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Report: Florida Governor Charlie Crist to Run for Senate
When Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter switched parties late last month, part of his rationale for becoming a Democrat was that moderate Republicans in Congress were a dying breed. It looks like Florida Governor Charlie Crist will try to buck that trend by running for retiring Republican Senator Mel Martinez's open seat in 2010. CNN reports that Crist is close to announcing a run for Senate, perhaps early next week. Crist's popularity in Florida would save the Republicans from having to pour money into any campaign mounted by a less popular state politician. Former Governor Jeb Bush, who would offer the GOP the same kind of financial leverage, took himself out of contention for the seat in January.
Crist is considered to be a centrist Republican, mostly due to his vocal support of President Obama's stimulus package. Crist maintains his moderate image by staying off the subject of wedge issues like gay marriage and abortion, both of which he opposes.
If Crist is indeed in the race, he will have to compete in a primary battle with former Florida Speaker of the House Marco Rubio, who will announce his intention to run for the seat on his website Tuesday. JaxPoliticsOnline blogger Abel Harding writes:
Rubio has come out swinging. In his announcement, he took a step that many saw as unprecedented-attacking sitting Senators of his own party with whom he would have to caucus, assuming he won the primary and general election. Lashing out at Maine Republicans Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, Rubio said that adding to their ranks was essentially the same as electing a Democrat.Adam Smith, writer for Florida politics blog The Buzz offers up five good reasons why Charlie Crist is in a much better position than Specter was before he switched parties. Smith also reports that the conservative group that Specter criticized for targeting moderate Republicans when he announced his party switch, Club for Growth, likes Rubio. Their president Chris Chocola touted Rubio by saying, "His fiscally responsible, pro-growth approach in the State Capitol stands in stark contrast with other elements of the state government, led by Charlie Crist." Chocola went on to say, "Speaker Rubio's announcement is good news for Florida's families and businesses, and I welcome his entry in the race."
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Jay Allbritton
Jay Allbritton is a blogger living in Baltimore. He writes the political blog, Ice Station Tango... more
Comments (14)
detristan
10:36PM May 9th 2009
I tried to change user name to my regular user name, nimnicht, so that those in Florida government will recognize me!
If Christ runs for Senate, I will do everything in my power to stop his endeavor!
The policies he has presently set up for monitary assistance for my grand children, has cheated many families, in a time when we need the help.
I am not a healthy young person, but a disabled grandmother, who is on disability, who has inherited three grandchildren, and desperately need some kind of help, which, due to his policy, has been penalized for the actions of a state worker, who did not process my application, although, all info was submitted in month of application, but failed to enter info until 28 days after application submitted, and then only gave me benefits from date of completion, not date of appl. or when all info was submitted.
I did my part, but Governor Christ has set it up, that only the worker's part is recognized!
Not for the people, but the politics and perks.
I will broadcast this info, when he runs, to show his true agenda!
If Christ runs for Senate, I will do everything in my power to stop his endeavor!
The policies he has presently set up for monitary assistance for my grand children, has cheated many families, in a time when we need the help.
I am not a healthy young person, but a disabled grandmother, who is on disability, who has inherited three grandchildren, and desperately need some kind of help, which, due to his policy, has been penalized for the actions of a state worker, who did not process my application, although, all info was submitted in month of application, but failed to enter info until 28 days after application submitted, and then only gave me benefits from date of completion, not date of appl. or when all info was submitted.
I did my part, but Governor Christ has set it up, that only the worker's part is recognized!
Not for the people, but the politics and perks.
I will broadcast this info, when he runs, to show his true agenda!
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David S.
12:56AM May 10th 2009
Yet another Republican trashing the two women Senators in Maine, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. I guess Rubio would rather have two Democrats be Senators there, so the Republican party will have two less Senators. I guess some conservatives want an all-southern Republican party. They may get their wish. Rubio is apparently a dumb ass.
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(2) Shawn
10:18PM May 12th 2009
Actually, those so-called "Republican" Senators should be considered the DEMOCRATS they really are. The Republican Party in Maine has been deceased for YEARS. And Charlie Crist is as much of a Democrat as Snowe and Collins are. The Party doesn't need 'diversity'; it needs to NARROW ITS FOCUS in order to gain RESPECT from any segment of the American people....
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(0) Truth
3:19AM May 10th 2009
David S.,
Calling anyone a dumb ass is something you are uniquely qualified to do, since few dumb asses are as dumb as you, you're kind of an expert on dumb asses. Rubio is completely justified in his assessment. Snowe and Collins are liberals, and don't vote with the republicans anymore than some democrats. Where is the loss? And why would that concern you? Are you worried about the Republicans regaining a majority, or just want an excuse to insult people smarter than you?
Why do you liberal fools think that conservatives need liberals in their midst? Are you too stupid to understand the fundamental differences in perspective? People like Snowe and Collins helped the Democrat controlled Congress bloat the budget, and deficit in the last two years of the Bush Whitehouse. They may as well call themselves democrats, why lie about your true affiliation?
Calling anyone a dumb ass is something you are uniquely qualified to do, since few dumb asses are as dumb as you, you're kind of an expert on dumb asses. Rubio is completely justified in his assessment. Snowe and Collins are liberals, and don't vote with the republicans anymore than some democrats. Where is the loss? And why would that concern you? Are you worried about the Republicans regaining a majority, or just want an excuse to insult people smarter than you?
