Campaign Crawlers
Crist Capades
Oh, what a tangled web Charlie weaves.
Question: Is Florida Governor Charlie Crist a Republican or a Democrat? Answer: Yes. Depending on what’s popular at the moment. Just as one can estimate the time of day by watching heliotropic plants as they lean toward the sun, one can tell an election is nearing when Charlie “Rorschach” Crist starts changing his positions, leaning in the direction of what’s popular.
Taking a page from Flip Wilson’s Reverend Leroy, Crist belongs to the Political Church of What’s Happenin’ Now.” He’s rotating his political stock, to insure that the freshest ideas from polls and focus groups are what he puts out front for the voting public. This is easy enough for a politician who, as Crist has repeatedly demonstrated, has no philosophical core beyond the core belief that he belongs in high office.
As Crist now wishes to be a U.S. Senator from Florida, the public he’s most interested in is Republican primary voters, who this year are suffering from an acute case of RINO fatigue. The flavor of the year is clearly conservatism. So a revision of Crist’s recent political career, which has been at least as Democrat-friendly as it has been conservative since Charlie was handed the keys to Florida’s governor’s mansion in 2007, is much in need if Crist is to prevail over conservative former Florida House speaker Marco Rubio in an August primary. The latest polls show Crist maintains a lead over the lesser known Rubio. But that lead is disappearing faster than beer at a frat party.
Just a couple of examples of the new-improved Charlie, fresh from the re-write department: Take President Obama’s $7.87 billion stimulus slush fund (please). Crist didn’t just take money for Florida from this failed policy after it was adopted, for which he could not be criticized because the money would have been spent somewhere anyway. He supported the policy before it was adopted. He urged the members of Florida’s congressional delegation to vote for it, and went so far as to appear with Obama in Florida to whoop up the plan. He decided to sign on with a popular Democratic rookie president and his budget-busting plan at a time when other Republicans were supporting an approach that included far less federal spending and targeted tax cuts to stimulate the private sector.
Crist made his political bed last winter. But now that our rookie president is not so popular (and is likely headed back to AA ball after 2012, there to learn how to hit right-handed pitching), not to mention that his spending-on-steroids plan has yielded little more than mega-debt and promises of inflation to follow, Crist wishes to sleep elsewhere. He now claims he didn’t advocate for the policy, even though he’s captured on film multiple times and places doing and saying exactly that. He says now he wouldn’t have supported the policy had he been in the Senate and was just looking out that Florida received its fair share of the federal boodle. South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson could tell you what this claim is.
In a curious twist last week, Crist’s new communications director, one Andrea Saul, fresh from the triumph of being director of media affairs for the John McCain presidential campaign, tried to suggest that Rubio is a hypocrite for saying that had he been governor last year he would have accepted stimulus money for Florida.
Perhaps Saul is hoping Republicans voters aren’t nimble enough to tell the difference between being willing to take money that will be spent anyway and voting to spend the money in the first place. But it will be a challenge to get Republican primary voters, who tend to be more focused and informed than the run of general election voters, to believe that it’s Crist and not Rubio who has been the consistent conservative on this one.
Perhaps this sort of thing worked in the campaign of President McCain, but …Oops, I guess it didn’t.
Another major Crist re-write is in the area of cap and trade. In 2007 Crist’s enthusiasm for this Soviet-style plan, beloved of statists of all stripes, was hotter even that Al Gore says our planet will be if we don’t turn the economy over to Washington to run. Trying hard then to charm voters by being the un-Bush, Crist set up a dog and pony show in Miami in July of that year called “Serve to Preserve” (I don’t get what it’s supposed to mean either) where he called together such climate experts as Robert Kennedy Jr., and Arnold Schwarzenegger to indulge in a big public worry over global warming, which Crist called “one of the most important issues we will face this century.”
Once Ah-nuld had drawn a crowd, Crist went on to demonstrate how dangerous the global warming issue can be, politically at least, by issuing executive orders requiring Florida utilities to generate 20 percent of their power using “renewable” fuels (i.e. very expensive fuels that exist in trifling amounts) and establishing a carbon cap and trade system in Florida. Fortunately, the orders required enabling legislation from the Florida Legislature, most of the members of which turned out to be less easy to stampede than Charlie.
Comes now La Saul again claiming that the procedural legislation Rubio helped get through the Florida Legislature which put the kibosh on Charlie’s cap and trade order was in fact a cap and trade bill itself, making Rubio a capper and trader.
Nice try, says Rubio, but no way. The bill he wrangled through the legislature placed final approval of any cap and trade scheme with the state legislature, where Charlie’s insane executive order died unattended. Provisions in the bill put in by Republicans also prevented the state from adopting California’s strict and costly auto emissions standards, something else Crist said back then that he fancied, without approval from the legislature.
