The American Spectator : A Merciful But Dopey End

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A Merciful But Dopey End

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

TAMPA -- Heading into the weekend before the election, Floridians thought the three-way race for a U.S. Senate seat here could not become stranger without one of the candidates checking into a hospital before Tuesday for a sex-change operation, or another dropping out to attend seminary. Wrong.

On Thursday evening, bulletins started coming out of Washington, beginning with a report in Politico that former President Billy Bob Clinton had tried to talk Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek, who trails Republican Marco Rubio and free-agent Charlie Crist badly, into dropping out of the race in order to give the liberal Crist a chance of defeating the conservative Rubio. The reports said Meek had twice agreed to drop out but had each time changed his mind and decided to stay the course.

Later reports added that the whole thing was orchestrated by Crist who started the ball rolling by contacting the White House, where operatives know that Meek has no chance of winning, that Crist would caucus with the Democrats if elected, and that conservative Rubio would be bad news for President Obama's agenda. Crist must have felt compelled to take this course after he had asked Meek last Monday to drop out and Meek declined the opportunity.

The talk shows dined out on this story for a good part of the weekend and would have rolled and snuffled in it even more in the absence of the terrorism bomb story. Meek, Crist, and Rubio gave their conflicting versions of events on just about every network and local talk show. Rubio had more fun than the others. His only chore was to point out that the episode was cynical, absurd, desperate, and beside the point.

The dreary little tale is a non-sequitur because Rubio has built up such a lead that if Meek had announced he'd become a Druid and planned to immigrate to Tasmania right after the election it would have made no difference in the outcome.

A Mason-Dixon poll released Friday shows Rubio at 45 percent, Crist at 28, and Meek at 21. A Sunshine State Poll released earlier showed Rubio with a 20-point lead over Crist and Meek below 20. Most importantly, the assumption that Meek supporters, absent their champion, would vote for Crist is faulty. A Meekless Tuesday would see lots of Democrats, many of whom don't trust Crist any more than they like Rubio, sitting this one out. More than a million Floridians have already voted.

These two polls are consistent with what most polls have consistently shown over the last few weeks. Crist's flagging campaign, with no ideas and no money, enjoyed a flicker of hope last week when both a Zogby and a Quinnipiac poll showed Rubio with only a seven-point lead. But these two measurements were almost surely aberrations.

The debate now is about just how cheesed off black voters are over this high-handed treatment of Meek, and how many will stay home Tuesday and not be available to vote for Democrat Alex Sink for governor. Polls in the contentious race between Sink and Republican Rick Scott are mostly within the margin of error, the latest being a New York Times regional newspapers poll showing Scott with a 44 to 39 percent lead with 11 percent undecided and the rest favoring minor party or independent candidates.

The weekend he-said, he-said on what exactly Clinton and Meek and Crist did and/or said produced minimal heat and no light at all. Clinton said he never asked Meek to drop out and that they had just talked a little politics, sort of in the manner that he didn't offer Joe Sestak a job in the administration if he wouldn't run against Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania (or perhaps like he "didn't have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky").

Clinton's description of events is inconvenienced by his aides (perhaps soon to be former aides) who say he did talk Meek into withdrawing. Crist, who admits he spoke with folks at the White House but won't say who, is quick to claim the withdrawal story is true, though it's not clear how he could know what Clinton and Meek said to each other.

For Rubio, the whole business was a belt-high batting practice fastball over the heart of the plate. And he drove it.

"If you ever needed a reminder of what's wrong with American politics today, this story is a great reminder of back-door deals," Rubio said at a campaign stop. "That's what got us ObamaCare. That's in part what I'm running against… people in Washington who are willing to compromise principle to acquire power."

Various Republican officials took their turns over the weekend teeing off on Clinton and an almost certainly complicit White House. RNC Chairman Michael Steele speculated on just how big the fertilizer storm would now be had a former Republican president urged a black candidate to get out of a race so the white guy could defeat the Hispanic. Liberals would have hit their fainting couches faster than Maureen Dowd could yell, "racist, sexist, homophobic, right-wing, nativist yahoos!"

This peccadillo is the more bizarre considering that the candidate Clinton almost certainly urged Meek to butt out in favor of was a Republican just six months ago. In his race against Rubio for the Republican nomination last spring, Crist was trying to convince Florida Republican voters that he was Ronald Reagan redux. This is the same guy who pulled every string he could in an attempt to get on the ticket with John McCain in 2008 and then, disguising his utter disappointment, enthused about what a great VP pick Sarah Palin was.

It's almost impossible, on the basis of conflicting testimony, to determine what in fact happened in this political slight-of-hand. But Meek has a better record of telling the truth than either Crist or Clinton, so for the moment Las Vegas is going with his version of events. In the end, this probably won't matter much to Rubio's prospects. But it may well do short and long-range damage to the Democrats' relationship with blacks, many of whom will feel shafted by this shabby little maneuver. And Clinton's trying to talk Meek into dropping out between campaign events at which he was telling the faithful that Meek is a terrific candidate and would win if Democrats just turn out to vote, is pretty high-octane cynicism, even for politics.

