Video: Rubio uses Crist’s words against him
posted at 1:35 pm on October 28, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Why, that sneaky, underhanded Marco Rubio campaign! Imagine, using Governor Charlie Crist’s own words against him in a web ad. Crist has belatedly awoken to the threat from the Florida House Speaker in the Republican primary for the open Senate seat, and has begun attacking Rubio to blunt his momentum. Rubio allows Crist to speak for himself for over two minutes in this ad that paints Crist as an Obama man:
The complicating factor here may be that Crist is right — to a point. Any healthy democracy depends on the losing side of elections accepting and adopting the winner as legitimate. The failure of the Left to do that in 2000 created a number of political ills that have not yet disappeared. When Obama won, he became President to all Americans, not just those who voted for him. Unfortunately, Obama himself has difficulty remembering that, especially with his weird war on Fox News and the hackery that his press shop has promulgated in support of it.
Nor is Crist entirely wrong on his role as “Florida’s CEO,” which is to do what’s right for his state rather than worry overmuch about partisan politics. However, it does seem very debatable that the best thing for Florida was to suck capital out of the markets, especially future markets, in order to spend profusely on a stimulus package that was short on stimulus and very long on Democratic Party pork items. It might have helped to withhold his effusive support until Obama forced Nancy Pelosi to give Republicans effective input on drafting Porkulus, which would have allowed many of them to vote for the bill. Crist and others like him put a false imprimatur of bipartisanship on a process that was all sharp elbows from the Democrats, capped by Obama’s proclamation to Capitol Hill Republicans that “I won.”
And, of course, in February Crist wanted to ride Obama’s popularity for as long as he could. Now that Obama has come back down to Earth in polling, Crist will resent the idea that he was a lackey for the administration, the clear thrust of the ad here. However, Crist didn’t stand up when it counted — which is why this ad is so effective. Expect to see 30-second and 1-minute broadcast versions of this later in the campaign.
Update: Fixed the pic. Sorry about that!
Blowback
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Ahhhhhhhhh!
Fix the picture!
Joe Caps on October 28, 2009 at 1:38 PM
If Hoffman wins, and Christe wins or barely loses, how fast will Charlie (light in the) Loafers move to the right?
jjshaka on October 28, 2009 at 1:39 PM
I’m guessing that The Orange One is watching DeDe Scuzzy-fevah sink like a stone. You’re next, bro.
james23 on October 28, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Don’t look behind you RINO, there is a Conservative huntin’ your arce down!
ReaganConservative3 on October 28, 2009 at 1:40 PM
love it!
—-
Hope Rubio clobbers him in the primaries!
cmsinaz on October 28, 2009 at 1:41 PM
We as voters have the responsibility to hold ALL politicians accountable for their actions. Not words, actions.
search4truth on October 28, 2009 at 1:42 PM
There is a certain elegance to not having a voice over in an add.
Count to 10 on October 28, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Crist doubled down on Obama when he thought it was a good bet. He sold out his beliefs for expediency. (ignoring for now but inviting the question as to whether he really ever had any)
Now that bet has gone south, and he deserves to pay the price of his miscalculation. Go spend some quality retirement time working on your tan, you George Hamilton wannabe.
Give us someone who was proud to be a conservative when bein’ conservate wasn’t so cool.
WWS on October 28, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Just a little.
One of the things I despise so much about him is that he repeats the lies lunatic leftists share among themselves about 9/11, Iraq, law enforcement in this country, etc.
All the lies of powerless outsiders.
That someone on the inside, should know to be lies. Or seeking to prove them correct.
Instead, Barry has it both ways, even though he’s been elected to the highest office in the land. Despicable.
NoDonkey on October 28, 2009 at 1:43 PM
It’s important to have respect for the OFFICE of the president. No big deal – he almost never spends any time in it, anyway.
Daggett on October 28, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Now if the GOP or RNC would start producing ads with Odumbass in his own words. There’s so much material to work with and is the most effective.
txag92 on October 28, 2009 at 1:45 PM
you’re not kidding…bring it on!
cmsinaz on October 28, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Glad you finally got on track towards the end but I had to read way too much for you to get to the ‘real’ point of the ad, that Crist advocated for something that true Conservatives would never venture towards, a hugh stimulus package that our economy can ill afford. No matter what the results now or in two years, this crap-sandwich will exact a heavy toll on this country and to willingly participate in it with an “R” behind your name is shameful. Who cares about whether Crist supported Obama because he didn’t want to be partisan. I CARE about what policies ARE advocated for regardless of WHO is advocating them! That’s Rubio’s point!
