Charlie Crist seems to have become a campaign chameleon, shifting shape and changing colors depending on where he is and to whom he’s talking.

“The people” he professes to serve can no longer know what he stands for, and if he doesn’t convince them soon that he believes in something more than his political career, he will likely lose the U.S. Senate race in November.

This editorial page has generally supported Crist. We backed him in his unsuccessful challenge of former Sen. Bob Graham in 1998 and enthusiastically endorsed him for governor four years ago.

We were not offended when he left the Republican Party in April after he fell well behind primary opponent Marco Rubio in the polls.

Much of the criticism of him then – his acceptance of the stimulus dollars and his respectful embrace of President Obama – seemed superficial and unfair. The stimulus program may have been flawed, but it enabled the state to avoid laying off teachers and eliminating key services. Florida’s conservative Legislature, including many Rubio supporters, eagerly spent it.

But less than three months before this election, Crist, the former “lifelong Republican,” seems to be moving steadily to the left. Much of the media believe he will caucus with the Democrats if elected. He says he will caucus “with the people of Florida.”

But the people of Florida are not in Washington. His professions notwithstanding, he can’t be all things to all people.

The Crist we used to know was a fiscal conservative who believed in limited government.

He sought to help small businesses and protect the environment. He was tough on crime.

He didn’t think he had all the answers. He listened to opposing views, a favorite expression being “God gave me one mouth and two ears.” But Crist usually came at issues from a conservative perspective.

Lately it has been difficult to discern Crist’s beliefs.

Take what happened last weekend. After opposing President Obama’s health care reform, the governor said on national television he would have supported it. Later he backtracked, saying there were some things in the legislation that were good, and some things that weren’t.

That’s not his only hedge.

He supported the president’s stimulus package when it was popular but later said he didn’t endorse it.

He was against gay adoption. Now he’s for it.

He’s been accused of flip-flopping on the Defense of Marriage Amendment.

You get the picture.

More troubling, many of his responses these days seem calculated to minimize offense to voters of either side.

A politician has every right to change his mind as he matures in office, and flexibility is needed when one side makes a better case than the other.

We want officials who are smart enough to adjust to changing situations and compromise when necessary. We don’t want an ideologue whose views are unclouded by reality.

But the Crist we thought we knew – a pragmatic and fair-minded conservative – is not the one we are seeing on the campaign trail.

Crist, however likeable, can’t take a pass on the issues. If he wants to be Florida’s senator, he must show voters he stands for something.

Charlie Crist will not be Florida’s next United States Senator.

In a year where most predictions are downright silly, I am very confident in that one.  When Kendrick Meek won last Tuesday, with his victory went Charlie Crist’s chances.  Democrats who want to beat Marco Rubio should jump on the Meek train.

To understand why, let’s revisit the math.

For Crist to win the United States Senate race, he would need a formula that looked something like this:

33% of the Democratic vote

33% of the Republican vote

50% of the NPA vote.

This formula would get him a vote total of 36-37%, a likely win scenario in a highly competitive three way race, where all three candidates are scoring in the thirties.

Here is one problem:  Rubio is limiting him to 20% of the Republican vote.  If Rubio keeps him at 20% of the GOP vote, Crist needs to get 45% of the Democratic vote in order to win, and according to the latest PPP poll, Crist is only at 38% today with Democrats.

But the bigger problem is he is falling into the same place as many other long time office holders:  his personal approval numbers are plummeting. He no longer has that deep well of cross party lines personal support built up that allows him to transcend normal political divides.  Instead, he now has to block and tackle like everyone else.  In this political environment, absent some significant and unfortunate event that would thrust him back into the spotlight, the odds of him finding 15-20 points of political approval in the next nine weeks are slim, at best.

Therefore, for Crist, who after 20 years of being a GOP insider, his only path to victory is to find a way to be Democratic enough to win enough Democrats, Republican enough to win enough Republicans, and to do that in a way where he doesn’t anger Independents.  Not exactly the easiest thing to do, when Democrats now have a plausible alternative in Meek and Republicans in Rubio.  If Greene had won, it might be a different story.

Democrats who support Crist keep saying to me, “well, we just need Dems to vote for Crist,” but that just isn’t going to happen in the margins he needs to win.

Today, Rubio has the clearest path to victory, but once Democrats figure out that Meek is their only option, his path will get much more clear as well.   For Crist, I wouldn’t rush to book that early January plane ticket from Tallahassee to DC– a trip that starting in October 2010, the rest of us will be able make without stopping in Atlanta or Charlotte!

“Charlie Crist’s Challenge”
Miami Herald Editorial
August 31, 2010

Gov. Charlie Crist’s bid to become the next U.S. senator from Florida — and make history as an independent — has liberated the long-time Republican from following a party script.

But in so doing, Gov. Crist has left many voters confused and others angry. They’re right to wonder what being an independent means, if all his positions seem to follow popular opinion. Voters aren’t selecting a pollster. They are looking for a leader — ideally, one who won’t just parrot the mob.

It’s one thing to be a thoughtful moderate who weighs issues based on the public good and realistic economic conditions. It’s quite another to jump from one position to the exact opposite, sometimes in a matter of hours on the same day.

Example: The governor’s position on healthcare reform. On Friday, he said in a TV interview he would have voted for the legislation had he been in the U.S. Senate — only to retract his support two hours later.

