January 29, 2010
— Ace Sorry: I oversold the headline on a tip before seeing the story. It's not an all-caps sort of thing -- just speculation.
So here's the speculation, and apologies for getting up the screamer headline too quickly.
As you can probably guess, there is a lot of Bonus Points if I can be the first blog you've read giving you news, and I try to do that, and in this case, I let me Wanna Be First get ahead of my Wanna Be Accurate.
Is Florida Governor Charlie Crist the next Arlen Specter?Some people, including MSNBC host Joe Scarborough and former Florida Rep. Mark Foley, are starting to say so. As Mr. Crist's poll numbers sink, he may have no choice but to drop out of the GOP Senate primary and run as an independent or Democrat.
...
Rumors that Mr. Crist may switch parties were furthered by his appearance with Mr. Obama in Tampa on Thursday to promote a $2.5 billion Florida high-speed railway that the federal government is funding. "I want to thank him on behalf of my fellow Floridians. To be able to generate tens of thousands of jobs right now is mission Number One," said Mr. Crist.
The two didn't engage in a hug as they did last February -- which Mr. Rubio has since capitalized on in his campaign ads. But Mr. Crist made a point of warmly shaking Mr. Obama's hand for a full 27 seconds. Three months ago, Mr. Crist was just as eagerly distancing himself from the president and the stimulus legislation. "I didn't endorse it. I didn't even have a vote on the darn thing," he said.
Thanks to AQ.
No I Won't Either: Crist's campaign says he won't run as an Independent or a Democrat.
For what that's worth.
Snarlin' Arlen said the same sort of thing, IIRC, right until it became obvious he was radioactive in the GOP.
Posted by: Ace at
11:27 AM
| Comments (131)
Post contains 335 words, total size 2 kb.
Posted by: model_1066 at January 29, 2010 11:28 AM (hdhqU)
Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at January 29, 2010 11:30 AM (jGaqA)
Remember the spirit of Benedict Arlen.
Posted by: jukin at January 29, 2010 11:30 AM (vkkNZ)
Posted by: pep at January 29, 2010 11:30 AM (5GcKk)
Posted by: GT at January 29, 2010 11:33 AM (Vyrg6)
Posted by: John Conyn at January 29, 2010 11:35 AM (wPZU5)
Posted by: koopy at January 29, 2010 11:35 AM (XllG0)
Posted by: myrenovations at January 29, 2010 11:38 AM (Ft9pC)
Posted by: Chuck Crist at January 29, 2010 11:39 AM (DIYmd)
Posted by: Insomniac at January 29, 2010 11:40 AM (v+QvA)
Posted by: MrCaniac at January 29, 2010 11:40 AM (Vol3D)
I take it that Crist thinks Florida is like NY-23. As a Democrat he could get the "Evans vote" AND the "Scozzafava vote".
Where he's wrong is that the media can't credibly call Rubio an extremist. Also, in NY-23, the GOP network was effectively dead; and in Florida it will be motivated, if nothing else with disgust at Crist.
The candidate whom Crist is REALLY hurting is John McCain. Hayworth is already casting McCain as an old-line DC political-class hack. This emphasises the intrinsic disloyalty of political-class Republicans.
Posted by: Zimriel at January 29, 2010 11:40 AM (9Sbz+)
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at January 29, 2010 11:41 AM (i3AsK)
George Bush Republicans don't care about black orange oompa loompa looking men!
Posted by: Kanye at January 29, 2010 11:41 AM (pLTLS)
Don't thank him on this Floridian's behalf. On another thread someone mentioned that no manufacturer in the US makes the equipment for high-speed rail. So we're going to borrow money from China to buy railway equipment from Japan and that's going to stimulate what? High speed rail would be nice some day, when we can afford it and when we can buy the equipment here in the US. Until then, put it on the back burner.
Posted by: Packy East at January 29, 2010 11:41 AM (CKW49)
Posted by: rightzilla at January 29, 2010 11:43 AM (rVJH4)
Posted by: Wyatt Earp at January 29, 2010 11:43 AM (CCcDq)
Crist rode in on Jebs coat tails. This was a good job of flushing him out . WE GOT DA POWER!
Posted by: sonnyspats at January 29, 2010 11:43 AM (68tQb)
Even if Crist doesn't switch to the Democrats, he could just as easily drop out of the race and throw his support behind the Democrat, and get some kind of sweet personal deal from Obama in 2011. Ambassador to Panama, for instance, with an added stipend for Pedro the Pool Boy.
