The American Spectator : End of the Line

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End of the Line

Independent or not, there's no third way out for Charlie Crist.

Citing campaign sources, several national and Florida media reported Wednesday that RINO Florida Governor Charlie Crist had already made the decision to run for the U.S. Senate as an independent. He probably has. But Crist is famous for changing his mind. Just a couple of weeks ago Crist was assuring us he would run as a Republican.

After a cabinet meeting in Tallahassee Tuesday, the 53-year-old Crist said he would decide by today what he wants to be when he grows up. Those who've followed Crist's career doubt he will have this important question nailed down by today, or perhaps ever. But at least he'll be able to decide whether he wishes to lose to conservative former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio in the Republican Senate primary August 24, or run as an independent and lose in a race including Rubio and Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek of Miami on November 2. Filing for the Senate race in Florida closes at noon Friday.

Neither of these choices is attractive. But they're what are left to the once-popular governor, who many Florida voters, including a majority of Republicans, have spotted as a flip-flopper, a philosophical non-working number, and an opportunist. Although many national and Florida media, and Democrats, are claiming the decision is momentous and changes the dynamics in Florida, it almost certainly doesn't. Conservative Rubio still has the strongest hand. Liberal Meek is weak, as is the ideologically agnostic Crist.

Crist is a political lightweight who has held a succession of Florida offices in flush times, won mainly on the basis of a pleasing manner, a good shoe-shine, and a facility to convince Florida voters that he just L-U-Vs them. As the situation requires, Crist is comfortable being conservative, liberal, moderate, populist, vegetarian, high-church, low-church, no-church, or fill-in-the-blank. He bats and throws left, right, and center.

In 2010, when Florida Republican voters are looking for a principled conservative candidate, Crist finds himself without the goods, and without a base. Rubio is having no such identity problem. He filed for the Senate seat Tuesday as a Republican.

"I'm the only candidate in this race that will stand up to this [Democratic] agenda and offer clear alternatives," Rubio said while officially declaring his candidacy in Miami. "My positions are mainstream American positions. They talk about limited government, the free enterprise system, and how the world is a better place when America is the strongest country in the world."

Florida voters have heard nothing like this from Crist, which is why going into "decision week" the Real Clear Politics average of polls showed Crist trailing Rubio by 22.8 points in the Republican primary race.

Crist's prospects as an independent, certain polls withstanding, aren't much better than his zero-chance as a Republican. Crist took heart from a recent Quinnipiac Poll showing that he would be competitive in a three-way race for the Senate seat. In fact, the Q Poll showed Crist with 32 percent of the vote to Rubio's 30 percent, with Democrat Kendrick Meek at 24. The poll showed Crist with the vote of 30 percent of self-identified Republicans and 27 percent of Democrats. Many media outlets have used this poll as a basis for stories maintaining Crist is a real contender as an independent. In the absence of something that incapacitates Rubio's campaign, he isn't.

A more recent Rasmussen poll showed Rubio ahead with 37 percent to Crist's 30 percent and Meek trailing. Still within shouting distance for Crist. But the history of third party and independent candidates is that they fade badly at the end and don't do well on election day. Most voters who fancy exotics during election run-ups then sober up and vote for the candidates of major parties at the end. The last candidate not a member of one of the major political parties to win statewide office in Florida was Sidney J. Cains, who won the governorship as a member of the Prohibition Party in 1916.

Most third-party candidates who make a good showing do so because they've caught the right side of a popular emotional issue and they're charismatic personalities. Crist is not identified with any issue beyond keeping himself in office, and he's hardly charismatic. He represents the radical middle in a year when Florida votes are, to a degree rarely seen, either left or right.

If Crist indeed goes bare today, he will be free of the stigma of trailing Marco Rubio badly in the race for the Republican nomination. But he will immediately inherit new problems, including campaign fund-raising.

Crist pulled in lots of campaign cash early when it appeared he was a sure winner against the then little-known Rubio. Establishment money and endorsements rolled in before conservative Rubio began rolling over Crist in what has turned out to be a conservative election cycle. Crist has about $7.5 million in his campaign account, but his fundraising has slowed markedly. Without a party, without a base, and without a message, he'd have trouble adding to this.

In fact, Crist may wind up with less than this to spend. The conservative Club for Growth, which is backing Rubio and bundling campaign contributions for him, has pledged to contact Republican donors who've given money to Crist and instruct them on how to ask for their donations back. A similar campaign by the club after Arlen Specter became a Democrat cost Specter about $800,000 in returned campaign cash, according to Club for Growth spokesman Mike Connolly.