He then said the healthcare fix was “too big, too expensive and expanded the role of government far too much. . . . I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program.”

Last March, when he was still a Republican facing conservative Marco Rubio, Gov. Crist sided with those conservatives who want to repeal the healthcare bill. In July, when he became an independent, he told The Wall Street Journal he didn’t support a repeal.

Which is it?

We appreciate nuance. We understand mitigating circumstances. We, in fact, agree with many of the governor’s changed positions in Tallahassee based on the way the legislation was pushed through without public input — such as his veto of the controversial SB6 bill to end tenure for new teachers and a bill that would have required women to pay for, and view, an ultrasound if they were seeking an abortion.

Even his position on drilling off Florida shores is confusing — he had been consistently against it until gas prices reached almost $4 a gallon two years ago. He is now solidly against drilling too close to Florida’s shoreline — we think.

In these trying times, when Florida’s economy is still struggling, the nation is facing monumental debt in the trillions of dollars and the war on terror remains a moving target, this state needs a sensible leader in Washington willing to cross party lines and put the people first. Unfortunately, Mr. Crist has yet to explain what his core beliefs are and how they have evolved since the days he was known as “Chain Gang Charlie” in the Legislature.

Washington already has too many dogmatic idealogues who won’t budge from the party line — either on the left or right — regardless of the facts. It does not need opportunists who knee-jerk to positions back and forth based on polling.

Mr. Crist’s challenge now is to explain to voters what’s at his core — and how he could be a mediator between the two parties, a statesman of the caliber of Democrat Lawton Chiles or Republican Connie Mack — men with high ideals, willing to compromise when necessary and stand tall based on principle when warranted.

Miami, FL – In March when he was still a Republican campaigning to win the Republican nomination, Charlie Crist said this about Marco Rubio and debating on “Meet the Press”:

“This is a guy who says he’s willing to stand up to Barack Obama, but he won’t sit down with David Gregory on Meet the Press? The hypocrisy and inconsistency from Marco Rubio is appalling.” – Charlie Crist, March 2010

But today, Crist says he “won’t ‘Meet the Press’ with Rubio and Meek”:

“Crist Won’t ‘Meet The Press’ With Rubio And Meek”
By Beth Reinhard
Miami Herald’s “Naked Politics” Blog
8/30/10
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2010/08/crist-wont-meet-the-press-with-rubio-and-meek.html

Gov. Charlie Crist is not joining his rivals for the U.S. Senate, Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Kendrick Meek, this Sunday on MSNBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“The governor has long planned Labor Day events, when he’ll be out talking to working families,” said Crist spokesman Danny Kanner.

Crist has only accepted one debate invitation so far, on Oct. 24 in St. Petersburg. Rubio and Meek have agreed to four other debates, and the Meek campaign is trying to work out a scheduling glitch on one more.

Back in March, when Rubio declined a “Meet the Press” date because he had promised FOX News the first debate between him and Crist, the governor told The Palm Beach Post: “This is a guy who says he’s willing to stand up to Barack Obama, but he won’t sit down with David Gregory on Meet the Press? The hypocrisy and inconsistency from Marco Rubio is appalling.”

Miami, FL – The set of NBC’s “Meet the Press” is probably a pretty scary place for a political opportunist like Charlie Crist. With his six positions on ObamaCare, repeated contradictions and flip-flops on virtually every issue, and a long record of saying and doing anything to win an election, sitting across a table from David Gregory is probably about the last place you would want to be. Which is probably why Crist isn’t planning on being there on September 5th when Marco Rubio and Kendrick Meek square off.

Perhaps Crist thought if he said “No” the debate would be canceled. Apparently not.

NBC News today said the “Meet the Press” debate will go on with or without Crist.  According to an NBC press release, “The acclaimed series will start Labor Day weekend Sunday, September 5th, as Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL) and former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) square off in a debate for the U.S. Senate seat from Florida. (Independent candidate Gov. Charlie Crist has been invited to participate but has not committed.)”

“Charlie Crist has six different positions on ObamaCare because he doesn’t actually care about health care, he only cares about getting himself elected. I’m the only candidate in this race who has opposed ObamaCare and vowed to repeal and replace it with a real reform plan that will lower costs, allow people to keep the coverage they have now and give individuals the same tax breaks businesses get to provide health care insurance.  We all know Kendrick Meek is a liberal who strongly supports ObamaCare.  But Charlie Crist’s political opportunism puts him in a league of his own.  After changing his mind six times, I’m still not sure what he believes because he will likely change it again tomorrow.”