Posted by: Zimriel at January 29, 2010 11:45 AM (9Sbz+)
Posted by: docj at January 29, 2010 11:46 AM (dt6br)
Crist has been pretty much a failure. He started with so much potential, then lost his mind and started acting like a Dim.
His support for the hig speed rail line in only the latest example. It's something we don't need, don't want and can't pay for. But that doesn't stop the political class here from cramming that boondoggle down our throats.
Sorry if I sound pissed. Is it time to start drinkng yet?
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at January 29, 2010 11:46 AM (i3AsK)
Why is it that every poltician David Frum backs flirts with switching parties? Can we call this a patern yet.
I doubt christ would do something so stupid. I think Arlen Specter would have probably kept his seat had he stayed a republican, now it seems doubtful that he will beat toomey in the generals.
Posted by: Ben at January 29, 2010 11:48 AM (wuv1c)
Posted by: Packy East at January 29, 2010 03:41 PM (CKW49)
Not ever Rearden Steel?
Posted by: stuiec at January 29, 2010 11:49 AM (keSj0)
Why is it that every poltician David Frum backs flirts with switching parties? Can we call this a patern yet.
Posted by: Ben at January 29, 2010 03:48 PM (wuv1c)
Frum is a human dowsing rod for DIABLOs.
Posted by: stuiec at January 29, 2010 11:50 AM (keSj0)
Posted by: Johnny Mac at January 29, 2010 11:51 AM (pZEar)
To all you idiots saying let him switch. Did you not realize why the Scott Brown thing was big? It took away 60 votes, killed health care, stopped obama's agenda. WTF do you think Christ would do if he switched before November????
Look I want Rubio to win in November, but until then I want Christ to remain a Republican senator not the 60th democratic vote
Posted by: Ben at January 29, 2010 11:51 AM (wuv1c)
Posted by: Twinks at January 29, 2010 11:51 AM (LeFbD)
Posted by: AmishDude at January 29, 2010 11:51 AM (T0NGe)
If it is not a leak, I feel like an idiot for thinking crist was a pretty decent guy (if not as good a Senator prospect as Lazio).
Posted by: Wigglesworth at January 29, 2010 11:51 AM (dUOK+)
Posted by: Chris Matthews at January 29, 2010 11:52 AM (e8YaH)
Do I understand the rules correctly, here?
Posted by: Candian Observer at January 29, 2010 11:53 AM (T4x50)
To all you idiots saying let him switch. Did you not realize why the Scott Brown thing was big? It took away 60 votes, killed health care, stopped obama's agenda. WTF do you think Christ would do if he switched before November????
Look I want Rubio to win in November, but until then I want Christ to remain a Republican senator not the 60th democratic vote
Posted by: Ben at January 29, 2010 03:51 PM (wuv1c)
Ben, Crist is currently the Governor of Florida
Posted by: conscious, but incoherent at January 29, 2010 11:53 AM (Vu6sl)
To all you idiots saying let him switch. Did you not realize why the Scott Brown thing was big? It took away 60 votes, killed health care, stopped obama's agenda. WTF do you think Christ would do if he switched before November????
Look I want Rubio to win in November, but until then I want Christ to remain a Republican senator not the 60th democratic vote
He's not a GOP Senator - he's a RINO governor who is leaving office this year.
As a Florida residence, I say Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Posted by: Marybeth at January 29, 2010 11:54 AM (hBRoa)
Not ever Rearden Steel?
We've decided to call it Miracle Metal now.
Posted by: Overbearing US Government at January 29, 2010 03:53 PM (wuv1c)
Don't worry, that name will change by the time the mining operations on Pandora start.
Posted by: stuiec at January 29, 2010 11:57 AM (keSj0)
Posted by: GarandFan at January 29, 2010 11:57 AM (ZQBnQ)
Look I want Rubio to win in November, but until then I want Christ to remain a Republican senator not the 60th democratic vote
He's a governor, not a senator. And its Crist, not Christ. Not by a longshot.
Posted by: Cicero at January 29, 2010 11:57 AM (QKKT0)
Posted by: Cicero at January 29, 2010 11:58 AM (QKKT0)
Posted by: Curmudgeon at January 29, 2010 11:59 AM (ujg0T)
Posted by: Terry at January 29, 2010 11:59 AM (Vui52)
To all you idiots saying let him switch. Did you not realize why the Scott Brown thing was big? It took away 60 votes, killed health care, stopped obama's agenda. WTF do you think Christ would do if he switched before November????
