The American Spectator : Crist, Party of One

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Crist, Party of One

Yesterday he made it official -- he's an independent with Democrat leanings.

TAMPA -- Thanks to two events yesterday, the question of whether Florida's RINO governor Charlie Crist will run for the U.S. Senate as an independent has gone from a long-running and mildly-diverting speculation to a likelihood.

The exercise was always pointless. Crist already is an independent, regardless of where he appears on the ballot. He has about as much chance of defeating conservative former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio in the Republican primary in August as I have of being selected Miss America. All polls show him way behind Rubio. The most recent Rasmussen has him losing to Rubio by slightly more than two to one.

Crist put an exclamation point to his lonesome end position Thursday when he vetoed a bill passed by the heavily-Republican Florida Legislature that would have eliminated tenure for new public school teachers in Florida, based teacher pay on student performance rather than on seniority and number of degrees in education attained, and made it easier to fire incompetent teachers. (See RiShawn Biddle's fine analysis of the bill in Wednesday's TAS….)

Most of the Florida Republican leadership and the business community backed the bill, which they saw as a serious attempt to achieve some accountability in public education in Florida, a $20+ billion industry that is far better at providing jobs and security for teachers and bureaucrats, as well as dues for teachers unions, than in teaching Florida's children to read and write. It's a costly, underperforming, and over-staffed system that badly needs to be shaken up. This bill could have been a start in that direction.

Florida's Democratic leadership, teachers, and teachers union officials had a hissy-fit about the bill, as they always do when attempts are made to pay teachers for performance or to get rid of incompetent ones. Thousands of Miami-Dade County teachers took the day off Monday to protest the bill. Students across South Florida walked out of class to show solidarity with their teachers (and to miss whatever work was on hand for the day). Democratic candidates hammed it up.

As has become his pattern, Crist went with the Democrats, and with where he thought (rightly or wrongly) the votes are.

It's not hard to follow Crist's calculation on this one. Before finally taking the veto decision -- about which he had been dithering for weeks, milking the last ounce of free publicity from the issue -- Crist had no doubt already read a Quinnipiac poll released Thursday showing that in a three-way Senate race, with Crist running as in independent, he leads with 32 percent over Rubio's 30 percent and 24 percent for the likely Democratic nominee, Miami Congressman Kendrick Meek. With this as his only chance for political life after August 24, Crist no longer has to even try to keep the Florida Republican Party happy, or to stay in the fold.

I know, I know, Crist has said countless times that he would stay in the race as a Republican. But Crist has never let the fact that he's said he would do one thing stop him from doing something else if he thought it would benefit his undistinguished, opportunistic, and ideologically androgynous political career. It's more than passing odd that a man who has held four elected positions as a Republican, three of them state-wide offices, should now consider running as an outsider. But Crist has been more than a passing odd Republican.

There's every reason to be skeptical of the new Quinnipiac results. Other polls show Crist coming in last in the three-way race and Rubio first. But it's something for Crist to clutch at after seeing his huge lead over Rubio disappear and then turn into an embarrassing deficit.

Regardless of what the Quinnipiac numbers show today, it seems likely Crist will not have the goods either side of the political spectrum will be looking for in a U. S. Senator in November. Florida Republican primary voters this year are looking for a real conservative. A majority think they have found one in Rubio. And Democrats will go for the real liberal deal this November, which is Meek, an off-the-rack lefty who has voted the straight Obama line.

Charlie-watchers have no trouble understanding why Crist finds himself without a political team that really wants him. By his own actions Crist has destroyed his credibility as a Republican and a conservative, and there's probably no way to reclaim it now.

Though Crist occasionally trots out some conservative rhetoric on the stump, Florida Republicans have noticed he has not actually done anything conservative within easy memory. Au the contraire. Since becoming governor in 2007 Crist has whooped up expensive environmental schemes to require Florida utilities to generate power using "renewable" fuels, urged that Florida adopt California's expensive auto fuel standards, and actually issued an executive order establishing a carbon cap and trade system in Florida to save us from global warming. Fortunately, the Florida Legislature put an end to this fool's errand. All of these measures would have driven the cost of living up and expanded government.

Most famously, Crist incurred the wrath of Florida conservatives by supporting President Obama's $787 billion "stimulus" slush fund before it was adopted, undercutting the efforts of other Republicans attempting to take on our economic woes with tax cuts and less federal spending. Jeb Bush, Crist's predecessor as governor and still popular, called Crist's apostasy on this item of conservative faith "unforgivable."

