Florida Gov. Crist to Make Senate Bid as an Independent (You're Still Going to Lose Charlie!)

Wall Street Journal ^ | 4/23/10 | PETER WALLSTEN And VALERIE BAUERLEIN

[MissesBush]

WASHINGTON—Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, determining he cannot win the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, has decided to exit the race and run instead in the general election without a party affiliation, according to two advisers.

The governor has scheduled a formal announcement for 5 p.m. Thursday at a waterfront park in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Fla.

A campaign official declined Wednesday afternoon to discuss Mr. Crist's plans.

The advisers, both of whom said they spoke with Mr. Crist Tuesday night, said the governor was also planning a major fund-raiser for Sunday in Miami to try to keep most of his big donors from fleeing the campaign.

If Mr. Crist follows through on his decision, he would upend one of the country's most closely watched campaigns and hand the Republican nomination for the Senate seat to former state House Speaker Marco Rubio.

Mr. Rubio, drawing energy from the party's conservative wing and the tea party movement, has taken large leads over Mr. Crist in surveys of Republican voters.

As an independent, Mr. Crist would join a three-way race against Mr. Rubio and the presumptive Democratic nominee, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek. The winner isn't required to win a majority.

One of the advisers, who requested anonymity to discuss private deliberations, said Mr. Crist conducted a poll earlier this week to assess his chances in a three-way race.

"The numbers were encouraging," the adviser said. "He's very sure of himself on this."

The adviser said that Mr. Crist expects to lose his entire professional campaign staff, and it isn't clear who he will bring on as replacements. GOP officials have instructed party political operatives not to work in opposition to the Republican nominee, and Democratic campaign workers are unlikely to sign on to work against Mr. Meek.

[MissesBush]

The only thing worse than a sore loser is one in denial. Get over yourself Charlie. You're whole political history is one of betrayal and that's why the GOP didn't want you. You cannot cover up that history, and indeed you serve to delineate it, with this latest craven move. If you can't win, you just run home and take your marbles?? You're a sad little man who never grew up.

[Army Air Corps]

I imagine that he will actually draw a number of Dem votes by doing this.

[Joe Brower]

Florida Freeper

[gathersnomoss]

Fence sitter. Shoulda’ worn a cup. Sorry, Charlie.

[Thickman]

This is what happens to washed-up career politicians with other discernable skills. After losing in the general he’ll end up on MSNBC as a token “conservative” whose job is to bash conservatives.

[McGavin999]

Republican donors need to demand their money back. It was given to a republican candidate, not an independent one. The same with any money the GOP gave him.

[Vaquero]

no, he will 'Ross Perot' the election and the Dhimmicrat will win.

then zer0 will reward him with a ambassadorship....he hopes in some openly gay country.

[nolongerademocrat]

I think he’s desperate to get to DC so he can see Obama again...

[Thickman]

Been away from FR too long typing mistakes corrected: This is what happens to washed-up career politicians with no other discernable discernible skills. After losing in the general he’ll end up on MSNBC as a token “conservative” whose job is to bash conservatives.

[feralcat]

This is a good reminder: I still need to make my donation to the Rubio campaign.

Maybe after they've both gotten their rears kicked in the election, Charlie Crist and Arlen Specter can start a support group for washed-up, incompetent, self-serving RINOs.

[MissesBush]

You’re right. The general election race is now between Rubio and Crist. The Dem Meek is just an also ran who has no shot. Of course the question then becomes whether if God forbid Crist were to win, would he caucus with the GOP or with the Dems.

[SmokingJoe]

"The numbers were encouraging,"

No.

[999replies]

lol

[Ingtar]

He’s hoping that he or the Dim with a D will win.

[Joe Boucher]

MissesBush, I live and vote in Florida.
I will NOT support Crist and would not have had he stayed in the Republican party and won its nomination.
Crist is a RINO and I will NEVER again vote for a RINO.
NOt after McLame.

[RED SOUTH]

Notice how the poll numbers line up with national number on conservatives versus moderates versus liberals.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/florida/election_2010_florida_senate

[SmokingJoe]

no, he will ‘Ross Perot’ the election and the Dhimmicrat will win.

The Democrat has close to ZERO chance of winning. He is not even on the radar screen. He can't even poll 25% even in a 3-way race.

[izzatzo]

Saw this coming long ago. But, I am surprised that McCain hasn’t switched parties so far-look for McCain to do the same thing or switch parties if he falls behind in the polls badly/loses his primary to Hayworth. That’s all these liberal Republicans are good for is to mess up elections for Conservatives.

[Tribune7]

This year’s John Anderson.

[shove_it]

If Charlie had any class, he’d concede this one to Marco, support him in the general election and then run against Bill Nelson as a Pub in 2012.