St. Petersburg Times endorses Governor Crist for US Senate.

[seafan]

A very fine endorsement, this.


Times recommends Crist for U.S. Senate

In Print: Sunday, October 10, 2010

Frustrated voters want change in Washington and an end to gridlock in Congress. But to break through the status quo, we must dare to be different. The U.S. Senate race offers a unique opportunity to choose independence over partisanship, civility over anger and common sense over partisan orthodoxy. The Times recommends Gov. Charlie Crist, an independent candidate who best reflects those values and Florida's mainstream sensibilities. • There are more conventional choices. U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami is the long-shot Democrat with the reliably liberal voting record. Former state House Speaker Marco Rubio of Miami is the conservative Republican and darling of the tea party movement. They represent more of the same rigid thinking and polarization that is paralyzing the Senate.

Whatever his flaws, Crist offers a fresh approach and is well known to Floridians. He moves easily among Republicans and Democrats who are not party activists. He is fiscally conservative and socially moderate. He has praised Ronald Reagan and embraced Barack Obama. He respects differing opinions, adopts good ideas regardless of their source and treats everyone with uncommon decency. That is the prescription for restoring the Senate's once-proud tradition of collaboration and compromise.

.....

But it was his willingness to stand on conviction that left Crist so at odds with the Republican Party that he had to run for the Senate as an independent.

The final straw came this spring, when Crist vetoed the education bill that would have dramatically changed the way teachers are paid and evaluated. Republicans rammed the bill through the Legislature with no input from teachers or patience for dissent, and they expected the governor to go along. They later complained Crist originally supported the bill and flip-flopped for political gain. But the legislation's general merits were undermined by its flawed specifics. The governor was right to veto it.

That was not the first time Crist refused to join a Republican stampede. As attorney general, he was not among the Republicans in Tallahassee and Washington who tried to trample on the constitutional right to privacy in the Terri Schiavo feeding tube case. In a highly charged national debate, Crist quietly stuck to his convictions that government should stay out of an individual's most private decisions.

Ironically, Crist's biggest failures as governor came when he strayed from his populist instincts and acquiesced to the Republican leadership, especially in the Legislature.

.....

Crist, 54, vetoed an assault on abortion rights this spring. He stood up for consumers against insurance companies and electric utilities seeking special advantage. He blocked the re-establishment of slush funds controlled by legislative leaders, and he vetoed hundreds of millions in special legislative projects during his term. Most importantly, he readily accepted the federal stimulus money to avoid massive state layoffs and intolerable spending cuts while Republican lawmakers hypocritically bashed Obama but willingly spent the money. No wonder Republicans who celebrated Crist's election as governor can't stand him now.

.....

This Senate race presents a rare chance for Florida voters to change the political calculus, to break the partisan standoff in Washington and try a fresh approach. If we miss this opportunity, it is hard to imagine other established public servants staking out the middle ground between increasingly polarized political parties. The Times recommends Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate.

Congratulations, Governor.

[LAGC]

1. It's increasingly looking like Meek will drop out of the race.

Either that, or Rubio wins.

[flvegan]

3. Meek isn't dropping out. But yeah, Rubio is going to win.

Reality sucks.

[ChiciB1]

5. Meek WON'T Drop Out, But Unfortunately He Has NEVER Polled Any

better than THIRD in this 3-way! RUBIO is a NIGHTMARE, but may win anyway! HOWEVER, I have to wonder just how close Crist may make it. Slice/dice/slice OR splinter... I know waaaaaaaaaaaaay too many Democrats who are voting for Crist. And so many already have.

Do I LIKE having to be in this position? In NO WAY, but having lived through The Idiot as President, Jebby as Governor and MY 3-Way... Katherine "Cruella" Harris as a 2-two Congressional Representative, I'VE HAD ENOUGH!

Will the Democrats for Crist be able to stop Rubio? I'm thinking it remains to be seen. Down to crunch time and speaking with other Democrats, the game has tightened. I have waited to see if Meek could pull ahead and gain traction, but he hasn't. It's a MESS, but Florida is a MESS and there are some of us "traitors" as some would call us, who feel that having Rubio, a TRUE TEA-BAGGER is worse than a Repuke turned Independent. I campaigned against Crist when he ran for Governor, but I have to say he's governed more moderately than I thought he would. Do I have any guarantee he will caucus with Dems, not I don't! But I DO KNOW for sure what RUBIO will do.

I've waited for a long time but finally made up my mind, and as time goes by I'm hearing more and more who feel just the same way I do.

How can we be blamed for Meek not being able to garner more support? He just hasn't been a strong candidate because if he had been, this just WOULD NOT be an issue this late in the game!

I don't think I've ever voted anything but Democrat, this is probably a first for me and for a lot of other Democrats. It will be interesting to see the outcome. I feel as so many here do... DAMNED IF YOU DO, DAMNED IF YOU DON'T!

I can't blindly vote this time around.

