Charlie Crist plans to leave GOP, run for Senate as independent

[oberliner]

Source: Washington Post

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist plans to announce he will run for the Senate as an independent tomorrow, leaving the Republican party and setting up a three-way fight in the fall, according to several sources briefed on his decision.

Crist is expected to make the announcement, which had been rumored for weeks, tomorrow afternoon in St. Petersburg.

Crist denied to the Associated Press today that he had told anyone of his decision. And, sources close to the governor warned that he could change his mind at the last minute -- and has shown a propensity for doing just that -- but that as of today he was set on an independent run. Sources close to Crist also described him as comfortable with his decision and not terribly conflicted, however, a state of mind that suggests there is less likelihood that he would change his mind.

His switch comes as former state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) -- once considered the longest of shots to defeat the popular governor -- has rode a wave of adoration from conservatives nationally to not only catch but pass Crist in polling.



Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/charlie-crist-to-switch-partie.html?wprss=thefix

[UncleTomsEvilBrother]

1. Who the hell is doing copy editing these days @ the Post?

"has rode a wave of...."

[FBaggins]

2. Confidante: Fla. gov likely to run as independent

Source: AP

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A close confidante of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist says the Republican likely will bolt the party and seek election to the U.S. Senate as an independent.

Crist will announce his plans at 5 p.m. Thursday in his hometown of St. Petersburg. The confidante, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not been made, cautioned that Crist can be unpredictable.

The announcement will end weeks of speculation about whether Crist will abandon the GOP after falling far behind former House Speaker Marco Rubio in polls.

Crist has openly considered running without party affiliation. Top Republicans have encouraged him to stay in the primary or drop out rather than risking a split vote that could benefit likely Democratic nominee U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gTukcfTSVtJlwIXLYjPrfXa0j54AD9FC76680

[Jefferson23]

3. I think he is likely to win. n/t

[FBaggins]

4. Only if the democrat drops out and endorses him.

I'd say that this makes it marginally more likely that a democrat
can win... But I won't bet on it.

[rhett o rick]

5. Odds should be in favor of a Democrat win, but....a repuke won Ted Kennedy's seat.

The DSCC can screw up a free lunch.

[Delphinus]

8. Who?

Crist or Rubio?

[Jefferson23]

9. Crist, I should have stated that specifically. I think he has a good shot at winning.

on edit to add, seems that Rubio may end up with a scandal to deal with, the credit card issue.

[Delphinus]

11. OK -

I know Crist was the guy who followed Jeb, but he seems to be an "alright" kind of governor.

[Rozlee]

6. We at DU saw it coming. The GOP is seeing it's incumbents being picked off by Teabaggers

Too funny. These Teabagging idiots are plucking these arch-conservatives out of obscurity and facing them off against GOP primary incumbent opponents, who will (1) stay and run against them. If they do, they'll try and out-crazy each other by agreeing with their base about how flat the earth is and how Hispanics should live in concentration camps. In the general election, hopefully, the Democrat will win by painting the winner as a crazy loon. Or (2) the GOP will see the Teabaggers force the election into a situation like this one, where a three way hands the election to a Democrat. The GOP did it to themselves. They thought they held the Teabaggers' reins. It looks the the reins got away from them.

[TeaBagsAreForCups]

7. Two years ago, I humorously said...

...as a Democrat, Charlie Crist is the best Democratic Governor we've ever had. He was tracking progressive with my finding that I was only occasionally in disagreement or pissed with what he was doing - especially compared to the vile idiot, the Jebster, whom we had to suffer far too long. Yes, it was a shame that yet another "R" was on the political chalkboard, but overall, Crist was acceptable.

Although I would truly prefer voting for Kendrick, if it realistically comes down to a finishing line draw between Rubio or Crist, I will hold my nose and vote for one of the first non-Democrats that I have in over forty years. I never want to see that wingnut, Rubio, near the office nor equally as critical, prepare his foundation for greater national positions by winning the Governorship.

[DLnyc]

10. Good news.

As the wingnuts inherit the rotting corpse of what was the Republican party, I hope it is not unreasonable to expect future politics in this country to be focused on a new, Independent/Middle party versus a left-progressive Democratic party, with the Palin-Beck party serving mostly for fodder for cartoonists and late-night comedians.

[TomCADem]

14. The Republican Party Is Just Crazy These Days! No Attempt At Being Mainstream

Instead, they proudly trumpet just how far right they are. If a Democrat tried to win based on how much of a leftist they are, the press would bury them.

[bc3000]

12. This shows the weakness of the democratic candidate

Crist might be able to pull this off because the democratic candidate is so unappealing. Crist can pull a lot of democratic voters. It will be tough because he won't have a party behind him, but I think he'll win it.

Maybe the Democratic party should take notice: If you give us a conserva-dem then why wouldn't we vote for the independent? Next time try a real progressive and maybe you will be able to get the people in your party excited about your candidate.

[Jefferson23]

13. I think Crist has a good chance too, he was the one to veto the awful

teacher pay bill. As I understand it, Meek was not that outspoken in opposition to it.

[JI7]

16. no , Crist is a very strong candidate and it was already assumed he would win many Dem votes

and most indies no matter which Dem he ran against.

the problem for him is the Primary .

[AwareOne]

15. Anyone but Rubio!

at least Crist can be reasoned with, Rubio is right-wing south Florida nut job. I may actually send Christ some money and campaign for him.