Florida governor endorses … McCain; Update: Video added; Update: Did Crist promise to support Giuliani?
posted at 7:49 pm on January 26, 2008 by Allahpundit
The decisive blow? Carl Cameron was just on Fox claiming this is a rebuke to Giuliani, who’s lobbied hard for Crist’s endorsement for months. But check this out from InTrade, via ace tipster Patrick Ishmael:
Update: It’s for real.
Link: sevenload.com
Crist is supposedly popular across the board in Florida.
Update: The boss reminds us that he’s an amnesty supporter.
Update: Crushing.
Crist did not appear at the dinner — he changed his plans several days ago, sources said — but his presence was certainly felt. Giuliani aides were visibly upset Saturday at the news that the popular Florida governor would be backing McCain.
Giuliani campaign sources said Crist pledged his endorsement to Giuliani in the early fall, when McCain’s campaign appeared dead and Giuliani was leading the state by double digits. But at the time, McCain supporters leaned on Crist to hold back and wait until after the New Hampshire primary. McCain had campaigned for Crist when he was seeking the Republican nomination for governor, and had hoped Crist would return the favor.
Blowback
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Not surprised. As I wrote in the other comment section, McCain endorsed Crist in the 2006 Republican governor primary. They’re also apparently close on a personal level.
amerpundit on January 26, 2008 at 7:52 PM
amerpundit, you are FL, yes? How much impact does this have? Intrade makes it look very very big.
Spirit of 1776 on January 26, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Yeah, I’m not surprised either. Crist was probably going to go with either Rudy or McCain, depending on who looked to be in better shape this weekend. I’m surprised that this was not already priced into the Intrade share values.
Big S on January 26, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Last poll I saw had him at a 73% approval, but that was back in May. Basically, if I had to bet right now, I’d say it at least helps him a bit.
amerpundit on January 26, 2008 at 7:55 PM
Has anyone noticed that McCain has Charlie Brown-like hand gestures?
JoeBrooks on January 26, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Fla Gov endorses Beltway RINO. Send the Bos-Wash establishment packing.
mred on January 26, 2008 at 7:56 PM
InTrade is usually touched off by polls, early exit polls, and results.
Vizzini on January 26, 2008 at 7:56 PM
This is indeed very big because Crist is part of the Republican machine; heck, he might be one of the drivers these days, and looking ahead to run himself soon enough. Also part of the Bush cabal.
Not good for Romney and Giuliani because it means that the machine has settled on McCain.
Entelechy on January 26, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Crist going with McCain is not a surprise. Crist is a moderate. As for him being popular, eh. He hasn’t done anything to tick people off. The endorsement at this point means nothing since he doesn’t have that sort of power to really move Republicans.
Ripclawe on January 26, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Oh Well, We should jsut hope that these endorsement don’t hold water like they always tell us when its a candidate that we like….
-Wasteland Man.
WastelandMan on January 26, 2008 at 7:57 PM
NOOO!! What was my governor thinking? Go Mitt! You can still win!
MorningStar on January 26, 2008 at 7:57 PM
I don’t think this endorsement alone will sway the Floridian electorate, but McCain’s doing pretty here right now and this is only the latest endorsement.
As much as a Rudy supporter as I am, I predict McCain will win the Florida primary.
amerpundit on January 26, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Entelechy on January 26, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Is he going to change his name from Maverick then? It has to be something catchy and hip. I mean he’s a party guy now…. now that he’s buried the hatchet in so many party backers.
Cold Steel on January 26, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Ick
Domino on January 26, 2008 at 7:59 PM
voting yes on amendment one will make me happy :P only reason to vote in the primary, really.
lorien1973 on January 26, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Ughhh.
petefrt on January 26, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Thanks.
Spirit of 1776 on January 26, 2008 at 8:00 PM
One RINO endorses another. BFD. Boycott Florida. I say this as a graduate of Orlando Colonial 1971. Looks more and more like I get to stay home on election day.
bill30097 on January 26, 2008 at 8:02 PM
He maintains that by allowing Floridians to forget he’s Governor.
