Charlie Luvs Johnny -- And Dumps Green In Favor of Brown-Nosing

Ever since he started running to succeed Jeb Bush as Florida governor in 2006, I knew instantly there was something insincere and too slick by half about then state attorney general Charlie Crist. Rightwinger Bush left office still a fairly popular pol, but after some butching up, the moderate image offered by the preternaturally tanned Crist played well enough with Florida voters to sink the hapless Democratic opposition yet again. After years of developers raping their way through the state all but unchecked (Bush was one himself, in fact), part of what appealed to many was his stance on the environment, in an increasingly despoiled state that desperately needs to do what it can to preserve its dwindling resources -- both to support an expanding population and a vital tourism industry. And while in office, Crist's ratings have remained enviable (at least until recently).

Then along came Johnny McCain. Sure, he was long in the tooth and not in great health, but otherwise, what a dreamboat -- so strong and manly and mavericklike and all. And what's more, he was actually flirting with Charlie! So, heart a-flutter, Charlie decided to give Johnny a biiig present -- a win in the Florida GOP primary. Now, for national Republicans, winning Florida is like an industrial-strength dose of Viagra (especially when you've been around as long as Johnny has), so the love boat was definitely launched with a bang. Not that Johnny wasn't still playing the field, of course, but golly, he was smitten enough with Charlie to put him on the short list for vice president and come a-courtin' regularly. Their last date, several days ago, was a romantic airboat ride through the Everglades, a place Charlie thought was kinda neat and wanted to clean up and save.

Oops. Turns out Johnny wasn't too keen on spending money on a big smelly swamp when it could be sent to Iraq or the oil companies or any number of other deserving big businesses his campaign's been staffed with lobbyists for (in the Senate he backed Dubya yet again and voted against a clean-up in 2007). Oh, and now it turns out Johnny also wants to drill off Florida's coast, even thought Charlie promised his voters it wasn't gonna happen. Oh, well, what's a little difference of opinion on Mother Earth between beaux? If James Carville and Mary Matalin can make personal love and political war at the same time, for a pair of Repubs this shouldn't be a romance-killer, right?

Oops again. Now that Johnny's suddenly decided he doesn't like the drilling ban, it looks like Charlie's finally getting nervous, because yesterday in Tallahassee he decided to stand by his man by touching the "third rail" of Florida politics and flip-flopping big-time on one of his signature issues for the last decade, pointing to the need to do something about record gas prices. Whew! Relationship saved. So now will Charlie and Johnny find happiness on this November's ticket, or at least in the Cabinet come January (maybe some broom closet at the EPA)? Stay tuned...

Meanwhile, for the rest of us, beyond the political soap opera what should be especially worrying is the threat of the erosion of progress in building a consensus that getting serious about protecting the environment is good for everyone, business included. Republican "moderates" like Charlie Crist have been a key part of that emerging consensus, which recognizes that drilling willy-nilly will not only pollute, destroy habitats, and contribute to global warming, but also shave a mere few pennies off gas prices a decade or more down the road -- and in any case that we need to be focusing on alternatives rather than yet more junkie-fixes for America's fossil-fuel addiction. But if all it takes is a little pain at the pump for Crist to throw in the eco-towel and sign on to a stupid gimmick -- "Florida families are suffering," he mourned yesterday, actually adding the cynical kicker, "and my heart bleeds for them" -- then it's obvious that what passes for his, McCain's, and plenty of other Republicans' "environmentalism" is a quarter-inch deep and of the distinctly fair-weather variety. I know they say love is blind, but sometimes you need at least to be able to see beyond short-term political point-scoring to avoid sauntering off the cliff.

Comments

[Mover]

"Meanwhile, for the rest of us, beyond the political soap opera what should be especially worrying is the threat of the erosion of progress in building a consensus that getting serious about protecting the environment is good for everyone, business included."

That you believe you are "beyond the political soap opera" is telling. The entire rant reads like a soap opera.

As for Charlie Crist, he was the better choice between the candidates for governor. But, like all politicians, Democratic and Republican, he is real fond of applause lines. SO far everything he's done sounds good if you don't look closely, but in reality, is only fluff for the TV cameras.

Quite frankly, if McCain picks Crist for VP, it will be very hard to pull the lever for McCain.

