coup in 1959. El Presedente fled to Portugal. Everybody else associated with the regeme fled here (i.e. were exiled).

[Sfkjeld]

Meek is a mini Nader, whose arrogance elected a dangerous candidate. Rubio cannot do the damage Bush did. But just as unnecessary.