In Less Than 30 Days, Crist Goes From Voting Against To Voting For ObamaCare:

Today At 2:00 P.M., Crist Says He “Misspoke” And Still Wants To Repeal ObamaCare. “@HotlineReid: Wait wait, Crist now AGAINST health care bill again! Sez he “misspoke,” still wants to repeal and replace. #fingerinthewind” (Reid Wilson, Tweet, http://twitter.com/HotlineReid/status/22287332675, 8/27/10)

Today, Crist Says “I Would Have Voted For” ObamaCare. ANCHOR: “Health care bill, how would you have voted on that?” CRIST: “I would have voted for it but I think it can be done better. I really do.” (CFLN, 8/27/10)
Video:

But In July, Crist Said “I Would Have Voted Against” ObamaCare. “Had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program.” (Charlie Crist, “My Position, The Obama Health Care Bill”, http://www.charliecrist.com/?p=306, 7/29/10)

Background On Crist’s Six ObamaCare Positions:

Position #1: Crist Called For Repeal The Night The House Passed The Health Care Bill. “Crist, a Republican who was in Tampa tonight attending the closing ceremony for the Gasparilla International Film Festival, said he hopes to get elected senator in November to help repeal the bill and bring a commonsense approach to healthcare reform. ‘What people really want when it comes to health care, in my view, is they want greater access and less cost,’ Crist said. ‘We just need to get it right and do it right,’ Crist said. ‘Do it right for the people.’” (“Crist Hopes To Repeal Health Care Legislation,” The Associated Press, 3/21/10)

Position #2: In July 2010, Crist Tells The Wall Street Journal That He Does Not Support Repealing ObamaCare. “Mr. Crist has made other policy shifts. Despite pledging as a Republican to help repeal President Obama’s health-care overhaul, Mr. Crist now says he does not support such a move.” (Peter Wallsten, “Crist Uses Old Party As New Foil,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/20/10)

Position #3: Crist Tells Wall Street Journal That Those Calling For Repeal Are Only Giving Into The Primary “Purity Test”. Q: When the bill passed, you called for its repeal. A: “Well, I wanted it to be changed….. People get caught up in, ‘I’m going to say it’s going to be repealed’ like they’re hammering their fist on the desk and be impressed with themselves. That’s part of the purity test.” Q: Is that an example of something you had to do in the primary campaign as a Republican? A: “Perhaps. And I just don’t have to do that anymore. I’m liberated to a greater degree, and I’m very happy about it.” (Peter Wallsten, “Q&A With Charlie Crist,” The Wall Street Journal’s “Washington Wire” Blog, 7/20/10)

Position #4: Crist Says His Position On ObamaCare Has Been “Confused” And He Does Support “Repeal”. “FACT CHECK: Recent reports in the media have confused my position on the Obama health care bill. The Obama health care bill was too big, too expensive, and expanded the role of government far too much. Had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program. But being an independent, I have the freedom to be an honest broker for the people of Florida without regard for political party, and the reality is this: despite its serious flaws, the Obama health care bill does have some positive aspects. Repeal must be accompanied by a responsible substitute — repeal without passage of a substitute law protecting those with pre-existing conditions, closing the prescription drug donut hole for seniors, and allowing parents to keep their children on their insurance coverage until age 26 would be wrong. While I would not have supported the legislation, we have to recognize the positive components and work together across party lines to make our health care system more affordable for both consumers and the government. This debate must not be about political posturing; it must be about protecting the people of Florida and America, and I intend to do that hard work when I get to the United States Senate.” (Charlie Crist, “My Position, The Obama Health Care Bill”, http://www.charliecrist.com/?p=306, 7/29/10)

Position #5: Today, Crist Says “I Would Have Voted For” ObamaCare. ANCHOR: “Health care bill, how would you have voted on that?” CRIST: “I would have voted for it but I think it can be done better. I really do.” (CFLN, 8/27/10)

Position #6: Today At 2:00 P.M., Crist Says He “Misspoke” And Still Wants To Repeal ObamaCare. “@HotlineReid: Wait wait, Crist now AGAINST health care bill again! Sez he “misspoke,” still wants to repeal and replace. #fingerinthewind” (Reid Wilson, Tweet, http://twitter.com/HotlineReid/status/22287332675, 8/27/10)

Miami, FL – This is getting ridiculous. Charlie Crist today took his fifth, and then sixth position on ObamaCare, all in the span of a few hours.

During a noon interview with Central Florida News 13 in Orlando, Crist took Position #5 on ObamaCare saying that he would “have voted for it” had he been in the United States Senate. This directly contradicts Position #4 from July when he said “had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill…”

Now, just two hours later, Crist has reversed himself again, incredibly taking Position #6! In five months, Crist has taken six positions. In less than 30 days, Crist has gone from voting against the bill to voting for it to now being against it again. It is more clear than ever that Charlie Crist will do or say anything just to win an election.

In Less Than 30 Days, Crist Goes From Voting Against To Voting For ObamaCare:

Today At 2:00 P.M., Crist Says He “Misspoke” And Still Wants To Repeal ObamaCare. “@HotlineReid: Wait wait, Crist now AGAINST health care bill again! Sez he “misspoke,” still wants to repeal and replace. #fingerinthewind” (Reid Wilson, Tweet, http://twitter.com/HotlineReid/status/22287332675, 8/27/10)

Today, Crist Says “I Would Have Voted For” ObamaCare. ANCHOR: “Health care bill, how would you have voted on that?” CRIST: “I would have voted for it but I think it can be done better. I really do.” (CFLN, 8/27/10)
Video:

But In July, Crist Said “I Would Have Voted Against” ObamaCare. “Had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program.” (Charlie Crist, “My Position, The Obama Health Care Bill”, http://www.charliecrist.com/?p=306, 7/29/10)

Background On Crist’s Six ObamaCare Positions:

Position #1: Crist Called For Repeal The Night The House Passed The Health Care Bill. “Crist, a Republican who was in Tampa tonight attending the closing ceremony for the Gasparilla International Film Festival, said he hopes to get elected senator in November to help repeal the bill and bring a commonsense approach to healthcare reform. ‘What people really want when it comes to health care, in my view, is they want greater access and less cost,’ Crist said. ‘We just need to get it right and do it right,’ Crist said. ‘Do it right for the people.’” (“Crist Hopes To Repeal Health Care Legislation,” The Associated Press, 3/21/10)

Position #2: In July 2010, Crist Tells The Wall Street Journal That He Does Not Support Repealing ObamaCare. “Mr. Crist has made other policy shifts. Despite pledging as a Republican to help repeal President Obama’s health-care overhaul, Mr. Crist now says he does not support such a move.” (Peter Wallsten, “Crist Uses Old Party As New Foil,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/20/10)

Position #3: Crist Tells Wall Street Journal That Those Calling For Repeal Are Only Giving Into The Primary “Purity Test”. Q: When the bill passed, you called for its repeal. A: “Well, I wanted it to be changed….. People get caught up in, ‘I’m going to say it’s going to be repealed’ like they’re hammering their fist on the desk and be impressed with themselves. That’s part of the purity test.” Q: Is that an example of something you had to do in the primary campaign as a Republican? A: “Perhaps. And I just don’t have to do that anymore. I’m liberated to a greater degree, and I’m very happy about it.” (Peter Wallsten, “Q&A With Charlie Crist,” The Wall Street Journal’s “Washington Wire” Blog, 7/20/10)

Position #4: Crist Says His Position On ObamaCare Has Been “Confused” And He Does Support “Repeal”. “FACT CHECK: Recent reports in the media have confused my position on the Obama health care bill. The Obama health care bill was too big, too expensive, and expanded the role of government far too much. Had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program. But being an independent, I have the freedom to be an honest broker for the people of Florida without regard for political party, and the reality is this: despite its serious flaws, the Obama health care bill does have some positive aspects. Repeal must be accompanied by a responsible substitute — repeal without passage of a substitute law protecting those with pre-existing conditions, closing the prescription drug donut hole for seniors, and allowing parents to keep their children on their insurance coverage until age 26 would be wrong. While I would not have supported the legislation, we have to recognize the positive components and work together across party lines to make our health care system more affordable for both consumers and the government. This debate must not be about political posturing; it must be about protecting the people of Florida and America, and I intend to do that hard work when I get to the United States Senate.” (Charlie Crist, “My Position, The Obama Health Care Bill”, http://www.charliecrist.com/?p=306, 7/29/10)

Position #5: Today, Crist Says “I Would Have Voted For” ObamaCare. ANCHOR: “Health care bill, how would you have voted on that?” CRIST: “I would have voted for it but I think it can be done better. I really do.” (CFLN, 8/27/10)

Position #6: Today At 2:00 P.M., Crist Says He “Misspoke” And Still Wants To Repeal ObamaCare. “@HotlineReid: Wait wait, Crist now AGAINST health care bill again! Sez he “misspoke,” still wants to repeal and replace. #fingerinthewind” (Reid Wilson, Tweet, http://twitter.com/HotlineReid/status/22287332675, 8/27/10)

Miami, FL – Today, during a noon interview with Central Florida News 13 in Orlando, Charlie Crist took his fifth position on ObamaCare saying that he would “have voted for it” had he been in the United States Senate. This directly contradicts a July statement that “had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill…” In five months, Crist has taken five positions. In less than 30 days, Crist has gone from voting against the bill to voting for it had he been in the U.S. Senate. As a true political opportunist, Crist can’t be trusted to go to Washington to vote for big government programs like ObamaCare.

In Less Than 30 Days, Crist Goes From Voting Against To Voting For ObamaCare:

Today, Crist Says “I Would Have Voted For” ObamaCare. ANCHOR: “Health care bill, how would you have voted on that?” CRIST: “I would have voted for it but I think it can be done better. I really do.” (CFLN, 8/27/10)
Video:

But In July, Crist Said “I Would Have Voted Against” ObamaCare. “Had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program.” (Charlie Crist, “My Position, The Obama Health Care Bill”, http://www.charliecrist.com/?p=306, 7/29/10)

Background On Crist’s Five ObamaCare Positions:

Position #1: Crist Called For Repeal The Night The House Passed The Health Care Bill. “Crist, a Republican who was in Tampa tonight attending the closing ceremony for the Gasparilla International Film Festival, said he hopes to get elected senator in November to help repeal the bill and bring a commonsense approach to healthcare reform. ‘What people really want when it comes to health care, in my view, is they want greater access and less cost,’ Crist said. ‘We just need to get it right and do it right,’ Crist said. ‘Do it right for the people.’” (“Crist Hopes To Repeal Health Care Legislation,” The Associated Press, 3/21/10)

Position #2: In July 2010, Crist Tells The Wall Street Journal That He Does Not Support Repealing ObamaCare. “Mr. Crist has made other policy shifts. Despite pledging as a Republican to help repeal President Obama’s health-care overhaul, Mr. Crist now says he does not support such a move.” (Peter Wallsten, “Crist Uses Old Party As New Foil,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/20/10)

