How Stupid Is Charlie Crist?

Posted on | April 19, 2010 | 54 Comments

Stupid enough to think he can get elected as an independent:

Top GOP officials in DC now believe it is a virtual certainty that FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R) will bolt the GOP and run instead as an independent, sources tell Hotline OnCall.
Over the weekend, Crist pulled TV advertisements that had been running in key markets, slamming ex-FL House Speaker Marco Rubio (R). Those ads, on which Crist spent close to $1.5M so far, were aimed at moving poll numbers that showed Crist losing badly.
In taking the ads down, top GOP officials have surmised both that Crist has made his decision to run as an independent, and that the attacks weren’t having an impact on the race.

Ed Morrissey:

Pulling the ads makes it look like Crist has come to some sort of decision — and we won’t have to wait much longer to see what it is. The filing deadline is eleven days away.

Charlie Crist: Making Arlen Specter Look Honorable by Comparison!

Remember who to thank for this debacle: John Cornyn and the treacherous bastards at the NRSC.

NOT ONE RED CENT!

UPDATE: Erick Erickson names names, identifying NRSC Executive Director Rob Jesmer as the “brains” behind the Crist campaign:

Remember: Rubio was already in the race and Jesmer convinced Crist to enter after Rubio was already in and raising money.

And now Crist won’t even return John Cornyn’s phone calls.

UPDATE II: Dan Riehl says “John Cornyn may be about to get something more painful from Charlie Crist than a back waxing.” Daniel Foster at NRO and John McCormack at Weekly Standard are also commenting. More at Memeorandum.

Rich Lowry lays out the case against Crist running as an independent, but my own opinion is that it would be a very good thing for Crist to run as an independent and get his ass kicked nine ways to Sunday by Marco Rubio. Time to teach these RINO crapweasels a lesson they won’t ever forget. And just as soon as Arlen Specter beats Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary, Pat Toomey will teach Arlen the same lesson.

UPDATE III: Cassy Fiano:

The smart move [for Crist], in my opinion, would be to concede defeat with grace and then spend the next few years rebuilding himself. The NRSC and the GOP establishment still like Crist. They chose him over Marco Rubio, after all. They don’t want him to leave the GOP; that tells me that even if he loses to Marco Rubio, if he does it in the right way he could still possibly have a home in the Republican Party.

No, Cassy, we don’t want Crist to make the “smart move.” He’s been stuck on stupid ever since he (literally) embraced Obama, and what we want now is for Sorry Charlie to implode like the Hindenburg at Lakehurst, a flaming gasbag of ludicrous self-pitying outrage. If Crist goes independent and gets stomped, he will become an embarrassment, a laughingstock, a spectacular example of what happens to elitist Republicans who think they’re better than the people who elect them.

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Category: Election, Florida, Marco Rubio, Republicans, Senate

Comments

54 Responses to “How Stupid Is Charlie Crist?”

molonlabe28
April 19th, 2010 @ 4:43 pm

Yes, John Cornyn and his NRSC buddies sure are prescient, aren’t they?
molonlabe28
April 19th, 2010 @ 11:43 am

Yes, John Cornyn and his NRSC buddies sure are prescient, aren’t they?
just a conservative girl
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:19 pm

How stupid is Crist? That is a rheotrical question right?
just a conservative girl
April 19th, 2010 @ 12:19 pm

How stupid is Crist? That is a rheotrical question right?
Jack
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:24 pm

o/t

You work for The American Spectator? so you should know. How much time does Quin Hillyer spend “mutilating” himself to pictures of Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney?

http://spectator.org/archives/2010/04/19/the-problem-with-palin
Jack
April 19th, 2010 @ 12:24 pm

o/t

You work for The American Spectator? so you should know. How much time does Quin Hillyer spend “mutilating” himself to pictures of Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney?

http://spectator.org/archives/2010/04/19/the-problem-with-palin
Robert Stacy McCain
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:33 pm

Quin Hillyer is a friend, with whom I sometimes disagree. We disagreed, for example, about Bob Riley’s tax hike in Alabama. So I’m not going to get into one of these “let’s you and him fight” affairs with Quin over Palin, especially now, as it would distract from the pure joy of watching Charlie Crist go down in flames.
Robert Stacy McCain
April 19th, 2010 @ 12:33 pm

