NRSC endorses Crist for Senate
posted at 1:35 pm on May 12, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced his candidacy for Mel Martinez’s Senate seat today, which should have been the big political news of the day. Instead, the NRSC overshadowed Crist by endorsing him as a primary candidate, even though state House Speaker Marco Rubio had already announced his bid for the job. Conservatives may well wonder why the NRSC has interfered in a GOP primary:
Gov. Charlie Crist announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate this morning, becoming the first Florida governor in decades to decline a re-election bid for a shot at moving to Washington, D.C.
Crist, 52, told reporters in a Capitol news conference that the “challenges that Florida faces are not just Florida challenges. They’re national challenges.” “And as a result of that, I believe I can best serve the people of Florida, if they’re willing to allow me, as their next United States senator,” said Crist, a Republican.
The U.S. Senate seat is being vacated by retiring Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., creating a coveted opening. While Crist would only be eligible for one more term as governor because of term limits, U.S. senators often stay for life.
Tradition dictates that the national organizations remain neutral in primary races. The NRSC relied on precisely that tradition in 2004 when they refused to get involved in Pat Toomey’s challenge to Arlen Specter, and in 2006′s Rhode Island primary that pitted Lincoln Chafee against conservative Steven Laffey. In that race, the NRSC actually ran ads for Chafee during the primary, explaining that they support incumbents.
But the incumbent in this race is retiring, which makes this statement from John Cornyn all the more inexplicable:
“I am pleased today to endorse Gov. Charlie Crist for the United States Senate. With his record of reform in Florida, I know that Gov. Crist will bring a fresh perspective to Washington in our efforts to fight for lower taxes, less government and new job creation for all Americans. Charlie Crist is a tireless advocate on behalf of all Floridians and one of only three Governors who earned an ‘A’ from the CATO Institute for his efforts to restrain spending and cut taxes last year,” Cornyn said.
“While I believe Marco Rubio has a very bright future within the Republican Party, Charlie Crist is the best candidate in 2010 to ensure that we maintain the checks and balances that Floridians deserve in the United States Senate. Gov. Crist is a dedicated public servant and a dynamic leader, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee will provide our full support to ensure that he is elected the next United States Senator from Florida.”
It smacks of a deal cut to get Crist to skip a re-election campaign to go after the Senate seat. While Crist’s popularity is an asset, Crist’s positions on issues are going to give conservatives and even moderates some angst in the party. Crist openly supported the Porkulus plan, which would have put him with Arlen Specter, Olympia Snowe, and Susan Collins as the only Republicans in Congress who did. Cornyn himself fought against Porkulus. So why is the NRSC endorsing Crist over Marco Rubio 15 months ahead of the primary?
Update: Nate Silver wonders whether Democrats ought to bother with a serious challenge if Crist wins the primary. Read it all, but here are a couple of points for the GOP to ponder:
The Stimulus. Crist was in favor was in favor of Obama’s economic stimulus package, and in fact campaiged with the President for its passage.
Cap-and-Trade. Crist supports cap-and-trade and signed a bill to create a statewide cap-and-trade system in Florida. This isn’t necessarily that radical a stance for a Florida politician, a state which has relatively few jobs in carbon-intensive industries and conversely might suffer disproportionately from rising sea levels and stronger Atlantic hurricanes (Mel Martinez, Florida’s outgoing Senator, was one of seven Republicans to vote in favor of cloture on last year’s climate change bill). Crist also somewhat notoriously reversed his former opposition to offshore drilling during John McCain’s 2008 election campaign. Nevertheless, he is likely to be a reasonably reliable Democratic vote on environmental issues.
National Health Insurance. Unclear. Last May, Crist signed a bill to provide for low-cost, no-frills health insurance for the roughly 20 percent of Floridians who are uninsured. The bill does not contain an individual mandate, but does prohibit insurance companies from discriminating on the basis of age or pre-existing conditions. The smart money is that Crist would be a gettable vote on health care but would balk at a public option.
Blowback
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I heard Carrie Prejean would have endorsed Crist but she wasn’t brought up that way.
LevStrauss on May 12, 2009 at 1:39 PM
NRO Corner. It’s all about the money.
Wethal on May 12, 2009 at 1:39 PM
The state party here is run like a joke endorsing candidates in primaries. Horrible, horrible move by the NRSC. They have lost my future contributions.
We conservatives are happy and excited by having Marco running. He has my full support.