In what appears to be an attempt at damage control, the Meek campaign reported Saturday that Clinton will appear with Meek in Orlando today. Perhaps the two old friends will kiss and make-up on stage.

Wednesday can't get here too soon. With any luck the votes will have been counted by then.

About the Author

Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (26) | Leave a comment

Booger| 11.1.10 @ 6:24AM

From the desk of Charlie Crist:

Dear President Obama,

Okay, let me put it to you this way. Your Democratic nominee down here is a nice enough looking guy. He's clean, articulate, and really doesn't have much of an ebonic accent unless he chooses to use it. But let's face it, he's got zero chance of winning. Nada. So where does that leave us?

Look, I'm a proven winner. I've taken this state by storm. Everybody loves me down here, Dems, Republicans, Independents, black, white, hispanic, you name it. Everybody knows to vote the man with the tan. On top of that, we've got some common enemies, if you know what I mean. You've talked a lot lately about punishing your enemies, and I think you're really on to something. We both have a score to pay back with those teabagger nut jobs. What better way to do it than if you scratch my back and I scratch yours?

Look, I know there's the whole thing about Meeks being your actual Democratic nominee, and an African-American and all that, but there comes a time to do what you need to do. It's not like you don't know how to throw anybody under the bus. And let's face it, Hispanics are the up and comers demographically speaking. Do you really want them to have somebody like Rubio to rally around?

Look at it this way. You can trust me. Everybody knows Charlie Crist is a man of his word. When I take a stand that's it, no turning back. When I tell you what I believe in you know I won't jump ship on you mid-stream. And what I really believe in here is getting into the Senate. So why don't we arrange for that poor schmuck Meeks to take a walk. It'll be better for both of us.

Be seeing you soon,

Future Senator Charlie Crist

The Bishop| 11.1.10 @ 8:03AM

Booger, I'm beginning to advocate that The American Spectator pick you up as a staff columnist. Very entertaining, indeed.

grant1863| 11.1.10 @ 9:54AM

I second that, I'm starting to read the article just so I can read his comment.

loulou| 11.1.10 @ 2:31PM

I'm going to have to be the contrarian here.
I wish booger would write columns that are NOT parodies.

Parodies are like puns--a little goes a long way.

Leonard Gilert| 11.1.10 @ 5:52PM

Was this a spoof ? Fooled me. I had no problem believing that this letter came from Charlie Crist.

Tim*| 11.1.10 @ 6:58AM

Tan Cracker gets White Cracker to tell The Bro,"Kid, this ain't your night. We're going for the price on Crist.", in order to take down The Cubano.

Ahhhh ! Plantation Politics, at it's best.

Yosemeti Sam| 11.1.10 @ 7:27AM

" ... On Thursday evening, bulletins started coming out of Washington, beginning with a report in Politico that former President Billy Bob Clinton had tried to talk Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek, who trails Republican Marco Rubio and free-agent Charlie Crist badly, into dropping out of the race ...."

Don't you just love it - the first 'Black President'
telling a Democrat Party Negro Florida primary winner to go somewhere else and shine shoes.

LOL.

BTW - It's Billy Boy Bob Bub Bud Buster Clinton.

Got to remember the attendant alliterations with this goofy smiling Alpha male :)

LOL.

Melvin| 11.1.10 @ 7:39AM

The voters of Florida can't flush that scum of the earth spray tanned, charlatan of a Governor down the political sewer.
And for good measure the same voters could wipe Clinton and flush him right along with that fake SOB Crist.

Maddox| 11.1.10 @ 10:13AM

Yes, and if the trend continues we should be able to do the same with more RHINOS in coming elections.
A good start would be that one in South Carolina.

Gran Torino| 11.1.10 @ 9:07PM

Maddox,
Oh Yes, amen! A good start indeed!

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 11.1.10 @ 7:43AM

The ruling class wants Crist whether it's through the back door or the side door or the basement cellar door.

If you'll remember, the first endorsement Crist got from the ruling class was when Cornyn and the National Republican Senatorial Committee gave Crist their blessing to become part of the ruling class.

Rubio never genuflected to the church of secular humanism and statism and early straw polls would have shown a blind man that Crist had no chance. But the ruling class is not blind, they must have the votes to continue to raid the U.S. Treasury, and Crist is their man.

I'm sure the NRSC is salivating at the chance to knock Rubio out of the box, but there's no chance in that.

In the meantime the Republicans are doing everything they can to sabotage Joe Miller while Joe Miller's advocates are doing everything they can to sabotage the ruling class estrogen queen Lisa Murkowsi, running over 160 write in candidats at last count in an attempt to confuse an electorate who appears not confused about the fact that many want less government, less taxes, less regulation and more prosperity in the private sector.

