Charlie Crist, Florida's next big loser.

[BryanKDonnelly]

FORTGET IT CHARLIE! NOT YOUR TIME.

I'm an unusual person; a Florida native. I even remember when my area, Broward County (greater Fort Lauderdale) used to be part of the south rather than the "sixth borough of New York City; replete with rude, tax addicted, obnoxious left wing Yankee geezers. Florida went for Obama in '08 but will NEVER do so again. Folks have figured out that the unspecified "hope" and "change" really means spineless appeasement abroad, socialism at home, and our people reduced to big government dominated serfdom. Our large elderly Jewish population is less than thrilled at Obama’s pulling the rug out from Israel, our only mid-eastern ally, not to mention gutting Medicare to finance his absurd wildly unpopular “health Insurance reform.”

None of this matters in the slightest to Charlie "My principles are rooted in my latest focus group" Crist. He's a professional politician for whom winning high office is THE goal in itself, building his already formidable narcissism. Like another professional "pol", Bill Clinton, he's devoid of any philosophical foundation or core beliefs. The only reason Charlie is a Republican is that party's dominance in his home county Pinellas (St. Petersburg area.) Clinton became a Democrat-socialist much the same way for much the same reason in Arkansas.

But like the former president, ego driven Charlie is something of a sociopath; whatever advances HIM is good no matter the consequences. He's a chameleon, changing political color depending on how he sees the political winds blowing. Thus his now infamous news photo hugging Obama a year ago and sucking up all the "stimulus" pork barrel bucks he could get, enraging the legislature and Republicans in general. Just a few days ago he vetoed the only effective education reform in 50 years, sacrificing his party, our school kids and their parents to the powerful leftist teacher's union. Might garner a few left wing votes, eh? Get a new weather man Charlie! The winds are NOT in your direction.

Charlie has some major problems that his ego mania probably doesn't allow him to see.
1) This November is going to be a Republican tsunami, taking over one and possibly both houses of congress. Even Democrat-socialists who think themselves in "safe "seats are going to get bounced. Going to be a REPUBLICAN year. For his last two years Obama is going to be a “lame duck” political pariah seen as the “kiss of political death” by moderate Democrat-socialists of the “new democrat” DLC hue.

2) Marco Rubio is such an effective campaigner he’ll beat BOTH turncoat Crist and leftist Kendrick Meek in the general election. After THAT, Charlie’s political career will be DEAD forever. Have to go back to St. Pete and chase more ambulances.


3) The minute he announces his independent candidacy ALL his campaign finance sources will DRY UP. He may not realize this because he has been the “golden boy” of the Florida GOP “establishment” and their special interest fat cats. Try this one Charlie and they won’t even return your phone calls. They’ll be too busy trying to ingratiate themselves with the NEW Republican leadership.

Think the Democrat-socialists are just going to jump on his bandwagon? Forget it. Though Kendrick Meek, (D. Miami) is a left wing Obama clone utterly unable to win this year, he has one attribute that makes him utterly SAFE from being dropped by his party. He’s black! The Democrat-socialists are never going to disavow a prominent member of the ONLY group that reliably votes 90+% their way. So, in a three way race, Charlie will NEVER win.

The best thing about Charlie’ situation? We will have him OUT of the governor’s mansion next year replaced by a reliable principled conservative.

 

[Catz Part Deux]

I like Charlie. I've voted for him several times now. Marcus Rubio is an ethically challenged lobbyist/shill for hire.

I suppose you disliked Lawton Chiles, too? Or are you even old enough to remember him?

U.S. attorney, IRS and FBI investigating Florida GOP credit card use - St. Petersburg Times

Rubio billed the party for more than $100,000 during the two years he served as House speaker, according to credit card statements obtained by the St. Petersburg Times and Miami Herald. The charges included repairs to the family minivan, grocery bills, plane tickets for his wife and purchases from retailers ranging from a wine store near his home to Apple's online store. Rubio also charged the party for dozens of meals during the annual lawmaking session in Tallahassee, even though he received taxpayer subsidies for his meals.

Rubio said the billings all related to party business — the minivan, for example, was damaged by a valet at a political function — and that he repaid the party for about $16,000 in personal expenses.

