Politico: The Scorecard
By Josh Kraushaar
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) will be announcing Tuesday that he will be running for the Senate, according to a source close to the governor, giving Republicans their most high-profile recruit of the 2010 election cycle.
Crist's decision puts Republicans in strong position to hold onto the seat held by retiring Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) Crist holds high approval ratings among both Republicans and Democrats, according to statewide polling, and has forged a moderate governing style that has won him widespread support.
His decision to run came as little surprise to political observers, with the governor and his allies hinting of his interest in running for Congress over the last several months.
Florida Republican Party chairman Jim Greer confirmed to the Pensacola News-Journal that Crist will be making his formal announcement in Tallahassee on Tuesday at "a low-key event" and said he will draw immediate endorsements by a statewide and national Republican leaders.
Crist starts out as the frontrunner to succeed Martinez. But he will first be facing a primary against an up-and-coming conservative challenger, former state House Speaker Marco Rubio. Many Florida conservatives have begun to rally around Rubio over dissatisfaction with Crist’s moderate positions, particularly his vigorous advocacy of President Barack Obama’s stimulus package.
One major unanswered question is whether former Florida governor Jeb Bush will back his gubernatorial successor, or stay on the sidelines during the primary
3 comments:
Crist is such a careerist. Attorney General to Governor to Senator. He's only been Governor two years and it's onwards and upwards. What a bore. I actually believe Marco Rubio is going to beat this phoney-baloney in the primary. I just discovered Rubio by watching some videos on youtube. He's serious, competent and emotionally engaged in being a public servant as well as in his commitment to and communication of basic founding principals of conservatism. He's going places, I believe, and the Senate may well be where he's going to go. Crist is a tired cliche.
NarciCrist is a you-know-what kisser of Obambi's. Just what we need to send to the Senate from our beloved Sunshine State. Ick! Marco Rubio is the guy to support.
If Crist is running for Senate, backed by NRSC, why doesn't Rubio run for Governor? If Crist is more likely to be elected state-wide, I'd prefer he be the nominee. What I dislike even more, however, is the fact that so many non-Floridians will be involved. Everyone from pro-life to pro-choice groups, to conservatives vs moderates from out-of-state. It should be about the man who can best represent the majority of Floridians, not the interests groups outside of FLA. I also hate to see a bloody campaign between two GOP candidates. I'd prefer they both get to represent the people, even if one is Senate and one is Governor, one more moderate, one more conservative. I'm so tired of the RINO vs Conservative battles. All it does is keep the GOP in-fighting and Dems rallying to victory.
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