Narrowing Charlie Crist's financial advantage and putting pressure on national Democrats to put up or shut up on Democratic nominee Kendrick Meek, the National Republican Senatorial Committee is pumping $2.5-million - the maximum allowed under federal law - into campaign advertising to be coordinated with Marco Rubio's Senate campaign. This is the same party committee, you'll remember, that embraced Crist as it's nominee the moment he announce and tried to muscle out Rubio. Illinois is the only other state so far to get that kind of NRSC commitment.

As of August Crist had more than $8-million on hand compared to nearly $4.5-million for Rubio, and the NRSC's investment underscores Crist's challenge of competing against two different parties and their voter mobilization and fundraising machinery well established.

"This funding demonstrates a continued commitment to Marco Rubio's candidacy and our confidence that he will be Florida's next U.S. Senator," said NRSC spokeswoman Amber Marchand. "What remains to be seen is whether the national Democrats will make the same commitment to Congressman Kendrick Meek's campaign?"

Rubio spokesman Alex Burgos: "We fully expect national Democrats to rally  behind Kendrick Meek, since he will continue to be a loyal vote for Washington's big spending  agenda. With Charlie Crist's positions changing by the hour based on the votes he's trying to win, it's hard to understand how anyone can support him."