Sultry Beauty on October 28, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Go Marco Go. Marco! Polo his Olo to the toileto.
hawkman on October 28, 2009 at 1:47 PM
He would have been wise to say “our President.” Using “my guy” makes it seam that he is a support of Obama’s policies.
WashJeff on October 28, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Thanks, Ed. Luckily, there were no children around when his huge head appeared on my screen.
Joe Caps on October 28, 2009 at 1:47 PM
The fact Crist goes on MSNBC to whine like a little beatch is reason enough to vote for Rubio.
angryed on October 28, 2009 at 1:47 PM
“It’s going to help us produce more jobs here in the Sunshine State.”
Yeah… hasn’t happened.
Worse job-market evah down here.
Enoxo on October 28, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Donated to Rubio yesterday, Crist is an Obama Republican.
farright on October 28, 2009 at 1:50 PM
The Florida GOP isn’t actually going to elect this guy over Rubio…are they? Crist is a pandering fraud. I sure wouldn’t vote for him.
therightwinger on October 28, 2009 at 1:51 PM
For those from FL, does the d have any chance there? I would think a d would be running also.
L
letget on October 28, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Not if I can help it.
Charlie is trending to be a horrible Governor.
Enoxo on October 28, 2009 at 1:52 PM
When Hoffman wins, Rubio should call Sarah to endorse and campaign for him. I bet he will.
SouthernGent on October 28, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Tough crap, Crist. And the same goes for every other gravy trainer out there. If you abandonded your so-called principles and sucked up to Obama because you thought you could leech off of his alleged popularity, then you can suffer the inevitable consequences of guilt-by-association now that his poll numbers are tanking.
Doughboy on October 28, 2009 at 1:53 PM
We as voters have the responsibility to hold ALL politicians accountable for their actions. Not words, actions.
search4truth on October 28, 2009
Agreed, but when their words show them to be moronic pus-brains, why not use them? Go Rubio. Bludgeon Crist with his own words.
SKYFOX on October 28, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Hmmm where IS Jet?
upinak on October 28, 2009 at 1:53 PM
No, he’s not. Not to a point. Not in the least.
Only if he is legitimate and the Constitutional requirements have been officially checked and verified, if any citizen requests so.
Incorrect, again. Man, Ed, you are really way off on this. The political ills that we have today did not arise from the left’s moronic stance after 2000, but from the left’s attack on America that Bush never did anything to try and stop. Bush let the NYT and WaPo publish national security secrets without so much as making any of them stand trial for the treason/espionage they had committed. He let Dan Rather try and throw the 2004 election by use of a forgery and lies, without making Rather defend himself in any court, at all. That Bush let the left run wild is what led them to the point we are at now, where they lie with total impunity and insult the intelligence of the average person with every fabrication they make up and everything they said yesterday that they just deny today. The left’s problem with the 2000 election did nothing to harm our politics. I don’t know what even makes you think that.
According to the Constitution, he’s not President of anything, though that would taek a SCOTUS ruling to actually establish. He is, however, The Precedent. That’s for sure.
The Precedent is the enemy. Period. How much more evidence of that do you really need?
progressoverpeace on October 28, 2009 at 1:54 PM
The face of a Vichy republican.
the_nile on October 28, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Ed, with all due respect, this is the only point that matters, but you placed it last (overstretching your admirable fair and balanced gene). Crist’s fawning over Obama superceeded both logical fiscal analyis and patriotic intentions. Puhleez. It’s conservative 101 not to flush a trillion dollars down the drain and to NOT not read the bill that flushed it, which was clearly happening in February when Crist was doing ritual inspections on Obama’s rear guard.
Crist is nothing but a craven opportunist. For all we know Rubio is the same way, but at least he hasn’t proven it yet. Go Rubio.
Western_Civ on October 28, 2009 at 1:54 PM
nice scarf.
ctmom on October 28, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Marco Rubio should ask Sarah Palin to campaign for him.
alliebobbitt on October 28, 2009 at 1:55 PM
The ads being run by Gov. Crist down here talk about what a bad manager Mr. Obama is and how Cato Institute named him the number one governor in the country. House values and jobs in the tank so it’s going to be rough for Mr. Crist.
Cindy Munford on October 28, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Women will vote Rubio in massive numbers. Wait and see.
How nice to have that work once in a Comservative male’s favor. He’s movie star and the other one people still ….