Look I want Rubio to win in November, but until then I want Christ to remain a Republican senator not the 60th democratic vote
Posted by: Ben at January 29, 2010 03:51 PM (wuv1c)
Ben, Crist is currently the Governor of Florida
You're right. I forgot. Hoist on my own petard. I forgot he named a place sitter to Mel Martinez's seat, not himself. Slipped my mind.
Posted by: Overbearing US Government at January 29, 2010 12:00 PM (wuv1c)
Rubio must really be kicking his ass.
FL Morons: When is your primary?
August. Same as McCain/Hayworth. Let's hope it's a two-fer that day!
Posted by: Marybeth at January 29, 2010 12:00 PM (hBRoa)
Posted by: dr kill at January 29, 2010 12:01 PM (qO6T2)
If he was smart he would gracefully withdraw from the Senate Primary and run for a second term as governor which he would no doubt win. I don't understand why he would want to chance a loss in the republican primaries for a senate seat when he can already win a second term as governor
Posted by: Overbearing US Government at January 29, 2010 12:01 PM (wuv1c)
Posted by: Arlen Specter at January 29, 2010 12:02 PM (CCcDq)
Posted by: AmishDude at January 29, 2010 03:51 PM (T0NGe)
One obstacle to high-speed rail in the USA is that on any route for which high-speed rail would be competitive to air, there's a good chance that pleasure travelers will want to drive that distance so that they don't have to rent a car on the other end. The infrastructure for public transit in most American cities isn't something vacationers want to subject themselves to.
And unlike air routes, rail lines can't be instantly moved between markets to adjust to fluctuating demand. Guess wrong, or run into some unforeseen market-changing circumstance, and you have no way out of the financial disaster.
Posted by: stuiec at January 29, 2010 12:02 PM (keSj0)
Posted by: Chuck Crist at January 29, 2010 12:02 PM (DIYmd)
Posted by: John Edwards at January 29, 2010 12:03 PM (CCcDq)
Posted by: Wyatt Earp at January 29, 2010 12:04 PM (CCcDq)
Something that would never happen, but would be hilarious and a genious political strategy...
Barack Obama should switch parties. Then he could destroy the republican party from the inside, like he already is with the democrats
Posted by: Overbearing US Government at January 29, 2010 12:04 PM (wuv1c)
That's the way to conservative victory!
Posted by: David Frum at January 29, 2010 12:05 PM (Cdz8I)
Posted by: Agnostica at January 29, 2010 12:06 PM (gbCNS)
Hey, Ben...
get with the fucking program!
sockpuppet off.
Yeah I know. I forgot he named some tool as place sitter to martinez's seat, not himself.
I should have known the carrot was a guvna not a senator.
Posted by: Ben at January 29, 2010 12:07 PM (wuv1c)
Posted by: Michael Rittenhouse at January 29, 2010 12:09 PM (2QFX4)
Posted by: Christopher Buckley at January 29, 2010 12:10 PM (Cdz8I)
He all ready a democrat now, so let him leave. Arrogance has no favorite party, but the democrats seem to be attracting the best and the brightest.
Posted by: Kemp at January 29, 2010 12:11 PM (2+9Yx)
Posted by: Guy Fawkes at January 29, 2010 12:14 PM (DIYmd)
Posted by: sporadic small arms fire at January 29, 2010 12:14 PM (dP6Ky)
Obama was lucky that I wasn't sitting in front of him at that Propoganda Session with the Republicans.
I would have went Joe Wilson on his Ass....... Something Like!
"You Lie....You Commie WannaBe!"
Then I would have sat down, spread my legs and with lighter in hand, blown a Fart in his general direction!
Posted by: Jimi at January 29, 2010 12:14 PM (fqxV7)
I want him to stay a republican and a governor. He is RINO-esque but he's still far better than just about any other democrat who would take his place.
Plus Rubio, in my mind, has a better chance of beating him in the primaries than in the general election. Christ could pull out a Joe Lieberman type win. From what I understand his favorables are above 50, which means he is popular with most republicans and some democrats in that state.
It would be easier for Rubio to beat him in the primaries then go one to thrash Meek in the general election.
Posted by: Ben at January 29, 2010 12:15 PM (wuv1c)
What an asshat move for Crist AND the Democrats. He isn't an institution like Arlen Specter, with a long liberal track record that makes him appealing to most Democrats. Running Crist as their candidate against Rubio doesn't give Dems any better chance of winning in November.