Asked during his campaign bus tour last week if he needed to amend his tax returns to reflect any party money that covered his personal expenses, Rubio said, "We don't believe it's income. It's not. . . . Whatever the law is, we're going to comply, but I don't think it's income.''

Or, in other words, Little Lord Fauntleroy Lite as he was labeled by the Tampa Tribune. Lulz.

Funny political column...
Marco Rubio ducks and covers - St. Petersburg Times

 

[Catz Part Deux]

And, what about Rubio and that stimulus money? Why, Rubio says he'd have taken it, too.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNg4gvWtAE8"]YouTube- Rubio: I Would Have Accepted Stimulus Money[/nomedia]

 

[Catz Part Deux]

As far as Rubio's small government philosophy, think again. His rise to the top has been funded by special interest perks and corporate dollars...

Marco Rubio's lavish rise to the top - St. Petersburg Times

Marco Rubio was barely solvent as a young lawmaker climbing his way to the top post in the Florida House, but special interest donations and political perks allowed him to spend big money with little scrutiny.

About $600,000 in contributions was stowed in two inconspicuous political committees controlled by Rubio, now the Republican front-runner for the U.S. Senate, and his wife. A St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald analysis of the expenses found:

• Rubio failed to disclose $34,000 in expenses — including $7,000 he paid himself — for one of the committees in 2003 and 2004, as required by state law.

• One committee paid relatives nearly $14,000 for what was incorrectly described to the IRS as "courier fees" and listed a nonexistent address for one of them. Another committee paid $5,700 to his wife, who was listed as the treasurer, much of it for "gas and meals."

• He billed more than $51,000 in unidentified "travel expenses'' to three different credit cards — nearly one-quarter of the committee's entire haul. Charges are not required to be itemized, but other lawmakers detailed almost all of their committee expenses.

Rubio's spending continued in 2005 when the Republican Party of Florida handed him a credit card to use at his own discretion. While serving as House speaker in 2007 and 2008, he charged thousands of dollars in restaurant tabs to the state party at the same time taxpayers were subsidizing his meals in Tallahassee.

"Every single thing Marco Rubio did was in accordance with both the letter and spirit, not only of Florida law, but of the policies and practices of the Republican Party of Florida," said Rubio campaign adviser Todd Harris, though he admitted the $34,000 in expenses should have been reported. "While every penny was accounted for, not all of the bureaucratic paperwork was filed and we will take whatever steps are appropriate to make sure that gets done."

He added: "This is not taxpayer money we're talking about."

Rubio's high-roller political spending belies his image as an outsider riding a wave of antiestablishment fervor and gunning to knock off Gov. Charlie Crist for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. A Times/Herald review of other legislators' committees shows they typically contributed far more to other candidates and reported vastly fewer credit card payments.

"Having expenditures in the tens of thousands of dollars to pay off credit cards, it's clear to me it was being used to live off of. The Rubios were living off it,'' said state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, a strong Crist supporter.

Marco Rubio's lavish rise to the top - St. Petersburg Times

I think it's fixing to get dirty down here.

 

[marduc]

As far as Rubio's small government philosophy, think again. His rise to the top has been funded by special interest perks and corporate dollars...

Marco Rubio's lavish rise to the top - St. Petersburg Times



I think it's fixing to get dirty down here.

We shall see how things pan out at the end of the month, meanwhile Meeks can just sit in the shadows watching the slugfest play out (If Crist stays in).

Meeks has more of a chance of winning with Rubio winning the Republican nod than of it were Crist.- as I predicted in a thread on this election back in October, and the latest polling reflects this as well. Meeks wants Rubio to win, and he also wants him bashed and bloodied after he wins.

Personally I would not mind Crist as our senator, and he would likely get my vote (which rarely goes to an R). A moderate is a good representative for our ideologically divided state.

There is no way in hell I would vote for Rubio.

 

[Dav]

I like Charlie. I've voted for him several times now. Marcus Rubio is an ethically challenged lobbyist/shill for hire.

I suppose you disliked Lawton Chiles, too? Or are you even old enough to remember him?

U.S. attorney, IRS and FBI investigating Florida GOP credit card use - St. Petersburg Times



Or, in other words, Little Lord Fauntleroy Lite as he was labeled by the Tampa Tribune. Lulz.