A Rubio op-ed in the July 25, 2007 edition of the Miami Herald shows he was opposed to cap and trade from the beginning. In it he says, “There is widespread support for diversifying our energy portfolio and becoming more efficient in our use of energy. However, efforts to accomplish these goals must be based on common sense. Recently, Governor Crist issued a number of bold and well-intentioned energy edicts. We should applaud Governor Crist’s willingness to spend political capital and tackling such an important issue. However the government mandates he has proposed will not only fail to achieve their desired result, they carry actual negative consequences. One impact is an increase in the cost of utilities.”
While campaigning in 2009 Rubio has consistently opposed cap and trade, saying it carries the potential of turning the U.S. into a third world country. He says entrepreneurs rather than politicians and bureaucrats will solve the country’s energy problems and provide for our energy needs. No ambiguity here.
Charlie has cooled on warming, just as the American public has. Not even the current global warming séance and rodeo in Copenhagen has drawn Charlie out on warming or cap and trade. Jim Greer, Florida Republican Party Chairman and a Crist dogsbody, can’t even remember Crist’s cap and trade executive order.
About the Author
Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.
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Cuspidor| 12.14.09 @ 6:37AM
For liberals and S.L.Toddard's edification,a spitton is a receptacle for expectorants that once graced various public places where issues of the day were discussed by knowledgeable men. Sometimes adult beverages were available and consumed by the anatagonists,all in good natured discussion of opposing viewpoints.
Pingback| 12.14.09 @ 6:59AM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : Crist Capades [spectator.org] on Top links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Nelsa| 12.14.09 @ 7:36AM
On May 7th 2008 Charlie Crist was quoted in the St Pete Times as saying this about the energy bill:
"It's great!" Crist exclaimed in an interview Tuesday. "Of course it's great. Are you kidding? We've finally moved Florida and the Southeast to the forefront on climate change!"
Melvin| 12.14.09 @ 7:48AM
Charles Crist is a loathsome creature of a human being being more akin to the character, "Gollum, or Worm Tongue" from the film Return of the King.
It has been rumored that Crist refers to Senate seat as, "My precious."
loulou| 12.14.09 @ 10:37AM
Plus, that salon tan is so retro. Yeecchh, who tans like that anymore?
LQQKY| 12.14.09 @ 10:45AM
Boehner -- another loser!
Richard Baker| 12.14.09 @ 7:58AM
Crist gives duplicitous politicians a bad name.
Spittoon
LQQKY| 12.14.09 @ 9:00AM
Crist is as worthless as t*ts on a boar hog. He has done nothing as governer except work on his tan and even got married to quell rumors that he was gay; in order to further his chances of becoming a (anybody's) vice-presidential candidate. I believe she is rich, she is good looking and she is rarely seen, certainly not with him.
He rivals the messiah in that he makes and breaks promises at will with little care as to the effect on the electorate. If you think Nelson (I was an astronaut) and Martinez (I am a Cuban refugee) were bad, look out for the Crist child -- he has them beat hands down, even if you combine them.
Oh well...
Deborah D| 12.14.09 @ 9:11AM
Well, bless Marco Rubio -- let's hope the common sense of Republican primary voters in Florida save the state (and the country) from the weathervane name Charlie Crist.
Al Adab| 12.14.09 @ 3:39PM
Right you are Deborah:
It is time, long past time, that the party voters move beyond the "old line" GOP and start promoting Conservative candidates for office. After all it was only the Conservatives who brought the GOP success. The accomodationist wing, the old country club Republicans, need to go the way of the Dodo. Those who fail to stand for something, swtand for nothing.
1FreeMan| 12.14.09 @ 9:40AM
If you lie dfown with dogs you can't complain when you wake up with fleas.
Crist made his bed with Obama and the fleas are beginning to bite. This RINO should have his pockets checked for the silverware when he vacates the Govonor's mansion after he is voted out.
He had so much promise, too. Turns out that it was all campaign lies... we republicans are getting tired of that, too. You hear us, Obama and lying Democrats? We have had enough!
Pingback| 12.14.09 @ 9:52AM
Utility Debts – Crist Capades – Spectator.org « Utility Debts links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Ken (Old Texican)| 12.14.09 @ 10:05AM
Mr. Thornberry
I suspect we are going to "wring out" a whole bunch of Crist types next year.
Thank you for your article.
