The American Spectator : No Longer Charlie's Man

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No Longer Charlie's Man

By Larry Thornberry on 7.26.10 @ 6:08AM

Crist appointee U.S. Sen. George LeMieux is voting conservatively and wooing Republicans.

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A sample from my conversation with LeMieux:

TAS: Republicans got shellacked in the general elections of '06 and '08. Do you think they've figured out why?

LeMieux: Yes, I believe Republicans have figured out why. They realize that what most Americans want is less government. What government needs to do, it should do well. The government should hold dear every taxpayer dollar. Americans are very concerned about the size of government and about the staggering debt. We see that now. We see the intensity and frustration among Americans, not just in Florida by all across the country, who want to see their government get out of this debt and spending problem. If we don't, our children aren't going to have the same America and the same opportunities that we have.

I think the Republicans coming in and the Republicans we have now realize that this country has to go on a spending diet. I've proposed to go back to 2007 spending levels. Since I've come to Washington, a little less than a year, we've increased the national debt by a trillion dollars. It took 200 years for us to accumulate our first trillion in debt. If we could live on what we spent in 2007, by 2013 we would balance the budget. And by 2020 instead of a projected debt of $25 trillion we could cut the current debt in half and save the country. Proof that this could be done is that Virginia just did it. Virginia, with a new governor (Republican Bob McDonnell) went back to 2006 spending. They were facing a big budget deficit. Now they have a surplus.

There's such a fundamental difference between the Democratic and Republican parties today. In 2000, when Al Gore and George Bush ran against each other, they were trying to outdo each other on whose prescription drug plan was better. They were almost identical in the positions they put in front of the American people. That's no longer the case 10 years later.

TAS: Does Marco Rubio understand our financial crisis, and can he overcome Charlie Crist's current small lead in most polls to win in November?

LeMieux: He does. I've talked to Marco several times. I'm supporting his campaign. He knows we have to stop the spending and shrink the size of government. The (Senate) race is still in an early phase. When the governor left the Republican Party the focus turned to the governor's race and that race is front and center. I think after Labor Day, once we know who the Democratic candidate is, the Senate race will intensify. I think Marco will run a good campaign and will win. I think it will be close. Charlie Crist is well-liked in Florida. But at the end of the day, with the country in such a difficult place, and the ideology the Democrats have, Marco Rubio is going to be attractive to voters.

TAS: President Obama and his merry band know they'll have fewer horses after the 2010 election and want to get as much of their agenda through before that happens. How successful do you think they'll be in what's left of this year?

LeMieux: Harry Reid said Thursday that cap and trade is not going anywhere this year, and that's promising. I'm for energy independence, and we should be able to do an energy independence bill. But we shouldn't do it on the back of the American people who would have to pay much higher utility rates (under cap and trade). In fact we may lose jobs in this country where businesses, in response to the cost of the Financial Regulatory Reform Act, are leaving. I had one Florida business tell me that their trading desk is going to move to the Bahamas in response to more regulation. I don't think we're going to get much more done that will hurt the American economy between now and the end of the year. We're getting into the campaign cycle. Those who are trying to create bigger government have lost steam. And those of us trying to keep government small, efficient, and effective are starting to gain some ground. I also think this election is going to bring a group of new Republican senators. I don't know that we'll capture the Senate this year. That may take two cycles. But we may well capture the House.

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About the Author

Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (9) | Leave a comment

Ret. Marine| 7.26.10 @ 6:40AM

Maybe the C-type Republican's are starting to feel the pain headed their way and have decided to hunker down and not stir up the hornets nest to full out attack mode. One can always hope anyway.

Dai Alanye| 7.26.10 @ 9:29AM

Let's retain a bit of skepticism. By backing Rubio LeMieux maintains credibility as a Republican. Had he endorsed Crist his political career would have been over.

But if he stays conservative, more luck to him.

Tammy| 7.26.10 @ 10:18AM

I still do not like LeMieux!!! He is one of mant coward Reps. using Marco to be percieved as conservative. Marco does not need this man's endorsement, he would have won anyways!!!!!!!!!!!!

Len| 7.26.10 @ 12:23PM

This is another guy who still doesn't get it. It is not about a balanced budget, but a government that does not make the people their serfs who work to provide the revenue for the government. The people should be as free as possible to earn their wages and have as little interference from government in their lives.
What this guy also clearly does not get is that Senators are elected (or installed in this case) to be agents for the people in carrying out their responsibilities under the US constitution, and to go beyond is commit crimes against the people as they are no longer acting on grants of authority, but using the power granted to do wrong. If he did get it he would know that an "Energy Independence" bill can arise under no power in the US constitution. He would know that the spending too much was the result of ignoring the US constitution and creating out of thin air powers never given. That is tyranny.

Len| 7.26.10 @ 12:23PM

Jim O'Brien| 7.26.10 @ 1:41PM

LeMieux is the best U.S. Senator that Florida has had for a long, long time. He is conservative, intelligent, articulate, coherent, principled, and honest. In the short time he has been in office, he has emerged as a leader. I'm sorry he is not running this year to stay in the Senate!

noneofyourbusiness| 7.26.10 @ 7:47PM

Dear Messr. LeMieux,

J'Accuse. You are known as Judas by any other name.

When Governor (over done to a) Crist appointed you, you were his friend, confidant, advisor -- and got the "job" (partisan appointment hardly qualifies as a real job) on the understanding that you would keep the seat warm for him pending his own run for the seat.

Good for you for keeping to the pledge not to run for the seat yourself -- but that would have been untenable anyway. Good for you for recognizing the practical reality. At least you are not totally stupid.

However, turning your back on your friend and benefactor is inexcusable -- although understandable from the perspective of pathetic, cynical, partisan politics and your own political future.

Try getting a real job you pathetic shill.

Cheers!

Richard Baker| 7.28.10 @ 7:44AM

Sounds like ANOTHER politician who changes his tune for electability. Live in Florida and am tired of the weasels. Where are the men and women of principle?

Barbara Brown| 7.29.10 @ 2:44PM

I have written previously to Sen. LeMieux about what a wonderful surprise he's turned out to be after being appointed by Crist. As for being a Judas, I don't see it. Rather Crist, who has turned his back on all the conservatives who voted for him, is a Judas to his (previous) party. Shame on him.