GOP Senators Back Move to Center with Crist

TheHill.com ^ | 5/13/09 | J. Taylor Rushing

[leftyontheright]

Senate Republicans, from the rank and file to the leadership, are supporting the inevitable move to the center that comes with backing Florida Gov. Charlie Crist for the state’s open Senate seat.

GOP senators accept that Tuesday's endorsements of Crist by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) is more about pragmatism than principle.

The popular centrist governor faces a GOP primary from former state House Speaker Marco Rubio of West Miami, a protégé of former Gov. Jeb Bush and a more conservative candidate.

[Big_Monkey]

I think that this has to do with two things. First, these sitting Senators are mistakenly trying to appeal to the center, which is obvious.

Second, I believe that they're actually more than a little intimidated by Rubio. I've watched all of his videos on uTube and he really comes off as a bright, affable, good looking and charismatic YOUNG man. In other words, additional competition that these stodgy old men don't really need. Other instances of them protecting their turf can be seen by some of their ad hominem attacks on Palin.

I think Rubio still needs to be better vetted, but he looks like a great candidate from what I've seen. Far, far better than "the old white guy" in Crist.

[pallis]

Come 2012, Republicans won’t have anything to gain by liberalizing conservatism.

[Barb4Bush]

I thought I read a thread a couple of days ago that someone was going to out Crist, Drier and Ed Koch. Now would be a good time instead of October.

[PLKIng]

My question exactly...does moving to the center mean wetting your finger, sticking it in the air and going with the direction the wind is blowing so as to not offend or turn away anyone? Does it mean giving up some of your beliefs and agreeing with the opposite for the sake of a big tent? I really do not know what this means. Which beliefs and values am I to give up to move to the center?

[GOPsterinMA]

That’s an awesome example of a picture being worth 1,000 words! If there was a “Best Of” for postings, I’d nominate you! Bravo!!!

[Big_Monkey]

"in 2012 I think there will be such a back-lash against liberalism that Michael Savage will be able to take the election by landslide.

Maybe, maybe not. But, I believe that Presidential elections are ALWAYS a choice between two men people, and not a choice of ideologies. People vote for the person that they like the best. Presidential elections aren't popularity contests, they are THE popularity contest.

If we don't have someone who's at least as fractionally engaging, articulate (yes, he's articulate), charismatic and calm as Obama, we're probably going to be looking at another four years, regardless of what the economy looks like.

Of course, that presupposes that there isn't (God forbid) another terrorist attack, especially on American soil. If that happens, then Cheney could get elected, literally Dick Cheney could beat Obama.

[org.whodat]

"pragmatism than not principle", the defining words of the republicans.

[americanophile]

...with a primo parking space!

[stockpirate]

This means they are moving to the right, they were already left of center.

Sure would be nice if we can rid the party of RINO’s.

[maggief]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2246914/posts

Documentary purports to rip GOP’s closet doors
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 5/8/9 | Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

[puroresu]

The further to the left both parties go, the further to the right the GOP is accused of being. How many GOP Senators are as far to the right as the following Democrat Senators are to the left:

Kennedy, Kerry, Leahy, Dodd, Schumer, Lautenberg, Mikulski, Carper, Brown, Levin, Durbin, Feingold, Harkin, Boxer, Murray, Wyden, and Reid?

And that isn’t even an exhaustive list.

The media, the Dems, and the RINOs are trying to turn us into Europe, where actual conservatives are marginalized and political contests are between outright Socialists and supposed “conservatives”, who are really Socialist-Lite and on some issues (social issues and immigration) are as culturally Marxist as the Socialists.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Looks like John McCain and his friends in the senate are trying to move the senate to Colin Powell-approved territory; I REALLY hope Rubio wins in Florida and puts a stop to this craziness.

[freeangel]

“stodgy old men”

Yep—the good ole boy network which long ago decided to shed itself of true “conservative” values who really need to be targeted to go.

[Cheetahcat]

Center = RINO

[Antoninus]

I support Rubio over Crist and urge everyone to do likewise. We need fresh, new, conservative faces in the party, not a spray-on tan metrosexual.

Say YES to Christ! Say NO to Crist.

[Big_Monkey]

"Yep—the good ole boy network which long ago decided to shed itself of true “conservative” values who really need to be targeted to go.

That's assuming that had "conservative" principles in the first place. I'm not even sure that they have moderate or liberal principles now. These guys (mostly guys) embrace one guiding principle, staying in office at any cost.

If I could magically change one thing about the Constitution, it would be term limits. The lack of term limits enable this kind of "good 'ole boy" regime. Sadly, it's never going to change.

[mojitojoe]

Marco actually tried to enact a Florida-version of the FairTax. He created a plan to replace property taxes with a sales tax increase. Unfortunately, liberals like Charlie Crist blocked him. If Floridians can't get together and defeat old Crist with Rubio, that will be pathetic. Crist is NOT popular except with RINOS's and Libs. He's young and he is a Catholic conservative.

Marco Rubio is a politician who rose to one of the most powerful political posts in Florida at a young age, becoming one of the highest-ranking Cuban-Americans in the state. From November 2006 through November 2008, Rubio is speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. That puts him in position to single-handedly stop any piece of proposed legislation. A speaker of the House also has a good chance at turning an agenda into law. A Republican, Marco Rubio champions a conservative, smaller-government approach to government in the Florida state Capitol, in contrast with other elements of the Republican-controlled state government which are more moderate or centrist. Marco Rubio is seen as a politician in the mold of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who advocated more conservative approaches when he was governor of Florida for eight years ending in 2007. During 2007, Marco Rubio championed a major overhaul of the Florida tax system. He wanted to slash property taxes, increase sales taxes, and cut the amount of money going to local governments. His effort failed, although the Florida Legislature passed a more modest plan. Much of what he pushed in his first year as speaker the time when a presiding officer in the Florida Legislature has the greatest influence came from a book of citizen recommendations he published called 100 Innovative Ideas for Florida's Future. Marco Rubio, a resident of West Miami, Florida, was elected to the House of Representatives in a special election on Jan. 25, 2000. He was subsequently re-elected each November. He represents the 111th House District. He was born May 28, 1971, in Miami. He previously served as a City Commissioner of the City of West Miami. Marco Rubio, who is an attorney, has a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from the University of Miami. His official office address is: The Honorable Marco Rubio, Speaker, Florida House of Representatives, 420 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300. For more information go to http://www.myfloridahouse.gov

[mojitojoe]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/politics/government/marco-rubio-PEPLT007456.topic

[MSF BU]

It means that one vote in three or in two or in four will be cast with John Kerry and Kay Hagan, that’s what it means.

[MSF BU]

It’s a shame Marco opted out of military service. I can’t imagine looking myself in the mirror while men my age were going off to war. Same score as Crist in that account.