Although Crist is not legally obliged to return contributions because he's changed party status, it would be smart to do so as quickly and quietly as possible.

"Crist could keep every dime," Connolly told me. "But the PR would be terrible. If he keeps the money for his campaign it would play into his biggest vulnerability, which is his reputation as a loser and an unprincipled opportunist."

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About the Author

Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (87) | Leave a comment

tj| 4.29.10 @ 6:21AM

Off Topic!!! http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,591683,00.html
Congress Votes on Statehood for Puerto Rico today...this will change our country as we know it. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!

canuckistani| 4.29.10 @ 9:23AM

Wake up to what, exactly?
He references the Tennessee example. Frankly, I would have opposed their entry because nothing good has come to the union with them in it....I assume you mean the same thing if PR's suddenly come rampaging through your neighborhood?

canuckistani| 4.29.10 @ 9:35AM

....except whiskey and elvis.....I like them Tennessee contributions.....

Purpleguy| 4.29.10 @ 2:05PM

You're quoting this crazy loon as something to be worried about? the same guy that thinks Acorn, Hitler and GW Bush are all Progressives. The guy is a paranoid schizophrenic... No worries here.

Tom Anderson| 5.2.10 @ 2:34PM

Acorn, Hitler, and GWBush *are* all progressive in that they all espouse basically the same political philosophy: all power to the government, one run by people who know better than you do how to run your life. Obviously there are differences, but they are less important than the similarities. Bush, especially, was a big government liberal who regarded big government as a positive good. His policies on immigration were anti-American and anti-limited government and he supported the bank ballout of wall street. He was insufficiently vigorous in dealing with Freddie and Fannie, he favored the unfunded medicare program, our socialized transport authority and no child left behind. He could even support permanent tax cuts. Bush was an even greater disaster than was his father, who was, in turn, Reagan's biggest mistake.

Merryl Richmond| 9.20.11 @ 2:08PM

Mr. Anderson,
Interesting how you begin your missive by mentioning Acorn and Hitler, but choose to belittle and exaggerate G.W. Bush's presidency and ignore the other two. The N.Y. Times published articles on GW Bush , who sent out close to two dozen warning about Fannie and Freddie, which the liberal democrats in Congress blocked all means of reigning them in. GW said in the NY times article that the Libs preventing an overhaul of Fannie and Freddie would result in an economic catastrophe. They laughed at him. So, save your critique for Barnie Frank and Chris Dodd. Also, Kennedy wrote "No Child," which you leave out. For almost the entire 8 yrs before the liberal failure of Fannie and Freddie, we still had aprox. 5% unemployment under GW. Everything went downhill when the Liberals took over Congress in 2007. Now unemployment is at least double, and you have no criticism for Obama or for the first two years of his presidency when he had complete Dem control of the congress? Your facts and your bias color your integrity.

Melvin| 4.29.10 @ 7:42AM

Floridians better not count old Charlie out. Especially after Rubio's comments against AZ immigration law.
The drums are beginning to be with the song of, "Rubio the RHINO."
Right now there appears to be a bunch of pissed off Conservatives at Rubio if one reads the comments of the various local rags down in Florida.
Old Charlie might just pull this one off.

Carol| 4.29.10 @ 8:08AM

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Rubio should haven't made that comment. His parents situation was way different from the Mexicans over taking our southern states (I know - I live in the Welfare State of Colorado).

The truthtellers out here were saying that if Crist went independent, he'll win the thing.

canuckistani| 4.29.10 @ 9:32AM

Crist will win.
Rubio will fade after peaking too soon.
The AZ bill is like your drunk uncle crashing a wedding with your new inlaws seeing you can't control the lunatic fringe. Visions of disaster picnics and christenings to come....
Bush 2000:

xcon| 4.29.10 @ 9:34AM

Rubios Az. immigration bill comments could hurt him somewhat. Still, I agree with him on the other 95% of issues and policies.
Would I agree with Charlies issues and policies 95% of the time?
Surely not!!!
As for Meek, only the libdiots in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, will vote for that turd.
Rubio's the man!!

donserge| 4.29.10 @ 8:56AM

The only supporters Crist will have in the end will be people with no core values, just like him.

Anthony| 4.29.10 @ 9:20AM

.......AND THE ARLEN SPECTER AWARD FOR 2010 GOES TO......(Suprise!!) Charlie Crist.
This disgrace of a human being and professional hack politician needs to be retired once and for all. He, like Specter, has become a cancer on the American body politic.
We are sick of these super ego fools who think the country cannot get along without them, or, who cannot think of anything other than their own personal aggrandizement.
The professional political class must go!!!