NO MORE RINOs.
Repubtallygirl on May 12, 2009 at 1:39 PM
While Florida may not have very many in-state carbon intensive industries, it is a state that lives and dies on vacationers.
Let’s see how many people fly or drive to Florida when the gas prices hit $10/gallon.
The state is only liveable because of air conditioning.
Let’s see how many people are able to afford their mortgages when electricity prices triple.
MarkTheGreat on May 12, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Isn’t it a bit depressing that Crist replacing Martinez would be a move to the right?
Vashta.Nerada on May 12, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Simple reasoning here.
Crist sounds like Christ.
Rubio sounds like Rube.
Who are you going to vote for. Christ or a Rube?
Nethicus on May 12, 2009 at 1:41 PM
I like Marco Rubio.
deidre on May 12, 2009 at 1:41 PM
It doesn’t matter how many studies are produced showing that there has been no increase in the number or strength of Atlantic hurricanes over the last 100 years, the AGW alarmists still scream that it is going to happen someday.
MarkTheGreat on May 12, 2009 at 1:42 PM
I saw this on another site/another thread, but, I’m stealing it:
Why can’t Washington stay away from decisions in states? Seriously. Leave state elections alone and let them do what they will. Stop micromanaging (horribly) from your DC offices. LEAVE US ALONE. You have done enough damage.
Mommypundit on May 12, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Of course they endorsed him. He is exactly their kind of candidate.
myrenovations on May 12, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Florida is a mess…
echosyst on May 12, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Jon Cornyn (NRSC chairman) is really starting to amuse me. When he announced his support for Arlen Specter over Toomey he assured he would get no $$ from me. Now he’s just exponentially assured my non-support by supporting the policy equivalent of Specter. Someone who thinks its okay for this government to spend $800B on Crap. He might as well have a (D) after his name for the way he’s going to vote in the Senate, why would we give this guy any money?
mngirl on May 12, 2009 at 1:43 PM
“Conservatives may well wonder why the NRSC has interfered in a GOP primary:”
er, no, we have their stupid rino/beltway insider game figgered out pretty well …
:-(
/GO RUBIO GO!!!!
Buckaroo on May 12, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Since the NRSC helps the candidates in the general with money, they feel they should have some input. But yes, it is who the GOP voters in the particular state want to represent them that should be important,too.
Wethal on May 12, 2009 at 1:44 PM
I always look to the NRSC endorsement and then vote for the exact opposite person in the primary.
It's Vintage, Duh on May 12, 2009 at 1:45 PM
I will change my “party” from Independent to Republican to vote against Gov. Crist. The NRSC has jumped the gun.
Cindy Munford on May 12, 2009 at 1:45 PM
I totally support Marco Rubio. He is a great candidate and many of the young conservatives in South Florida are excited about his candidacy.
NRSC just abandoned conservatives, young people, and Hispanics. Despicable.
We are on our own people. The elitists and establishment hate us conservatives. The same NRSC just dumped Sarah Palin from a fundraising dinner for Newt Gingrich! They couldn’t wait several days for a response. Are we that surprised how much the NRSC sucks?
jencab on May 12, 2009 at 1:47 PM
See, Marco, when we’re finished putting up that big tent we’ll let you know.
BigD on May 12, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Crist, as many will recall, jumped to endorse Juan(“No, Ma’am, you don’t have to be afraid of Obama”) McLame in the Fla. primary, ending Romney’s chances.
I hope Crist has tan failure and wallet failure. Go away, RINOs! Just go be the Alren Specter Dems that truly you are.
Western_Civ on May 12, 2009 at 1:48 PM
I would be tempted to prohibit out of state contributions. If that’s impossible, the NRSC should certainly back off until a candidate for the generals emerges.
radiofreevillage on May 12, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Reason:
Christ will defeat any Dem running against him
Rubio will probably lose
Faith:
Rubio is a conservative who does not kiss Obama’s bee-hind, but I’m tired of Noble Losing Efforts
Weary Truth:
Christ is not Specter; he’s Martinez without the accent and 30 pounds or so.
Janos Hunyadi on May 12, 2009 at 1:49 PM
/shrug
The GOP is a party of also-rans and simpering climbers. The only individualism they believe in is the sort directly associated with their political careers. The whole house is rotten with termites.
spmat on May 12, 2009 at 1:50 PM
The NRSC just endorsed an Obama butt kisser.
