Posted on 05/13/2009 4:38:36 PM PDT by jessduntno
Some Republicans don't know what to make of "Obama hugger" Charlie Crist
When Florida Gov. Charlie Crist announced a run for the U.S. Senate, fellow Republicans split into two groups, writes columnist E.J. Dionne Jr.
WASHINGTON — When Charlie Crist, Florida's popular governor, announced this week that he would run for the U.S. Senate, it was the best news the Republican Party has had in an otherwise unpleasant year.
The problem for the GOP is that its right wing quickly decided that the good news was very bad news indeed.
The elation and the desolation had the same source. Party insiders, fearing another difficult year in 2010, see Crist's moderate image and warm personal style as just what they need to hold a Senate seat that became vulnerable with the retirement of incumbent Mel Martinez.
But conservatives, who have long mistrusted Crist, now loathe him for committing the cardinal sin of enthusiastically endorsing President Obama's stimulus plan earlier this year. Among right-wing stalwarts, even using the word "stimulus" is a wicked act. They insist on the ugly locution "porkulus," as in political pork.
Crist even embraced the president during a Florida rally in February, and the hug really got under the skin of the wingers. On Mike Thomas' Orlando Sentinel blog, a commenter recently declared, in all capital letters: "I as a Republican, will never forget what Gov. Crist did, hugging and kissing Obama and taking all that stimulos (sic) money on TV." Ouch.
Marco Rubio, the former Florida House speaker, will be the conservatives' champion in the primary. In this age of instant communications, Rubio answered Crist's announcement with an online ad in what might be called an abstract expressionist style.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
FL went for Obama and almost to Gore in 2000.
Plenty of welfare moms, Northeast retirees and illegals voting too, not to mention 95% of the black and 70% of the hispanic vote that went to Obama, who won the state by 250,000 votes.
The socialists have got the cheating thing down to a science now, the only hope the GOP has of winning this seat is to run someone like Crist.
If winning matters any more.
As a candidate, its not about what you do or support, but what you SAY you are going to do or support.
Truth is Crist has NOT done anything unconservative since being elected except hugging the muslim in chief and SAYING that he supports the "Stimulus" plan.
I guarantee that he won't vote that way in the Senate.
To equate him with Specter or call him a RINO is completely unjustified and ridiculous.
Poetic license? Wishfull thinking on the part of the media? I don't know. He is not popular here in the Ocala area!
And other Republicans know just what to make of him.
Immediately after his inauguration, Crist was rushing to install solar panels on the governor's mansion (while never doing the same for his home in St. Petersburg). In the same swoop, Crist was fawning over the Governator Ahnold and Bobby Kennedy Jr. during his "Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change." Hook, line and sinker, Crist was star struck with the liberal celebrity cause du jour.
No thanks.
Wish I could say the same for good old Jeb.
Solar panels?
Stop being ridiculous.
When he actually DOES something LEGISLATIVELY to suggest he is a RINO, let me know.
In June 2008, Governor Crist signed into law Energy and Economic
Development legislation that builds upon the foundation for Florida’s
energy future to diversify the state’s energy sources, spur economic
growth and promote energy conservation and efficiency. This
comprehensive legislative package authorizes the development of
a cap-and-trade regulatory program, which gives businesses
flexibility in meeting greenhouse gas reduction standards. It creates a
renewable fuel standard for motor vehicles and a renewable portfolio
standard for utilities; and provides grants and incentives to promote and
enhance the use of alternative and renewable energy technologies. In
addition, the legislation creates a new consortium of state universities to
bolster and share energy research and discoveries.
No thanks.
Try to see the forest for the trees.
Bottom line is that Crist may feign as a moderate, but has done nothing to hurt business or taxpayers.
Unlike McCain or Romney, both of whom have crippled the GOP and its message.
The socialists want us not to support Crist, we're playing right into their hands, and its really undeserved at this point.
Stop being so easily manipulated, its a simple propaganda trick designed to cripple the GOP's chances to hold onto the seat.
Try to be a little smarter than they are.
For your reading pleasure:
Denial is not a river in Egypt.
There is no actual legislation that takes a penny out of my pocket, or hinders business in any way.
This proves he's a RINO?
Preposterous.
Out of the last 3 Governors of FL, the only one that stood around and did nothing while insurance companies and the property tax man raped Floridians was Jeb Bush.
Crist passed property tax reform.
Crist has governed more conservatively than Jeb Bush.
Jim Greer, is that you itching for a D.C. apartment?
“Bama bugger?
TALLAHASSEE — With a stroke of his pen, Gov. Charlie Crist reversed decades of public safety policy Wednesday and signed a law that allows police to ticket motorists solely for not wearing seat belts.
The law has long been a priority of public safety groups, led by Tampa-based AAA Auto Club South. But it gained new momentum this session because this is the last year Florida is eligible to draw $35.5 million in federal highway safety funds by passing a stricter seat belt law.
"This bill will save lives. That's really what's important," Crist said. "The most important function of government is to protect."
Starting June 30, adults caught not being buckled up will face a $30 fine. The law already allowed for enforcement for drivers and passengers under 18.
Well, alrighty then. I concur.
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