Posted on 05/17/2009 2:00:23 PM PDT by MKAP001
The interests of Floridians — not political parties — should be paramount as candidates jockey for position in the state’s 2010 elections.
The dominos officially began tumbling this week when Gov. Charlie Crist announced, to no one’s surprise, that he’ll run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez. Crist, who has vied for four statewide offices in the past 13 years, was immediately endorsed by state Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer.
While anointing his friend (who installed Greer as chairman in 2007), the GOP boss said he would work to limit primary contests for governor and the Cabinet, noting that wide-open races pose an expensive threat to party unity.
“Republicans have to come together and avoid costly and very detrimental primaries,” Greer told the Tallahassee Democrat.
Cribbing from the same playbook, Democratic State Chairwoman Karen Thurman endorsed Alex Sink within minutes of the chief financial officer declaring her bid to succeed Crist.
Even the national parties have gotten into the act. Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, threw his support to Crist on Wednesday, just a week after saying he wouldn’t take sides in the primary.
Party operatives may view elections as a clever inside game of musical chairs, but voters deserve more than backroom back scratching. Fact is:
• Floridians did not elect Greer or Thurman to anything.
• Candidates should be free to run (and fail) on their own merits, without stooping to kiss the rings of party poohbahs.
• Political philosophies matter more than slick marketing strategies.
Greer may disagree with that last point, but there’s a war on for the heart and soul of the Republican Party. Florida conservatives have been stewing over Crist’s squishy centrism for the past three years, and they’re eager to get the party back on the “right” track in 2010.
If, as Greer claims, the GOP is a “big tent,” the chairman ought to be celebrating diversity of thought — not suppressing it by curbing primary competition.
Whatever tricks Greer & Co. have up their sleeve, other candidates, including state Rep. Marco Rubio, R-Miami, deserve at least a fair and respectful hearing as they challenge Crist for the nomination.
“(Crist’s) view of Republicanism is different from mine,” the House speaker says. Rubio’s voice, as well as those of other prospective candidates, needs to be heard, not squelched.
Flagrant puppeteering by partisan hacks merely invites voter disgust, and further defections from the two major parties.
Meantime, Crist’s job is to function as governor — and not in name only. This is a tall order for a peripatetic, career campaigner, but Floridians are looking for leadership in these trying times. Crist doesn’t merit a new job if he will not fulfill the requirements of his current position.
Jim Greer needs to be removed!
I had not heard about this yet...AWESOME!!
Loser of the week: State Republican Chairman Jim Greer. A bully or just a bonehead? Greer created a Greer storm of grass roots outrage when he tried to cut off Republican U.S. Senate candidate and former state House Speaker Marco Rubio from any party support and unite behind Charlie Crist. For a guy backing an overwhelmingly popular Republican for governor, Greer sure is making Rubio look like a threat.
Suggestion: Post using the correct title makes it easier to search to see if it has already been posted. The actual title at the website is: Editorial: Party bosses jump the gun
Thanks. I’ll do that from now on.
No War for the heart and soul Just the RINO’s out Period and have the GOP stamp them as NON Republicans in spite of what they CLAIM.
Would you happen to have a list of those “RINOs” handy?
Is Crist a little swishy? Seems like he’s awfully tan.
“Would you happen to have a list of those “RINOs” handy?”
Been posted in here many times and relates to the voting record.
wasnt he played by James Earl Jones in the Tom Clancy movies?
So what’s the cut off rating for someone to be considered a “RINO”? 60? 80? 100?
He was still living with his parents when his gubernatorial campaign began.
If he doesn't own stock in Schering-Plough (makers of Coppertone) he should buy some. He seems to be keeping them in business. He has that typical Coppertone tan orange.
Maybe he's trying to become some newly invented minority....the "orange people".
“So what’s the cut off rating for someone to be considered a “RINO”? 60? 80? 100?”
What is wrong with a 100%?
Go through that list and remove all who receive less than 100%. How many do you have left? Hint: it’s not enough to sustain a viable political party.
OK this is the VERY problem Here accepting These Cripples pretending to be Republicans,This caused the mess we have now with the cutesy term like "Maverick" and Moderate !! What the hell is that??? Yeah we go to Church today and spend time praying for Satan with our Maverick Pastor !!the Party has to be purged and the light in the GOP loafers so to say. will fall into line real quick.. There are real Americans out there that will gladly sign up. Remember 100% equates to a real American anything less is just that!
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