Fox News: Crist to announce independent run tomorrow

posted at 12:55 pm on April 28, 2010 by Allahpundit

So be it, Jedi.

Fox News has learned that Charlie Crist has decided and plans to announce that he is running as an Independent for the U.S. Senate. The official announcement is scheduled at 5pm in St. Petersburg, Florida tomorrow.

Crist has said that under no circumstance would he drop out of the race, saying he will do what is best for the voters of Florida. Crist says Republicans in Washington want him to stay in the Republican party but voters in Florida have told him they want him to run as an Independent.

I’ve given you this quote before but I’m going to give it to you again. Also from Fox News, exactly one month ago today:

WALLACE: So are you ruling out that you will file as an independent by the April 30th deadline?

CRIST: That’s right. That’s right. I’m running as a Republican.

WALLACE: You will run not for a governor — you’ll run for Senate, and you will run as a — in the Republican primary.

CRIST: Chris, I’m running for the United States Senate. I know that our country needs help. I’m running as a Republican. This man to my left is a friend but I hope to defeat him on August the 24th, and I would encourage every Florida Republican to get out and vote.

WALLACE: Will you support the winner of the GOP primary, whether it’s you or Marco Rubio?

CRIST: Of course I will. Of course I will. But I think before that decision is made, people–

WALLACE: Well, I’m going to get — I’m going to — I’ll give you an opportunity for a final statement. I just want to say, though, you are saying you are going to run in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. You will not run on the no party affiliation line.

CRIST: That’s right. That’s right. That’s what I’m saying.

Incumbency, careerism, and lies: The perfect candidate for 2010. WaPo claims his team ran an internal poll this week that showed a path to victory, but read this persuasive Rich Lowry analysis about why it’s likely all downhill from here. Remember Nate Silver’s point, too, about strategic voting in a close three-way race: So long as both Rubio and Kendrick Meek are in the thick of it on Election Day, centrists on both sides of the aisle will feel enormous pressure to defect from Crist and vote as partisans to stop the opposing party’s “extremist” candidate. Which is why, I suspect, Crist’s initial attacks will focus on Meek. Rubio’s going to get ~35 percent no matter what, so the quicker Crist can marginalize the Democrat and convince the lefty base that Meek is hopeless, the likelier he is to capitalize on strategic voting himself.

Stand by for updates. While we wait, Rubio already has a switcheroo-themed pledge drive in full swing on his website. You know what to do.

Update: An early candidate for quote of the day. Who said it? “Well, I probably shouldn’t say this. But I have thought from time to time that I might have helped the country more if I’d stayed a Republican.”

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When I end up chokin’ on that hat, who’s gonna take care of my dog and kitty?

JetBoy on April 28, 2010 at 2:01 PM

Something you shoulda considered before being so damned certain that the floridian oompa loompa wouldn’t flip.

chow down! chow chow chow!!!

ted c on April 28, 2010 at 3:36 PM

Mord on April 28, 2010 at 2:57 PM

A reservist these days, I am in Jacksonville though.

Squid Shark on April 28, 2010 at 3:38 PM

First up, RINO switch to INDY
Second up, round TWO on HUGS!!

ohhh yes, pass me that hat flavored popcorn….mmmm mmmm mmmm

ted c on April 28, 2010 at 3:38 PM

Squid Shark on April 28, 2010 at 3:38 PM

I’ve come to notice that of all the demographics represented here at HotAir, sailors seem to be the most predominant.

Jacksonville is really nice. I was just down there not too long ago.

Rightwingguy on April 28, 2010 at 3:45 PM

Do all politicians lie, or are all liars politicians?

GFW on April 28, 2010 at 3:45 PM

When I end up chokin’ on that hat, who’s gonna take care of my dog and kitty?

JetBoy on April 28, 2010 at 2:01 PM

JB, go get kitty and poochie and sit them down to watch this….it’ll all be okay.

ted c on April 28, 2010 at 3:46 PM

Do all politicians lie, or are all liars politicians?