[flvegan]

6. This really is going to come down to the wire.

Latest Rasmussen poll has Rubio around 50%, Crist around 29% and Meek at 19%. I think that if that doesn't change come election day morning, more Dems are going to vote Crist just to beat Rubio.

I still don't think it will be enough. And that, is our fault.

[ChiciB1]

13. I Wouldn't Just Stick With Rasmussen, That 50% Is A Bit Too High

according to other polls. But yes, MEEK is probably in the teens or low 20's. I'm just going to go out on a limb a bit and say that RUBIO might just be sweating a bit now!

If RUBIO'S name started with an F and ended with a K, then that's just about why so many Democrats are thinking long and hard. Me? I've done the deed already, and so has all of my family.

[Dappleganger]

4. LINK to Meek saying he's dropping out.

Stop spreading unfounded rumors.

[LAGC]

17. It's not a rumor, just a hunch.

Believe me, I'd prefer to see Meek get elected, I really would.

But I like to think he's pragmatic enough to know that if his poll numbers don't significantly improve by mid-October, he can't possibly win and that he's only playing a role as spoiler, allowing the teabagger Rubio to win.

[DonCoquixote]

2. This is another example of why this state sucks

Meek, for all his faults, has had a CONSISTENT record on key democratic issues: Social Security, offshore drilling,and Education. Back when Crist was the GOP hitman, Meek had to fight crist a lot. But now, the St Pete times, one of the few liberal papers, stabs us in the back, and offers Crist a wind, when HE is the one who has undermined much of the state's progress. I remember when he was considered the top GOP VP candidate, and truth be told, if Sarah Palin did not come in, Florida might have gone GOP, which means this weasel would be waiting for McCain to die, and Charlie's former best friend Jeb Bush would be picking cabinet members.

But of course, the chorus is there, even after meek shot up; "give up little man, yield to the electable white baby boomer, the centrist that won;t freak out the retirees, though in all respects, he should." Sorry to prick an old scab, but when you see many of the same op ed pages, these were the same folks that thought Obama should yield to Clinton, aka our old friends the PUMAS, who are still bitter.

This makes me SICK, because many Crist supporters simply do not get the fact that the "independent" vote is very often just people who want to move the nation right, but think they can avoid dealing with the Tea Baggers. And slowly, the maxim is reinforced: go center right to win.

[ChiciB1]

7. BTW, I Was NEVER A PUMA Either, Nor Was Obama My First Choice!

The fact that The St. Pete Times endorsed Crist really does say a lot! I have lived in this state since 1971, when it was so much more Democratic. While I can't say you are totally incorrect about Crist being Jebby's "boy" I do know that right now, the blood is VERY BAD!

RUBIO was and has been Jebby's pick from the get-go, which is why Crist did what he did. There is one more thing that I think many don't understand. Regardless of Jebby's love for RUBIO, Crist STILL has friends in "high places" and there is a lot of scuttlebutt in Tallahassee that there's much "under the radar!"

Not only on the Repuke side, but also the Democratic side. I have talked with some people who have been state delegates and who know "people." I wouldn't take Wexler's endorsement lightly.

That's just my opinion, but there IS a reason why Wexler came out for Crist. He may just have been the point man, but many feel he was sending a very clear message. And Wexler was more to the left than Meek ever has been.

I know Debbie Wasserman-Schultz is big for Meek as is Karen Thurman, but Thurman has been a poor leader too! There are some unsavory stories to be told about her too, but then there are many unsavory stories to be told about politicians anyway!

[K8-EEE]

9. Wexler came out for Crist? Wow I didn't know that!

How depressing that it's come to that :(

[K8-EEE]

10. I tell you what, I wouldn't do early voting in FL!

My mom was pissed that she mailed in a vote in the CA primaries for Edwards only to have him drop out before election day.

[ChiciB1]

12. A Couple Of Weeks Ago My Friend! Take Heed... n/t

[DonCoquixote]

15. Karen Thurman

Is either incompetent, or a GOP plant. The only reason I go for the former is because the GOP could not have planed someone that would make fiascoes, or purposefully direct funding and attention away from meek for Alex Sink (who, while being better then Rick Scott, is an old school Blue Dog).

And as far as Wexler goes, he may have a decent record himself, but he should not forget who the creep was that spent eight years trying to bury him in the name of his former lord and master, Jeb Bush. No, I do not want to imagine Evan Bayh and Joe Liberman smiling when Crist gets elected, and saying "have a cigar Charlie, we saved you a chair, we were just talking about how to push the country further to the right."

[seafan]

8. Actually, the past 12 years of the Republican-controlled Legislature has undermined Florida.

Crist had the courage to stand up to them, and they have nearly burned him at the stake for it.


The St. Pete Times endorsement describes that dynamic very well.


As Crist noted in his recent interview with the Orlando Sentinel, he realized over the past year that his own party felt that he 'wasn't pure enough' to be a Republican. And Crist turned away from them and hasn't looked back. He often mentions now how free he feels to be able to follow his conscience in looking out first and foremost for what the people want, and not what the Party dictates. Since Bob Graham and Lawton Chiles, God knows how long it's been since someone in Tallahassee looked out for the people.