There's more. Crist last year appointed a liberal judge to the Florida Supreme Court. In the spending area he's not learned his lesson. He's put faith in such big-spending boondoggles as high-speed rail, one of the most expensive way to travel on a per passenger mile basis, to produce jobs and prosperity in Florida. He's chased after billions in federal education grants to study new ways to teach Florida's students, who learned more under the old ways. Clearly Crist has no clue what the concept of limited government means.

With the Florida Legislature looking for $3 billion to balance the state's budget this year, Crist sent a DOA proposed budget to the Florida Legislature calling for hundreds of millions in new spending for K-12 education, universities, and environmental projects. Crist's budget was rejected with the horse laugh it deserved, and Republican legislators will have the pleasure of explaining to Floridians looking forward to the new boodle Crist proposed that the money isn't there, as Crist knew it wasn't when he put together his sham budget.

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topics:
Charlie Crist

About the Author

Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (37) | Leave a comment

Brian J. Donovan| 4.16.10 @ 6:22AM

For a better understanding of cap-and-trade, visit:

http://donovanlawgroup.wordpre.....-solution/

Kenny| 4.16.10 @ 7:10AM

This RINO is going down ugly ... but he will go down.

Is Juan McCain any better?

Billy| 4.18.10 @ 7:58AM

I was thinking about the Rubio boat, but after researching I realized Crist is the best choice for Florida. If we look at records, well first of all crist has a much longer one so that is much more reliable than Rubio,it will show that Crist really doesn't play politics when it comes to policy and does the will of the people. Rubio on the other hand does, and did not do the will of the people while we was Speaker of the House, the same position as Newt Gingrich was, and he let us down. this article here check it out and I know you will agree that Crist is the best choice for florida:

http://keironjackman.wordpress.....at-driver/

Charles Martel| 4.18.10 @ 9:58PM

Billy, you're hilarious. Keep 'em coming. The way you delivered that "Crist is the best choice for Florida" line with the text equivalent of a straight face was peerless. And that article you linked to? I couldn't stop laughing.

The bottom line to this is that there isn't a soul in the entire Sunshine State who thinks Charlie Crist is in this Senate race for any other reason than that Charlie Crist wants to be a US Senator. Nobody else shares that ambition for him. Nobody.

+++

Melvin| 4.16.10 @ 7:18AM

Crist is such a bastard for running under the Republican banner to begin with.

Louis Sing| 4.16.10 @ 7:31AM

Many teachers are not as "hard working and dedicated" as is claimed. There are multitudes who do it just to put in their time and get paid. When I was in grade school I knew several teachers who never checked their home work, and I made good grades despite never opening a book in their classes-and I turned in fake home work, which I just made anything up and turned it in: They never checked it. These people are going to get their pay raises and can go on for years, thus tenure. Thank you, Charlie, for rewarding more bricks in the wall of countless useless waste and rewarding lazy teachers. The House & Senate passed it for a reason. Now multitudes of teachers can eat more cake!

Son Of Sam| 4.16.10 @ 8:05AM

As a schoolteacher myself, I get good and pissed off at being lost in the shuffle because I have to make my way through so many bungling idiots who shouldn't be anywhere near a position of responsibility in education. The worst by far are the administrators, who originally had a liberal arts degree in green pottery glazing or Slavic womens studies or some other such bullshit, who then went to some crash course in how to be a principal. They stroll into one of my computer programming classes, they have NO CLUE what the hell we are doing, and then they get pissed off because some of the kids are on Facebook or Youtube. Well DUH!, you don't install the remote control software I've been pushing for since day one, you don't enforce my detention and cutting class slips, and you wonder why some of the children don't pay you any mind.

And then they wonder why I've lost all respect for them. Good GOD, my dog could run things better.

stand strong until freedom dawns
Son Of Sam

DanH| 4.16.10 @ 3:02PM

Son Of Sam
You just made my day!

stand strong until freedom dawns
Son of Bob

Ron Ferrell| 4.16.10 @ 6:47PM

Dang! You gave me a flashback. Speculating that my high school US history teacher didn't have the time to read all the weekly reports we were required to hand in, I ran a bogie about Woodrow Wilson, NICELY TYPED on my little electric Smith-Corona, that placed the teacher (and HS assistant football coach!) in history as Woodrow's pathetic roomate who dreamed of playing on the college team. Lacking appropriate athletic skills (in my version of history) my teacher/coach attained the position of "waterboy" on Woodrow's team, thru Woodrow's strenuous lobbying effort. Initially, I received an "A" for it verifying my suspicion, but while reading it aloud to some friends in the hallway (all guffawing loudly) another teacher (HS Head Coach) yanked it from my hands to see what was so funny. Then he proceeded to read it aloud to a small gathering of teachers down the hallway (again all guffawing). Needless to say, the "A" was later "corrected" by Woodrow's waterboy.