MarkS- Jupiter FL| 12.14.09 @ 11:59AM
One little remarked aspect of Crist's machinations that left a bad taste in FL conservative's mouths is how he handled Mel Martinez's replacement. Rather than appointing a solid conservative to fill the spot, and then take his own chances should he wish to run for the seat in 2010, he appointed his 2006 campaign manager and longtime toady George LeMieux. Had he appointed Rubio or some other worth conservative that person would be a virtual shoo-in for reelection next year. Now, there will be an ugly primary and an opening for a Democrat although the prospects of a Dem win are dim. The proof that Charlie appointed a self-sacrificing placeholder loyal to Crist first, one who'd step out of the way for Charlie, is that we've heard nary a peep from LeMieux on the subject of reelection. That maneuver more than any other convinced this conservative that Charlie is not what we need.
Doctor Right| 12.14.09 @ 12:27PM
Crist is done. Stick a fork in him.
Take note, RINOs...We know who you are, and we're pissed...More pissed than we've ever been, including 1980.
You've screwed us one too many times. The nomination of RINO-IN-CHIEF John McCain, which led to the coronation of Barack the Liar, was the last straw.
Unless you're willing to supplicate yourselves fully and completely to us, the grass-roots of the Conservative movement, and acknowledge that you are our bitch, your careers are OVER.
OVER.
Got it?
Pingback| 12.14.09 @ 1:01PM
The American Spectator : Crist Capades American Me links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Miguel Saavadera| 12.14.09 @ 1:30PM
"Say what you mean, mean what you say, and defend your values in voice and actions" ... be predictable, chart a honest course, and have a backbone.
Get involed, support 'your' choice ... "Anyone but Crist."
factis| 12.14.09 @ 4:33PM
Mr. Crist strikes me as smarmy and duplicitous. Am I wrong? When he talks he sounds like one of those goody-goody apple-polishers who were always sucking up to the teacher in school; always on the front row; always brown-nosing. We The People have been ignoring politics (local and national) for too long. While we were living our lives, people like Mr. Crist wormed their way into positions of power. Mr. Crist strikes me as the kind of man who will say or do ANYTHING to feather his own nest. Why won't he just quit?
blogforce one| 12.14.09 @ 6:49PM
Christ is out!
Sarah Palin is rightly looking this as a Chess game re: the 2012 Presidential run. She is the Queen on the board and she needs the strongest chess pieces on her team when the big battle begins in earnest. Marco Rubio and Rick Perry will be the winners when the dust has settled and they will be key players who will be instrumental in delivering the White House to President elect Palin on Jan. 20th, 2013. Sarah Palin WILL endorse both and they will reciprocate when the time comes. Building a winning team is of utmost importance and the time is now to start.
Margie| 12.14.09 @ 10:31PM
This is just a very encouraging post, and it puts a smile on my face. Whoever Sarah endorses, it just revs up the conservative base. Whether she runs for Pres. or not, I'm so glad she isn't going away!
abenaki| 12.14.09 @ 8:25PM
Thanks, Mr Thornberry, for your column. Charlie went out of his way to make it easier for felons in FL to gain voting rights. Just what we need! Floridians, please vote for Rubio for US Senate, and McCullum for FL governor.
Pingback| 12.14.09 @ 9:01PM
2010 Is a Tricky Thing :: YankMcCain.com links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
John| 12.14.09 @ 9:21PM
"Weather vane Charlie." Gotta love that label I've been registered as an "independent" for years here in FL. But this year I am registering as a Republican so I can do my part to usher Charlie out the door. I suspect I am not the only one doing this.
Pingback| 12.14.09 @ 9:53PM
Gov. Charlie Crist: A Republican or a Democrat? The Answer: Yes! « Just Americans Mak links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
FLORIDA REPUBLICANS AGAINST CR| 12.14.09 @ 10:32PM
What a sellout RINO Crist is! From CAP & TRADE to restoring FELONS rights to putting LIBERAL judges on the bench to supporting John McCains AMNESTY to raising our TAXES to supporting GAY adoption to supporting OBAMA & his failed stimulus package! Vote this JACKASS out!!! Go RUBIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
REPUBLICANS 4 RUBIO!| 12.14.09 @ 10:39PM
IF ALL THESE CLEVER ATTACK ADS AGAINST RUBIO ARE TRUE... THEN WHY DOES MARCO STILL WANT TO DEBATE CRIST AND CRIST DOES NOT? Hmmmmmmm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkPwJeGEI68
Christians against Crist| 12.14.09 @ 10:47PM
As a christan I can not and will not vote for a gay man like Charlie Crist.
Pingback| 12.15.09 @ 11:34AM
The American Spectator : Crist Capades capital university links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.16.09 @ 2:13PM
About charlie crist, marco rubio, florida senate, rasmussen | Find me About links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
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