This transformation is a welcome sight to me, after eight backbiting years of Jeb Bush running roughshod over those who crossed him. Those years were nothing less than dictatorship.

But we are not out of the woods, because Rubio is Jeb's Mini-Me. At 39, Rubio has carried water for Jeb Bush unfailingly and is intricately trained in the ways of deceit and abuse of his office that have so damaged Florida.


As I posted recently:

The utmost goal is stopping Rubio from seizing this Senate seat. Six more years, now at the national level, of Rubio's self-serving, corrupt and grasping nature, which was nurtured by mentor Jeb Bush, will force Florida further down the path to ruin. There are no two ways about it.


Even if Rubio loses for US Senate, we will still have a difficult time with the FL Legislature for the near future, because incoming Speaker Dean Cannon and incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos are partisans the likes of which we haven't seen before, now to take control of both House and Senate.

It used to be that the FL Senate was a more reasoned and moderate influence on the more overtly partisan House. That died with Sen. President Jim King, (R), now deceased. Now we have John Thrasher running amok, in King's old seat.

With Haridopolos coming in as Senate President, that "moderating influence" of the Jim King era Senate is now history. We will have many more rounds of near-shore oil drilling; school voucher pushes; corporate deregulation; environmental destruction and loss of endangered habitat (for the panthers, just for one example); more antiabortion screeds to steal away women's rights; more intrusion of religion into our government; more battles in the teacher merit pay/student testing scores arena... and on and on and on.

It never ends with these right-wing conservative extremists who have now crossed the line from merely hyper-partisan, into dogma.


Again, I unequivocally think that a vote for Rubio further solidifies Florida's path to ruin.


Meek's candidacy has not been particularly inspiring, and there are some issues that have not been aired fully for the public.


Hopefully, we will pass Amendment 4 (Hometown Democracy) to allow local residents, not big developers, to decide how their communities' lands are used; and Amendments 5 and 6 (Redistricting) passed, so these politicians can no longer draw their own grotesquely gerrymandered districts to stay in power indefinitely.


If we take control of the governorship, US Senate seat and FL Attorney General, that will go a very long way to stopping this dogmatic, right-wing conservative freight train that has destroyed our state government.



But we're not out of the woods yet. Not by a long shot.

It's an historical moment for Florida.


We would be committing an irreversible error if we do not do everything in our power to stop Rubio's looming assault, guided by his mentor just offstage.

[ChiciB1]

11. Seafan, I Agree With You About Crist "Bucking" His Own Party... But I

have heard it said that he still has some strong supporters. YOU have been fantastic and unfailing in all your research and posting and I thank you.

I don't think many actually understand the reality of what we are looking at. Even though I had not made my mind up, I do have to say that it took A GREAT DEAL of strength for Crist to do what he did. Jebby has always thought he RUNS this state and I would love nothing better than to see him squashed! A person who would stand up to Repukes here, and the likes of Jebby does deserve some real credit.

Chiles handed him his hat, but it didn't take him long to slither his way back in. And "slither" he has! The Idiot was rather transparent for the most part as evil as he was, but Jebby topped him a long time ago. I abhor the thought of his little darling going to D.C., as Jebby still holds the strings on his little puppet.

Again, seafan THANKS for all the work you've done!

[flyarm]

14. Most excellent post..you nailed it thank you and amendments 5 & 6 are most important..thank you

I was just going to post about amendments 5&6 but you did a swell job explaining what we face in Fla with this election..job well done, and please this woud make an excellent thread standing by itself!

Thank you thank you!

from a former elected Democratic Delegate from the State of Florida!

[DonCoquixote]

16. True, but answer this

How do we stop the narrative that "The best votes are for centrists. If we allow that meme to live, the chances of getting anything remotely left are DEAD. As is, the Blue Dogs did more damage than the GOP ever could.

[ChiciB1]

18. Would the Best Answer Be... We Are Screwed As A State For NUMEROUS

reasons?? It's just too bad that there are far too many "snakes" slithering around, and you could almost "picture" them in your mind! A huge Hydra!

Having lived here as long as I have, it seems each year gets worse. I can't just get up a move, so I have to deal with the cards that are dealt, and even then it's a poker hand I hold. And personally, poker is a game of chance if you aren't one who can play it well!

[DonCoquixote]

19. Play it well?

As someone who watches Poker like some watch baseball, I get the analogy. Yes, it's better to be a skilled player than to be lucky. However, my main worry is that we are being successfully bluffed. After all, the worst case for the GOP is that they get in someone who believes in their policies. Of course, what happens in Florida happens elsewhere, so we get to hear more narrative about the center (and I say this as a former centrist, before centrist became just a bath for former GOP to wash themselves in.) What hurts is this: if we in Florida had a real Democratic party, not Karen Thurman's nest of Dino's, we might have had a chance, but we don't.