Marcus on October 28, 2009 at 1:56 PM
That just about destroys any notion of a political movement built upon guarantees of life, liberty, and property.
Chris_Balsz on October 28, 2009 at 1:56 PM
He’s not my President.
elduende on October 28, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I would imagine people are so used to noise coming from the idiot box that a brief pause and a simple, declarative statement would have real impact.
alliebobbitt on October 28, 2009 at 1:58 PM
It is not about partisanship for the sake of partisanship. It is about having the economic foresight to see that Obama’s stimulus plan would be a disaster for the nation, and for his state. Obviously if the stimulus had not been so obviously a boondoogle for liberal special interest groups but rather a true stimulus designed to create jobs and spur the economy, all of us, including Marco Rubio, would have supported it. Instead what the Crist-supported stimulus did was dramatically increase the national debt. And for what? another 165,000 jobs in Florida have been lost since the signing of the stimulus. Crist hitched his reputation as a State CEO to perhaps the worst pieces of economic legislation in recent history.
DarkKnight3565 on October 28, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Exactly correct.
And … don’t attribute Crist’s love for Obama to any “righteous” motives such as being a “good loser”.
Crist’s love for Obama was based on one thing – and one thing only …
The Political success of Charlie Crist.
Charlie Crist is a TRUE GOP Ayatollah. He would sell his mother to Somali Pirates for a chance to Golf with the Chairman of the NRSC. Ask anyone who’s met Charlie Crist … he shakes your hand, looks you in the eye briefly – then he’s looking over your shoulder and around the room to find someone who’s more important than you are so he can go and talk to them. This guy is a pure scam artist and it’s not surprising that he looks just like a used car salesman. Must be those Ayatollah genes I tell ya.
But I’ll leave on a positive note here – and just say this … at least Charlie Crist took a side. Sure, he collaborated with the Liberals and loved up to Obambi – but he didn’t try to “ride the fence” while he was doing it. He let everyone see him on his knees … prostrate before “The One”. And he prolly knew that if the political winds changed he’d get crucified for it by Conservatives – but like a Vegas gambler he took a risk – and risked it all – and now I think he’s sunk.
But … there is a certain amount of courage in that, I suppose … as opposed to … oh say, NEWT GINGRICH who makes his career on riding the political winds and then attempting deny the things he’s done in the past that worked against the cause of Conservatism.
HondaV65 on October 28, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Sarah should go to Florida to support Rubio. Zero in her donk and RINO guns for 2010.
farright on October 28, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Actually, I usually try to make my strongest argument last, for rhetorical effect.
Ed Morrissey on October 28, 2009 at 1:59 PM
If Obama is Charlie’s guy then why did he ignore the fact that Obama was in Florida this week.
When asked by a reporter why he was not with the President in Jacksonville or Arcadia he said, “I wasnt aware that the President would be here.”
Double Snort!!!
Nelsa on October 28, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Rubio’s a total babe, and he could mobilize Hispanics toward the GOP.
alliebobbitt on October 28, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Poor Charlie . They should let bim win since he nmarried a woman for nothing .
borntoraisehogs on October 28, 2009 at 2:01 PM
from what I can gather, the GOP elite in Florida already endorsed him back in the spring…I wonder if they will backtrack
cmsinaz on October 28, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Ed,
I think you are missing the point of Crist and the Stimulus. It was going to pass, what remained is whether or not Florida was going to get some of that money or whether it would raise taxes to cover the budget that Rubio refused to deal with as speaker.
I didnt agree with Crist but I understood the reasoning.
Squid Shark on October 28, 2009 at 2:02 PM
This guy’s pathetic. Salivating over the 12 billion dollars in stimulus money, never once having to answer the question of where the money comes from. He’s no different than those pathetic losers in Detroit lining up for “Oh-bahma munney.”
Rubio should be able to tear this guy up quite handily. Wonder if Newt will still carry the RNC water for Crist.
EMD on October 28, 2009 at 2:04 PM
even though they are not supposed to endorse until after the primary
cmsinaz on October 28, 2009 at 2:04 PM
*snort* You’re naughty!
alliebobbitt on October 28, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Rubio is too busy salivating over how many shady real estate deals and lobbyist hookups he can get as a US Senator.
Squid Shark on October 28, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Our morning radio girl calls him “Narsa-Crist”
IT FITS!
Bicyea on October 28, 2009 at 2:07 PM
What a coincidence! I ordered me a Special at breakfast this morning…
Lucky me.
tree hugging sister on October 28, 2009 at 2:08 PM
As soon as I see his birth certificate and all hidden transcripts, I will come to an informed conclusion on his legitimacy.
