Posted on 05/12/2009 11:55:31 AM PDT by rabscuttle385
The expected announcement Tuesday by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist that he’s running for the Senate would seem to be a rare bit of good news for beleaguered Republicans.
But while Crist is a brand-name recruit with sky-high approval ratings and bipartisan appeal, his path to keeping the seat of retiring Sen. Mel Martinez in GOP hands has at least one significant roadblock: Sunshine State conservatives.
Despite Crist’s widespread popularity, he faces a primary in which he will have to make his case to a restless GOP base dissatisfied with his high-profile advocacy for President Barack Obama’s stimulus and his handling of the state’s budget woes.
And he will be facing a vigorous fight from former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, a young, outspoken Hispanic conservative who is capturing the attention of activists in Florida and across the country.
. . . . .
“If we’re offering the same thing as the Democrats, but with different packaging, what’s the point in having a Republican Party?” Rubio said.“I’m going to offer Floridians a clear, consistent, authentic small-government choice in the primary.”
Indeed, Rubio expects the primary to receive national attention as a referendum between the party’s moderate and conservative wings. He just received a glowing profile in the Weekly Standard, which called him the “perfect recruit for statewide office.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
I will add if we can get Toomey in PA and Rubio in Florida then that would send a strong message to people like Cornyn, McConnell, etc., that we are not a moderating GOP...
Crist really dised Palin from what I saw and he has gone out of his way to kiss Obama’s rear. Who knows, maybe he will make a switch to democrat and run in the correct primary..JMHO.. Crist is not anything close to a conservative.
Campaign Carl seems to think Crist has it in the bag and Runbio is a “nice” kid. Fellow Florida Freepers I WILL donate to Rubio on your behalf same as I will donate to Toomey.
Exactly! That is what I keep trying to explain and some just don’t get it... the primaries are where the change gets made.
Actually Crist is responsible for McCain winning in Florida. I have not forgiven him for that.
No, you never vote for a LIBERAL!!!
Question is, of course, where can you find a conservative to vote for?
I’m also supporting Rubio. A month ago I received a phone survey asking questions about Crist. I told them I would never vote for him. I have quit giving money to the Republican Party until they get back to the Republican basics of less Government & no bail outs.
That’s exactly the same thing that I’ve been telling RNC telephone solicitors.
He is against illegal immigration,anti-abortion, etc. He is a staunch conservative. He is the one all conservative Floridians need to back during this senatorial campaign.
That can't be good.
I detest Crist, but have found it difficult to get solid information on where Rubio stands on the non-negotiables.
Links?
I have heard Marco on the radio and I like him. Does he have a web site with his positions?
If he is against illegal immigration then he has my vote and support. I need to see proof. He will need to be against amnesty to get the northern Repubs and blue dog Dems to carry the state.
Hopefully the upstaters will also be sick of “pansy boy” too. I was playing a video game with a relative and the characters on the street make random comments. One sourhern “NASCAR” sounding guy in the the video says “you looking at me pansy boy?” The character comments in the game are hilarious.
I know Marco is a fiscal conservative and not a stooge for Obama and a RINO like Charlene Crist.
I don’t know how to post a link but if you google him you will get a lot of good information regarding his views and positions he took while in the Florida Legislature. Much of what he pushed in his first year as speaker came from a book of citizen recommendations he published called 100 Innovative Ideas for Florida’s Future.
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