Why do you liberal fools think that conservatives need liberals in their midst? Are you too stupid to understand the fundamental differences in perspective? People like Snowe and Collins helped the Democrat controlled Congress bloat the budget, and deficit in the last two years of the Bush Whitehouse. They may as well call themselves democrats, why lie about your true affiliation?
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(0) David S.
5:38AM May 10th 2009
Sure, TRUTH, go ahead and try to get two more conservative GOP Senators elected in liberal Maine. Collins and Snowe survive there because they are moderate. Unfortunately, seems to me you want a total Republican party of right-wing hacks. Again, you may get your wish, as the GOP is slowly relegating itself to a party of the South and the Plain states...
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(2) Duane
4:39AM May 10th 2009
Our gay governor is against gay marriage? It's ok Charlie, you can come out of the closet
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(-2) deutschdawg
8:54AM May 10th 2009
When are the people of florida going to find out their governor has a cover wife? Hes gayer than either senator craig OR mark foley,,
Breeders are so clueless , but when its one of their own, practising hipocracy,, i love it when they get outted..
Come on out miss crist! MANY in your state know what kind of partner you REALLY prefer!
Breeders are so clueless , but when its one of their own, practising hipocracy,, i love it when they get outted..
Come on out miss crist! MANY in your state know what kind of partner you REALLY prefer!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-3)
(-3) flamod
9:49AM May 10th 2009
This state (Florida) can't take much more of Crist's bungling mis-management. Thanks to that moron, our State Universities are in dire financial trouble, and our property tax system was royally screwed last year. Just so he could parade before the cameras (God that man LOVES mirrors and cameras) and say he cut taxes, out property taxes were "rolled back) with no means to replace the lost funding. as a result, my COunty has had to raise "fees" to replace the lost property taxes. I could write property taxes off my federal income tax, but not "fees." Also, now we have to pay more government employees to track and collect more fees.
Crist personally vetoed our universities raising tuition just so he could parade before the cameras again and say how much money he saved the taxpayer. Our financially strangled universities are cutting programs and staff and less Florida kids are being admitted because the universites are taking out of state kids (with the MUCH higher out of state tuition fees) to maintain solvency. Thats only the tip of the Crist crisis. Now this narcistic moron wants into the U.S. Senate where he can blame everything on 99 other Senators and the House of Representatives.
ENOUGH!!!! GO AWAY CRIST. FAR, FAR AWAY!!!!
Crist personally vetoed our universities raising tuition just so he could parade before the cameras again and say how much money he saved the taxpayer. Our financially strangled universities are cutting programs and staff and less Florida kids are being admitted because the universites are taking out of state kids (with the MUCH higher out of state tuition fees) to maintain solvency. Thats only the tip of the Crist crisis. Now this narcistic moron wants into the U.S. Senate where he can blame everything on 99 other Senators and the House of Representatives.
ENOUGH!!!! GO AWAY CRIST. FAR, FAR AWAY!!!!
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(0) Professional Woman
11:56AM May 10th 2009
I could not disagree with you more. I pay my mortgage payment that includes escrow funds for payment of my home insurance and my property taxes. My escrow payment decreased from approx. $700 per month to $400 per month. That is a savings of $300 a month because of the reduction in property taxes and the reduction in the insurance rates - both of which Charlie Crist promoted and endorsed. I also received a check from my bank for $1200 for excess payment of escrow funds and that included the interest they gained from my funds. That was also promoted and endorsed by Crist.
I am a Democrat that voted for Crist, one of the few Republicans in this country I can endorse. The financial economic hardships in Florida were not brought on by any of Crists policies! They were brought on by the deregulation of banks, companies, and oil commodities promoted by the Republican Majority congress and Repuke President that controlled our nation's decision making for 6 YEARS!
Crist has done his best to get the funding to help our State, with no help from the repukes in Fla government, and I give him credit for not falling for the say NO repuke philosophy and the need for greed tactics while placing us all in jeopardy.
Depending upon who runs against him from the Democratic Party, I would gladly vote for Crist for US Senate if he is the best choice, as he was for Governor when he ran for that office here.
I am a Democrat that voted for Crist, one of the few Republicans in this country I can endorse. The financial economic hardships in Florida were not brought on by any of Crists policies! They were brought on by the deregulation of banks, companies, and oil commodities promoted by the Republican Majority congress and Repuke President that controlled our nation's decision making for 6 YEARS!
Crist has done his best to get the funding to help our State, with no help from the repukes in Fla government, and I give him credit for not falling for the say NO repuke philosophy and the need for greed tactics while placing us all in jeopardy.
Depending upon who runs against him from the Democratic Party, I would gladly vote for Crist for US Senate if he is the best choice, as he was for Governor when he ran for that office here.
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(1) ettu
2:03PM May 11th 2009
Wait until Obama gets through with his programs. Your state will be taxing you for opening your front door, as a "convenience tax," along with anything and everything they can think of.
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(0) Judy Bailey
9:56AM May 10th 2009
In my opinion, Governor Crist made a lot of promises that were not kept. He was going to turn Florida around and instead it's going farther south economically speaking.
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(0) Professional Woman
12:52PM May 10th 2009
Judy B - He kept a lot of promises as well, but the naysayers only look at the negative.
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(0) jpmeville
8:29AM May 11th 2009
Once the word gets out that Crist is gay, his republican carreer will be over. He married for the first time a few years ago to try and stem the rumors. Watch the movie "OUTRAGE" and you will see many gay republicans being dragged out of the closet.
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(1) WADE....
3:13PM May 11th 2009
Hmmmm....
I bet Barney can't wait for charlie ooooo doggie....gonna be some late night homo meetings at the tax payers expense.
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