Funny political column...
Marco Rubio ducks and covers - St. Petersburg Times

This isn't exactly a rare practice; he spent a lot less than many others with the card, including many in the Crist camp, and since he paid it off it really isn't an issue. It was a weak attack on Crist's part.

And, what about Rubio and that stimulus money? Why, Rubio says he'd have taken it, too.

YouTube- Rubio: I Would Have Accepted Stimulus Money

Well yeah, he should have. If it was going to be spent anyways, it would have been a disservice to not try to get as much of it for his state as possible.

As far as Rubio's small government philosophy, think again. His rise to the top has been funded by special interest perks and corporate dollars...

Marco Rubio's lavish rise to the top - St. Petersburg Times



I think it's fixing to get dirty down here.

It'll get dirty regardless, but I don't see anything in there about his small government philosophy.

 

[Dav]

We shall see how things pan out at the end of the month, meanwhile Meeks can just sit in the shadows watching the slugfest play out (If Crist stays in).

Meeks has more of a chance of winning with Rubio winning the Republican nod than of it were Crist.- as I predicted in a thread on this election back in October, and the latest polling reflects this as well. Meeks wants Rubio to win, and he also wants him bashed and bloodied after he wins.

Personally I would not mind Crist as our senator, and he would likely get my vote (which rarely goes to an R). A moderate is a good representative for our ideologically divided state.

There is no way in hell I would vote for Rubio.

Rubio will get the GOP nod, Crist will run as an indie.

 

[BryanKDonnelly]

I like Charlie. I've voted for him several times now. Marcus Rubio is an ethically challenged lobbyist/shill for hire.

I suppose you disliked Lawton Chiles, too? Or are you even old enough to remember him?

U.S. attorney, IRS and FBI investigating Florida GOP credit card use - St. Petersburg Times



Or, in other words, Little Lord Fauntleroy Lite as he was labeled by the Tampa Tribune. Lulz.

Funny political column...
Marco Rubio ducks and covers - St. Petersburg Times

I remember "'Ole Walkin Lawton" all the way back to his first US Senate campaign. Like our (until 2012) US Senator Bill Nelson he sold himself as a "moderate conservative" in Florida and voted with Teddy Kennedy and other socialists in the Senate. As governor he was a wholly owned subisidiary of the teachers union; though a consumate professional politician, a farily poor governor. Certianly nowhere near as effective as Jeb Bush, our BEST governor in the 20th century. Better than Charlie though. Lawton did have modicum of integrity.

Ever notice that when left wingers don't want to actually discuss issues (where they lose) they start with the ad hominem attacks? So if we're discussing education reform and make some good points what do you get? "You want to shoot teachers and burn down schools!" or the ever popular "Let's see your expense account, you rich plutocrat you!" Just a red herring and attempt to evade the genuine issues.

Marco Rubio about the MOST effective political figure I've seen since the greatest president of the 20th century, Ronald W. Reagan (worked in his campaigns.) The nit picking "Have you stopped beating your wife?" nonsense thrown out by the left and thier political neuter ally Charlie Crist does not amount to the proverbial hill of beans. When we dicsuss issues like Obama's attempt to clamp Euro-socialism on us, Marco wins overwhelmingly, just as he will in November with or without Charlie in the race.

 

[marduc]

Rubio will get the GOP nod, Crist will run as an indie.

I don't really know if Crist will run indie or not, guess we will see at the end of the month if the rumors hold true I have my doubts

If he does run indie that is potentially one hell of a painful backslap for the "lets get a true conservative and call out a rhino" witch hunt that is currently the mentality amongst so many that has Rubio polling so well for the Republican primary.

The solidifying your base by endorsing and pushing further right is a dangerous game, and If Crist runs Indie, the backlash could be very painful (although Crist would almost certainly still caucus as a R after he won)

 

[Catz Part Deux]

I remember "'Ole Walkin Lawton" all the way back to his first US Senate campaign. Like our (until 2012) US Senator Bill Nelson he sold himself as a "moderate conservative" in Florida and voted with Teddy Kennedy and other socialists in the Senate. As governor he was a wholly owned subisidiary of the teachers union; though a consumate professional politician, a farily poor governor.