Cornyn is the one of the biggest idiots in the GOP.
Boy is there a need to flush out the scum in Washington.
jencab on May 12, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Here comes those photos from the Bathhouse!
Crist is very damaged goods….
TexasJew on May 12, 2009 at 1:51 PM
This Floridian would like Gov. Christ to resign as soon as possible that way he can concentrate on his senate run and lose to Marco Rubio.
rightg33k on May 12, 2009 at 1:51 PM
My money’s goin’ to Rubio.
ExTex on May 12, 2009 at 1:52 PM
It might have something to do with who they think can elected. Republicans need to run people who can actually win. Losing and then blaming everyone else from the GOP to the RNC to the RINOs to the sheeple, to the media, to the Democrats themselves might make people feel better, but winning is what matters the most. If people are not willing to do that then maybe they should do some community work rather than get involved in politics.
The Democrats need to be slowed down or stopped, that is what matters.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 1:53 PM
This is less about Rubio versus Crist, more about RNC/NRSC versus the Club for Growth. Battle lines are drawn. Fiscal conservative Rubio versus Democrat-lite Crist.
NRSC has a lousy track record. Crist should not have entered, but the Steele’s RNC needs a champion. They just picked the wrong guy. If Steele and the RNC had supported Rubio, it would have been a signal of party unity. Instead this means war. An unnecessary war by the RNC against its base.
At a time when the RNC should be attacking Democrats, unbelievably, the RNC has decided to target its own base in a vain attempt to reach out to moderates. Defeating Rubio is like defeating Toomey in favor of Specter in 2004, its the war games scenario. The only way for the RNC to win was not to play. Hey, Steele, ask Rick Santorum if it is important to mobilize the base. Crist can fix this by stepping out and getting behind Rubio.
Angry Dumbo on May 12, 2009 at 1:53 PM
It will be interesting to see whom Jeb Bush endorses, if anyone.
Wethal on May 12, 2009 at 1:53 PM
I don’t know too much about Crist, but didn’t the NRSC give the ok to arlen? See how that came out!
L
letget on May 12, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Yes, they said they needed Arlen a few weeks before Arlen jumped ship.
Wethal on May 12, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Angry Dumbo:
At a time when conservatives should be attacking liberal Democrats too many of them seem to more interested in going after people they feel are not conservative enough or pure enough or whatever. Maybe they need to wonder why it is that so many of their candidates do not get enough support to win elections. But nooo, they would rather blame the Republicans for supporting the guy they think can win.
The truth is if the people of Florida want Crist they will vote for him, if they don’t, they won’t.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Conservatism doesn’t play with big government , it was a no-go.
the_nile on May 12, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Cornyn needs to go. At least face a primary challenge.
I’m going with Rubio. I’m a florida voter and registered GOP.
roninacreage on May 12, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Guess the NRSC doesn’t really want that many donations after all.
cs89 on May 12, 2009 at 1:58 PM
cs89:
My guess is Crist will bring more donations.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 2:00 PM
They (the communist party..aka dems) should run Waxman.
SouthernGent on May 12, 2009 at 2:00 PM
I think he should stay govenor but lose to Rubio. If he sees the polls go down maybe he will pull out of the race.
Cindy Munford on May 12, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Terrye, I agree, however reluctantly. If I’m here ( Florida ) during the primary I’ll vote for Rubio but Christ will roll up votes from all over the state. In the general election all these transplanted Blue State Old and Not-so-old People will vote him into office
Many of you don’t know what many parts of Florida have become: Infested with not just retired people who moved down here from the Northeast, but also with relatively young people who came here from There. In many parts of Florida, including most of both coasts, it’s unusual to hear a Southern accent any more
Wethal, Jeb will endorse Crist. Bet your Mama’s dowry on it
Janos Hunyadi on May 12, 2009 at 2:00 PM
oh great here comes another republicrat, he governs as one. no need to think he is gonna change
historian on May 12, 2009 at 2:01 PM
They are not in-state voters. This is a country based on the idea of federalism. And now Florida cannot have a primary because people from Texas think it’s not a good idea. You can’t blame voters for taking issue with this logic.
radiofreevillage on May 12, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Who controls the NRSC and how do we get rid of them?
FloatingRock on May 12, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Janos:
People need to keep in mind where some of these people are running. Not every state is a red state, or at least a strong red state. I know some people agree with DeMint and the remark about how he would rather have 30 strong conservatives..well fine, but I am sure Barack Obama and Harry Reid would rather seen 30 conservatives too, because that means 70 Democrats.