Governor? We have a Governor? Oh, yeah, that guy I saw in a commercial for Amendment One.
amerpundit on January 26, 2008 at 8:02 PM
The two state wide Republican office holders in Florida have endorsed McCain. Mel has connections to the Cubans and they will work in McCains favor.
Oddly Florida would be Mitt’s best shot at a southern state. It has all those Northern Snowbirds who tend to be more moderate. That is why Bush barely carried florida in 2000 as the only southern state that almost went for Gore.
I saw a Zogby pol that said those over 65 are going to Mitt. Its the under 30 crowd that is going for McCain. And again oddly its the anti war republicans who are backing McCain and giving him and edge because of his stance on waterboarding.
And I’d like to point out waterboarding isnt done anymore and only 3 were ever waterboarded. Its not like its a critical tool in the WOT.
William Amos on January 26, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Christ endorsed McCain? Far out, man…..
Oh, Crist. Christ is a Tool with a bad Man-Tan and giant eyebrown
Janos Hunyadi on January 26, 2008 at 8:03 PM
yeah, eyebrows……
Janos Hunyadi on January 26, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Straight Talk
.
.
More Straight Talk
Chakra Hammer on January 26, 2008 at 8:04 PM
McCain (
DRD – Sorostan) gains another coveted endorsement and more free advertising from his BFFs in the MSM.Merovign on January 26, 2008 at 8:05 PM
With the race so close, basically a tie, a big endorsement like this probably will help. Maybe even helping McCain eek out a victory, like he did in SC.
Complete7 on January 26, 2008 at 8:06 PM
This is not necessarily good for Romney – but Romney now has some serious ammunition against McCain. McCain’s lame statement that Romney favored timetables for Iraq is getting ripped by everyone. Even on CNN – where they love McCain – they were calling McCain’s statements “extremely deceptive.” Bill Bennett said McCain should apologize. Add this along with McCain saying he was “always for tax cuts” and today that he was “never” for amnesty, and I think the Straight Talk express (and Crist) could come under assault the next 3 days.
darkegop on January 26, 2008 at 8:06 PM
…and Crist is a Tool with a bad Man-Tan
Christ, according to AP, is a figment of other people’s imaginations
Janos Hunyadi on January 26, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Wecome back Janos!
Entelechy on January 26, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Perfect! Just freaking perfect!!!!
Time to make a drink!
conservnut on January 26, 2008 at 8:09 PM
darkegop on January 26, 2008 at 8:06 PM
This reminds me of when McCain’s ascendency took on water in 2000. He started distorting and contorting with greater frequency. When he gets handled or when he notices the parade is leaving him, he goes full-on Maverick on everything…. including the truth.
Cold Steel on January 26, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Some think AP is a figment of other people’s imaginations, too ;)
fourstringfuror on January 26, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Welcome, that s/b Janos – was meant well :)
Entelechy on January 26, 2008 at 8:10 PM
sweet!
jummy on January 26, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Since the Media has tried to boil ALL these races down to just 2 people, this was a DIRECT rebuke to Willard “Mitt” Romney.
Chakra Hammer on January 26, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Oh good God.
Lindsay Graham is talking about Mel Martinez and Charlie Crist endorsing John McCain.
It’s a fricken RINO fest.
amerpundit on January 26, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Open-borders and free love! Pass the joint!
fourstringfuror on January 26, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Bigger deal in FL, because FL is closed.
Vizzini on January 26, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Ugh. I can’t stand Graham. Sean, run some film of his tantrum and him saying they are going to make the “bigots” shut up.
Spirit of 1776 on January 26, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Not Rudy?
Spirit of 1776 on January 26, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Let’s look now at who is supporting McCain: George Soros, Lindsey Graham, Juan Hernandez, and now Charlie Crist.
fourstringfuror on January 26, 2008 at 8:15 PM
The Moderate Squad
EJDolbow on January 26, 2008 at 8:16 PM
Sean grilling Lindsay on McCain’s straight-talk. Lindsay then comes back with his own brand of McCain-boomerang-logic. Graham is a homer.
Cold Steel on January 26, 2008 at 8:17 PM
C’mon Jeb! Endorse Mitt!
