Crist Senate Bid Outrages Conservatives; NRSC Boycott Urged

Another fierce ideological rift has opened up within the Republican Party. Conservatives are up in arms over Charlie Crist's Senate run and the support Crist has received from the national Republican establishment.

Crist, the governor of Florida who announced his Senate candidacy on Tuesday, is seen as a moderate on many issues, and his recent backing of Obama's stimulus plan has drawn the ire of many GOP activists.

Conservatives in the blogosphere are particularly incensed. Erik Erickson at the prominent blog RedState is calling for a boycott of the National Republican Senatorial Committee over its endorsement of Crist:

I can kind of understand them getting behind Specter. Both he and Chaffee were incumbents. But getting behind Crist in the Florida primary is wholly unacceptable for all the reasons and explanations Dan gave. ...

If the NRSC thinks this is smart, we must not waste our time or energy with them. Join me in pledging no money, no help, no aid, and no support for the NRSC's efforts in the 2010 election cycle.

Matt Lewis at Politics Daily sums up some other conservative reaction:

National Review's Jim Geraghty hit the nail on the head when he asked, "... how many Republicans have ever said, "Thank goodness the NRSC intervened in that primary"?

And fellow NRO blogger David Freddoso wrote: "As demonstrated here and by their completely unnecessary (and not necessarily correct) dissing of Pat Toomey's chances in Pennsylvania, the Senate establishment wants to pre-determine as many outcomes as possible."

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Comments

[Appleton]

Gov. Crist has spent his entire political life flying under the radar of scrutiny. He has no particularly strong views on any issue, avoids controversy at all costs and generally attempts to be all things to all people. I doubt there are more than a few people here in Florida who actually know the governor's political philosophy, assuming he has one. Although he would be far superior to the Rush Limbaugh clone who will be his main primary opponent, I would not be happy with his election to the senate. I would also prefer that he stay in the Republican party. We need much stronger Democratic leadership in this state than Gov. Crist can provide.

[swan1]

It would do him well to join the Democratic party.

[sfcalle]

People, The Pink Elephant Is In the Room!! Their doing this because they know that Crist is gay and he will be forced to come out of the closet during the election. They don't want the embarassment. He's been dogged in Florida for it and marrying a woman at 50 years old and the documentary "Outrageious" is "Coming Out" this week which highlights Crist's shennanigans. End of Story!

[quad11]

The Republicans wanted to run Charlie's Cuban half-brother Jesus, but they found out he was opposed to the entire Republican agenda, so they crucified him in the primaries.

[Rmtns]

Thank you Neo-Cons, please know that you have my complete support in your mission to completely destroy the "new" Republican party!

[grf67]

Excellent - Crist would be a better democrat anyway.

[Chuckbutcher]

This is exacty the correct course to take, it is undeniably the best for the nation and I am pleased no end.

I do say that as a Democrat..­.

[DavidBlackburn]

I loved watching the Republican self-implode. Now it's fun to see the remains decay.

[SharpDressedMan]

Charlie Crist is welcomed in the Democratic Party.

[newyorkjoe]

The GOP right wing base will never go for Crist because he's gay. They know it, the press knows it, and Crist knows it even though he got married last year. G-A-Y.

[PAposter]

Maybe they'll reconsider, after they've seen "Outrage", and discover Crist is not the only elected Gay Republican.

He has a high approval rating in Florida, that should count for more than his sexual preference.

[PlasmaX]

Republicans calling for a boycott against Republicans? I like the idea but I’m already boycotting the Republican Party. Maybe the Republicans would like to join the rest of us and help boycott the credit card companies.

[PepperzMom]

The final fracture is soon to be apparent. Am expecting an 11 on the Richter scale....

[1lalady]

The TALIBAN PARTY [GOP] just loves to eat it's own. I am loving it.

[imsosure]

Conservatives are boring the hell out of me, a bunch of whining brats that need to grow up.

[IsyFleur]

Well.. he is intelligent an well spoken, and has a pragmatic approach to governing - which makes him EVIL!

[PAposter]

...or worse (to Conservatives), he's a moderate Republican, or as they would have you believe, a Liberal at heart.