He looked like a runaway horse out of the gate when he announced his candidacy to replace retiring Florida Republican Mel Martinez in the Senate.  But a few months later, GOP Governor Charlie Crist is looking decidedly less safe in the primary, which could have massive implications in the general election in 2010.

Like taking a chisel to a mountain, Republican Florida Assembley leader Marco Rubio- who is going head-to-head with Crist in the race for the GOP nomination- has chipped away at what was once a gargantuan lead for Crist.  Back in January, an early primary poll gave Crist 57%, while Rubio registered at just 4%.  But a new poll out today shows Crist at 44%, with Rubio just 14 points behind.  And the Miami Herlad says, Crist supporters are starting to worry.  "More and more, they say, likely Republican voters are leaning toward Rubio and away from Crist, who's having trouble undoing his man-hug of Barack Obama."

With about 9 months till the primary, that could be plenty of time for the conservative Rubio to close in, and perhaps even overtake the more centrist Crist.

But that could have huge implications for the general election contest.  Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek looks all but certain to win his party's nomination.  If he faces Crist in November of 2010, polls show Crist dominating, in some cases by more than double Meek's take.  But if Meek faces Rubio, other polls show Meek even leading the lesser-known of the two Republicans.

Still, Crist has an enormous fundraising advantage, which really only shows its true effect in the final several months of a campaign.  And while Rubio is picking up steam in the cash-on-hand race, Crist is still leading in high-profile endorsements, including Mel Martinez and Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee that coordinates races for Senate Republican candidates.  But Rubio just picked up a few big names of his own, including Karl Rove.  If Rubio could sway Jeb Bush- who himself was initially thought by many to be a potential candidate before he declined to run- who would likely be the biggest Republican backer in the Sunshine State.