Bill Clinton Nearly Convinced Kendrick Meek to Drop Senate Bid [View All]

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Source: CBS

Bill Clinton twice persuaded Florida Democrat Kendrick Meek to drop his Senate bid in an effort - but Meek ultimately changed his mind and elected to stay in the race, according to a report in Politico.

Had Meek withdrawn and backed Charlie Crist, it would have been a major boon to the Republican-turned-independent, who is trailing Republican Marco Rubio in the Senate race. Crist dropped out of the GOP primary amid sings he would lose to Rubio, and speculation in Washington is that the moderate Florida governor would caucus with Democrats if elected.

Meek, who is in third place in the polls, reportedly twice agreed to drop out but decided not to thanks in part to his wife's belief he could still win the race. Politico reports an endorsement rally had even been planned for October 26th.

"The argument was: 'You can be a hero here. You can stop him, you can change this race in one swoop," one Democrat told Politico. Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna confirmed to the outlet the former president's involvement in discussions, though not the details.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20021117-503544.html

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