Florida is a state where the Republicans are conservative and the Democrats are liberal. There isn't a vast middle that Crist could play to in a general election. That's why he is losing the primary right now to Rubio. He won't get liberal Democratic voters excited at all.
Posted by: rockmom at January 29, 2010 12:17 PM (w/gVZ)
Posted by: Cranky ol' Floriduh Voter at January 29, 2010 12:17 PM (CfmlF)
Posted by: conscious, but incoherent at January 29, 2010 12:18 PM (Vu6sl)
Hmmm, I don't what to do. If I stay Republican I get my ass kicked.
Maybe I can embrace the Kenyan Dimwit, and ride to victory as A LIBTARD on his coat tales. You see, I'm not sure of where I stand. MARXISM or AMERICA EXCEPTIONALISM.
Oh dear this is difficult, maybe I should ask my MAGIC 8 BALL.
Posted by: gus at January 29, 2010 12:22 PM (Vqruj)
Sorry: I oversold the headline on a tip before seeing the story. It's not an all-caps sort of thing -- just speculation.
Meh; He flips he flops, it would be merely symbolic in the end. I don't really care which party he claims to affiliate with at this point.
Posted by: MikeTheMoose at January 29, 2010 12:22 PM (0q2P7)
Then I would have sat down, spread my legs and with lighter in hand, blown a Fart in his general direction!
Crist is unworthy of my glorious, melodic farts!
Posted by: Decco "Deep Throat" Cuffe at January 29, 2010 12:27 PM (CfmlF)
Posted by: Andi Sullivan, OB/GYN to the stars at January 29, 2010 12:33 PM (wPZU5)
Did Ben start drinking early today? No fair, some of us are still at work.
Shit. This is worse than the time i broke a thread's comment section by accident
Posted by: Ben at January 29, 2010 12:38 PM (wuv1c)
wow we hit the Friday Evening AoS Dead Zone already?
Think most employed morons have already busted out of the office and have hit the commute.
Posted by: Dang Straights at January 29, 2010 12:39 PM (fx8sm)
Think most employed morons have already busted out of the office and have hit the commute are driving to the packy to buy booze so they can drown their sorrows all weekend.
Posted by: This is Timmy in the well at January 29, 2010 12:41 PM (jVldi)
This is like asking if Lazio has stopped beating his wife yet.
I wish the bigwig assholes would stay out of primaries. It's fair to be pissed about that. but Crist is not Scozzafava by any stretch of the imagination. I'm sure I'll see this leaked again and against against whoever the dems perceive as the moderate.
Posted by: Wigglesworth at January 29, 2010 12:42 PM (dUOK+)
Think most employed morons have already busted out of the office and have hit the commute strip joints or White Castles.
Posted by: This is Timmy in the well at January 29, 2010 12:43 PM (jVldi)
Posted by: Jean at January 29, 2010 12:44 PM (7K04W)
Posted by: Methos at January 29, 2010 12:45 PM (Xsi7M)
Posted by: mama winger at January 29, 2010 12:48 PM (Ue9UN)
I can see how someone like say, a Zell Miller, might have pulled a principled switch to another party if he felt his party was truly no longer representative of his values. But these jerks who switch just because it's no longer working out for them in terms of the logistics of getting the votes they need to stay in or gain office, or to avoid a tough race? Who could trust them going forward about anything they say?
I know this is a really naive post, so please don't e-mail me to say you have a great bridge to sell me. I'm not that naive. But these spineless cretins nauseate me. Am I the only one that this disturbs?
On second thought, maybe someone does have a really nice bridge that could be had at a price?
Posted by: RM at January 29, 2010 12:50 PM (1kwr2)
Posted by: Jean at January 29, 2010 12:53 PM (7K04W)
Posted by: Slow Joe at January 29, 2010 12:55 PM (UOM48)
I can see how someone like say, a Zell Miller, might have pulled a principled switch to another party if he felt his party was truly no longer representative of his values. But these jerks who switch just because it's no longer working out for them in terms of the logistics of getting the votes they need to stay in or gain office, or to avoid a tough race? Who could trust them going forward about anything they say?
I agree fully. I can understand a principled swtich, but not a shrewd political one. Even Jim Jeffords or that other guy in Rhode Island or new england somewhere, didn't bother me. They were essentially liberals. Kind of like Anderson running as a third party candidate in the 1980 presidential election. It was out of principle, that is fine with me.