Margie| 4.29.10 @ 11:25AM

Crist's super-ego is rather outrageous, isn't it? Outrageous yes, but not in the least surprising for a politician. They can't just go away like they know we want them to. I'm hoping that the sleeping Giant (that would be our like-minded fellow conservatives), are more in number than those that are still asleep, and make sure that they get to the polls in droves.

somnolence| 4.29.10 @ 9:13AM

Crist is now officially a pariah to be shunned. Only fools, overtly sensitive ones at that would be swayed by Rubio's immigration remarks. This is just what Obamaite would want you to do . You want to let him and Pelosi keep up the march beyond 2014? Then avoid the clash of egos/oversensitivity game. The future may very well damned depend upon it.

Tony Smith| 4.29.10 @ 9:17AM

I am a Democrat. I have core values. Republicans are lunatics. I'm voting for Crist! What happened to "the party of Lincoln"? What a crock. You guys are the party of Southern Segregationists. Remember -- the people who ran from the Democrats? Where did they go? To the GOP. Enjoy your irrelevance as Crist wins.

wukong| 4.29.10 @ 9:34AM

A Democrat from Liberty or Jefferson County? Which one?

P.Smith| 4.29.10 @ 9:36AM

“I am a Democrat. I have core values.”

Democrat and Core Values are mutually exclusive,…..

unless by saying “core values” what you really meant was “I am a soulless, hollow shell of a man and these are my core values.” That might make sense.

Dan Hirsch| 4.29.10 @ 9:56AM

Tony;

Could you please name a core value or two that are clearly reflected in your party's recent legislative?

Mmm..that'd be great.

Honesty, transparency, protection of individual and Constitutional rights are already off the table.

Thanks,

Me? I am just economically-educated, technically-educated conservative whose main error is thinking that the laws and governance of this country should follow from the words written on old parchment called the Constitution...

loulou| 4.29.10 @ 10:00AM

It appears that Crist is quick to employ the DNC tactics--flooding sites with "Ellie Light" posts. Tony Smith and others: You're frauds.

Anthony| 4.29.10 @ 11:49AM

Hey Tony, I believe your "core values" have perhaps warped your historical knowledge of America. Perhaps you were in the back of the class, wacking off, when your history teacher was telling you that the party of the Southern Segregationists is and was the DEMOCRAT PARTY.
Perhaps you have heard of "axe handle" Lester Maddox of Georgia, "Fire hose" Bull Conners of Mississippi, Al Gore Sr. of Tenn., father of the dimwit Internet inventor Al Gore Jr. Bill Clinton's mentor, the senator of Ark. whose name excapes me at the moment, and of course, George Wallace.
You are a moron of the first order, go back to the Huffington Post and rail about the Nazi-like Arizona law, you buffoon.

mikes| 4.29.10 @ 11:49AM

Hey Tony---go back to sleep and when you wake up after the Nov. election you are going to have a big suprise. The democrat/communists are going to wiped out.

antidote| 4.29.10 @ 11:11PM

Crist is going to wipe up the floor with Rubio. Support from the crackpot teabaggers will do Rubio in. Keep it up teabaggers, the sane Floridians want Charlie.

JimE| 4.30.10 @ 1:45AM

Smith,
Southern Segregationists were actually democrats, better bone up on history instead of being a KOS cyborg.

P. Smith| 4.29.10 @ 9:24AM

I was surprised when American Spectator mentioned that Crist was 53 years old, he looks much older; guess those tanning beds haven’t been so kind.

loulou| 4.29.10 @ 10:02AM

You're right--he looks like a 70 year old. Who knows what else he's been doing besides lying on a tanning bed and keeping his shoes well shined and spiffy.

P.Smith| 4.29.10 @ 11:48AM

I have certain suspicions about Crist’s extracurricular activities ….

loulou| 4.29.10 @ 10:04AM

Has Senator Cornyn of the NRSC issued a statement on his blunder of throwing money Crist's way?

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 10:10AM

Rubio :
“Everyone is concerned with the prospect of the ‘reasonable suspicion’ provisions, where individuals can be pulled over because someone suspects that they may not be legal in this country. I think over time people will grow uncomfortable with that.”

On the prospect of suspects showing documentation to police to prove they are legal, Rubio said, “That’s not really something that Americans are comfortable with, the notion of a police state.”