And I liked him. I thought he was a good man, and a decent governor.

Certianly nowhere near as effective as Jeb Bush, our BEST governor in the 20th century.

Well, that says it all. Drinking the red koolaid, are we? What did Jeb DO that was so all-fired wonderful? Care to share? Oh, wait. He had an R behind his name and his last name was Bush, right? That's enough for those who like the red punch.

Ever notice that when left wingers don't want to actually discuss issues (where they lose) they start with the ad hominem attacks? So if we're discussing education reform and make some good points what do you get? "You want to shoot teachers and burn down schools!" or the ever popular "Let's see your expense account, you rich plutocrat you!" Just a red herring and attempt to evade the genuine issues.

Ever notice that when a koolaid drinking tea partier wants to attack a political adversary, he labels them all as left wingers with no idea of where they actually stand on the political spectrum? I've always considered that behavior rather stupid.

Marco Rubio about the MOST effective political figure I've seen since the greatest president of the 20th century, Ronald W. Reagan (worked in his campaigns.)

He's a good talker. Great. He's still a corporate shill with very little actual real government experience and ten years of shady financial practices behind him.

The nit picking "Have you stopped beating your wife?" nonsense thrown out by the left and thier political neuter ally Charlie Crist does not amount to the proverbial hill of beans.

I provided evidence to support my claims. Nice try, though. Still, a rather silly and nonsensical fail.

When we dicsuss issues like Obama's attempt to clamp Euro-socialism on us, Marco wins overwhelmingly, just as he will in November with or without Charlie in the race.

Oh, I think that Marco has more than a couple of financial skeletons in his closet. But, of course, the koolaid drinkers don't care, their thinking is generally one-dimensional (communists are scary!) and not very sophisticated.

 

[BryanKDonnelly]

I don't really know if Crist will run indie or not, guess we will see at the end of the month if the rumors hold true I have my doubts

If he does run indie that is potentially one hell of a painful backslap for the "lets get a true conservative and call out a rhino" witch hunt that is currently the mentality amongst so many that has Rubio polling so well for the Republican primary.

The solidifying your base by endorsing and pushing further right is a dangerous game, and If Crist runs Indie, the backlash could be very painful (although Crist would almost certainly still caucus as a R after he won)

Crist caucus with the Republicans? That's very much an open question. Charlie will go with whoever offers him the most power; sees himself as president, a serious delusion.

Of couse Charlie walking away from his party, "picking up his marbles" so to speak, is dangerous for the GOP candidate. I firmly believe that Marco Rubio can beat both of 'em in November. It would be GREAT though if Charlie decided to, for once, do the prinicpled thing and stay out.

 

[Catz Part Deux]

We shall see how things pan out at the end of the month, meanwhile Meeks can just sit in the shadows watching the slugfest play out (If Crist stays in).

Meeks has more of a chance of winning with Rubio winning the Republican nod than of it were Crist.- as I predicted in a thread on this election back in October, and the latest polling reflects this as well. Meeks wants Rubio to win, and he also wants him bashed and bloodied after he wins.

Personally I would not mind Crist as our senator, and he would likely get my vote (which rarely goes to an R). A moderate is a good representative for our ideologically divided state.

There is no way in hell I would vote for Rubio.

Oh, definitely. Meeks is going to sit back, look pretty, and let Rubio do his dirty work to help him defeat one of Florida's most popular politicians.

I like Crist. He seems thoughtful and articulate. Rubio looks about as ethically solid as a plate of jello.

 

[Catz Part Deux]

Of couse Charlie walking away from his party, "picking up his marbles" so to speak, is dangerous for the GOP candidate. I firmly believe that Marco Rubio can beat both of 'em in November. It would be GREAT though if Charlie decided to, for once, do the prinicpled thing and stay out.

I'd prefer that Rubio do the principled thing and let a proven pol win the Senator's seat. What has Rubio done for the party in Florida that entitles hiim to a senatorial run?

 

[BryanKDonnelly]

Oh, definitely. Meeks is going to sit back, look pretty, and let Rubio do his dirty work to help him defeat one of Florida's most popular politicians.

I like Crist. He seems thoughtful and articulate. Rubio looks about as ethically solid as a plate of jello.