If conservatives can actually win, that is all to the good, but sometimes you have to be realistic about what is really possible.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Tell Cornyn we don’t appreciate him sticking his nose in the primary, when he should be neutral and let the “people” decide.
info@nrsc.org
roninacreage on May 12, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Game on. Reagan’s 11th commandment requires that we hold off on friendly fire in the general elections only. Gov. Crist, Senator Cornyn, and Chairman Steele, fix this now.
Angry Dumbo on May 12, 2009 at 2:05 PM
I give up on Republicans. They’re as bad as the Democrats.
Cicero43 on May 12, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Crist is a Mel Martinez republican. If you liked Mel, you’ll love Crist.
Tell Cornyn what you think.
info@nrsc.org
roninacreage on May 12, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Cicero43:
I am sorry, I do not agree. The truth is a lot of the people who are the first to criticize how the Republicans do things, are also the first to tell you they are conservatives first and Republicans second.
Well, the party is a political party, they need to win elections. If conservatives can win elections then they will get the support they need and want.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 2:08 PM
This solution is pretty clear here. Only give money directly to the candidates you support. Giving money to the parties is a joke. They could care less what anybody thinks.
Rocks on May 12, 2009 at 2:09 PM
The Democrats give a serious challenge to every seat. They don’t run away like Republicans do if they don’t have a 10 point lead a year in advance.
Speedwagon82 on May 12, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Could someone post their phone number (NSRC). I think I’m going to remind them AGAIN why I’m not giving them any more money.
stenwin77 on May 12, 2009 at 2:10 PM
A big ‘if’–they don’t have a good track record really, at least recently.
Grow Fins on May 12, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Speedwagon:
The Democrats also run people who can win in certain areas. Here in the 8th District in Indiana they ran a pro life, pro second amendment, pro military, former Sheriff for Congress. He is way to the right of Pelosi or Obama, but they knew a Pelosi could not carry this district.
Sometimes Republicans need to do the same.
I would think the people of Florida can make this choice for themselves.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Does anybody happen to know if they get their funding primarily through direct donations or do other Republican organizations divert money to them?
I wonder what would be involved in choking off their resources and smothering them.
FloatingRock on May 12, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Grow Fins:
What goes around, comes around. Barack Obama may be the best friend conservatives ever had. He is reminding people just what a statist Democrat in the White House can mean. It could be that people will want more conservatives to hold him back.
Like I said, the people can make that choice, but I would rather see a moderate Republican win than a liberal Democrat.
I don’t support cap and trade and all that crap, but if more Republicans win then the party can take back control of the Congress and that will determine who runs the committees etc and what gets voted on…and that will help conservatives.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Floating Rock:
My guess is that most Republicans actually support them. I doubt if they want to smother them, it is the Democrats they want to smother.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Okay, Terrye, I can only speak for Florida as this is where I am when I’m in the ‘United States of Freedom’ ( Three Kings reference ). I did go to North Carolina, VA, and Tenn last Summer, and the situation seemed to be essentially the same:
Hordes of Old Retired and Young Not-retired people have moved in from Up North ( the mid-Atlantic and Northeast ) along with immigrants from God Knows Where.
They’ve been ‘carriers’ of Blue State Funk, making Florida ( like NC, Va, and Tenn ) a weird checkered mix of Red and Blue
Martinez barely won his seat against a Jewish woman Demo in 04; Crist used Jeb Bush as a model and went after elderly and Hispanic voters–and won big. He’ll use the same Formula, and win big again.
My guess is that in the Senate, he will vote more conservative than he sounds in speeches. He is slippery, but he’s good at being slippery
Janos Hunyadi on May 12, 2009 at 2:17 PM
I hope Cornyn’s calculations turn out to be completely wrong. I have no idea whether they will turn out to be.
It would require being the establishment candidate – whether R or D – to be a negative more than a positive. That, I believe, is very much the political situation we should hope for.
We should hope that Cornyn regrets endorsing Crist, and that Crist regrets receiving the endorsement – at the very least that it makes Crist’s work harder, not easier.
That doesn’t mean that we should necessarily oppose or withdraw support from Crist if he defeats Rubio in the primary, or go overboard in our condemnations of Crist and Cornyn.
