Charlie Crist Senate Run May Face Conservative Revolt

Politico:

The expected announcement Tuesday by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist that he's running for the Senate would seem to be a rare bit of good news for beleaguered Republicans.

But while Crist is a brand-name recruit with sky-high approval ratings and bipartisan appeal, his path to keeping the seat of retiring Sen. Mel Martinez in GOP hands has at least one significant roadblock: Sunshine State conservatives.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[LeaderofMen]

Crist will never get any sort of nomination. Once he's exposed as being a big ole homo, none of his own will keep him.

[bluguy8]

DATED HIM HAVE YOU ?

[dwright]

It is actually well known.

[WowJones]

The NRSC and the state party has already endorsed Crist, because he has high approval numbers, name recognition,and the ability to raise tons of money.

[canobserv]

IF the extreme religious right highjack this primary...­..........­..Crist doesn't have a hope in hades

[AnnfromCA]

Really?

That means a shift then, because they followed him in the election.

[WowJones]

70% APPROVAL RATINGS.

[Reality Czech]

they tried that in 2006 in the Gubernatorial primary...­.Crist won by 30%

[bubbuh]

Old folks love him. Democrats like him. Gays are very, very fond of him. Organized Weeligious Wight opposition should put him over the top in a landslide.

[Kyuzo]

Well, he's been a popular, effective governor who has been respectful and hasn't alienated people, even during intense political battles.

Of course the Republicans are ditching him.

[jcwtts1]

If they actually try and undermine Crist that is pretty much the end of the party. Seriously. If Crist hadn't run we would have won the state. Now, basically we have no chance, not really. He is simply to popular for us to beat and frankly we have better uses for the money. It would take over a hundred million to win the state I'd rather spend it in OH, MO, NH, IA, NC, KY

[Philbee1970]

I live in Florida. I voted against Charlie Crist for Governor in 2006 and I will vote against him if he runs for the Senate.

Charlie Crist is a political opportunist. He is a typical GOP politician. Support a referrendum to cut taxes (yes, we voted this on ourselves-but he pushed it), but then run a deficit to fund the government. Florida has terrible financial problems right now at all levels, from the local government levels on up. Crist isn't addressing any of this competently. He claims he cut State government, but he really just shifted funding requirements to a lower level. Like, he gave our school boards the option of raising millage rates to make up for school funding shortfalls from the state. That is going not to be popular in a state with a large population of retirees..­... Meanwhile, the pending teacher-layoffs all over the state are going to be enormous.

Crist governs by gimmick and shifts his position like a chameleon changes color. He is only running for the Senate to further his political chances at the national level, say in 2016. He is a joke. He'd want to repeat the George W. Bush years if he were ever elected president.

[AnnfromCA]

That's my take on him, too.

[WowJones]

How naive, the term political opportunist in redundant.

[SueEll]

Sooo funny.

[JamieJay]

Well, I guess there should be a revolt with Crist running for that senate seat. Especially with that "outing" movie that targets Crist as being a closeted gay Republican. How is he going to represent the far-right Neocon (non) values? LOL!

[Hank10303]

Well considering the documentary of republicans that are gay and the position of conservative republicans there's no logical way they can put the full force and power, minus the influence, behind Crist. He won't have the support of the conservatives and as a result may not be able to win.

[Mintcondition]

Perhaps he should pull a Spector. Whadaya think of that?

[AnnfromCA]

The only story here is if the mood of the country has shifted away from this type of moderate.

Crist has clearly chosen to be moderate. He wasn't even a good supporter of McCain.

He's a Dem, really.

I'll be curious to see if the Jewish Dems in Fla. are still so supportive, given the recent news.

[montecarlo408]

Wait a minute Ann. I thought you were a Democrat. Remember?

[AnnfromCA]

No, I'll explain for the millionth time.

I was a straight Dem voter for 30 years.

No more!

Not ever again, in fact.

[TainoBoy]

Believe me we love him down here.... mind your own business!

[christopherflynn]

I'm from CA and appreciate your comment...

[AnnfromCA]

What's to love?

I don't think this story has merit, btw. He seems like a shoo-in. But what's to love?

[Deaninphilly]

It doesn't matter, this is for a primary not a general. First he has to win the primary before the dems can vote.

[TainoBoy]

The democratic party have a problem on their hand. My mother is Democrat and she voted for Crist for governor, and we are planning on voting for him again.... So, if the dems want to win, they need to put some good qualified people out there!

[Kyuzo]

The Democrat who ran against Crist in 2004 (Jim Davis) was very weak. I almost voted for Crist myself, and I would if he ran again. I think Crist has done a good job.

[Toure Muhammad]

62

[HackSawyer]

The only controversy is the State Republican Party endorsing a candidate before the primary votes are in. That's it in a nutshell.

[Piatt]

It's a closed primary so only Republicans will be voting. His "conservative" opposition is already running ads linking him to President Obama. The gay stuff continues to waft around. He's being criticized for his "work ethic" as he doesn't seem to spend much time actually being Governor of Florida. The right wing in general is howling and clawing its face.

Add all of that up and you have the makings of a genuinely nasty Republican primary from which neither candidate will emerge undamaged.

[kforce]

The Conservatives are revolting!!! The Conservatives are revolting!!!

[gle helle]

You're telling me; they stink on ice.

[BabblingBrooks]

The further away from conservatism the Republican party gets, the worse the states they run and the worse the country.

Rush is right!