I live in PA and plan on doing what I can for Toomey to make sure Arlen Spector (D-Arlen Spector) gets unseated. I just wish we could also vote out that unibrowed retard that is Bob Casey as well.
Posted by: Ben at January 29, 2010 12:59 PM (wuv1c)
But Main Street's still all cracked and broken.
Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken.
Monorail! Monorail! MONORAIL!
Posted by: VJay at January 29, 2010 12:59 PM (gQ+XA)
Snarlin' Arlen said the same sort of thing, IIRC, right until it became obvious he was radioactive in the GOP.
HA HA...and he is behind 'round 15 points in the polling now...HEEE HEEEEE
Posted by: rightzilla at January 29, 2010 01:00 PM (rVJH4)
Posted by: fluffy at January 29, 2010 01:00 PM (4Kl5M)
Forget high speed rails.
What we need is a monorail. It put Brockton, Ogdenville and East Haverbrook on the map.
Posted by: Ben at January 29, 2010 01:01 PM (wuv1c)
Me not unibrowed no how.
Posted by: Bobby "Pudding Cup" Casey at January 29, 2010 01:02 PM (gQ+XA)
Holy Crap, I'm sorry I went to that link! (Although I'm not surprised Edwards had his staffers covering up the "made in Italy" on his suits with "made in the U.S.A." labels. What a total phony prick.
"Edwards had equally harsh words for his wife as he did for his mistress, and referred to Elizabeth as “crazy.” Though Young reports receiving countless angry emails from Elizabeth, John felt that her warm persona played better with voters than he did, and that this was the main factor keeping him in the marriage. (The Wall Street Journal)"
Posted by: Decco at January 29, 2010 01:06 PM (CfmlF)
ha! We had grandiose plans to expand our monorail here in Seattle. After they bought a lot of property by eminent domain and paid out huge quantities of money in salaries and bonuses to a bunch of knob polishing monorailistas, the voters cancelled the project by initiative. Good times!
Posted by: Decco at January 29, 2010 01:08 PM (CfmlF)
The president and GOP House members took turns questioning and sometimes lecturing each other for more than hour at a Republican gathering in Baltimore. The Republicans agreed to let TV cameras inside, resulting in an extended, point-by-point interchange that was almost unprecedented in U.S. politics, except perhaps during presidential debates.
Posted by: willow at January 29, 2010 01:08 PM (5Bf/7)
What we need is a monorail. It put Brockton, Ogdenville and East Haverbrook on the map.
Hmm, could that be the next "Hitler responds to..." parody video? (I just watched the I-Pad one).
Posted by: runningrn at January 29, 2010 01:10 PM (CfmlF)
All you morons...Rubio moneybomb Feb 10. A million big ones could put Charlie under the bus....
Posted by: budahmon at January 29, 2010 01:17 PM (9pLKa)
Posted by: budahmon at January 29, 2010 01:18 PM (9pLKa)
Posted by: phreshone at January 29, 2010 02:24 PM (1AnxB)
Carly is another one....loves O, Jackson, Cap and Trade etc. DeVore is a good candidate...
Posted by: non_dhimmie at January 29, 2010 02:39 PM (zACGu)
Posted by: rplat at January 29, 2010 03:15 PM (G1ArL)
Posted by: Opinionator at January 29, 2010 04:02 PM (DCqCM)
I for one support his campaign wholeheartedly, and look forward to having him as a fellow Senator next year.
I can't tell you how I've longed to have someone of similar temperment and tastes as myself as a fellow senator, someone with whom I can enjoy a convivial lunch in the Senate dining room, perhaps an occasional sweaty workout and sauna in the Senate gym.
You know, someone a manly fellow with a wide stance can say "howdy" to in the Senate restroom.
Posted by: Larry Craig at January 29, 2010 05:16 PM (eWtdM)
You'd be hard-pressed to find better commentary on the President's SOTU address than this: http://rjmoeller.com/2010/01/a-speech-to-remember-to-forget/
Posted by: Frank the Tank at January 29, 2010 08:50 PM (aM0gY)
Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at January 29, 2010 11:18 PM (8PFPH)
As a Republican, Crist smoked pole privately, but as a Democrat, he can be an open source cock sucker. Reach arounds, rump bumping and jumping ugly on the pink pony is standard liberal behavior.
Posted by: Fish at January 30, 2010 12:44 PM (M5t+h)
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Posted by: Cicero at January 29, 2010 11:28 AM (QKKT0)