Position #3: Crist Tells Wall Street Journal That Those Calling For Repeal Are Only Giving Into The Primary “Purity Test”. Q: When the bill passed, you called for its repeal. A: “Well, I wanted it to be changed….. People get caught up in, ‘I’m going to say it’s going to be repealed’ like they’re hammering their fist on the desk and be impressed with themselves. That’s part of the purity test.” Q: Is that an example of something you had to do in the primary campaign as a Republican? A: “Perhaps. And I just don’t have to do that anymore. I’m liberated to a greater degree, and I’m very happy about it.” (Peter Wallsten, “Q&A With Charlie Crist,” The Wall Street Journal’s “Washington Wire” Blog, 7/20/10)

Position #4: Crist Says His Position On ObamaCare Has Been “Confused” And He Does Support “Repeal”. “FACT CHECK: Recent reports in the media have confused my position on the Obama health care bill. The Obama health care bill was too big, too expensive, and expanded the role of government far too much. Had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program. But being an independent, I have the freedom to be an honest broker for the people of Florida without regard for political party, and the reality is this: despite its serious flaws, the Obama health care bill does have some positive aspects. Repeal must be accompanied by a responsible substitute — repeal without passage of a substitute law protecting those with pre-existing conditions, closing the prescription drug donut hole for seniors, and allowing parents to keep their children on their insurance coverage until age 26 would be wrong. While I would not have supported the legislation, we have to recognize the positive components and work together across party lines to make our health care system more affordable for both consumers and the government. This debate must not be about political posturing; it must be about protecting the people of Florida and America, and I intend to do that hard work when I get to the United States Senate.” (Charlie Crist, “My Position, The Obama Health Care Bill”, http://www.charliecrist.com/?p=306, 7/29/10)

Position #5: Today, Crist Says “I Would Have Voted For” ObamaCare. ANCHOR: “Health care bill, how would you have voted on that?” CRIST: “I would have voted for it but I think it can be done better. I really do.” (CFLN, 8/27/10)

“Charlie Crist is a political opportunist who will say and do anything just to win an election. During the span of just one week, Charlie Crist said he’s proud to be a conservative in the most conservative part of Florida, but in the liberal areas, he ‘thanks God’ he’s no longer a Republican.  It’s clear the only way to predict what Charlie Crist is going to say is to look at the audience he is trying to win over,” said Alex Burgos, Rubio for Senate spokesman.

Background:

Yesterday, In One Of The Most Conservative Parts Of Florida, Crist Told The Pensacola News Journal That “Of Course” He Still Considers Himself To Be “A Conservative”. “Q: Do you still consider yourself a conservative? A: Of course. I’m a fiscal conservative, open minded on social issues. I think we need to be tolerant. We need to be watchful of our money. We need to reduce taxes. All are things important to the people of Florida. What I am is a commonsense guy. And that’s what the people want more than ever.” (Thyrie Bland, “Crist Visits Vinyl Music Hall To Push His Senate Candidacy,” Pensacola News Journal, 8/27/10)

• Asked If He Was “The Same Conservative” Floridians Voted For In 2006, Crist Said “Oh Sure” Last Night. MOBILE ABC REPORTER: “Fresh off an endorsement from a powerful labor union, Crist wasted no time coming to the most conservative part of Florida. Are you still the same conservative they voted for in 2006?” CRIST: “Oh sure. They’re in this room tonight and I’m glad that they’re here. You know, I haven’t changed, you know, the party changed.” (Mobile ABC, 8/27/10)

• VIDEO:

But Last Week In Front Of A Heavily Democrat Crowd In South Florida, Crist Said “Thank God” That He Was No Longer A Republican. “In his speech, Crist focused on his familiar theme of putting Floridians first and not being beholden to party politics. He sounded much like a Democrat – noting several times how he clashed with Republicans, including his order to expand early voting hours in 2008, and joking about ditching the GOP. ‘Thank God, right?’ Crist said.” (Amy Sherman, “Charlie Crist Woos Broward Democrats,” Miami Herald, 8/19/10)

• Watch the video here:

Full Story:
Charlie Crist’s Big Dilemma
By Tom Jensen
Public Policy Polling
August 26, 2010

Charlie Crist led most polls from the time he left the Republican race for Senate until now because he was winning the Democratic vote. Now that Democrats in the state have gotten to know and like Kendrick Meek better some of Crist’s support there has evaporated and as a result Marco Rubio is back in the lead. So what does Crist do now?

One thing Crist could do is flat out say he’s going to caucus with the Democrats. Our poll last weekend found 66% of Kendrick Meek’s voters said they would support Crist instead if he committed to siding with the Dems. 9% of Meek’s voters said they wouldn’t vote for Crist if he did that and 25% weren’t sure.

There are perils for Crist in doing that too though. Only 63% of those currently supporting him say they would still do so if he said he would go with the Democrats while 20% say they explicitly would not vote for him if he did that and 17% aren’t sure. Most of his remaining Republican support would dry up and he’d lose a fair number of independents as well.

Crist polled at 32% on this survey. 37% say they’d vote for him if he caucuses with the Democrats while 47% explicitly say they would not. Out of that 47% about 44% are Rubio people (Rubio’s current supporters plus Republicans for Crist who say they wouldn’t be if he went with the Dems) and 3% are Meek people. So you’d basically have a 44-37-3 race at that point with Crist needing to win somewhere in the neighborhood of 75% of the undecideds. It is a Democratic leaning group of voters, mostly folks currently supporting Meek or already supporting Crist but unsure if they would continue to do so if he committed to being a Democratic vote.

