Posted on 05/16/2009 5:36:07 AM PDT by Scanian
The tribulations surrounding the GOP’s endorsement of Charlie Crist over Marco Rubio – and the implications it could have for the moderation of the national party - are wrapped up in internal squabbles among Florida politicos.
At issue is Florida’s “Rule 11,” which holds that party members are able to block out a given candidate in a primary election if they deem the candidate unfit to run. After the rule is invoked, no primary race is held – instead, GOP insiders get to decide the election.
In Florida’s GOP, Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer, a friend of Crist’s, tried to invoke the rule to ruin Rubio’s chances before he ever got off the ground.
“Rule 11 was a procedural matter that was logical because of the already official support that Charlie Crist has received, from the majority leader to the Senatorial Committee that has all the resources,” Greer told the St. Petersburg Times blog.
Rule 11 allows the national party to pool its resources on a single candidate, and was designed to prevent “crazies” from entering into an election. If a candidate who would seriously damage the GOP were to gain momentum in Florida, party insiders would be able to procedurally disqualify him.
If Rule 11 was used against Rubio, he wouldn’t receive any of the cash necessary to fund his campaign.
But Greer may have an uphill battle trying to block Rubio. For Rule 11 to take effect, three individuals need to sign off on it. That would be Greer, the state party chairman, and two national committee members – one of whom has said yes, and the other of whom has said no.
(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...
The GOP still has a death wish. They have no idea how little blind support they have left.
Unbelievable, ping
I just posted a Tampa Trib article giving Rubio’s side of things.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/may/15/rubio-let-voters-decide-republican-senate-primary/news-breaking/
I just posted a Tampa Trib article giving Rubio’s side of things.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/may/15/rubio-let-voters-decide-republican-senate-primary/news-breaking/
Amen!
Am I the only one who gave a big DUH to that?
The senate itself is not supposed to decide who its members are. That is what is happening here, both with Schumer and with Cornyn. And it’s dangerous to republican government. But then that’s probably why they do it.
I hope it brings them both down.
Picture what the Dem opponent would do with this in the general election? What is wrong with this party? No primary?
gop florida headquarters # 850 222 7920
I just left my message.
Making it even worse that the NRSC took sides.
Hillsboro is fighting back.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2251312/posts
That's all we need is a limp-wristed mama's boy (lived with his parents before he was elected gov.) as our senator.
No way!
I left the Democrat party because I didnt like the way they were doing things. I can leave the republicans for the same reason.
Freepers in Florida need to get involved in the Republican Party and unseat this idiot who wants to shut conservatives out from the primary.
A nationwide, grassroots movement (part of the upcoming tea parties) should be the following:
1) The Republican Party should not take sides in a primary battle, even if an incumbent is running.
2) Republican Primaries should be only open to registered Republicans. No Democrats, No Libertarians, No Independents allowed.
...
Country club nitwits are running the old elephant off the cliff.
I just spoke with a rep from Alachua County GOP. She told me that the third person, state level, can’t remember title, WILL NOT sign off on this.
I was also told I am not alone, Crist is not a shoo in.
Jeb Bush would NEVER let this crap happen
Say what you want about Jeb being a “Bush” but the guy had the florida dems on the ropes and running for their lived He did a great job as Governor
Crist is a flaming putz
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