Greenhorn on January 26, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-RINO), McCain Campaign Adviser, is attempting to tell Sean that the question about withdrawal isn’t what Sean says it is…Even though Sean has the video and transcript.
amerpundit on January 26, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Cold Steel,
I think you’re right – I just hope the Romney team can do something with it in the little time they have left. The encouraging thing is that, over the past couple weeks, the Romney team has exploited McCain’s misstatements with videos/ads within hours of the statement. That, I’m sure, is a product of Romney’s warchest and lack of reluctance to use it. Hopefully, team Romney is working on the piece right now (which would include McCain’s own vague statements on timetables). Go Mitt.
darkegop on January 26, 2008 at 8:18 PM
Ooh. Graham said we’ll all be together soon, because we have to defeat Obama and Clinton. Sean said, “Well, we’ll see” after the first part and something like “You don’t think I’m going to…” on the second.
amerpundit on January 26, 2008 at 8:18 PM
Graham is an idiot.
Spirit of 1776 on January 26, 2008 at 8:18 PM
I get 3 weeks vacation this year. I commit to using one of them to travel the 2 hour drive from NE Atlanta where I live to South Carolina to work in the primary against that little sack of excrement Goober Grahamnasty. Who will join me?
bill30097 on January 26, 2008 at 8:20 PM
I asked this on the other thread by mistake.
That piece of crap! Ok, the wandering eyeball asked a good question. If Rudy drops out, who gets the lions share of his supporters?
conservnut on January 26, 2008 at 8:16 PM
conservnut on January 26, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Jack, Kemp, Phil Graham, Crist, Schwarzkopf all endorsed McCain. People say McCain has no conservative support. buh-bye Romney. buh-bye are the days when Social Conservatives told the rest of us how to live our lives.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 26, 2008 at 8:21 PM
I wish I could rescind my vote for Martinez and Crist. :(
And the thought of either of them becoming a Veep potential if McCain gets nominations makes me vomit.
Enoxo on January 26, 2008 at 8:22 PM
People need to understand that just like the democrats the Republicans have super delegates. They are the elected officials from all over the nation. And like the democratic super delegates they have alot of say in the convention.
McCain’s insider experience will gain alot of those super delegates and give him an edge in the final vote
William Amos on January 26, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Jack Kemp is another open borders RINO. Besides playing for the other team.
bill30097 on January 26, 2008 at 8:23 PM
And I answered it there by mistake…
steveegg on January 26, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Mitt said McCain was “dishonest.” Mitt’s people should just call him a “liar.”
darkegop on January 26, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Wow. It’s increasingly obvious that McCain knew about the Crist endorsement this morning, rolled out the Romney attack, and then had the Crist endorsement to muddle the coverage. That is hella astute.
Vizzini on January 26, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Can you get Jeri to run?
Spirit of 1776 on January 26, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Schwarzkopf, while a great general, isn’t necessarily a conservative. Charlie Crist, in a way, owed McCain one. McCain helped him win the 2006 Republican primary and they’re close friends. Crist also ran as a moderate.
amerpundit on January 26, 2008 at 8:24 PM
You mean buh-bye to conservative values like,
Conservative judges
Strong borders
1st ammendment rights
Tax cuts
Yeah, I guess you are right.
conservnut on January 26, 2008 at 8:24 PM
It is o so much fun to watch the Romney folks complain and cry about their record being distorted. I think Hannity might cry as well. Way to go Johhny Mac stick it to him.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 26, 2008 at 8:24 PM
I’m afraid you are right.
conservnut on January 26, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Sean completely pwnd Graham on live TV. He has great instinct, but he never seals the deal – he always ends up arguing right up to the break.
fourstringfuror on January 26, 2008 at 8:26 PM
AS sad as it is to say this election even on the republican side has been about identity politics.
Issues continue not to matter one bit in this election in either party.
William Amos on January 26, 2008 at 8:26 PM
According the “pundits” and “pollsters” in the “know” the same ones that said Obama would win New Hampshire by 8 points, the Race is in Florida is only between McCain and Mitt… Therefore This endorsement was a rebuke to Willard Romney.