GFW on April 28, 2010 at 3:45 PM

yes

ted c on April 28, 2010 at 3:47 PM

Which wine goes best with hat, red or white?

JohnBG on April 28, 2010 at 3:53 PM

I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if Crist pulls this off. All he has to do is convince Democrats that Meek is unelectable and then spend his remaining time campaigning in the liberal armpit of FL–Palm Beach/Broward/Miami-Dade counties. He’s already got the name recognition so those who aren’t following this race closely will probably vote for him anyway. I feel sick……..

Redneck Woman on April 28, 2010 at 3:57 PM

JohnBG on April 28, 2010 at 3:53 PM

For a Crist bet… it’s gotta be orange w(h)ine.

Abby Adams on April 28, 2010 at 3:59 PM

He’s already got the name recognition so those who aren’t following this race closely will probably vote for him anyway. I feel sick……..

Redneck Woman on April 28, 2010 at 3:57 PM

just check in with JB around this time tomorrow and see how he feels. Please ask him if he’d like a BBQ sandwich served in a dirty ashtray after he’s got a bellyfull of a trucker hat.

ted c on April 28, 2010 at 4:04 PM

Why are all the sore losers on our side? Scozzafava, Specter, Crist etc. You never hear about a lefty so mad they got beat in a Democrat primary that they split off. Why is that?

Speedwagon82 on April 28, 2010 at 4:06 PM

Which wine goes best with hat, red or white?

JohnBG on April 28, 2010 at 3:53 PM

Tequila.

the_nile on April 28, 2010 at 4:09 PM

Redneck Woman on April 28, 2010 at 3:57 PM

I don’t think you should feel so bad. To me, having both Rubio and Crist in the race to split the Republican vote would not persuade dems that Meek is unelectable. And if there are as many Jewish voters in Fl. as I think, you don’t have to worry – they would never vote against Meek, a black, unless he’s very anti-Israel.

chris999 on April 28, 2010 at 4:14 PM

Speedwagon82 on April 28, 2010 at 4:06 PM

Isn’t that what Lieberman did after he lost the conn. dem. senate primary? He’s the only one I can think of.

chris999 on April 28, 2010 at 4:16 PM

WHOA!!!!!

Crist denies saying he is running as independent

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 4:16 PM

TALLHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is denying that he has told supporters he will bolt the Republican Party to run for the U.S. Senate as an independent.

Link above.

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 4:16 PM

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 4:16 PM

JetBoy vindication nears?

Abby Adams on April 28, 2010 at 4:20 PM

TALLHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is denying that he has told supporters he will bolt the Republican Party to run for the U.S. Senate as an independent.
Crist told The Associated Press on Wednesday he has told no one of his decision, which is he scheduled to announce Thursday in St. Petersburg.

But two Crist confidantes say he told them in phone calls he planned to announce he is running as an independent. They requested anonymity because the announcement hasn’t been made. One cautioned that Crist frequently changes his mind.

Weirdness is a political liability.

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 4:20 PM

Is this man going through some kind of a mid-life crisis? He seems to be changing his mind about something every half hour. Get him a shrink, or put him on prosac.

chris999 on April 28, 2010 at 4:21 PM

What a FREAKIN’ LIAR! He would do better to run as a Dem. At least there, he would be welcome as one who tell the truth or keep his word.

Sporty1946 on April 28, 2010 at 4:21 PM

Speedwagon82 on April 28, 2010 at 4:06 PM

Isn’t that what Lieberman did after he lost the conn. dem. senate primary? He’s the only one I can think of.

chris999 on April 28, 2010 at 4:16 PM

Thats true, but there was never really any chance the Republican would win because of that split. I don’t think Lieberman would have done it if the Republican in the race was running in the 40s.

Speedwagon82 on April 28, 2010 at 4:23 PM

Abby Adams on April 28, 2010 at 4:20 PM

Maybe…except instead of being revealed a traitor, he’s instead revealed to be mentally unstable.