But then making sure he didn’t alienate too many conservative Republicans, he added a gratuitous shot at President Obama, saying,

“My hope is that the Obama administration doesn’t use this as an excuse to ram through amnesty or something that would make it impossible for us to have a legal immigration system that works,” Rubio said.

Uh Oh ! Rubio's Caught Washington RINO CINO Disease.

Hold Rubio's Feet To The Fire !

The Tea Party Doesn't Need To Support Any " Lesser Evil " Candidates.

Melvin| 4.29.10 @ 10:43AM

Thats right brothers and sisters hold Marco Rubio's feet to the fire to purge those eevill RHINO Demons from the depths of his soul.
Put him into the fire boys, "!!Ai Carumba!!" Does it burn Marco, does it burn? Again boys. "No mas, No mas." Tell me Marco do you fell the cleansing fire of Conservatism? "I want to die my hair white like Charlie!!" Again Boys he's not done yet. "Mi Madre, no mas, no mas.... Enforce the law, just enforce the law."
There you have it brothers and sisters another RHINO sinner comes back into the fold.

The above is just a small attempt at humor in a humorless day.

Margie| 4.29.10 @ 11:34AM

Pretty good, Melvin. Kudos.
Some people just don't get it that there isn't in existence on the face of the earth, "the perfect candidate."
Mr. Rubio will do just fine. The people (tea partiers and others), of Fl. will see to it, IMHO.

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 1:18PM

Aaaand , " Some People " are now acting as apologists for Marco's uninformed statements on Arizona's Bill .
Words have meaning !

We,Tea Party Rebels will challenge Rubio to amend his Arizona Bill statements .

We're in No Candidates Pocket.

Margie| 4.29.10 @ 1:41PM

Yes, words do have meaning, Tim*~ Like the ones you called me recently, right? What were they? "slandering -Slut"~ "Neo-conservative Fanatic"~ "Israel-Firster"~ "Manie-woman"~ "Fascist Sweetie"~ "Nutbag"~

You mean THOSE kinds of words, Tim*?

You don't fool me with your pretend conservatism and constant Tea Party concern trolling.

Your Paul-bot fanaticism is showing again in your attempt to discourage voters from considering Rubio.

You're a liar and your words will be your own judge against you.

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 2:41PM

Uh Oh ! " There She Goes Again " !
Obviously ,You don't know me Lamb Chop .
Duuuhhh !
While , I like Dr.Paul , I Never voted for him , just as I like Pat Buchanan and Never voted for him either.
Now give me a hug, Lambie Pie

P.S.
Ron Paul’s six point plan puts a stop to illegal immigration:

1. Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals.
2. Enforce visa rules. Immigration officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas.
3. No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That’s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws.
4. No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules. But taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services.
5. End birthright citizenship. As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong.
6. Pass true immigration reform. The current system is incoherent and unfair. But current reform proposals would allow up to 60 million more immigrants into our country, according to the Heritage Foundation. This is insanity. Legal immigrants from all countries should face the same rules and waiting periods.

Gotta problem with it ?
Hmmmm,Sweet Cheeks ?

Margie| 4.29.10 @ 2:52PM

The same loony who says Obama's not a Socialist? That Ron Paul?

The same loony who says "The terrorists are terrorists because of the United States?" That Ron Paul?

The same loony who is a Palestinian sympathizer and despises conservatives in the same manner as you do?

Oh. That sick man, just as sick as you are.

Pervert.

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 3:05PM

Gee Zany Margie!
Actually , Dr.Paul Said ,“When he ( Obama ) is a called a socialist, the President and his defenders can easily deflect that charge by pointing out that the historical meaning of socialism is government ownership of industry; under the President’s policies, industry remains in nominally private hands. Using the more accurate term – corporatism – forces the President to defend his policies that increase government control of private industries and expand de facto subsidies to big businesses. This also promotes the understanding that though the current system may not be pure socialism, neither is it free-market since government controls the private sector through taxes, regulations, and subsidies, and has done so for decades.”
Gotta Problem With That ,Neocon Crazy Lady ?
Hmmmmm ?

Margie| 4.29.10 @ 3:17PM

You obviously don't have a problem with potty mouth, and you obviously don't have a problem with a terrorist sympathizer. You Libertarian thugs are no different than the Leftists in your morality.

You militant Paul-bots think you are going to succeed taking over the Republican party but you just have a major problem hiding your insanity. That's why you can't win, Paul-bot. You're a typical ideologue accusing conservatives of same.
Lotsa luck, pervert.

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 3:32PM

Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha !

Aaaaand , If You Neocon Agendists think you're gonna foist another Serial Traitor to Conservatism , such as John McCain onto The Republican Party , like last time ,You are as Zany ,as your posts prove you are.

You Are Very PMS'y today , again.

Take Your Meds !

Margie| 4.29.10 @ 3:38PM

Poor Timmy* is listening to those voices in his head again. "Neo-con Agendist" hey, Timmy*?

Paranoid much?

Pervert.

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 3:46PM

Noooo Apocalyptic Momma , I'm Listening To Sean Hannity !

Don't Tell Us , You Supported McCain !

And here , I supported Big Fred ,until he dropped out , and then Duncan Hunter ,until he dropped out .

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 3:55PM

Marco's comin' up on The Seany Show.

Let's Listen ,as they discuss his comments about The Arizona Illegal Alien Bill & that Plastic RINO Chuckie Boy Crist .

Let's see , if he qualifies & amends what he said about The Arizona Bill or Not.

Margie| 4.29.10 @ 3:58PM

Don't tell "us"~ you threw your vote away to Obama because you couldn't vote for McCain when he became the nominee, right? I bet you wrote "Dr. Paul's" name in on the ballot?

Loser.

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 4:06PM

Heaven's No , Neocon Nanny !
But , You Threw Away Your Vote On McCain,who was toast when he opposed The Republican Rebels & voted for Tarp .

Margie| 4.29.10 @ 4:19PM

Listen Toddard, Oops I mean Timmy boy*~

You're a fake phony fraud.

Go Marco Rubio!

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 4:39PM

Buuuutttt Margie , are not you , little more than a total slandering loose cannon hypocrite & a Phoney Christian to boot.

God Hears You Too ,Nasty Neocon Nutbag.

Margie| 4.29.10 @ 4:48PM

Toddard, I mean Timmy*~
(You didn't deny it)~
Not all Christians are Catholics, whether you like it or not.
And God will judge me as to whether I am a hypocrite or not, yes. That's why I speak truthfully, don't hide my identity, and make it clear where I stand.

And I don't hate other Christians. Even if they are Catholic.
God bless.

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 5:02PM

But Helen Thomas , I mean Margie
Why would I care if all Christians are not Catholics ?
Aaaand God sure does, slandering & nasty Faux Christian Crazy.
Then , Zany Lady says , " Even if They Are Catholics " Well Ain't that Big of You ,Apocalyptic Annie !

Go Lay Down !

Margie| 4.29.10 @ 5:32PM

You still haven't denied you're Toddard, snake.

Gonna lie?

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 11:16PM

Neither Have You Toddard ,Worm.

Margie| 4.29.10 @ 10:46PM

Crickets.....

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 11:18PM

Bats.......
.......... In Margie's Belfry

You Are Sooooo Freakin' Nuts !

See A Therapist Honey Bunch.

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 4:34PM

Rubio,A Few days Ago :
" I think aspects of the law, especially that dealing with ‘reasonable suspicion,’ are going to put our law enforcement officers in an incredibly difficult position. It could also unreasonably single out people who are here legally, including many American citizens. Throughout American history and throughout this administration we have seen that when government is given an inch it takes a mile. "
Today's New Statements :
" If I Were In Arizona ,I'd Vote Of The Arizona Bill . "
" Nobody has the right to criticize what Arizona has done "

Seeeee ! He coulda said that " Three Days Ago "
, but He didn't.

This is what Our Tea Party Pressure gains us.

A Floridian Cubano ,who now is sayin' he agrees with The Arizona Bill " IF " he were in Arizona.

That leaves Marco , still a little wiggle room to equivocate .

JimE| 4.30.10 @ 1:48AM

Right on Margie, Tim is like Brooks " I'm super conservative so I vote for obama". Just another useful idiot.

Tim*| 4.30.10 @ 6:19AM

Wrong Jimmy Boy !
David Brooks is a Canadian born pseudo-intellectual NeoCon RINO-CINO ,who backed that other Serial Traitor to Conservatism,McCain.
Now,Tell us what you even know about McCain-Feingold , McCain-Lieberman ,McCain-Kennedy ,Gang of 14 ,Opposition to Bush 2001 & 2003 Tax Cuts,Vote For Tarp.
And you clowns voted for this Serial Traitor to Conservatism .
I voted for neither McCain nor The Banana Republic Alynskiite Obama .
Aaaaand, I didn't Write- In Dr.Paul either.
I wrote In My Protest Vote............... !
His Initials Are JLF !

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates !

We Remember In November.

Scott| 4.30.10 @ 2:41PM

End birthright citizenship???? WTF I thought the kooks on this site supported the consitution they carried around in their front pocket?

Anthony| 4.29.10 @ 12:05PM

Melvin & Tim, I agree with you guys that Rubio's comments are very off the mark and show Rubio has not read the bill. He'll fit in quite well with the rest of Congress that doesn't read bills either. That said, the guy has proven conservative bona fides. We need to cut the man some slack here.
Need I remind you that Ronald Reagan himself supported amnesty. Let's not get stupid here, or else Crist will indeed be the RINO senator from Florida and Obama's butt boy. Rubio is not a RINO.

mike geremia| 4.29.10 @ 11:54AM

Hey Tim don't worry about Marco Rubio. His parents came over here from Cuba and they know all about Communism. I am sure Marco does too. He is no RiNO like Crist, McCain and Graham

Tim*| 4.29.10 @ 12:54PM

First, We know Rubio's background
Aaaaand , Rubio should have read The Arizona Bill & know what it is ,before he shoots his mouth off & panders to Amnesty Agendists.
"Marco's never sought to be the candidate of one particular group of people or of one particular faction in the Republican Party," says Pat Shortridge, a senior adviser for the campaign. "He's running as who he is and what he believes in." Rubio declined to attend the first national tea-party convention last week in Nashville, where Sarah Palin was scheduled as the keynote speaker; his campaign says he had "a pretty full schedule." "Rubio may not be 100 percent of everything we want," says William Temple, "but he's what we've got for now, so we'll support him."

Rubio needs We,Tea Party Rebels more than We need him.
We'll push him on this Illegal Invader Issue.

We Remember In November !

antidote| 4.29.10 @ 11:16PM

Indeed, Hitler's SS went around asking people for their papers and we know what happened when they weren't in order. You people have shown your true colors, you are a bunch of fascist loons.

Stay Focused| 4.29.10 @ 10:31AM

All this 'so-called' support for Crist is so much like all the 'support' McCain used to get in the media. When it gets close to election day, it will evaporate. The left is just after Rubio, nothing more and they are toying with Crist in an attempt to split Rubio's chances. There should be a means for grass roots party members to contact Crist's biggest supporters to help them get their minds right on this and not be played by the media spin. Also: Someone at the NRSC needs to be held accountable, no excuses.

canuckistani| 4.29.10 @ 11:39AM

I agree. I am worried this perpetual march to mass suicide is leading the GOP nowhere. The Tea Party platform is untenable in this climate, and by extension, a losing strategy. It has been untested in a full election cycle and has the makings of burning out before it even begins.
BO has time on his side. Populist agenda points like HC, Bank reform and now imm reform all play well on the national stage. Jobless figures are beginning to plateau and consumer confidence is poised for a rebound. The GOP will have to provide a plan to manage the recovery, and given they have not and spent all of their time on internacene battles, I fear the hoped for incursion into the dem majority will have to wait. FL is now IN PLAY for the dems. What a waste.

Bo Darville| 4.29.10 @ 11:19AM

Ol' Charlie's not such a bad guy. The GOP should reach out to him, stop this indy run, and keep him happy. We'll need him in the future.

Publius| 4.29.10 @ 11:45AM

This is what happens when sick people get to taste power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and Charlie Crist loves to play that all-time favorite of liberal pastimes: playing the game of being God and using other people's lives and property as the game pieces.

This is a sick disease and it will be the work of this generation to heal the hurts, right the wrongs and return our world to stability, thus ending the cancerous legacy that liberalism has caused. Only then will we be judged as being the Greatest Americans. In the 20th century over a hundred million people were murdered under the auspices of liberalism, socialism and the modern progressive movement. Huge world wars, nations enslaved, opportunities lost, people made slaves to government dependency, happiness forgotten and liberty denied. It is a sick legacy of a disease that effects every aspect of the consciousness of its victims and we would do well to remember these people will require our most stringent efforts to rehabilitate. This is where the job is seen for what it is; we have to stand up to these people or be enslaved to their false prophecy. Indeed, the task is just beginning and the victory will not come easy, nor is it likely to be soon to come. Yet it is our time, it is our duty and we must undertake the task to rid the earth of this evil forever - even knowing we may not live to see the resolution and the deliverance of mankind for the shadow of despair that lengthens more each day and destroys the fragile hopes of freedom and liberty in the name of the false god of collective security and insulation from the consequences of being truly free. We must do this thing; we must plant the fields of liberty, pull out the weeds of despair and tyranny so that future generations may have clean earth to till. Our land will only be free when everyone is empowered to lead their own life, seek their own liberty and be free of the oppression of the tyrannical movement that underpins the modern progressive movement. Only then will we be entitled to call ourselves Americans.