Quin Hillyer is a friend, with whom I sometimes disagree. We disagreed, for example, about Bob Riley’s tax hike in Alabama. So I’m not going to get into one of these “let’s you and him fight” affairs with Quin over Palin, especially now, as it would distract from the pure joy of watching Charlie Crist go down in flames.
Jack
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:50 pm

Couldn’t it be argued that Crist already went down into a flaming heap the moment he went down at the Green Iguana?
Jack
April 19th, 2010 @ 12:50 pm

Couldn’t it be argued that Crist already went down into a flaming heap the moment he went down at the Green Iguana?
Joe
April 19th, 2010 @ 6:00 pm

I am all for Rubio kicking Crist’s ass, but can Crist become a spoiler for Rubio in the general? Maybe, maybe not. I guess it depends on a Democratic challenger.
Joe
April 19th, 2010 @ 1:00 pm

I am all for Rubio kicking Crist’s ass, but can Crist become a spoiler for Rubio in the general? Maybe, maybe not. I guess it depends on a Democratic challenger.
hrh
April 19th, 2010 @ 6:08 pm

Except that Rubio is the GOP’s establishment man, who has proved he can be bought and sold by the GOP.

Witness his defense of Romneycare on Laura Ingraham’s show this morning now that Romney has endorsed him.

I’m glad I don’t live in Florida. You don’t really have a great choice for Senator, meaning a conservative in act as well as deed, who is not beholden to the GOP establishment.

Kinda’ like in Arizona.

‘course, I’m in CT and don’t have great options against Blumenthal either. My heart is with http://www.vincentforras.com but I’ll probably end up with http://www.joinrobsimmons.com/…
hrh
April 19th, 2010 @ 1:08 pm

Except that Rubio is the GOP’s establishment man, who has proved he can be bought and sold by the GOP.

Witness his defense of Romneycare on Laura Ingraham’s show this morning now that Romney has endorsed him.

I’m glad I don’t live in Florida. You don’t really have a great choice for Senator, meaning a conservative in act as well as deed, who is not beholden to the GOP establishment.

Kinda’ like in Arizona.

‘course, I’m in CT and don’t have great options against Blumenthal either. My heart is with http://www.vincentforras.com but I’ll probably end up with http://www.joinrobsimmons.com/…
Slartibartfast
April 19th, 2010 @ 6:40 pm

Mike Thomas at the Orlando Sentinel has a decent piece about this, here.

Crist had an opportunity to make real change in Florida education. Maybe even a bigger change than Jeb Bush did. But he chose to play a game of political Survivor, instead.

I agree that this move might have been Crist’s best bet, but it’s not a particularly good bet. Next year: different governor, approximately the same bill, and someone else gets to take credit for it.

Overall: epic fail on Crist’s part. The guy should have recognized he had no win, there.
Slartibartfast
April 19th, 2010 @ 1:40 pm

Mike Thomas at the Orlando Sentinel has a decent piece about this, here.

Crist had an opportunity to make real change in Florida education. Maybe even a bigger change than Jeb Bush did. But he chose to play a game of political Survivor, instead.

I agree that this move might have been Crist’s best bet, but it’s not a particularly good bet. Next year: different governor, approximately the same bill, and someone else gets to take credit for it.

Overall: epic fail on Crist’s part. The guy should have recognized he had no win, there.
The NRSC
April 19th, 2010 @ 7:03 pm

This does pose a challenge for us.

Who to endorse if Crist drops out.

Hmmm, who indeed.

*scratches head*
The NRSC
April 19th, 2010 @ 2:03 pm

This does pose a challenge for us.

Who to endorse if Crist drops out.

Hmmm, who indeed.

*scratches head*
hrh
April 19th, 2010 @ 7:59 pm

Yep, you do have a challenge.

Rubio defends Romneycare, now that he’s Romney’s man.

And, you know, Romney just had the individual mandate is not one of the “bad parts” of Obamacare that Romney will fight to repeal.