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 4:23 PM

it is truly hard to discribe most of our political class. Self-indulgent? sure. Bought? yeah. Unprincipled? only about 85% of them.

Power-hunger snakes that want to run the country with themselves in charge so that they can funnel money to their friends, relatives, family (and to themselves)…yeah, that’s about it.

Oh, btw, Frist seems to really like ObamaCare and Obama:

Asked by moderator Susan Dentzer, editor-in-chief of Health Affairs, how each of the men would have handled the healthcare reform process had they been in charge, Daschle and Frist both said they’d have tried hard to get some bipartisanship support.

“A huge mistake that was made,” Frist said, referring to the Democrat-only support of the legislation. “At the end of the day, having some itty-bitty element of bipartisanship would have made implementation a lot easier.”

Daschle agreed.

“It was unfortunate not to be able to accomplish some tiny part of bipartisanship,” Daschle said. “There has got to be a way we could have accomplished more bipartisanship.”

They were also asked about the high and low points of reform.

For Daschle, who represented South Dakota, the low points came after the August recess, during which impassioned and sometimes vitriolic town hall meetings dominated the headlines, and after the election of Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts to the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s old Senate seat, when it looked like the healthcare reform movement might be dead.

The high point for Frist: The healthcare summit hosted by President Obama during which Democrats and Republicans spent a day debating reform until glaring ideological difference made it clear that using the reconciliation process was the only way the Democrats could advance their bill.

Frist lauded Obama for his “persuasive charisma” and “command of the subject.”

“You have a president there who got his hands dirty, but still looked presidential,” Frist said.

SO they regret that the Dems didn’t throw even a 1% bone to Snowe or someone else….post partison mean 1 party rule to these guys.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Washington-Watch/Reform/19772

r keller on April 28, 2010 at 4:26 PM

Crist denies saying he is running as independent

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 4:16 PM

Jetboy’s colon breathes a sigh of relief….

ted c on April 28, 2010 at 4:41 PM

Weirdness is a political liability characteristic.

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 4:20 PM

FIFY!

:-)

INC on April 28, 2010 at 4:43 PM

FIFY!

:-)

INC on April 28, 2010 at 4:43 PM

Depends on whether you are running as a Democrat or Republican.

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 4:45 PM

I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if Crist pulls this off. Redneck Woman on April 28, 2010 at 3:57 PM

Not even close. He’s going to sink fast. He has a date with ignominy.

rrpjr on April 28, 2010 at 4:45 PM

But two Crist confidantes say he told them in phone calls he planned to announce he is running as an independent.

Now if he announces as an independent after all, he’s even more finished than he was. If not, the only logical announcement he can make is that he’s dropping out and supporting Rubio. No where to go now.

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 4:49 PM

Best thing to do, Donate to Rubio!

texasconserv on April 28, 2010 at 5:07 PM

Hillbuzz has a great post on how the GOP should go for Crist’s jugular, once and for all, and out him for his double life.

Time to separate the men from the drag queens: Charlie Crist goes Independent to ensure Democrat Senate victory in Florida. How the GOP responds is a test of mettle.

afone2 on April 28, 2010 at 5:16 PM

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is denying that he has told supporters he will bolt the Republican Party to run for the U.S. Senate as an independent.

Crist told The Associated Press on Wednesday he has told no one of his decision…

But two Crist confidantes say he told them in phone calls he planned to announce he is running as an independent. They requested anonymity because the announcement hasn’t been made.

I knew it!!!

Let’s see, Crist himself denies indy run, and two anonymous whomevers say he’s going indy.

Who to believe…hmmmm….

(And for the record, yes…it would be a real hat, not food. But obviously can’t eat the whole entire hat, figure three 1″x2″ pieces should do it. But I need not worry anyway.)

JetBoy on April 28, 2010 at 5:24 PM

But I need not worry anyway.)

JetBoy on April 28, 2010 at 5:24 PM

I’m liking the confidence!!! Guess we’ll see tomorrow! :-)

Abby Adams on April 28, 2010 at 5:28 PM

But I need not worry anyway.)