You guys seem to miss the big picture. Kendrick Meek has ABSOLUTELY NO chance of being elected US Senator this year. Radical leftists are currently in disfavor with the electorate; see poll results. Even the brain dead "moderates" who generally know NOTHING about the issues but vot emotionally, are coming to the GOP side in massive numbers. Remember Scott Brown in the People's Republic of Taxachusetts?

Will it be harder for Marco to win if Charlie "rats"? Sure, but we can handle it. Ever met Marco, seen him speak, work a crowd, debate on TV. He's a the best campaigner since Ronald Reagan! All your "ethical" minutia won't alter that. Marco will be swept into the Senate as the GOP landslide takes back the congress.

 

[marduc]

You guys seem to miss the big picture. Kendrick Meek has ABSOLUTELY NO chance of being elected US Senator this year. Radical leftists are currently in disfavor with the electorate; see poll results. Even the brain dead "moderates" who generally know NOTHING about the issues but vot emotionally, are coming to the GOP side in massive numbers. Remember Scott Brown in the People's Republic of Taxachusetts?

Will it be harder for Marco to win if Charlie "rats"? Sure, but we can handle it. Ever met Marco, seen him speak, work a crowd, debate on TV. He's a the best campaigner since Ronald Reagan! All your "ethical" minutia won't alter that. Marco will be swept into the Senate as the GOP landslide takes back the congress.

You seem to miss the picture that you and others spewing over the top divisive rhetoric trying to vilify any and all who even have hint of ideological separation from them is repulsive. Ultimately you are doing much more harm to your cause than good.

the rhetoric, and the vilification is very effective at marginalizing your cause, and outside of your "anyone who does not think my way is a socialist swine" attitude there is an entirely different reality, one that does not want to shift either direction, and instead prefers a nation of moderation devoid of hatred.

This is why polling in the right wing primary echo chamber is better for Rubio, while for the general election the matchup is much tighter, even though his opponent (Meeks) has sat back in the shadows and is rather unknown.

 

[Captain America]

They say, "A stich in time saves nine."

I think the GOP big-wigs rather part company with Frist now, rather than later, (when/if he finally comes out of the closet.) If they turn their back on him then, they will be called homophobes.

 

[Catz Part Deux]

You guys seem to miss the big picture. Kendrick Meek has ABSOLUTELY NO chance of being elected US Senator this year. Radical leftists are currently in disfavor with the electorate; see poll results. Even the brain dead "moderates" who generally know NOTHING about the issues but vot emotionally, are coming to the GOP side in massive numbers. Remember Scott Brown in the People's Republic of Taxachusetts?
.

I hear you talking, Glen Beck, but I find volume and tears unconvincing.

Scott Brown isn't relevant. He was running against a largely disliked candidate who bungled her campaign, and he was not a hardline conservative. The tea partiers do not represent the majority of thought in Florida, not even by a remotely close margin.

 

[Catz Part Deux]

They say, "A stich in time saves nine."

I think the GOP big-wigs rather part company with Frist now, rather than later, (when/if he finally comes out of the closet.) If they turn their back on him then, they will be called homophobes.

I think you mean Crist, not Frist, right?

In general, aside from the born-agains, I think that most Floridians don't care that Crist is a closeted gay man. I certainly don't.

 

[marduc]

I hear you talking, Glen Beck, but I find volume and tears unconvincing.

Scott Brown isn't relevant. He was running against a largely disliked candidate who bungled her campaign, and he was not a hardline conservative. The tea partiers do not represent the majority of thought in Florida, not even by a remotely close margin.

I find it telling with the latest polling for the race that the Rubio/Meeks match up is within the margin of error (+4 Rubio), when Rubio has a decisive edge on public awareness/name recognition as a result of the highly publicized Crist/Rubio primary contest.

For the most part Floridians have no clue who the Democrat is in this race.. yet he still is competitive with Rubio. The polling data is not indicative of any kind of public endorsement for Meeks at all, but rather it is a very telling rejection of Rubio.

 

[Dav]

I find it telling with the latest polling for the race that the Rubio/Meeks match up is within the margin of error (+4 Rubio), when Rubio has a decisive edge on public awareness/name recognition as a result of the highly publicized Crist/Rubio primary contest.