As for drilling off shore, we should have been doing that 30 years ago. There is no practical reason not to. The big complaints are ruining the view from the beaches, oil spills, and whacked out green weenie mushbrained leftist greenhouse gas fear mongers.

The view from the beaches will be just fine. At 50 miles out, not many would be able to see them anyway. Maybe from your condo penthouse, but that won't affect most vacationers. Besides, the view from the beach won't matter if nobody can afford to drive to the beaches.

There hasn't been any spills to be concerned about. Oil companies aren't in the business of dumping oil. Where's the profit in that?

[christieZ]

Crist looks like he soaks his head overnight in orange food coloring, and besides that he is McBush's stooge. Recent Quinnipiac polling shows Obama ahead of McCain in Florida, anyway. It's only June, and Obama is already doing well against McSame in these states. Obama can win Florida. He's going to win Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well. He's also ahead in Virginia, and has only just begun campaigning there.

Ohio: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/oh/ohio_mccain_vs_obama-400.html
PA: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/pa/pennsylvania_mccain_vs_obama-244.html
VA:http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/va/virginia_mccain_vs_obama-551.html

[LeonBNJ]

The people of Florida may support offshore oil development for as it will bring good paying jobs and badly needed income. One of the best ways a politican can get elected (and reelected) is to promise and more importantly offer good paying employment or major tax revenue. The series of hurricanes over the years has ruined the economy there, raising local taxes and property insurance. Parts of Florida are in the worst of the mortgage-finanicial crises in the USA. The high price for oil is going to permenantly hurt the tourism industry.
Many more will say yes to offshore oil development, even risky areas such as off Florida as see not exploiting it a waste vs. buying oil from our foreign enemies and buying the oilco garbage of 'no enviromental damage'. It is no wonder the Republicans are pushing this now with $4+ gasoline and $5+ diesel draining Americans' pockets.

[bluesnot]

Crist is all lip service covering for big Republican messes like Jeb's.

[JennyJay]

Florida is such a freaking mess.. . . Why don't they all just secede from the union. . . . . They are not EVER going to get it together and think like responsible adults.

[adzeman]

Crist must really want that VP slot on the McSame express. I'm betting he just popped the populist balloon he had in Florida, from here on he will be seen as just another lying GOP out to screw us.

[Mover]

McSame express. Now that thar's funny. I don't care who ya'r.

Of course it's just another political play, based on a fantasy.

Chalk up one more for the soap opera.

[w8aminute]

As a North Florida resident I can state for a fact that you are correct in your analysis. But guess what? Florida will continue to be Republican. It must have something to do with too much sun and not enough brain cells.

[LawSource]

NO I DISAGREE!!

WE AREVTHE-LAST-LIBERAL-REPUBLICANS and THIS TIME WE are GOING TO GET RID OF Republicans. THIS STATE WILL BE JET-BLUE come November!! McBush and Battyman Charlie Cris and Start Eating Dog DO DO!!

[pahpah25]

FLORIDA VOTERS WILL CONTINUE TO SHOOT THEM SELVES IN THE FOOT.........THEY VOTED TO CUT PROPERTY TAXES..NOW THEY BITCH BECAUSE SCHOOL BUDGETS ARE CUT............THE STATE HAS BEEN IN DROUGHT FOR 3 YEARS NOW.......................BUT THEY ALLOW 'NESTLE ; A SWISS ,COMPANY' TO PUMP WATER FROM THE NATURAL SPRINGS.....THEREBY DRAINING THE AQUIFER AND LAKES....['LOWERING THE WATER TABLE].....THIS WATER IS SOLD ALL OVER THE COUNTRY....OH BY THE WAY..................NESTLE DOES NOT PAY FOR THE 'WATER'.....IT SIMPLY PAYS FOR THE PERMIT TO PUMP THE WATER........I WOULD SAY 'TAKE GOOD TIME CHARLEY'.PLEASE... MCCAIN.........BUT I REALLY WOULDN'T WANT TO FOIST HIM OFF ON THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.........CAN YOU IMAGIME 'PRESIDENT CHARLEY?

[Mover]

Dear Cad,

Don't forget the 2000 election. Broward and Palm Beach Counties, the epicenter of voting foul ups, are majority displaced NY, NJ, Connecticut and MA, Democrats. Even the person responsible for the described "confusing" punch card ballots was a Democrat.

You're welcome.