CK MacLeod on May 12, 2009 at 2:17 PM
The Democrats need to be slowed down or stopped, that is what matters.
Terrye
It has been proven that this cannot happen with a Republican Party full of Rinos. They will go along because they buy the liberal line or they just want to get along and receive their occasional crumbs. Principled conservatives will stand and deliver. Republicans like Crist will cower and submit.
SKYFOX on May 12, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Janos:
I live in Indiana, a state that was reliably red for years. I was stunned when Obama won. I really was. I blamed it on Gary, I blamed it on ACORN, the price of gas, blah blah blah.
But the truth is Lugar is a moderate Republican and he is safe here. Most old time Republicans in this state are like him. They are not fire brands, they just are not.
But my larger point is that conservatives need to stop complaining that they don’t get enough respect and start winning more elections. If they can win, then the party will back them with more resources.
Too many people are blaming everyone else for the fact that their kind of candidate is not winning, maybe they should look closer to home.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 2:21 PM
SKYFOX:
Oh please. I am so tired of that. Rino this and that. It is lame.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 2:23 PM
I mean really if principled conservatives want to stand and deliver, who is stopping them?
They complain about the media, but how many conservatives even try to be in the media? They complain about the schools, but how many conservatives even try to enter academia?
And they complain about not having total control of a political party that gives them more power and more chances to win and run than the other party ever would.
I am not saying I want Crist to win, I am saying that I think the people of Florida will decide and if they want the other guy, if he can win..he will win.
Jindal won in Louisiana. He is a Republican.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 2:26 PM
More fuel for the anti-incumbent fire.
My senator, Senator Cornyn, is a major disappointment. Time to start looking for his successor, as well as Hutchison’s. (And Kay needn’t measure the windows in the Governor’s mansion for curtains.)
obladioblada on May 12, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Ahhh…
so, the Oligarchs in Washington decide to allow Crist to enter their number…
They really don’t know whats going on out here… they continue to do the same things which LOST them the last TWO election cycles…
Romeo13 on May 12, 2009 at 2:27 PM
I’m not interested in winning elections when it means that the RINO we elected will turn around and stab us in the back by voting with the Democrats. The goal is not to win elections. The goal is to change policy. I won’t vote for RINOs.
IMO the main reason the GOP is in such a sorry state is the George Bushes (both GHWB and GWB), Bob Dole, John McCain, Arnold Schwarzennegger, etc., aren’t conservatives. When they screw things up the GOP gets blamed and we get even more marxist Democrats elected in the next go-round.
clarsen13 on May 12, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Why, because the letter D is somehow inferior to the letter R? The two parties are nearly indistinguishable for the most part.
FloatingRock on May 12, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Simple – the Senate “Republicans” are the barely-less-liberal (and rapidly-shrinking-less-than-)half of the bipartisan Party-In-Government.
steveegg on May 12, 2009 at 2:30 PM
That sounds awfully close to Buckley’s endorsement of Obama. Crist’s words and actions say that he’s Democrat Lite, there’s no reason to suspect that his future legislative career would differ from his past.
obladioblada on May 12, 2009 at 2:32 PM
How about RepublicRAT, then?
steveegg on May 12, 2009 at 2:32 PM
This is all that need be said for supporting Rubio for Senate. Florida gets a great young conservative…. while here in MN we get two doofuses… one already there in Klobochump and one soon to be… Frankenschtupe.
MNDavenotPC on May 12, 2009 at 2:35 PM
OK! Let’s say that Christ wins but then votes for Cap and Trade, another porkulous bill and for a govt. run health care program. What have conservatives gained by electing a RINO?
Wouldn’t Rubio pull in the Cuban/spanish speaking vote plus the conservative vote and would that be enough to win?
Vince on May 12, 2009 at 2:40 PM
This isn’t a decision about which fraternity or bowling team to join. If I vote Republican it isn’t because my club is cool and I want it to win.
I vote for individuals whose policies and ideology are closest to mine and the party ID isn’t relevant. If both candidates are objectionable, it isn’t necessary to vote for either.
In this case, voting for Crist would be voting for more of the same junk that got us here. No thanks.
obladioblada on May 12, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Oh please. I am so tired of that. Rino this and that. It is lame.
Terrye
The term RINO is valid, descriptive and applicable. Your lack of principles is your problem. I choose not to make it mine.
SKYFOX on May 12, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Crist may win. After which he’ll be an even more frequent guest on the Sunday shows, and torpedo efforts at party unity in the name of “reaching across the aisle”.