Rubio just may steal defeat from the jaws of victory with his embrace of Romney of Romneycare’s endorsement.

Wouldn’t you know that Romneycare is the one policy that Romney decides not to flip flop on?

Seriously.

I don’t understand 2010 candidates accepting Romney’s endorsement. It makes no common sense.

How much of their time will now be spend defending Romneycare – rather than dealing with their local issues?
hrh
April 19th, 2010 @ 2:59 pm

Yep, you do have a challenge.

Rubio defends Romneycare, now that he’s Romney’s man.

And, you know, Romney just had the individual mandate is not one of the “bad parts” of Obamacare that Romney will fight to repeal.

Rubio just may steal defeat from the jaws of victory with his embrace of Romney of Romneycare’s endorsement.

Wouldn’t you know that Romneycare is the one policy that Romney decides not to flip flop on?

Seriously.

I don’t understand 2010 candidates accepting Romney’s endorsement. It makes no common sense.

How much of their time will now be spend defending Romneycare – rather than dealing with their local issues?
hrh
April 19th, 2010 @ 8:00 pm

had = said

spend = spent
hrh
April 19th, 2010 @ 3:00 pm

had = said

spend = spent
Thomas L. Knapp
April 19th, 2010 @ 8:40 pm

“can Crist become a spoiler for Rubio in the general? Maybe, maybe not. I guess it depends on a Democratic challenger.”

Something depends on the Democratic challenger, but not Rubio’s fortunes. If Crist runs as an independent, Rubio loses, period. The only question is whether it’s Crist or the Democrat who wins.
Thomas L. Knapp
April 19th, 2010 @ 3:40 pm

“can Crist become a spoiler for Rubio in the general? Maybe, maybe not. I guess it depends on a Democratic challenger.”

Something depends on the Democratic challenger, but not Rubio’s fortunes. If Crist runs as an independent, Rubio loses, period. The only question is whether it’s Crist or the Democrat who wins.
McGehee
April 19th, 2010 @ 9:00 pm

It wouldn’t be Crist.
McGehee
April 19th, 2010 @ 4:00 pm

It wouldn’t be Crist.
John
April 19th, 2010 @ 9:33 pm

We have to break this pattern:

http://rationalnationusa.blogspot.com/2010/04/does-choice-f-parties-rally-make.html

Crist just continues it.
John
April 19th, 2010 @ 4:33 pm

We have to break this pattern:

http://rationalnationusa.blogspot.com/2010/04/does-choice-f-parties-rally-make.html

Crist just continues it.
Roxeanne de Luca
April 19th, 2010 @ 10:14 pm

Note to Crist: splitting the conservative vote so as to help a hard-core liberal will not endear you to us. Just saying.
Roxeanne de Luca
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:14 pm

Note to Crist: splitting the conservative vote so as to help a hard-core liberal will not endear you to us. Just saying.
Thomas L. Knapp
April 19th, 2010 @ 10:17 pm

McGehee,

I don’t know if it would be Crist or not. But I do know that Rubio would come in third.
Thomas L. Knapp
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:17 pm

McGehee,

I don’t know if it would be Crist or not. But I do know that Rubio would come in third.
Joe
April 19th, 2010 @ 10:24 pm

I don’t know if it would be Crist or not. But I do know that Rubio would come in third.

It is important the GOP wins this race. I am not sure Rubio would come in third if Crist ran, but I agree with Thomas Knapp that Rubio is very unlikely to win in such an event. But does Crist really want to be the spoiler?
Joe
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:24 pm

I don’t know if it would be Crist or not. But I do know that Rubio would come in third.

It is important the GOP wins this race. I am not sure Rubio would come in third if Crist ran, but I agree with Thomas Knapp that Rubio is very unlikely to win in such an event. But does Crist really want to be the spoiler?
Joe
April 19th, 2010 @ 10:33 pm

Crist: ‘I’m Staying in This Race’ [Robert Costa]

In an exclusive interview, Gov. Charlie Crist (R., Fla.) tells National Review Online that “damn right, I’m staying in this race.” He tells us that he will not run as a Democrat. “I was never going to do that.” He will either stay in the GOP Senate primary or he will choose to run as an independent by the April 30 deadline. As of today, he says he is “still undecided” about which of those two options he will pursue.

“Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead,” Crist says. “I’m having the time of my life.” This will-he, won’t-he talk, he adds, is “getting way too much attention . . . there is way too much focus on candidates. I’m trying to stay focused on governing.” If people think he’s “in a corner,” then they’re “wrong,” he says. “I’d argue the exact opposite. I don’t succumb to pressure.”

“I’m being very thoughtful and deliberate,” Crist explains. “I’ve got a big decision to make. I haven’t concluded anything yet, but I’m getting a lot of counsel, lots of advice, and I’m listening to it. My fellow Floridians want a public servant who puts people first over politics.”

“This is a world full of wonderful opportunity,” Crist concludes. “I love fighting for the people of Florida and will continue to fight for them. It’s always exhilarating.”

And will he call back John Cornyn? “I’ve been busy,” Crist laughs. “I’ll get back to them very soon.”

04/19 06:13 PMShare
Joe
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:33 pm

Crist: ‘I’m Staying in This Race’ [Robert Costa]

In an exclusive interview, Gov. Charlie Crist (R., Fla.) tells National Review Online that “damn right, I’m staying in this race.” He tells us that he will not run as a Democrat. “I was never going to do that.” He will either stay in the GOP Senate primary or he will choose to run as an independent by the April 30 deadline. As of today, he says he is “still undecided” about which of those two options he will pursue.

“Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead,” Crist says. “I’m having the time of my life.” This will-he, won’t-he talk, he adds, is “getting way too much attention . . . there is way too much focus on candidates. I’m trying to stay focused on governing.” If people think he’s “in a corner,” then they’re “wrong,” he says. “I’d argue the exact opposite. I don’t succumb to pressure.”

“I’m being very thoughtful and deliberate,” Crist explains. “I’ve got a big decision to make. I haven’t concluded anything yet, but I’m getting a lot of counsel, lots of advice, and I’m listening to it. My fellow Floridians want a public servant who puts people first over politics.”

“This is a world full of wonderful opportunity,” Crist concludes. “I love fighting for the people of Florida and will continue to fight for them. It’s always exhilarating.”

And will he call back John Cornyn? “I’ve been busy,” Crist laughs. “I’ll get back to them very soon.”

04/19 06:13 PMShare
Mike
April 19th, 2010 @ 10:35 pm

Just one quick observation. I had been delighted to hear earlier today that Crist had dumped his negative ad buy in the Orlando market, possibly signaling a withdrawl or change of course for his campaign.

You can imagine my surprise when, during tonight’s WESH-2 news, Crist was continuing his attack ad attempting to link Marco to former Florida House speaker Samson.

Never forget fellas, you can never trust a former-drag queen.
Mike
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:35 pm

Just one quick observation. I had been delighted to hear earlier today that Crist had dumped his negative ad buy in the Orlando market, possibly signaling a withdrawl or change of course for his campaign.

You can imagine my surprise when, during tonight’s WESH-2 news, Crist was continuing his attack ad attempting to link Marco to former Florida House speaker Samson.

Never forget fellas, you can never trust a former-drag queen.
Slartibartfast
April 19th, 2010 @ 11:09 pm

But I do know that Rubio would come in third.

Oh. Well. Why even have elections, then?

Where’s Apple going to be in six months?
Slartibartfast
April 19th, 2010 @ 6:09 pm

But I do know that Rubio would come in third.

Oh. Well. Why even have elections, then?

Where’s Apple going to be in six months?
Charlie Crist walks into a bar with a dead skunk………….. « The Daley Gator
April 19th, 2010 @ 6:33 pm

[…] is going to consider running as an independent. That move will likely fail miserably, as RS McCain points out but, what if the move, rather than simply exposing Crist as a typical politician, with no decency, […]
Thomas L. Knapp
April 19th, 2010 @ 11:44 pm

“Where’s Apple going to be in six months?”

My guess is at about $200. It’s about topped out for now (at close to $250) with the iPad launch and new iPhone OS. Next quarter, it drifts downward some as the Apple/Google iPhone/Android war heats up and the Windows (and Chrome/Linux) “slate” products begin to come online.

