In addition to the information about moving to The Villages that we provide in our book, we also like to write posts like this one that we think help our readers get a better understanding of The Villages as a whole, and what it might be like to live here one day.
It’s no secret that The Villages is a Republican stronghold. Washington Bureau Chief of St. Petersburg Times, Bill Adair, once lead his column with the slogan, “THE VILLAGES — This is Republican territory.” We’ve also discussed The Villages’ GOP ties in this blog back when Obama was still campaigning.
Almost since the development first popped up on the Central Florida scene, the nation’s top Republican candidates have made The Villages a must-stop on their campaign trail. As such, the community has hosted such GOP hard-hitters as President George W. Bush, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney.
And let’s not forget the visit from V.P. candidate Sarah Palin. Her visit last year drew a crowd of roughly 60,000 to the Market Square on Lake Sumter Landing, and caused a run on ‘McCain/Palin’ items in the local GOP headquarters.
Florida Govs. Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist have stumped in The Villages, and in recent days, Marco Rubio spoke at a luncheon hosted by the Conservative Women’s Movement, at the Colony Cottage Recreation Center.
Rubio, former speaker of the state House, is challenging Charlie Crist for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. The seat is open due to Sen. Mel Martinez’s surprise resignation in August.
Rubio has been labeled “a conservative outsider,” and while Florida Republicans think they can win with either Crist or Rubio, word on the street has it that The Party may stick with the Crist. The main reasons seem to be Crist’s “popularity” and record of service in a variety of Florida posts, including Governor. Rubio has also taken hits for not backing McCain (in favor of Huckabee).
However, a recent poll shows the 38-year-old Miami native has cut Crist’s lead almost in half (from 29 points to 15). Crist still leads Rubio, 50%-35%, Crist also continues to lead the likely Democratic opponent, Rep. Kendrick Meek, (51%-31%).
Rubio mentioned The Villages in his September 20 Tweet: “Over 400 people came to our event tonight at The Villages.”
By the way, Sarah Palin, is returning to The Villages later this month in conjunction with her book tour. Palin’s memoir “Going Rogue: An American Life” is being published Nov. 17. She is set to speak at the Lake Sumter Landing at Barnes & Noble, Nov. 24. Look for details of the event in The Villages Daily Sun newspaper. Meanwhile, pre-orders are being taken at the book store.