Great job, NRSC. You’ve given me a new name to list on my NRSC surveys. As in “I cannot give donations that may go to Charlie Crist’s primary efforts.” I was soooo close to giving you money, after SPECTRE left, too.
hawksruleva on May 12, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Terrye,
Sure, winning is everything. Hey, Arlen Specter won for years..and how did that work out for you? He didn’t vote with the GOP much, and he bailed. Yeah, go vote Crist, and ‘win’. Put another ‘R’ Senator in there that always seems to vote ‘D’. You should give him A LOT of your money too. Make sure his pockets are nice and full when he gives you the finger.
Winning means very little when the guy you put in doesn’t espouse the principles you believe in. You, terrye, having no principles beyond ‘winning is good’ will be very well served. The rest of us that actually expect something for our vote aren’t going to give in so easily. I’ve wasted enough time and money on the GOP. I’ll see the entire party burn to the ground before I give a dime to someone like McCain or Crist. If that means I lose elections, well, then I guess I lose. At least I’m not funding the retirement of some worthless unprincipled dirtbag.
austinnelly on May 12, 2009 at 2:51 PM
“I will change my “party” from Independent to Republican to vote against Gov. Crist. The NRSC has jumped the gun.”
Me too!
GFW on May 12, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Just another Repub loser in a long line that has put the repubs on the back bench where they belong. They are a party that basically stands for very little, certainly not fiscal restraint and small government, running only on ideas that they think will get them elected.
Obama and crew will be easily elected again in 2012. Why elect wannabe Dems, folks who support cap and trade and the pork bills, when you can have the real item. Does it really matter if the repubs pick up seats if, on the important things, they vote Dem?
As for the likes of Cornyn give me a break. Obama and crew are running up trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see and where is the Repub response—not just the no votes but something that means something. An alternative plan, reasoned and well thought out going forward. Instead we get Cornyn endorsing Obama’s platform via Crist.
The repubs don’t deserve to be in any responsible positions at this time with stupidity this rampant.
As I have said before the only folks that can stop Obama now are Dems, the repubs have no clue.
patrick neid on May 12, 2009 at 2:52 PM
That’s easy. Of the GOP wins a majority, so they can gain committee chairmanships. That allows them to shovel more money to their favorite groups, and more money in their own wallets.
I don’t honestly think most GOP senators care about how the country is run, as long as they can line their pockets.
hawksruleva on May 12, 2009 at 2:53 PM
austin:
I did not say that winning is everything. I said that when it comes to elections, you need to win to be viable. That was my point. I would think that was obvious.
And I don’t like Specter, and considering the fact that he switched because he was going to lose to Toomey, I would say he makes my point for me in a way. The Republicans in PA apparently don’t like him very much either.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 2:53 PM
I expect Crist will use the term “bipartisan” a lot.
I have also wondered if the GOP had any idea of its 2010 campaign. Running against Obama’s ruinous economic plan would be obvious. Going to be interesting to see how they can do that and support a man who supported Obama’s economic plan. If inflation hits around the time of the FL primary, Crist better explain to all those retirees why their pensions aren’t buying as much as they used to.
Wethal on May 12, 2009 at 2:56 PM
SKYFOX:
Who the hell are you to question my principles? I have principles. I remember back in 06 some conservatives decided to sit out and send a message, and Pelosi was the message. How is that for principles? I remember reading that millions of conservatives sat home in 08 and helped elect Obama by default. Is that the kind of principles you are talking about?
I am saying that the people of Florida will decide who they want to win this thing. I think that is a principled position. Your position is that anyone who does not agree with you is unprincipled. I thought that principled people supported the right of everyone to have their own opinion.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 2:57 PM
obladiablo:
I understand what you mean, but the truth is that this is a two party and system. And when Democrats control the Congress and the White House they control the agenda.
So if more Republicans can win and most Republicans do not support cap and trade then the party can make it more difficult for Obama to slide his agenda through.
I would prefer that every Republican rejected cap and trade, I think it is ridiculous on its face. But if most of them do and they control the committees then they can put up some road blocks. Otherwise Obama just sails along without a care in the world.
Terrye on May 12, 2009 at 3:01 PM
As a lifelong Floridian, I will not be voting for Crist.