SirGawain on October 28, 2009 at 2:09 PM
I love “The Coffe Cup” I wish I could have been there. I told some friends that live P’cola that he would be there but I dont know if they made it.
I met Rubio in Orlando and I was very impressed. He is the real deal.
Nelsa on October 28, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Totally agree…There is no more powerful argument than that of a person getting clobbered with his own words. Out with the RINO’s.
search4truth on October 28, 2009 at 2:13 PM
The Constitution says something about transcripts? Andrew Johnson must have been screwed.
Squid Shark on October 28, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Because he told you so?
Squid Shark on October 28, 2009 at 2:14 PM
It seems you’ve confused him with Blagojevich, who briefly entertained the thought of appointing himself to Obama’s barely warm Senate seat before deciding outright to just take bids.
alliebobbitt on October 28, 2009 at 2:16 PM
If I may request, can we have more pics of Rubio?!!? Holy sweet moley!
SouthernGent on October 28, 2009 at 2:16 PM
“I was first in line to support the porkulous on behalf of my state and all I got was this lousy fruit basket.”
/Crist
ElectricPhase on October 28, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Nelsa, make sure they know about our Escambia County Facebook page! I try to get things posted the second I find out and send member emails to follow-up on important things like today. Even if you’re not volunteer material (And heck, if you’re employed, who has time?), it’s great to have like minded souls on board.
tree hugging sister on October 28, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Legitimate leaders don’t threaten the nation and Congress into having Congress stupidly and ILLEGITIMATELY pass the largest extraordinary spending bill in history, sight unseen, on Friday night (saying that the world will collapse if it isn’t done) and then run away for a vacation only to finally sign the legislation on Tuesday, after having transported the whole mess to the mid-west for whatever reason.
If that wasn’t enough for you, no legitimate leader of the executive branch of the federal government FORCES states to accept said money, which was un-Constitutionally authorized, to start with.
Ed, you have a much, much, … much lower threshold for legitimacy than I. And the above was but a single example of the illegitimate and extremely dangerous actions of the feral government.
progressoverpeace on October 28, 2009 at 2:18 PM
LOL. The scarf thing alone would turn me against Crist, but add to that Chris Matthews saying “I want to call you Charlie, I like you so much” and it’s hurl-your-lunch time.
BitterClinger on October 28, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Johnson was impeached. What are you going on about?
alliebobbitt on October 28, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Oh, dear God ~ that’s hilarious.
tree hugging sister on October 28, 2009 at 2:19 PM
1. obeyme is NOT my president
2. crist is a sell out douchenozzle
3. rubio is deliciously conservative & mega GORGEOUS
My prediction: Crist has name recognition but Rubio pulls it out in a squeaker
Ris4victory on October 28, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Why do you hate brown people?
alliebobbitt on October 28, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Rubio should be able to tear this guy up quite handily. Wonder if Newt will still carry the RNC water for Crist.
EMD on October 28, 2009 at 2:04 PM
If Hoffman wins (NY-23) Newt should listen to his common sense and slink back into his hole and STFU. I don’t think he will however. I believe his ego demon beat the crap out of his humility angel and now Newt can only hear the ego demon screaming at him to get out there and be seen.
SKYFOX on October 28, 2009 at 2:20 PM
It says something about legitimacy. Let me know if you require further help.
SirGawain on October 28, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Apparently you did not click on my name to visit my blog. I know more about Rubio than you would ever actually be willing to find out for yourself.
It’s obvious that you have no idea what you are talking about. I think I am just a weee bit more informed than you..
But keep it up because your rants can only help the cause…
Nelsa on October 28, 2009 at 2:20 PM
When said transcripts have a bearing on the nationality status of a person looking to occupy a Constitutionally defined office that has a nationality requirement of being a ‘natural born citizen’, then, “Yes, his transcripts are necessary to establish that he falls within the Constitution’s requirements.”
progressoverpeace on October 28, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Rubio was lucky he got out of the house when he did. One step ahead of the investigation that caught up his sucessor.
Funny that Sansom was indicted for doing essentially the same thing that Rubio did. Get himself hooked up with a sweet job at an institution he helped out when he was speaker (presumably while he was too busy to bring the amnesty bills to the floor)
Squid Shark on October 28, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Being a Rubio shill and “knowing more” about Rubio are not the same thing.