It is not impossible that Crist would get 75% of those people but it is unlikely. Nevertheless with his path to victory looking tougher and tougher promising to caucus with the Democrats is probably something he at least has to consider doing to reignite his campaign. It might not work- but it also might be his only chance.

Check out the video here:

Fox News’ Dana Perino: “So in some ways because Governor Crist, who realized he would not win the Republican nomination because of your entry into the race and he decided to run as an independent, you’ve almost been running in a general election for the last six months and you’ve only really been waiting to find out who the Democrat in the race is going to be, is that right?”

Rubio: “Yeah, that’s essentially true. You know, even from the beginning when Charlie Crist was still a Republican, I always knew that I would be running against two people who supported the current agenda out of Washington, D.C., the Obama agenda. I just didn’t realize they’d both be on the ballot at the same time, but that’s fine. We are prepared to have that debate. As I tell people in Florida, the choice is pretty simple. If you like the direction our country is headed, you have Charlie Crist or you have the Democratic nominee. They are both going to support the Obama agenda. But if you don’t like the way this country is headed, if you don’t like what Washington is doing to our country, I’m the only one running that’s going to go to Washington and stand up to it and offer a clear alternative.”

…

Perino: “In an interview with The New York Times recently, I think it ran Sunday or yesterday, I read an article in which they talked to you about this notion of Republicans are the party of no. You’ve rejected that and you said that you have to run on ideas and policies. Tell me, in a three person race once that starts tonight or whenever we have the results, how are you going to distinguish yourself from those other two? Because in some ways, I think the messaging is going to get a little bit mucked up.”

Rubio: “Well, first of all, let me say that I’m not running to be the opposition. I don’t think Republicans want to go to Washington and be the opposition. We want to be the alternative to the direction that Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid want to take this country. And the way we’re going to be distinguished in the state is we’ve already offered 75 specific ideas of things we are going to do if I get elected – things on the economy, on jobs, on spending, on health care, on education, on senior issues, on veterans issues. We’ve offered 75 specific public policy ideas that we’re going to campaign on and that if elected we want to be held accountable to. Our opponents, all they do is bumper sticker language.”

Check out the video here:

NOTE: Crist recently refunded a $9,600 contribution from Jim Greer, the indicted former Republican Party of Florida chairman. “He asked for it back, so I gave it to him,” said Crist. But Crist said that doesn’t apply to anyone who asks for a refund. Asked what was different about Greer, Crist said, “I think he really needed it.”

“Crist Woos Dems, Won’t Answer Caucus Question, Explains Greer Refund”
By George Bennett
Palm Beach Post’s “Post On Politics” Blog
August 18, 2010

COCONUT CREEK — Republican-turned-independent Gov. and U.S. Senate candidate Charlie Crist courted Democratic voters this morning — but wouldn’t say whether he’d align with Democrats or the GOP if he’s elected in November.

“I’m not answering that question, because I’ve said that I will caucus with the people of Florida,” Crist told reporters after speaking to a crowd of about 500 at the heavily Democratic Wynmoor retirement community.

Crist was introduced by Democratic state Rep. Ari Porth, who has endorsed him. Democratic state Sen. Jeremy Ring and Republican Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti were also on hand, but said they have not made endorsements.

Crist recently refunded a $9,600 contribution from Jim Greer, the indicted former Republican Party of Florida chairman.

“He asked for it back, so I gave it to him,” said Crist.

But Crist said that doesn’t apply to anyone who asks for a refund.

Asked what was different about Greer, Crist said, “I think he really needed it.”

In his remarks, Crist touted his vetoes of an abortion ultrasound bill and a teacher merit pay law passed by the Republican legislature and bitterly opposed by Democrats. He also mentioned his work with former Democratic U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler on legislation requiring a ballot paper trail in Florida — an issue popular with Democrats after the 2000 election controversy.

“Eighteen months later, it remains clear the stimulus President Obama and Charlie Crist enthusiastically backed has failed to live up to their promises. Both of them put their faith in Washington instead of job creators across our country and, as a result, more Floridians are looking for work than when the stimulus was signed,” said Alex Burgos, Rubio for Senate spokesman. “Unlike Charlie Crist, Marco Rubio has a pro-jobs alternative to the anti-growth policies that are coming out of Washington. Instead of placing his bet on Washington, Marco is trusting entrepreneurs and businesses to do what they do best – create jobs.”

