Crist to leave GOP, run as an Independent

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Reliable sources informed me today that embattled Florida Gov. Charlie Crist ... is preparing to announce sooner rather than later that he will leave the GOP and continue his run for Senate as an independent.

...

If Crist follows through with what my sources tell me is a done deal, things will go one of two ways: It’s possible voters from the conservative wing of the GOP will overwhelm the polls in November and lift candidates such as Rubio in major elections both in Florida and across the nation. It’s also possible that liberal, independent and centrist-minded voters may react to the increasingly polarizing political atmosphere in the nation by embracing avowedly moderate candidates like Crist.

http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/storylink_420_1370.aspx

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If Crist follows through with what my sources tell me is a done deal, things will go one of two ways: It’s possible voters from the conservative wing of the GOP will overwhelm the polls in November and lift candidates such as Rubio in major elections both in Florida and across the nation. It’s also possible that liberal, independent and centrist-minded voters may react to the increasingly polarizing political atmosphere in the nation by embracing avowedly moderate candidates like Crist.

In other words, according to the author, Meek now has no shot. Maybe he never did.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Now see - he's doing it before the primary. Not like that schmuck from Connecticut.

[scandal 951]

Now see - he's doing it before the primary. Not like that schmuck from Connecticut.

He's doing it now because Florida rules require him to do it now, he doesn't have the option to switch later.

I think you're way off in your characterization of Lieberman. We've had this discussion before Steve, and no one is changing any minds, but I think Lieberman was sandbagged by his party, and I think CT voters who backed Ned Lamont were very shortsighted.

In my view CT Democrat voters swerved way too far to the left in their Primary and did not correctly gauge the electoral trends in the state at large. That's their fault - not Lieberman's. In very similar fashion, it's entirely possible that FL GOP primary voters are now swinging way to the right of the Florida general electorate, and will similarly come to rue their choice.

Primary voters need to balance two things: their personal views on which candidate best represents their party and their views AND which candidate will be most electable in a general race. Sometimes that choice is easy and one candidate is obviously the answer to both questions. Sometimes it's not that easy. The primary voters have to live with whichever decision they make.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

In other words, according to the author, Meek now has no shot. Maybe he never did.

He doesn't and didn't. Nobody knows who the ** he is to begin with.

Charlie is a slick guy - not good for anything other than winning elections, though. There really isn't a thing he got done as governor here nor has he been able to reign in the developers or the lunatics of the GOP. That said, if he runs as an independent against Meek and Rubio, I'd still put my money on Charlie to win it. He'll be a worthless US Senator.

Edited April 21, 2010 by Mr. Big Dog

[mawilson 2,133]

He's still a Republican-Democrat regimer, who is he trying to fool?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

He's doing it now because Florida rules require him to do it now, he doesn't have the option to switch later.

The state of Florida is right thinking on that.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Doesnt matter, Rubio by a landslide.

[scandal 951]

The state of Florida is right thinking on that.

They are entitled to having their own rules. Just as Connecticut has their own. That is the system.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

They are entitled to having their own rules. Just as Connecticut has their own. That is the system.

Sure, but that doesn't mean all rules are good ones.

[scandal 951]

Sure, but that doesn't mean all rules are good ones.

Move to Connecticut, and agitate to change them.

Until then, you are just an out of state carpetbagger trying to tell the good citizens of the Nutmeg State what's best for them.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Move to Connecticut, and agitate to change them.

Until then, you are just an out of state carpetbagger trying to tell the good citizens of the Nutmeg State what's best for them.

[Staashi 371]

Doesnt matter, Rubio by a landslide.

I don't think so...I think if Charlie goes indy then Rubio is SOL. There are just far too many Rs complaining about Charlie switching parties. He's so moderate and people love that, and many people hate that Rubio is galavanting with the teabaggers. Furthermore, Rubio might have some really interesting things going on now that the Feds aka IRS are investigating him and other RPOF Amex card holders. His $100k bought lots of personal items. As I always said, the mob didn't bring down Al Capone - tax evasion did.

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I don't think so...I think if Charlie goes indy then Rubio is SOL.

One can hope, but I certainly don't think that is a given. Crist is going to have to work hard to put Rubio away, and I hope he can

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

One can hope, but I certainly don't think that is a given. Crist is going to have to work hard to put Rubio away, and I hope he can

Marco Rubio, Florida GOP Under Federal Investigation

Not exactly the headline that helps in an election year...