I have been following Rubio ever since before he was in the House. I have been decidedly unimpressed the whole time.
Squid Shark on October 28, 2009 at 2:25 PM
This add encapsulates the 2010 and 2012 elections in a nutshell.
It’s going to be ALL about who supported Obamanomics and who opposed it. Nothing else is going to mean squat.
logis on October 28, 2009 at 2:26 PM
I only hate douchnozzles from the Miami Machine that have run this state into the cluster it is in right now.
Squid Shark on October 28, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Must be real nice for Rubio looking out from the cheap seats. He only had to help cause FL’s budget issues, he didnt stick around to fix it, he took his 70K part time job at FIU instead.
Squid Shark on October 28, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Guilty of shilling as charged. I guess your next posts will detail the non-existent criminal charges against Rubio and an explanation of why the media have not brought them to the forefront.
I’ll hold my breath while I wait…
Nelsa on October 28, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Took one for the team, did ya? Lucky duck, you. ;)
hoosiermama on October 28, 2009 at 2:33 PM
You assume incorrectly, he is not being charged with anything, despite doing the same thing Sansom did.
Squid Shark on October 28, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Wow, Kennedy income range practically.
Marcus on October 28, 2009 at 2:34 PM
(It’s those 12 1/2 years in the Corps ~ taught me sacrifice yourself first…{8^P)
tree hugging sister on October 28, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Ive worked alot of part time jobs in my day and I never got set up with that kind of deal.
Squid Shark on October 28, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Easy there, big fella!
Goody2Shoes on October 28, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Hot damn! That ad is a giant zinger!
lovingmyUSA on October 28, 2009 at 2:39 PM
I know this jerk who got a cool million from these Norwegian idiots for sitting on his ass. AND a gold medal!
Marcus on October 28, 2009 at 2:40 PM
I do wonder what he will do with the money. I know the previous presidents were both independently wealthy and donated it.
Squid Shark on October 28, 2009 at 2:44 PM
You should see his wife. I met her a few years ago. Good G-d!
Squid Shark on October 28, 2009 at 2:46 PM
His wife? Now you’re giving a good fight, Squid. Gorgeous ? Kathleen Parker and Maureen Dowd don’t play that game Homie. She must be destroyed.
Marcus on October 28, 2009 at 2:55 PM
I read on Rubio’s website that he favors a flat tax in FL, replacing the property tax for primary homes.
karenhasfreedom on October 28, 2009 at 3:01 PM
I think this is a picture of Mrs. Rubio right here.
Emperor Norton on October 28, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Here I thought this thread would have numerous JetBoy comments defending Crist. It appears that Hope & Change hug wasn’t such a good idea after all.
Americannodash on October 28, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Oh, well it was lucky everybody else was there to prop up your bloated state budget, wasn’t it? Should we just consider it a virtual hurricane?
Chris_Balsz on October 28, 2009 at 3:15 PM
This sounds fine. My question is why does Obama have to be leader to all the un-American socialists, Maoists, and the like who either work in his administration or otherwise support him yet constitute a small segment of our population?
BuckeyeSam on October 28, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Wow!
Rubio for King.
BuckeyeSam on October 28, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Those commenters above saying that Crist abandoned his principles are giving him far too much credit. What makes you think he truly had any principles to abandon in the first place?
thirteen28 on October 28, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Dude is a straight up white washed Pharisee.
True_King on October 28, 2009 at 3:25 PM
In the McCain-Odumbo debates, Odumbo once remarked to McCain about Bush-”He’s your President.” Therefore I do not consider Odumbo to be my Pres.
rjoco1 on October 28, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Well, I think the Miami Machine had some great hits</a, and Cuban Americans are among the most patriotic, as well as reliable solid red votes.
alliebobbitt on October 28, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Yesterday Ed posted the Video of Rubio on “Morning Joe”
Rubio was on Joe’s radio show a little later and Joe asked him if Crist was a conservative.
Just after the 7:00 mark Rubio said, “No I don’t think you can call him a conservative…”
It’s great to have conservative candidate in Florida that is not afraid to tell it like it is…
Nelsa on October 28, 2009 at 3:32 PM
I really should preview my comments, because I screwed up the link — which is gold.
alliebobbitt on October 28, 2009 at 3:33 PM
$12 billion out of $787 billion is only 1.5% of Porkulus, for a state with 25 House members out of 435, or 5.7% of the House! Crist shouldn’t be salivating over the stimulus money–Florida got short-changed!!!
Steve Z on October 28, 2009 at 3:36 PM
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