JetBoy on April 28, 2010 at 5:24 PM

I’m afraid you are doubling down on the heartache my friend.

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 5:30 PM

I’m afraid you are doubling down on the heartacheburn my friend.

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 5:30 PM

Too easy.

Abby Adams on April 28, 2010 at 5:33 PM

(And for the record, yes…it would be a real hat, not food. But obviously can’t eat the whole entire hat, figure three 1″x2″ pieces should do it. But I need not worry anyway.)

JetBoy on April 28, 2010 at 5:24 PM

Is that confirmed hat eating regulation?

the_nile on April 28, 2010 at 5:38 PM

From now on, it’s HatBoy.

Emperor Norton on April 28, 2010 at 5:40 PM

If Floridians fall for this, especially after all of the bad ink I’ve seen on Crist, then they will forever be known (especially when we throw in the 2000 elections) as the most ignorant voters in the nation.

madmonkphotog on April 28, 2010 at 5:41 PM

Too easy.

Abby Adams on April 28, 2010 at 5:33 PM

Indeed..pop-fly to center field :-)

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 5:41 PM

Is that confirmed hat eating regulation?

the_nile on April 28, 2010 at 5:38 PM

Should it come to it, I will post a poll somewhere…give ya the link, and y’all tell me what’s acceptable. I pay my debts honorably. But again…the fat lady ain’t sung yet!

JetBoy on April 28, 2010 at 5:41 PM

Well, as of 5:43 PM the NSRC still thinks he’s outta there.

AUINSC on April 28, 2010 at 5:43 PM

Is that confirmed hat eating regulation?

the_nile on April 28, 2010 at 5:38 PM

Works for me.

If you pray, Jetboy, I’d do it several hours tonight… cause come tomorrow, you’ll need some Pepto.

Enoxo on April 28, 2010 at 5:50 PM

The guys at Hillbuzz say:

“Democrats wanted Crist to sabotage the GOP’s chances in this Senate race.”

and

“The skeletons in Crist’s closet are hot pink, bedazzled with rhinestones, clutching the collected recordings of Liza AND Barbara, on limited-edition collector’s vinyl.”

and

“We urge the GOP to break from habit and tradition and focus everything they have got in exposing Charlie Crist for the liar and fraud he really is.”

Emperor Norton on April 28, 2010 at 5:54 PM

It appears the only thing Charlie Crist is true to, is Charlie Crist. And time may prove that wrong also. After all his nonsense, who in their right mind would vote for him? I also can’t believe the polls are correct, showing that as an Independent, he is tied with Rubio and Meek.

GFW on April 28, 2010 at 6:13 PM

Omm! Nommm!! Nommm!!!!

Seriously, get one of those paper fry cook hats…

Or is that against the rules?

BigWyo on April 28, 2010 at 6:29 PM

The Guardian is stupid.

Recent polls give Rubio, who for all his statements about getting the government out of peoples lives does back detention without trial and torture at Guantanamo Bay, twice the support of Crist.

Words cannot describe how dumb the interjection in that sentence is.

Red Cloud on April 28, 2010 at 7:10 PM

Or is that against the rules?

BigWyo on April 28, 2010 at 6:29 PM

Against the rules. Has to be his favorite hat.

Enoxo on April 28, 2010 at 7:13 PM

(And for the record, yes…it would be a real hat, not food. But obviously can’t eat the whole entire hat, figure three 1″x2″ pieces should do it. But I need not worry anyway.)

JetBoy on April 28, 2010 at 5:24 PM

“If Crist goes independent, I’ll eat my hat three 1″x2″ inch pieces of a hat!”

Pfft!

Kensington on April 28, 2010 at 7:24 PM

I don,t know why you posted all the things he said to Chis Wallace .He,s a RINO politician they do one thing very well.THEY LIE!!!!

thmcbb on April 28, 2010 at 7:44 PM

“If Crist goes independent, I’ll eat my hat three 1″x2″ inch pieces of a hat!”