martin j smith| 4.16.10 @ 7:53AM

As an independent I tend to lean to right on both economic and national security matters. Now I realize how dangerous RINOS are in our political lanscape because they can sabotage viable opposition to the Democrat Party's agenda. They are just as much the "enemy" on a political level as the democrat party itself. Primary

Lullaby's, Legends and Lies| 4.16.10 @ 8:10AM

If you want to read an article about why, tenure, and the Teachers Unions needs to be eliminated from children's education, then read this article from the New Yorker. "The Rubber Room: The battle over New York City’s worst teachers. by Steven Brill"

http://www.newyorker.com/repor.....z0lGRE6uBC

Howard| 4.16.10 @ 8:12AM

Crist got caught in a riptide. The circa 2000 "compassionate conservative" version went out in Feb., 2009. People realize that accommodating the liberals accomplishes two things:
1. You merely slow, but not stop the drift towards Socialism.
2. The liberals still despise you anyways.
Crist is not liked by the true blue liberals, and obviously the conservative movement has passed him by. Since he claims that he gets a $10.00 haircut (doubtful), perhaps he can be a spokesman for Supercuts!

Heatpacker| 4.16.10 @ 9:36AM

Crist is one of those squishy, needy, posturing phonies who thinks that everyone will love him if he demonstrates a lack of commitment to any recognizable ideology. But when you become Mr. Accomodationist, all you do is invite contempt from both parties. In this partisan era, political moderation is a career killer. The voters, now more than ever, want candidates whose policies offer them a clear choice. If Charlie Crist thinks that he can win as an independent, he is even dumber than he has proved to be so far.

Old Soldier | 4.16.10 @ 9:59AM

Compassionate Conservative was never in with me. I want "Actual Conservatives."

axbucxdu| 4.17.10 @ 10:58AM

"Compassionate Conservative was never in with me. I want "Actual Conservatives." "

Conservative "grunts" think alike...

Anthony| 4.16.10 @ 8:57AM

Gee, I thought several months ago Crist insisted he was a conservative. My, how quickly things change for a nimble, reprehensible politician.
Crist is more than just lonesome, as you suggest in your article, the man is loathesome.
Will this man stop at nothing for his pathetic political career?

Teflon93| 4.16.10 @ 9:05AM

Who did the NRSC endorse in this race again?

1FreeMan| 4.16.10 @ 10:12AM

Crist is like a cornered rat. He sees the threat coming and can't decide which way to run to save his butt. Conservative yesterday, independent today, liberal democrat tomorrow... where will it end?

He won't take a stand; his real goal is to remain in public office damn the consequence to his supporters. Spineless RINO should be forcefully retired by the voters: do not re-elect this chump!

AND... if elected as a republican senator (or independent) he will almost immediately redesigante as a democrat and tilt the balance. Recognize this traitor early and don't empower him.

GreyLion| 4.16.10 @ 10:29AM

Folks, you have to understand that Crist is not a RINO. He is a WHORE. Just like any career politician he will sell his principals, his friends, and his sainted mother for one more vote.

MDS| 4.16.10 @ 11:30AM

Thornberry's article shows a profound ignorance of what was really happening here in Florida with SB6. Thousands of Republicans, independents and Tea Partiers spoke out against SB6 because of several major flaws in the bill. To frame this as a "conservative vs. liberal" issue is a mistake. Furthermore, it is also a mistake to characterize Florida teachers as Democrats. In my district, the overwhelming majority of teachers are Republicans, and this includes Union members. Statewide, about 40% of Union members are Republicans. Even so, most Republican teachers were solidly against SB6 as yet another Tallahassee takeover. Teachers in Florida (of which I am one) do not oppose accountability or getting rid of inept teachers. What we do demand, however, is that the plans put in place are fair and equitable. SB6 was not such a plan. Whether or not Crist helps or hurts himself by vetoing SB6 is not my concern. What IS my concern is that my fellow conservatives at the Spectator do their homework before spouting off on an issue that is far more complex than they realize.

Open Minded| 4.16.10 @ 2:04PM

If MDS is serious that the majority of teachers want accountability and means to get rid of inept teachers so long as the measures taken are equable, what are his/her proposal or the Uunion's proposal for an equable means to do that? In California where I reside, the teachers' union says the same thing but they never make a proposal of their own except to propose "due process" procedures that make removing teachers so cumbersome that it is practically impossible.

