Outsiders playing lead role in GOP races for Senate, president

In the races at the top of Florida’s 2012 ballot, non-traditional “outsider” candidates are challenging or leading in the Republican primaries: Herman Cain for president and Mike McCalister for the Senate.

After Cain’s dramatic upset win in the Florida Republican Party’s Presidency 5 straw poll two weeks ago, some national polls now show him leading or tied for first; McCalister, a military retiree and Plant City tree farmer, leads in some U.S. Senate primary polls.

That runs counter to Republicans’ hallmark tendency to go with the establishment candidate – the best-known, best-funded contender, the one who’s next in line.

For political experts and party activists, it’s an open question whether the two are serious prospects, or are succeeding because of dissatisfaction with other candidates.

Florida GOP insiders widely mutter about needing more choices in the Senate field, and say unless there’s a new candidate, George LeMieux or Adam Hasner eventually will become the consensus choice.

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