Kathleen In Tampa| 4.29.10 @ 11:55AM

Charlie Crist is an opportunist that has no convictions. His true colors are coming out for what they are-he doesn't care what's best for Florida but his own political ambitions.

The TEA Party movement is for smaller government and fiscal responsibility. I don't see that as a problem for the GOP-they should embrace it.

I am a Florida voter and I will campaign and vote for Marco Rubio. He is the only one standing for fiscal responsibility and repealing Obamacare.

Mike Shaw| 4.29.10 @ 12:09PM

We Americans voted for Hope and Change, not knowing exactly what that change would be. Now we know this Congress and this President refuse to work within the parameters of the Constitution. Puerto Rico needs to be alerted to what the Progressives are like. Congress needs to be told what this "non-binding resolution" on PR they are voting for today really means. WAKE the HECK UP!

William W. Wexler| 4.29.10 @ 12:37PM

I love to watch the GOP turning its blind white rage inward and gutting itself as as public spectacle.

Nice going, between the TeaBaggers, failure to stop HCR, failure to be on the right side of Wall St reform, and the general perception that the GOP lies about everything it says it stands for, I think 2010 is shaping up to be a pretty good year for the Democrats.

Too bad. In the 2 party system it would be nice if there was more than 1 party that actually had an agenda and some ideas about how to implement them. The GOP is dead from the neck up; all the thinkers are gone, nothing left but reactionaries with the mistaken belief that they can trot out the same-old same-old about abortion, taxes, blah blah blah blah blah.

-Wexler

Melvin| 4.29.10 @ 1:24PM

By the appearance of your post, you don't seem overly concerned about high taxes.
If you like high taxes Wexler I'm quite sure that you voluntarily paid more on your 2009 taxes that what the government said that you had to pay. After all it is the patriotic thing to do, at least according to the VP.
I don't begrudge a person who enjoys high taxes to pay voluntarily pay more.

wargunfan| 4.29.10 @ 11:13PM

Are you not aware that Obama sucked on the Goldman Sachs teat to the tune of $1,000,000. Right side of Wall Street reform? The fix is in for GS courtesy of BHB. Get real.

antidote| 4.29.10 @ 11:17PM

Ditto Wex!

ME| 4.29.10 @ 12:45PM

It's the Lieberman strategy. Go independent and then peel off voters in the other party who realize their candidate can't win but like you better than the other party's alternative.

And just for the record, there's nothing so amusing as a troll like William W. Wexler blathering on about how one party is out of ideas when his people are implementing the same big government dogmatic "solutions" that they've been pushing for decades. HCR? Oh, like the Clintons tried? Now that's dead form the neck up.

And he's dreaming if he thinks 2010 will be a good year for Democrats. Note to WWW, the general perception does not often equal your own personal wishes.

ME| 4.29.10 @ 12:46PM

Apologies if that last comment sounded mean at the end. I meant it to be scathingly constructive.

Ken Roberts | 4.29.10 @ 12:51PM

William : the health care reform was shoved through and nothing any one could do to stop it . it was illegal as far as I and the tea party is concerned , I would not count the voter out on election day and it will be seen then what effect the tea party had on something . The people had no effect on the senate or the congress they went against the people . so in November it will be pay back time. I will stand corrected if the democrats do well .

Ken Roberts | 4.29.10 @ 12:56PM

taxes , defense , foreign policy , doing no harm. those are the four things government are supposed to do . Taxes would be at least 25% of policies, and to raise taxes when we have a down turn is not stupid, it is insane.

Gordon Glenn| 4.29.10 @ 1:24PM

I sent the good Governor this message earlier today:

"Governor Crist,

In my opinion, you epitomize what's wrong with American politics these days. You think you are above what's right for the American people, that any of your means justifies your ends and you can just do or say anything you want to get elected and keep in power.

I sincerely hope that you are humiliated in the November election and go back to chasing ambulances. Thanks to politicians like you, that sill is a very profitable business in Florida.

Regards,

Gordon Glenn"

GT| 4.29.10 @ 1:35PM

I like Amspec well enough, but mostly I come hear just to read replies from the lunatic fringe. There's no debating people who are just... so.... right.... about.... everything....

ds80| 4.29.10 @ 2:57PM

GT: No one gives a fiddler's fart what you think.