Chakra Hammer on January 26, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Dude, troll. Don’t feed it.
fourstringfuror on January 26, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Huh. I’d guess it was a rebuke to the guy that was courting him. Pity. I wish he had endorsed Rudy after all that time Rudy spent there.
Spirit of 1776 on January 26, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Bay Buchanon is screaming at the Tv and her eyes may burst out of her head, and she is talking about McCain’s temper.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 26, 2008 at 8:29 PM
Sorry, the bugger jerked my chain.
conservnut on January 26, 2008 at 8:29 PM
No Christ endorsed Huckabee, Crist endorsed McCain.
Buttercup on January 26, 2008 at 8:29 PM
heh, good one
conservnut on January 26, 2008 at 8:31 PM
I know, man! He’s a blowhard, that’s for sure.
fourstringfuror on January 26, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Tuesday, tuesday, tuesday will tell us; a make or break day!
countywolf on January 26, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Just like Romney ran as a moderate for the senate in 1994 and governor in 2002. Until his miraculous conservative conversion in 2005 when he decided he wanted to be president.
Complete7 on January 26, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Let me let you in on a little secret. ADULTS do not care too much how somebody runs, we care how they govern.
Mitt Romney governed a very liberal state in a suprisingly conservative manner.
Smart Conservatives get moderates to vote for them.
EJDolbow on January 26, 2008 at 8:35 PM
I would probably vote for Romney because he IS a moderate. The problem is that he doesn’t have the grapefruits to be open about he. McCain has always stood his groud. That’s presidential material.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 26, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Forgive my spelling, I’m through about half a bottle of jack.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 26, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Says who? He’s pushing a homeowner tax bill that will take hundreds of thousands off the tax rolls permanently (arguably most of them democrat voters), cause major funding cuts to necessary services in the short term, and cause counties to increase millage rates that will result in higher property taxes. When a group of western, democrat governors go together to impose algore-like restrictions on industries in their states instead of having open arms for those industies to come here crist joined with the democrat governors. I’ve never voted once for the guy because he’ll go to south Florida one day and say one thing and come to north Florida the next and say something totally contradictory. I have a friend whose wife is a lawyer that works on government issues and she has had alot of experience with crist and she says he is as dumb as a stump.
If the election in 2008 results in a similar situation in Florida as 2008 crist will hand the election to the democrats.
No one should believe that crist endorsing mccain helps mccain in any way.
peacenprosperity on January 26, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Hey “The CHOSEN ONE” of the Moveon.org liars chosen to pollute our boards. We know what you are, troll.
bill30097 on January 26, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Lets see if I can explain it how things have gotten to this stage.
Think K.I.S.S. (not the band, Keep it simple stupid”
So you want to find the most common denomiator that links the voters to you.
So remove names of the candidates. Pretend this is American idol and you dont know these people all that well.
In the case of the democrats you have
The woman who wants to be the first woman president
The man who wants to be the first black President
A Hispanic who wants to be the first Hispanic President
The trial lawyer.
The loon who believe in UFOs
That is how the dems who DONT pay all that much attention to elections saw their feild. They werent focused on issues just personalities.
Then try the republicans
Ex senator turned actor
The anti immigration candidate
The congressman from California
The wealthy northern Ex Governor
The Decorated war hero senator
The southern Governor who use to be a preacher.
You look at that feild not at names or issues but just that tiny bit of info and make your pick.
That is how identity politics work. And if you can render your candidate down to where people identify that candidate to that simple a veiw can win
William Amos on January 26, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Hallo, entelechy, roman-nemet.
I spend a lot of time in Florida during the Winter, and I never heard anyone say anything Nice about Gov Crist–never really heard anyone say anything. I think he was the Attorney General for a term, and was likewise Nearly Invisible
Now the media says he is widely popular, so……..