18 MONTHS LATER: The Obama-Crist Stimulus Has Failed To Live Up To The Obama-Crist Promises…

The Obama-Crist Stimulus Bill Was Signed 18 Months Ago, On February 17, 2009. (H.R.1, “American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009,” Signed 2/17/09)

The Promises…

In February 2009, Vice President Biden Promised That In “18 Months” The Obama-Crist Stimulus Would “Create 3.5 Million Jobs” And “Literally Drop-Kicks Us Out Of This Recession.” VP BIDEN: “This is a monumental project, but I think it’s doable. As you said, we got to stay on top of it and we got to stay on top of it on a weekly basis, because this is about getting this out and spent in 18 months to create 3.5 million jobs and to set — tee this up so the rest of the good work that’s being done here literally drop-kicks us out of this recession and we begin to grow again – begin to grow again.” (Vice President Biden, Remarks At Recovery Plan Implementation Meeting, Washington, D.C., 2/25/09)
In March 2009, Crist Said The $862 Billion Stimulus Would Create 206,000 Jobs In Florida. “The Federal Stimulus bill is not perfect; I’ve never seen a bill that is. But, this package will provide much needed tax relief, as well as immediate assistance in education, transportation, unemployment compensation, renewable energy and other aid and is expected to save or create as many as 206,000 jobs that the people of Florida desperately need.” (Charlie Crist, 2009 State Of The State Address, Tallahassee, FL, 3/4/09)

The Results…

Today, The National Unemployment Rate Is 9.5 Percent. “The U.S. economy shed more jobs than expected in July while the unemployment rate held steady at 9.5%, a further sign the economic recovery may be losing momentum.” (Luca Di Leo and Jeff Bater, “U.S. Employers Shed Jobs,” The Wall Street Journal, 8/6/10)

Florida’s Unemployment Rate Was 11.4 Percent In June 2010 – Up From 9.2% When The Stimulus Was Signed In February 2009. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 8/5/10)

213,600 More Floridians Are Unemployed Since Crist Campaigned With President Obama For The Stimulus. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 8/5/10)

Sean Snaith, Director Of The Institute Of Economic Competitiveness At The University Of Central Florida: “We Do Know What Unemployment Is. … The Stimulus Has Not Appeared To Have Made As Much Of A Dent In It.” “Sean Snaith, director of the Institute of Economic Competitiveness at the University of Central Florida, said there is ‘some degree of truth’ in the idea that the stimulus has prevented Florida’s economy from getting worse. But he added that one number that measures the true impact of the stimulus remains the jobless rate. ‘We do know what unemployment is,’ Snaith said. ‘The stimulus has not appeared to have made as much of a dent in it.’” (Gary Fineout, “Floridians Wonder: What’s A ‘Fair Share’?” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 8/7/10)

Just for perspective, the $9,600 is $300 less than Greer and Crist spent to book a third helicopter in the Hamptons to transport just their luggage during a fundraising trip.

Full Article:

“Jim Greer Asks Crist For His Money Back”
By John Frank
St. Petersburg Times‘ “The Buzz” Blog
August 16, 2010

UPDATED: Jim Greer, the indicted former chairman of the state Republican Party, is asking Gov. Charlie Crist to refund $9,600 in campaign contributions made to Crist’s U.S. Senate campaign. “As you know circumstances have caused me to need money to defend myself and take care of my family,” Greer wrote in a letter to the campaign. “I know sending the money back is hard, but with what has happened it may be politically beneficial for you to do.” (Download the letter here.)

The letter goes on to hammer the Republican Party of Florida leaders who helped oust Greer. “The current RPOF leadership, including (gubernatorial candidate Bill) McCollum, (Party Chairman John) Thrasher and many of the state committee members are simply liars, racists, and extremists … the current bunch that are running the show will stop at nothing to cover for their own misdeeds,” it reads.

Expect the letter to become ammunition against Crist, who picked Greer as party chairman. This line in particular: “Charlie over the last three years, I did all that I was asked to do by you and others. Your goals were my goals.” And Greer makes it clear he still supports Crist.

A spokesman for the Crist campaign at first disputed its authenticity: “No reason to believe it is” real. Crist’s campaign has refused to refund previous contributions.

But later Monday, the Crist campaign changed its tune for Greer. “We received the letter and are in the process of refunding the contributions,” said Danny Kanner, a spokesman.

As an “independent”, Crist is saying anything, doing everything and changing any position he can in order to win over liberal voters. However, can Crist reconcile past partisan statements with his new effort to change himself into a Democrat? And when Democrats learn of Crist’s partisan past, can they trust him?

FLASHBACK: What Crist Was Saying About President Clinton In 1998…

U.S. Senate Republican Candidate Charlie Crist In 1998: “And I think that if Bill Clinton would go ahead and resign and if Bob Graham would ask him to do so, we’d all be better off and we could move forward.” (Charlie Crist, 1998, Remarks)

Fox News’ Neil Cavuto: “Your campaign has made a big deal, I guess it’s the 18 month anniversary of the famous Obama-Crist hug. I guess a lot of folks looking at this are to equate the governor, who’s your independent opponent for the Senate race, with being sort of in the White House’s pocket. Does it resonate? It was 18 months ago. Does it do any good bringing it up again? Are you trying to remind people? What? What?”

Rubio: “Yeah, because I’ll tell you it’s not just a specific public policy measure, which was disastrous, it was a philosophy about the role of government in our economy. The stimulus isn’t just a spending program. It’s also a philosophy about the role of government. It’s couched under this belief that they have that presidents and congressmen and senators by spending federal money can create jobs in America. Jobs aren’t created by politicians. Jobs are created by everyday people who start a business or expand an existing one. And the stimulus not only failed to accomplish that, the only thing it helped to stimulate quite frankly is the national debt. We borrowed over $800 billion and threw it right down the drain through this Obama-Crist stimulus plan. So it is important to remind people because every time we turn around there’s some new spending idea coming out of Washington that they claim will stimulate the economy and yet it doesn’t work. The only thing that works is for everyday people to be given a business climate where they are encouraged and incentivized to go out and start a new business or grow their existing business.”