For the most part Floridians have no clue who the Democrat is in this race.. yet he still is competitive with Rubio. The polling data is not indicative of any kind of public endorsement for Meeks at all, but rather it is a very telling rejection of Rubio.

So... a poll that shows Rubio ahead is a rejection of Rubio...
:spin::spin::spin:

Try harder please. Maybe the race will change, maybe when people get to really know all the candidates they'll change their minds. But to say that Rubio has been "rejected" NOW is an entirely ignorant statement. He has barely more name recognition than Meek, but even that's missing the point, because you don't KNOW how people will react differently to a candidate once their name recognition increases. Plus most people are just sticking to their party for now anyways... Democrats would vote for the Democrat no matter who he was, for the most part.

 

[marduc]

So... a poll that shows Rubio ahead is a rejection of Rubio...
:spin::spin::spin:

Try harder please. Maybe the race will change, maybe when people get to really know all the candidates they'll change their minds. But to say that Rubio has been "rejected" NOW is an entirely ignorant statement. He has barely more name recognition than Meek, but even that's missing the point, because you don't KNOW how people will react differently to a candidate once their name recognition increases.

yes it is, when Rubio is +23 for the primary, and then polls worse off than Crist in the general, it most certainly is a rejection of him outside of Republican circles.

edit for polling data (4/15):
Florida Senate - Republican Primary Quinnipiac Rubio 56, Crist 33 Rubio +23
Florida Senate - Crist vs. Meek Quinnipiac Crist 48, Meek 34 Crist +14
Florida Senate - Rubio vs. Meek Quinnipiac Rubio 42, Meek 38 Rubio +4
Florida Senate - Rubio vs. Meek vs. Crist Quinnipiac Rubio 30, Meek 24, Crist 32 Crist +2

 

[Dav]

yes it is, when Rubio is +23 for the primary, and then polls worse off than Crist in the general, it most certainly is a rejection of him outside of Republican circles.

edit for polling data (4/15):
Florida Senate - Republican Primary Quinnipiac Rubio 56, Crist 33 Rubio +23
Florida Senate - Crist vs. Meek Quinnipiac Crist 48, Meek 34 Crist +14
Florida Senate - Rubio vs. Meek Quinnipiac Rubio 42, Meek 38 Rubio +4
Florida Senate - Rubio vs. Meek vs. Crist Quinnipiac Rubio 30, Meek 24, Crist 32 Crist +2

Um, the fact that he polls worse off than Crist doesn't mean he polls bad. In fact, the contrary; the poll you posted, actually, is one of the worse polls for Rubio against Meek; i.e. he does better than that, especially compared to Crist, in most of them. Anyways, if he polled badly, that would be a rejection. This is not that.

EDIT: Notice in a 3-way, Crist gets barely more support than Rubio. Another 3-way poll put Rubio ahead, with 40%.

 

[marduc]

Um, the fact that he polls worse off than Crist doesn't mean he polls bad. In fact, the contrary; the poll you posted, actually, is one of the worse polls for Rubio against Meek; i.e. he does better than that, especially compared to Crist, in most of them. Anyways, if he polled badly, that would be a rejection. This is not that.

EDIT: Notice in a 3-way, Crist gets barely more support than Rubio. Another 3-way poll put Rubio ahead, with 40%.

umm i never said he polls bad you are completely misconstruing what I said.

 

[Dav]

umm i never said he polls bad you are completely misconstruing what I said.

And my point isn't that you said that, but that you said that he had been "rejected" in the poll, which would only be true if he had polled badly.

 

[BryanKDonnelly]

Um, the fact that he polls worse off than Crist doesn't mean he polls bad. In fact, the contrary; the poll you posted, actually, is one of the worse polls for Rubio against Meek; i.e. he does better than that, especially compared to Crist, in most of them. Anyways, if he polled badly, that would be a rejection. This is not that.

EDIT: Notice in a 3-way, Crist gets barely more support than Rubio. Another 3-way poll put Rubio ahead, with 40%.

Don't forget as well, Marco Rubio is a the most telegenic attractive campaigner since Jack Kennedy; just a lot smarter. Once he gets out reaching the general election voter, his magic will prevail. BTY his ethnic background doesn't hurt. Viva Cuba libre!