Al Adab| 4.16.10 @ 12:09PM

Pure Ego. Here we have a man who had in his grasp the opportunity to become a statesman and do a service to his country. Instead his self-importance becomes his lodestar. Like too many elected to office, they forget that we do not exist to support their office, but the office exists to protect the Citizens.

It is sad to see Crist come to this sorry state. better that he would have withdrawn and used his campaign funds to support Constitutional, Conservative candidates. Some day they will understand that no one is indispensible. Others can in fact, as the founders knew well, do the job.

Sally| 4.16.10 @ 12:43PM

CHARLIE CRIST=ARLEN SPECTOR!

SELLOUT! SELLOUT! SELLOUT!

Northern Rebel| 4.16.10 @ 12:46PM

It's a fitting end to a RINO. I pray that Arizona's doddering old fool will succumb in a similar fashion.

Also let us not forget our dear friend Flimsy Graham! I hope someone is gearing up to take out this Judas in the primary two years from now.

I just wish W hadn't bucked up Specter the way he did, and we could've been rid of him a lot faster.

We had to endure the embarrassment of watching Bush's gullibillity, as "Snarlin' Arlen blatantly betrayed him, as head of the judicial committee.

How's that new tone workin' out fer ya?

orlandocajun| 4.19.10 @ 1:37PM

Sorry Rebel, but I think that Flimsy runs again in '14. I believe that he was re-elected by the RINO State in '08.

wodiej| 4.16.10 @ 2:48PM

stick a fork in him, he's done.

Tim*| 4.16.10 @ 3:00PM

We ,Tea Party Rebels support Conservative Pat Toomey against The Turncoat RINO Arlen Specter.
Toomey's been ahead of Specter from the gitgo in the polls and is amassing a Big War Chest .

Down Goes Specter !
We Remember In November !

axbucxdu| 4.17.10 @ 11:17AM

Boy, Tim do I hope to see the S.P.E.C.T.R.E. dismissed in November. I'll be contributing to the effort by my vote and agitation against the slimy one. Apart from Toomey's fiscal conservative views, he honored his term limit pledge.

But I must caution you that when S.P.E.C.T.R.E. was elected in 1980, I recall the comments that a lot of PA voters held their nose to elect him. We Pennsylvanians can apparently hold our breath for quite some time.

Maybe in this election even the suburban Philly vote'll be coming up for air.

equityveritas| 4.16.10 @ 4:14PM

Kind of sad.. another pathetic politician who is so desperate to hold onto his life in that world. It's like pouring salt on an earthworm.

Bydand76| 4.16.10 @ 4:24PM

AYE!

RINO's Begone!

Specter, McCain, Graham, Snowe, Crist! YOU ARE FIRED!

Nov. cannot come soon enough!

Pro Libertate!

Ragnar| 4.16.10 @ 5:03PM

Crist is symptomatic of the elites in this country who have perpetrated the Great Betrayal of our Constitution and of the people who paid dearly to build and protect the USA: the last real Hope for Mankind.

jomo2009| 4.16.10 @ 5:50PM

Charlie Crist, RIP.

Elizabeth Craine| 4.17.10 @ 1:03PM

Crist is just out for himself. If he was a true Republican, he would drop out of the race and support Rubio. If he goes independant, he should have to give all the money back that he has raised as a Republican. People supported him financially as a Republican, not as an independant. If he goes independant I will be willing to bet that there is going to be a backlash against him.

Mike| 4.17.10 @ 5:19PM

SB6 was a horrible bill. It took away a lot of freedom and independence from local school boards and gave it to education bureaucrats in Tallahassee.
U can bash Crist all u want but he has proven to be a pretty good governor for the state in the last four years. From Rubio's time as House Speaker he's nothing more than an empty suit who used his government position to enrich himself. If he's elected I think true conservatives will be very disappointed in him.

1FreeMan| 4.18.10 @ 11:12PM

Mikey, oh mikey,

You can't prop Crist up. His spineless nature is wekk known. Have you been to a Rubio rally? He is personable and addresses every concern. Crist has already shown his failure to take a stand.

Go collect your paycheck: you posted what you were told to post.

Brian| 4.20.10 @ 2:04AM

Everyone that lives in FL knows Crist will run as an independent, trial lawyers and gambling interests are urging him to run as a spoiler. It'll make him very wealthy.