Posted on 05/14/2009 9:16:57 PM PDT by rabscuttle385
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's decision to run for the Senate is putting the Republican Party's anti-stimulus stand to the test, with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele backing away from a threat to punish candidates who supported President Obama's signature economic recovery program.
For some Republicans heading into the 2010 elections, opposition to the giant $787 billion spending bill that Mr. Obama signed in February was seen as a litmus test for success, analogous to the opposition to President Clinton's 1993 tax increases that helped fuel a Republican congressional takeover a year later.
The February stimulus vote "was a stand-up moment for every Republican," Mr. Steele told a recent party rally in Wisconsin. About Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, whose defection to the Democrats earlier this month was in large part a result of his pro-stimulus vote, Mr. Steele said, "You voted yourself out of the party. We didn't kick you out."
But Mr. Crist's public embrace of the stimulus plan - including a joint appearance with Mr. Obama to hail the spending package - is clashing with the party's desperate drive to hold on to the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Mel Martinez.
Key national Republicans, including Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who chairs the party's 2010 senatorial campaign, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky quickly endorsed Mr. Crist - despite his pro-stimulus stance - in advance of a potential primary fight.
Mr. Steele, despite his previous statements, said he won't be playing favorites as Florida Republicans choose their nominee.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Check out the thread I posted tonight of the Hillsborough County Republican Party (Tampa) Resolution against the endorsement of Crist by the FL GOP Chair. Cornyn and McConnel need to receive a copy of the resolution and be told in no uncertain terms to stay out of the primary — it is for the grassroots not the power brokers in DC.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2251312/posts
fyi
Brave Sir Robin ran away.
Bravely ran away, away!
When danger reared its ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.
Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about
And gallantly he chickened out.
Bravely taking to his feet
He beat a very brave retreat,
Bravest of the brave, Sir Robin!
Steele is a bowl of mush. Get rid of him.
Oklahoma’s GOP Chair supported Ken Blackwell because he knew he was a Conservative. That was my first choice as well. He would have been much better IMHO because he is Conservative and actually understood ACORN voter fraud.
Too bad the PC-GOP wasn't smart or principled enough to pick Blackwell (a conservative man who happens to be black) over the PC lame pick Steele.
Maybe it’s time for Mike to join Arlen on the other side of the aisle.
Michael Steele really needs to be replaced asap, because he’s a failure as RNC Chair. In fact this entire “political nightmare” needs to really be replaced asap!
When conservatives decide they really want the GOP back and actually work to retake it, RINOs like Steele will be gone.
See above.
I received a solicitation from the Toomey campaign this week and plan to write out my first check to his race for the Penn. senate seat (to bump off Specter the Defecter) this weekend.
I also plan to contribute to Marco Rubio for the Florida senate seat to replace Mel Martinez, illegal amnesty buddy of Jorge Bush. Why would anyone support Crist?
I will not give one cent to the RNC or the RNC Senatorial Committee. Instead, I will do everything I can to poke a finger in the eyes of the Republican pantywaists. Cornyn, McConnell, Lindsay Gramnesty and the other blow-with-the-wind GOPers can take a permanent hike.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.