I never could get past the Man-Tan and the eyebrows, but that’s just me. He’s got that Weasel lookl that and the Tan make him look like an Oldsmobile salesman
Janos Hunyadi on January 26, 2008 at 8:41 PM
That has been evident for awhile and was reenforced this week with Duncan Hunter endorsing huckabee and the ny times story saying no one likes Romney.
peacenprosperity on January 26, 2008 at 8:42 PM
THE CHOSEN ONE
One shudders to think by whom you were chosen…
Crist wants to move my beautiful, touristy, fast-living Florida to the forefront of the American-Green-Environmentalist devolution, and invited RFK, Jr. to some conference. That’s the guy who called skeptics of environmentalism “traitors.”
I think it’s time we kicked him out of the party.
emailnuevo on January 26, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Amen to that.
emailnuevo on January 26, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Please don’t feed the Trolls.
Buttercup on January 26, 2008 at 8:46 PM
“ADULTS” also care about consistency and authenticity. Romney has shown through the years that he is an incessant panderer. Constantly shifting and changing his positions according to what he thinks people want not principles.
Complete7 on January 26, 2008 at 8:48 PM
P.S. That’s very true, and it’s getting ugly. Some activist whose English was, shall we say, urban did a call where all she said was that we shouldn’t “let them do this to us!”
It’s get-whitey time, down here.
emailnuevo on January 26, 2008 at 8:49 PM
I’m afraid we have a lot of kickin to do!
conservnut on January 26, 2008 at 8:51 PM
The Decorated war hero senator
William Amos on January 26, 2008 at 8:40 PM
bill30097 on January 26, 2008 at 8:51 PM
Did anyone see the movie “Cobb” where Ty was at an away game getting heavily booed by the crowd and he turns and says “This Feels Wonderful”?
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 26, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Did anybody see the movie “The Godfather” where something completely unrelated to losing a political debate happened?
Did you? Cause I did!
emailnuevo on January 26, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Crist is on Fox now.
fourstringfuror on January 26, 2008 at 8:54 PM
McCain totally = Bob Dole IN EVERY WAY.
JOHN McDOLE !
stenwin77 on January 26, 2008 at 8:54 PM
I live in Florida full time and about the nicest thing ever said about crist is that he is a harmless dork. I think he is very dangerous and fear if he gets a second term he will start talking state income tax. Rinos control the republican party down here in what is a very conservative state. It is a microcosm of the national situation and I think things will get alot worse before they get better. Not only am I not willing to cast a vote for mccain or huckabee, I will consider voting a deomcart line if it will hasten the end of the republican party. They are democrat-lite and are fixated on power over results.
peacenprosperity on January 26, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Dude, troll. Don’t feed it.
fourstringfuror on January 26, 2008 at 8:56 PM
He is NOT popular with me. Held my nose and voted for him, rather than the Dem.
CrimsonFisted on January 26, 2008 at 8:56 PM
You are lying.
He has been married for 40 years to one woman, he is a fantastic father and grandfather. He is a SECOND GENERATION REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR, he is an extremely well education and intelligent man.
You get to be these things by being CONSISTENT.
He, like many MANY Republican men, never gave abortion too much thought. The true conservative position on this issue is for the government to stay out of it. Fred Thompson said so clearly in 1994 — the same year Romney did.
THings have changed, technology has changed, medicine has changes, people’s hearts have changed.
That is NOT inconsistency, it is PROGRESS. And people who are honestly concerned about abortion Celebrate every single conversion we get to our side.
EJDolbow on January 26, 2008 at 8:57 PM
I’m a Florida Republican, but I have to disagree with you. I think Floridians are strong enough to stand up to him if he tries to pull a state income tax. I refuse to help the Democrats; you’re right about the power over results – Bill Nelson sneaked his way onto a space shuttle, but other than that, is not noteworthy – but still, don’t hand them the reins.
I’m just hoping Crist meets with more rabbis, so the press demonizes him to the point of political breakdown, and he resigns.
emailnuevo on January 26, 2008 at 8:57 PM
I’m hoping McCain names Lindsey Graham vice president, what do you folks think?
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 26, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Watch Crist’s eybrows: they’ve got a life of their own….
cheap shot, I know, but he ran as the Vague candidate for Gov and now he runs around the state saying some pretty Odd Stuff
Janos Hunyadi on January 26, 2008 at 8:58 PM
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