Castellanos Whacks Crist, Questions Palin's Appeal

One of the Republican Party's most respected and relied-upon consultants has serious reservations about two the party's biggest names.

Alex Castellanos, a conservative media strategist and regular presence on CNN, raised questions of Sarah Palin's viability for office and took major swipes at Florida Senate candidate Charlie Crist during an appearance at Bloomberg News' Washington Summit Thursday.

The harshest lines were saved for Crist, who Castellanos said was not really a Republican.

"Nobody is running out the Charlie Crists of the world," Castellanos said, when asked about the shrinking GOP tent. "Look, if Barack Obama stood up tomorrow in the Democratic Party and said: 'I got a great idea. George Bush's tax cuts. They are terrific. They are the best thing ever. I'm for that.' What do you think would happen to him in the Democratic Party? He would have stepped out of the mainstream of the Democratic Party at that point. Charlie Crist happens to be the guy who stepped out of the mainstream of the Republican Party."

"The Republicans are actually very unified at this point," Castellanos added. "You see it, recently, in Florida, where the fella who is out of the mainstream is one guy. It happens to be the governor, unfortunately for him. But Marco Rubio [Crist's challenger for the Senate seat] and every Republican in the state doesn't quite understand why... the governor there voted to support this huge stimulus."

Crist, of course, never voted for the stimulus bill. He merely expressed appreciation for the help the president was providing his state. For that acknowledgment, he has been branded a heretic within the GOP. As for the Bush tax cuts, despite Castellanos' assertion, a dozen Senate Democrats did support the measure and none were seriously punished for it.

But Castellanos wasn't done throwing haymakers at fellow Republicans. Asked if former Gov. Sarah Palin, about to embark on a book tour, was she the future of the GOP, Castellanos was skeptical.

"[She's a] fascinating character and that is what the news loves to play," Castellanos observed. "I think [Obama] is stopping by Alaska as he begins this week-long trip to Asia. I don't think he is going to announce that he is resigning from politics," he said, in reference to Palin's abrupt resignation from office.

"I think it is going to be very tough for Sarah Palin, who has stepped back from the governorship under the explanation that her state would be better off without her, to now explain why the other 49 states would somehow be better off with her," he concluded.

Get HuffPost Politics On Facebook and Twitter!

Comments

[politicaljunkie41910]

For the millionth time, Palin is not running for president in 2012, she's bowling for dollars in 2010.

[Rob Horton]

Man, talk about a dead-end job!

"One of the Republican Party's most respected and relied-upon consultants..." And as the GOP circles the drain-pipe no less.

[beautykilledbeast]

remember: RATS

[njgal4obama]

This guy looks like a carnival barker to me.

[Soulsurfer]

Would you buy a used car from this man?

[BuzzingAlong]

"... the governor there voted to support this stimulus."

You just can't make this stuff up.

There are many people who are not smart enough to know that governors don't vote in congress.

[StillAmused]

"One of the Republican Party's most respected and relied-upon consultants" ?

Alex Castellanos: The Molten Core of Barack: Why Obama Can't Win (8/4/08)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-castellanos/the-molten-core-of-barack_b_116904.html

'Nuff said.

[Pleneras]

At least yours got posted my comment about strategists given platforms for simply having their own opinions was deleted.

[StillAmused]

You don't know the half of it.

You haven't lived until you've received a personal e-mail thre@t from

"He Who Shall Not Be Named,
M0derat0r"

Between the dysfunctional wordfilter and a few moddz with serious 'issues', I'd say "embattled" describes the environment nicely.

[Whinger]

Jacta alea est! Et tu, Brute?

[Whinger]

Typo, I can nearly spell.

Lacta alea est! Et tu, Brute?

[Rogan]

You mean, Iacta alia est, right? (The die is cast - it's what Caesar said when he crossed the Rubicon, symbolically telegraphing his intent to invade Rome.) (Just thought I'd help out a few readers - some of us here didn't study Latin... or Roman history...)

[1murillo]

Castellanos will attack whatever won't or can't whack back. He's a GOP extremist who revels in his role of attack dog protected by a fence.

[old lady]

The only mainstream in the GOP is the strong current emanating from weak bladders and no health insurance.

[Helanren]

"I think it is going to be very tough for Sarah Palin, who has stepped back from the governorship under the explanation that her state would be better off without her, to now explain why the other 49 states would somehow be better off with her," he concluded.

Hahaha, killing her softly with his words....

[PeppermintPatty08]

He is absolutely right. If she couldn't handle the job of govenor, what makes anyone think she has a snowball's chance in 2012.

[old lady]

Smoking teabags might do it.

[mockley]

One of the Republican Party's most respected and relied-upon consultants ...... really? Can this guy look any more untrustworthy?

[bowthai]

I think I saw him in my post office.

[dteg]

This guy has no credibility. He should not be in a journalist role on CNN or any other program.
CNN knew this guy was being paid by the health care industry and did not disclose to its viewers.

http://mediamatters.org/blog/200910140037

[vonPinto]

This man should be happy he survived rafting the 50 miles or so from Fidel's enclave to Miami.

[DorianBrandon]

Castellanos should continue dividing the republican base so the democrats can take advantage of a rudderless and splintered republican party.