As the Republicans coast into what looks like a victory lap on Tuesday, they can thank the Tea Party for doing their heavy lifting for them even though the ruling class in both parties and their allies in the state run media did everything possible to sabotage the Tea Party movement.

Rubio's simple and straightforward message overruled the message of the ruling class that you can get the best politician you can buy, like Crist, or work behind the scenes to sabotage legitimate primary outcomes, like Murkowski.

Both parties still haven't gotten the message that the Tea Party is here to stay and the state run media is already passing off the movement as a short lived event.

Watch the fireworks when Rubio and perhaps Miller start outing the Republican Party members who won't stop the earmarking and big spending.

It may make the health care debate look like kid's play as a couple of patriots fight for the financial future of America.

RAMIII| 11.1.10 @ 10:30AM

HEAR! HEAR! SPOT ON! The Republican Establishment is playing along for the moment because they have to, but I don't think they realize what they're in for.

Roy| 11.2.10 @ 7:07PM

"The ruling class wants Crist, whether it's through the back door.."

ya know..I didn't need that picture..

Stephanie| 11.1.10 @ 8:03AM

"Watch the fireworks when Rubio and perhaps Miller start outing the Republican Party members who won't stop the earmarking and big spending."

God, I hope so. That is the goal of Tea Party Patriots. No more business as usual.

David W| 11.1.10 @ 8:52AM

When oh when will the Blacks of America rise up against the true racists, the ones who are truly holding them back and preventing them from realizing the American dream? I know there are some who believe in the conservative ideals and principles that many of us non-blacks believe in. Yet too many are still being seduced and lied to by the Democrats (who really don't care for the Blacks except as "always loyal Democratic voters").

Maddox| 11.1.10 @ 10:24AM

If we stand side by side and work to take America back from our rulers we can rebuild our economy and truly make this a color blind society. Self reliance and hard work toward that shared goal will be the catalyst for respect and equality, not government quotas and redistribution. No one will ride in the back of the bus, we can all drive if we are focused on the same destination.

AndaO| 11.1.10 @ 9:21AM

This is one of the most enjoyable paragraphs I've ever read. Snuffled!!!

Louis Jenkins| 11.1.10 @ 10:01AM

Rubio will win. Crist will go home. Meeks and Bubba will? Whatever. Another citing of "We gotta win by any means." Gives me the belly ache thinking these underlife's will do whatever is necessary.

mames| 11.1.10 @ 10:17AM

Is there any other man in America as transparently weak and insecure as Crist?

Howard| 11.1.10 @ 11:25AM

"Is there any other man in America as transparently weak and insecure as Crist?" Nonsense, Charlie is merely refining his positions based on his integrity and ethics. He was a Republican, but upon lengthy study and analysis, he realizes he is a liberal Democrat. We should complement him on his commitment to principles, and assume he is just doing these gyrations to merely survive in office.

By the way, I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.

jrjr| 11.1.10 @ 4:30PM

And Charlie ---- do not forget your fan. We do not expect to see sweat - I mean - perspiration showing on your brow. Tan is what we want. It makes you stand out in the crowd. We can ignore you without question. Do not let the door hit you in the a**.

mames| 11.1.10 @ 10:38AM

And don't say Merkowski, she's a woman.

yougenic| 11.1.10 @ 1:21PM

The establishment class remain blind to what they face. They enjoy the coming power and speculate they can manipulate those voting for them. They will ease the angst and lead the Lemmings with half-truths, bamboozle, and other slight of hand. Hopefully, the Tea Party class will revolt. One aspect of new rule making in the House must be to keep a quorum in place to prevent Egobama from writing any executive orders. There are other tasks these new ruling class had better implement if they plan for re-election. The details are on my webpage. Stopping Ego is job one. Making Him President NO - by virtue of his numerous Vetos is job 2. Job 3 is holding the line on spending until a new president, new senators, and the remaining establishment class are evicted from office.

Tomorrow will mark the first day we can all take a deep breath in over a year. Thank God.

Rick V.| 11.1.10 @ 1:40PM

Great article, Mr. Thornberry - couldn't help but notice how you managed to include "RNC Chairman Michael Steele" and "fertilizer storm" in the same sentence. Perhaps after the election somebody can find something else for Mr. Steele to do that will keep him far, far away from TV cameras.

Leslie| 11.1.10 @ 5:41PM

The same Clinton who "did not have sex with that women", who didn't inhale, didn't have a conversation with any of them. Just stared blankly at them and telepathically told them it might be a good idea to withdraw from the race. Now where's that space czar welcoming committee? One got by him.

Leonard Gilbert| 11.1.10 @ 5:59PM

What a class act ex-President Perjurer is....LOW...and certainly sympatico with "Sorry Charlie" who has finally connected with a slug that leaves a broader slime trail than he does.