MTB| 4.29.10 @ 2:40PM

Well, I was about to post "Na-na-na-NA, na-na-na-NA, hey, hey, hey, good-bye!" But after reading some of the other posts and finding out that Rubio had remarked on AZ's illegal immigration law (apparently in the negative), I have to say, Woooooa, there. Not so fast. Rubio may just have given Crist what he needs to pull this off, which would be too bad. He'd be a terrible senator, basically, a RINO. I think Rubio has his faults, but would better serve the Republican party than Crist.

gene hauber| 4.29.10 @ 3:31PM

charlie crist is just a CORELESS, SOULESS PUTA PARA UNA VOTA who is now in a snit and will split the repub vote. he's a spineless shit whose time has come to go. GOOD RIDDANCE.

DTCOFAZ| 4.29.10 @ 4:14PM

I was in 100% for Rubio and believed that he would be a fresh, bold and great candidate in FL as well as for the US... After his careless remark over the AZ immigrant law 1070, I start questioning myself: was his remark based on the "we-with the latino decent vs. you-the rest of the American, just like the Obama's mentallity?
I'm deeply disapointed of him, and feel resentful toward that remark. We Arizonian don't play the race card - we want our border and our families protected from illegal/criminals including drug smugglers and gangsters.
I'm not so sure who I can believe that help lead our country without playing the race card in order to win some votes.

Eric Damon| 4.29.10 @ 4:55PM

If I were a voter in Florida, no doubt that I would be voting for Rubio, his comments about the Arizona law notwithstanding. Whats cracks me up is all of these people acting as if this just ruins Rubio and throws the door open wide for Crist; in what world is that going to happen? I seriously doubt that any conservative or Republican in Florida is going to suddenly forget all about Charlie Crist's shortcomings because Rubio doesn't feel particularly confortable with what he heard about the Arizona legislation. Hell, before I looked deeper into it I didn't like what I was hearing either.

Marco Rubio is just what we need in the Senate, a young conservative who is not ashamed of his conservatism. His comments on Arizona may be his first misstep, and he will undoubtedly have others, but his record is very obviously a conservative one. He is what we need, and obviously what the conservative voters of Florida want.

Margie| 4.29.10 @ 5:56PM

Absolutely right on.
The only ones who don't want to see Rubio succeed are the phony Paul-bots and Leftists.

Go Marco Rubio!

Heatpacker| 4.29.10 @ 5:19PM

Give Rowan Atkinson white hair and he would look just like Charlie Crist. Which makes me wonder. Has anyone seen Rowan Atkinson recently? Crist has been acting like Mr. Bean for a while now. Did Atkinson and Crist swap places? Both of them have seen their careers slide. Perhaps both of them wanted a change of scenery. Politics is, after all, a branch of show business, so the swap would be easy for both of them. Nah, it couldn't be. But still...?

DTCOFAZ| 4.29.10 @ 6:25PM

Indy he announced.. What a shame that he didn't keep his word when he debated with Rubio. Hope that GOP will win this race.

Shamus| 4.29.10 @ 8:04PM

Crist = Scumbag

PCP Smoker| 4.29.10 @ 10:25PM

This is like watching a wreck in slow motion. Crist breathlessly moving from one place to another, coming up with new slogans and devices to try to avoid the avalanche that's going to swallow him.

Bet you a cool $100, Crist is cursing Rubio, his mother, and his cuban heritage, and blaming the poor sob who recommended he should stand next to Socialist Husseing for that fateful picture.

Eat it Charlie. Your good times are over.

antidote| 4.29.10 @ 11:19PM

must be the pcp talkin cause you are out there, Crist will win by a landslide, rubio and his teabaggers loons don't stand a chance.

Robert Founder| 4.29.10 @ 11:31PM

Crist is a perfect example of what we must fix in the Republican Party. He represents, and has always represented, the unprincipled wing of the party, ala the Country Club Republican wing.

These people are, and have always been manipulative, exploitative, opportunists, who would sell their mother, their children, or their country for some perceived cheap political or financial advantage.

We must have a vigilance organization that constantly wages war 24-7-365 on such as he from the very moment they show their faces at some Republican County Committee meeting.

To do that we, the rank and file, need to be organized. We cannot depend on the RNC or anyone else to do this job for us. We have to ORGANIZE ourselves, and thereby put our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor on the line to save our Country, and our People.

Go to my web site and take a look at my plan: www.ConservativeVictory.WordPress.Com RobertFounder@Gmail.Com