The disappearance of a "foil" candidate spoiling what looks like a sure thing victory isn't new. In 2002, businessman Doug Forrester was cruising to a victory over embattled Sen. Bob Torricelli (D); Torricelli dropped out of the race in October and was replaced on the ballot by former Sen. Frank Lautenberg. Forrester lost.
The comparison is inexact in that Rubio will still be able to run against Crist since both men will be on the November ballot. But, Crist's party switch robbed Rubio of what almost certainly would have been a decisive primary victory in late August -- a win that would have amped up the "Rubio as Republican star" narrative heading into the stretch run of the race.
With the absence of Crist to run against, Rubio must find ways to not only draw press coverage -- Crist remains considerably better known than Rubio, Meek and Greene -- but to appeal to the moderate Republicans and independents that he will need to get over the top in the three-way contest this fall.
What Rubio still has going for him: he is a charismatic candidate who has proven his ability to effectively articulate the Republican message. But, Rubio has to find a second act this fall in order to achieve the stardom that many Republicans at the national level envision for him
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