Pfft!

Kensington on April 28, 2010 at 7:24 PM

Point taken.

As a final point on this before tomorrow’s announcement, I take you back in time to a couple weeks ago…

April 8th, 2010: “To put these rumors to rest once and for all, as we have said countless times before, Governor Crist is running for the United States Senate as a Republican. He will not run as an Independent or as a No Party Affiliation,” said Eric Eikenberg, Crist’s campaign manager.

“The Governor is proud of his conservative credentials and stands firmly behind the principles of limited government and more personal freedom, the bedrock values of the Republican Party. He is proud to be a member of the Party of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan.”

JetBoy on April 28, 2010 at 8:09 PM

Point taken.

JetBoy on April 28, 2010 at 8:09 PM

Eh, I don’t want your obstructed bowels on my conscience.

On the other hand, having obstructed bowels can’t be any worse than trying to drag John McCain across the finish line in ’08.

Kensington on April 28, 2010 at 8:19 PM

So when he is done handing this senate seat to the Dems, I wonder what position in the Obama admin. he’ll be rewarded with.

smokinjoe on April 28, 2010 at 8:51 PM

JetBoy

While I could not disagree with you anymore then I already do. I got to say…how would you like your hat? :)

No not that…

Thanks for actually standing up and showing values. I honestly hope that Crist does not switch tomorrow, and show some of the same values, however I am not eating my hat.

F15Mech on April 28, 2010 at 9:14 PM

BTW assuming Crist does switch..

HA needs to post a video of a certain comenter eating a hat.

F15Mech on April 28, 2010 at 9:21 PM

I think that the Polo shirt group in the GOP ain’t gonna give up power easily. :)

AnninCA on April 28, 2010 at 9:27 PM

Best. Hook line. Ever.

ConfigSys.boy on April 28, 2010 at 9:51 PM

JetBoy on April 28, 2010 at 5:24 PM

Buddy, every warm body I know in Tallahassee has told me that the declaration of independence is coming tomorrow. It is a done deal.

Squid Shark on April 28, 2010 at 10:52 PM

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/crist-tries-call-rahm-emanuel

Who didn’t see this coming months ago?

Marcus on April 28, 2010 at 11:22 PM

Not only did this happen, but I just got back from an event where one of Crist’s event planners said she’s quitting if Crist leaves the GOP. I’m sure he will be losing a ton of staff and a tidal wave of GOP support will finally hit Rubio. Crist’s career as a politician is over!

dnlchisholm on April 29, 2010 at 12:09 AM

What’s the difference between Arlen Specter and Charlie Crist?

Not A’hole helluva lot.

olesparkie on April 29, 2010 at 7:43 AM

Does Crist really think Florida voters are going to reward him with a Senate seat when he looks so desperate and graspy to get elected?

olesparkie on April 29, 2010 at 7:52 AM

Does Crist really think Florida voters are going to reward him with a Senate seat when he looks so desperate and graspy to get elected?

olesparkie on April 29, 2010 at 7:52 AM

In a word: Yes

(Too much spray-tanning obviously gives people delusions of grandeur, along with a heavy dose of NPD)

Marybeth on April 29, 2010 at 8:01 AM

Crist is starting his own party. The RINO Party is going to be flushed from the ranks of the Republicans. The RINO Party will definitely fail as the liberal leftewing nutjobs who have taken over the demonrat party will ultimately fail. The pain and the anguish caused by this transition back will be severe, but worth it.

volsense on April 29, 2010 at 9:06 AM

Hey Marybeth. Maybe the delusions caused by the spray-tanning that seems to be spreading among the shallow and naive are what Obambi means by “skin in the game”.Anything but white.

volsense on April 29, 2010 at 9:10 AM

Crist tried to contact Rahm Emmanuel at the White House last night, but he refuse his call. This just reported in The Atlantic. Nauseating to see these liberal eunuchs to go out whimpering like a spanked coward.

volsense on April 29, 2010 at 9:23 AM

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