Grunt on May 12, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Grunt on May 12, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Why?
jeanie on May 12, 2009 at 3:10 PM
I think that Nate Silver is more than a little in the tank for Obama, but he is absolutely correct here. The NRSC has shot itself in the foot while the foot was lodged in their collective mouths. If they think that anyone except the dwindling numbers of crap sandwich Republicans will support Crist, they should be retired from their positions.
You’d think that RINO candidates getting shellacked, voters staying home and reduced contributions would have taught the GOP “leaders” a lesson. You would, of course, be dead wrong.
Physics Geek on May 12, 2009 at 3:11 PM
He’ll win election pretty easily, IMO….I don’t live in Florida, so I’m not too concerned about it. As long as we get more Republicans elected, I’m fine…
therightwinger on May 12, 2009 at 3:11 PM
I believe I will be joining you. I won’t vote for Crist again after he pushed for Obama’s pork package.
I would love to see Rubio elected and slap the NRSC and Crist the RINO in the face. Unfortunately, Florida has a lot of purple voters who may put Crist over the top. Although, Florida also has a lot of Catholic and Hispanic voters so hope springs eternal.
ExcessivelyDiverted on May 12, 2009 at 3:18 PM
That’s the problem. Lately, Crist is as Republican as Arlen Specter or Oympia Snowe. So having him in the Senate would probably be useless if he is going to vote with the Dems.
ExcessivelyDiverted on May 12, 2009 at 3:20 PM
A RedState diary from last week:
Crist vs any Conservative
She links to this NRO article from April 2008 that contains some info on how Charlie likes to play the issues to his political advantage. He is an opportunist.
INC on May 12, 2009 at 3:25 PM
She also links to this Orlando Sentinel op ed from April of this year:
Crist, Obama share scary similarities
INC on May 12, 2009 at 3:26 PM
I refuse to vote for Crist, and will vote against him short of voting Democrat.
Enoxo on May 12, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Charlie goes with whatever will work for Charlie. He welcomed Obama to Florida re: the stimulus. More political opportunism.
Charlie does not have the best interests of Florida at heart. This is in stark comparison to other governors like Palin and Jindal who actually care about their state.
You think Charlie’s going to start caring for Florida if he manages to get to D.C.? No. He’ll move left as Gore and Clinton did, only he’ll have an R after his name. He’d probably switch to a D, if he thought it would help him.
Someone said (I don’t know if it was RWY or someone else) that Crist uses each office solely as a jumping pad for his next campaign.
I have yet to see any commenter from Florida at the boards I read who supports Crist. Maybe they’ll start now, but from what I’ve seen he’s always been roundly criticized.
INC on May 12, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Erick Erickson has this up today:
Tax Hiker Runs for Senate in Florida: Charlie Crist Delenda Est
Erick closes by saying this:
I think Erick’s made an astute observation.
INC on May 12, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Crist is playing his Republican “it’s my turn” card.
He’s come up through the State Attorneys Office and Florida Senate and has always been good about taking one for the team. He never had a chance against Graham in 1998 and, after losing like a good soldier, Jeb rewarded him by naming him Deputy Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
He was later Jeb’s placeholder as the last elected Commissioner of Education. Crist knew zero about education and cared even less, but he was always good for a greet and grip. It was Jeb’s plan to get rid of the elected position and Crist did a good job in his photo ops– don’t want to get between Charlie and a camera.
After the Commissioner’s position was eliminated, it was the Republican’s obligation to support Crist for Attorney General. Now that he’s served as Governor and actively supported McCain, it’s his turn to be Senator. I’m sure McCain wants it that way, too.
obladioblada on May 12, 2009 at 3:29 PM
RedState has yet another post up on Crist.
Charlie Crist Picks A Fight Republicans Don’t Need
Dan McLaughlin picks up where Erick stopped.
He has a nice photo up of Obama & Crist. All Marco Rubio needs to do is keep putting that photo out.
Dan’s main points:
INC on May 12, 2009 at 3:30 PM
The NRSC has proven once again the Republican party is NOT a conservative party but a good ol’ boy party. Crist has made his bones with the club. His political leanings are meaningless. He pays his dues he gets the nod.
oldernwiser on May 12, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Amen! Crist tells every interest group what it wants to hear. He’s been awful in debates, trying to take every side of an issue. Obama is a lot more accomplished at taking every side and leaving each with the assumption that he agrees with it, though. Crist just sounds like an opportunist.
obladioblada on May 12, 2009 at 3:34 PM
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