Despite his vows of neutrality, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is likely to caucus with the Democrats or the Republicans should he advance to the Senate, if only because failing to pick a side would exclude him from the chamber’s choice committees and dramatically reduce his influence.

Crist, a lifelong Republican until being chased out of the GOP primary in April by former state Speaker Marco Rubio, is running as an Independent and has declined to specify which conference he would join should he win Florida’s open Senate seat this fall. The governor continues to answer that question by insisting he will “caucus with the people of Florida,” even while hiring Democratic consultants to advise him and making overtures to some top Democrats.

Not since 1953, when Oregon’s Wayne Morse left the GOP but declined to join the Democrats, has a Senator served as a true Independent. But, just as Morse found out when the Republican majority immediately stripped him of his committee assignments, Crist’s ability to legislate would be severely constrained if he honored his threat to remain independent. (Morse joined the Democratic Conference in 1955, after being promised whatever committee assignments he wanted.)

The Crist campaign referred a request for comment Monday on the governor’s intentions to a Friday interview he conducted on “Hardball” with MSNBC’s Chris Matthews. Notably, during the interview Crist declined to say what he would do if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) offered him an assignment on the Appropriations panel in exchange for caucusing with the Democrats.

“I think what’s most important is that you stand with the people of your state,” Crist said. “I get asked all the time: ‘Are you going to caucus with the Republicans, are you going to caucus with the Democrats?’ I’m going to caucus with the people of Florida. You know, they’re tired of gridlock politics, of Washington not being able to get anything accomplished, and they want somebody who will be an honest broker, go to Washington and fight for them first.”

But an examination of Senate rules and historical precedent reveal there is very little Crist might be able to get done for either his state, or the country, should he decline to caucus with either the Democrats or the Republicans. The committees are where nearly all major legislation is heard, amended and voted on before proceeding to the floor for consideration by the full Senate, and slots on choice panels are valued precisely for the political and policy leverage they afford Members over the chamber’s agenda and purse strings.

Crist’s opponents are attempting to cast his position on this matter as one of political opportunism, while also warning that Florida’s interests stand to go ignored in the Senate. It is an issue the Republican and Democratic candidates are likely to harp on down the stretch of the fall campaign if the governor doesn’t change his tune.

“Charlie Crist is running for the Senate simply to be important, not to actually do something important. So, it’s not surprising he doesn’t care whether he could actually get anything done. That’s a complete afterthought to him after his primary concern, which is getting elected,” Rubio campaign spokesman Alex Burgos said.

Crist is in a competitive three-way race with Rubio and whoever emerges from the Democratic primary contest between Rep. Kendrick Meek and billionaire real estate investor Jeff Greene. The RealClearPolitics.com average of all surveys taken from July 9 to Aug. 1 showed Crist ahead of the pack at 36.8 percent support, followed by Rubio at 31.8 percent and Meek, the Democrat most often polled, at 15.8 percent.

Since the 1840s, Senate rules have dictated that the leadership of the two party caucuses determines committee assignments. Chamber rules do mandate that all Senators “shall” serve on two committees. But absent an appointment by one of the two parties, Crist’s committee assignments would likely be limited to a couple of inconsequential panels, as Morse found out during the 83rd Congress.

In the 1850s, when the first Republicans were elected to the Senate, they also found themselves in a committee no man’s land, caught between the Democrats and the Whigs, whom they eventually supplanted. Currently, there are two Independents serving — Sens. Joe Lieberman (Conn.) and Bernie Sanders (Vt.), but both caucus with the Democrats. Lieberman even serves as chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

“Anytime we’ve had Independent Senators come in, they’ve generally chosen to sit with one conference or another,” Senate Historian Don Ritchie said.

“Eighteen months ago, Charlie Crist joined President Obama to rally support for an $862 billion stimulus policy that has failed to keep unemployment from soaring but has succeeded at stimulating our deficit and national debt to dangerous levels.  In retrospect, it was also a rally in support of a philosophy that puts government ahead of small businesses, politicians and bureaucrats ahead of entrepreneurs, and condones a Washington tax-and-spend lifestyle that is demoralizing to American families and business owners trying to live within their means.

“Eighteen months ago, the American people looked to Washington for leadership that would help encourage private sector job creation.  Instead, Washington acted on the belief that presidents, senators and congressmen are the real job creators and opened the floodgates to a dangerous expansion of government that is putting America on a path to a Greece-like day of reckoning.  In return, the American people have endured higher unemployment, more regulation, a heavier debt burden on future generations, and paralyzing uncertainty for entrepreneurs and businesses.

“Eighteen months ago, when he had a chance to stand up to wasteful spending and empower and encourage businesses and entrepreneurs, Charlie Crist went right along with President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Kendrick Meek in ramming through this failed stimulus policy.  Later, when trying to say and do anything to distance himself from the stimulus during the Republican primary, he denied he ever endorsed it.  At least Kendrick Meek has always been honest about his unshakable faith in bigger government even if it takes reckless spending to finance it.

“I’m honored by the Floridians who began casting votes for me yesterday because they recognize I’m the only candidate in this race they can trust to go to Washington, act as a check and balance on the wasteful spenders of both parties, and offer a clear alternative.”