That’s my guess. What I know, to a reasonable degree of certainty, is that Apple won’t go to $0 — and that Rubio can’t pull first or second place in a non-GOP-primary race versus two other “major” candidates.
Thomas L. Knapp
April 19th, 2010 @ 6:44 pm

“Where’s Apple going to be in six months?”

My guess is at about $200. It’s about topped out for now (at close to $250) with the iPad launch and new iPhone OS. Next quarter, it drifts downward some as the Apple/Google iPhone/Android war heats up and the Windows (and Chrome/Linux) “slate” products begin to come online.

That’s my guess. What I know, to a reasonable degree of certainty, is that Apple won’t go to $0 — and that Rubio can’t pull first or second place in a non-GOP-primary race versus two other “major” candidates.
Robert Stacy McCain
April 20th, 2010 @ 12:42 am

What I know, to a reasonable degree of certainty, is that Apple won’t go to $0 — and that Rubio can’t pull first or second place in a non-GOP-primary race versus two other “major” candidates.

Tom, now you’re just being silly. Do you really think that Rubio would be less popular than Charlie Crist and Kendrick Meek? Don’t let your prejudice against Republicans get the better of you.
Robert Stacy McCain
April 19th, 2010 @ 7:42 pm

What I know, to a reasonable degree of certainty, is that Apple won’t go to $0 — and that Rubio can’t pull first or second place in a non-GOP-primary race versus two other “major” candidates.

Tom, now you’re just being silly. Do you really think that Rubio would be less popular than Charlie Crist and Kendrick Meek? Don’t let your prejudice against Republicans get the better of you.
Charlie Crist: Is He Or Is He Ain’t? : The Other McCain
April 19th, 2010 @ 8:25 pm

[…] isn’t exactly news, but . . .My capital-L Libertarian buddy Thomas Knapp was in the comments of the earlier post with a lot of doom-and-gloom about Marco Rubio’s chances in a three-way race, but […]
Carnac The Magnificent
April 20th, 2010 @ 5:46 am

How about this prediction:
A week before the election, Rubio is down by enough that he realizes he can’t win, so he drops out and endorses the Democrat, saying “If you’re going to vote for a Democrat, at least vote for an honest one who ADMITS he’s a Democrat.”
Carnac The Magnificent
April 20th, 2010 @ 12:46 am

How about this prediction:
A week before the election, Rubio is down by enough that he realizes he can’t win, so he drops out and endorses the Democrat, saying “If you’re going to vote for a Democrat, at least vote for an honest one who ADMITS he’s a Democrat.”
Thomas L. Knapp
April 20th, 2010 @ 5:51 am

Stacy,

You write:

“Do you really think that Rubio would be less popular than Charlie Crist and Kendrick Meek? Don’t let your prejudice against Republicans get the better of you.”

This has nothing to do with my prejudice against Republicans. Quite the opposite.

Rubio isn’t going to pick up much crossover Democratic support under any circumstances.

Crist, running as an independent, might pick up some of that crossover support (depending on how strong Meek’s campaign is), and will likely pick up 55-60% of the Republican vote as well, because general election GOP voters are less ideological than primary voters and because he’s a SITTING REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR.

Rubio might be able to win a two-way race with a Democrat. He’s not going to win a three-way race with a Democrat and a popular Republican governor running as an independent. It ain’t going to happen.
Thomas L. Knapp
April 20th, 2010 @ 12:51 am

Stacy,

You write:

“Do you really think that Rubio would be less popular than Charlie Crist and Kendrick Meek? Don’t let your prejudice against Republicans get the better of you.”

This has nothing to do with my prejudice against Republicans. Quite the opposite.

Rubio isn’t going to pick up much crossover Democratic support under any circumstances.

Crist, running as an independent, might pick up some of that crossover support (depending on how strong Meek’s campaign is), and will likely pick up 55-60% of the Republican vote as well, because general election GOP voters are less ideological than primary voters and because he’s a SITTING REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR.

Rubio might be able to win a two-way race with a Democrat. He’s not going to win a three-way race with a Democrat and a popular Republican governor running as an independent. It ain’t going to happen.