Ambinder:"Crist tried to reach White House chief of staff...WH refuses to take the call."

[Pirate Smile]

"Here first: Charlie Crist, soon to be independent Senate candidate from Florida, tried to reach White House chief of staff Emanuel through intermediates. WH refuses to take the call. Dems plan big talent/money blitz for Kendrick Meek. BTW: Obama's approval rating in FL is in high 40s, per internal Dem polling."

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/04/the-night-beat-sorry-charlie/39662/

White House clearly doesn't want to look like they are undercutting Meek in any way. Of course they would want Crist to caucus with the Dems if he wins but they really have to be careful.

[givemebackmycountry]

1. Agree -

Crist is a loaded handgun that could slay an opponent, or blow up in someones hands.
It's too early to pick this up right now.
Let's see where it goes.

Smart.

[Colobo]

2. I want Crist on our side.

[liberalpragmatist]

3. Meek can absolutely win

No reason we should take a would-be Republican if there's a real Democrat on hand.

[Mojorabbit]

10. Meek can not win

Sorry but it is true. Crist has the name recognition and will win.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

18. Anything can happen in a 3 horse race.

The challenge is to make oneself not seem as though they're the place where votes go to die. Meeks needs to better establish his viability in this race quickly, as most of the attention is being paid to Crist vs. Rubio. Otherwise, Crist will simply take Meek's votes instead of Rubio's. That said, if Meeks can hold serve on the Democratic portion of the electorate and get them out to vote, he can certainly win.

[Colobo]

I'm certain Crist will win this.

[FrenchieCat]

4. Meek is a real progressive!

folks should be delighted with Rahm's response of silence.


Where the the numerous Rec's on this? :shrug:

[Lochloosa]

12. I'll throw one in there for you.

[Jennicut]

13. Funny how it all works....

Obama and Rahm did the right thing here. Meek deserves their support and talking to Crist does not help him at all.
If Crist wins, well that is a whole other story.

[FreeJG]

27. Meek is a conservative dem...not a progressive and he cannot win statewide.

That's a fact.

[Dappleganger]

28. Do you have some links to support this?

I want to find out more. Thanks.

[opihimoimoi]

5. The shift from Insanity to Reality is in its incipient stage...more GOPiacs are bailing a losing

Party....the GOP has doomed itself with utter STOOPIDITY, PROFANITY, N LOSS OF INTEGRITY

[Dr Morbius]

6. Something tells me they'll take that call, but only after talking to Meeks.

Governor Crist is cooling his heels. One does not demand an audience with The Man.

Rahm Immanuel is not a nice man, but he sure is sharp. He knows what he's doing.

[msongs]

7. drug manufacturers got an audience with "the man" lol....and a sweet deal I hear nt

[LiberalFighter]

8. It would be best handled thru reliable intermediataries that know how to keep their mouth shut.

[OHdem10]

9. They should take the call.

[Yavin4]

21. No, They Absolutely Should Not Take That Call

Meek is the Dem candidate. If Crist wanted WH support, he should have switched parties like Specter did.

In fact, it's stupid for Crist to even make that call. Crist should appear independent. If Crist is working with the White House, then that may turn off some of his Republican support.

[meowomon]

11. Too bad he isn't running as a Democrat

I'd vote for him then. But it is too much risk to vote for him even as an independent. I'm sticking with the Dems for now.

[Pirate Smile]

14. He should have switched months and months ago.

[WeDidIt]

15. Just like the Republican in the NY-23 race

He underestimated how terrified of the teabaggers national level Republicans truly are.

[Dr Morbius]

16. Thank you. (nt)

[WI_DEM]

17. This will be interesting. I want Meek to win, but if Crist wins I want him to caucus with dems.

[Doctor_J]

19. So they can't even take the damn call?!?!

I am liking Rahm less and less

Edit: What if Crist wants to run as a Dem?

[Robbins]

20. Crist

There Is buzz he Is running as no party affliration but will remain a registered Republicans and will
run against Democrats In Washington and the Republicans who run the Florida state capital.I know crazy
since he Is governor.He Is not running as a Dem.

[FreeJG]

29. Rham is a dog who kicked out all the progressive candidates in 06 in favor of dinos!!!!

[TheKentuckian]

22. Crist is Republican and would be a Republican even if he ran as a Democrat

Changing that letter by your name isn't some powerful magic spell that turns water to wine. You are what you were and changed the label. Sewer rat ain't pumpkin pie no matter what you call either.

Meeks is an actual Democrat and should get our full support instead of trying to finagle a deal with a puke that got shoved from the TeaPubliKlans not for being liberal but for displaying some sense and responsibility as a governor.

Crist isn't on our side. How many Liebermans and Nelsons do some of you people want? This guy isn't even a Specter (and I find that dicey and undesirable as well), not even close. At least with Specter he has some track record of standing up for working people and something in the neighborhood of rational jurisprudence. Crist too some desperately needed stimulus money like most, and all sane governors and got the boot to the head.

Dude has been head deep in Florida shenanigans for years and there are some so desperate to put a tick on the board that they will pull the rug under someone decent and trustworthy to invite a snake into our midst based on polls long before an election and name recognition.

This party is becoming more shifty, spineless, and soulless by the day. The Republicans should please take back their own party from the Tea Klux Klan and theocratic morons and allow for an actual debate on ideas rather than what personalities will execute the same corporate agenda.

[Dappleganger]

23. A very interesting development!

As someone else said, I would vote for Meek but honestly I think that Crist would be the one to place bets on winning. It's a good sign from Crist that his mind is open towards the Democratic party, too. If he wins we want him to caucus with us!

Crist has a HUGE money problem, however. Cornyn wants Crist to replay all of his contributions and no doubt that many, many others will be asking for their money back. That's only fair. More than likely in the end this will all come down to M O N E Y.

[seafan]

24. This is how I would handle this:

1. Take the call.

Crist may be wanting to tell Obama that if he (Crist) wins the Senate seat, he wants to caucus with Democrats.


2. Let Crist know that the Democrat, Kendrick Meek, will get the administration's support, but if Kendrick Meek is unsuccessful in his bid and Crist wins, the administration would welcome Crist to caucus as a Democrat.


That's it.

[DCBob]

30. I think that's about right..

Plus maybe asking for some support should Meek fall by the wayside down the stretch and its a tight race between Crist and Rubio.

[BrklynLiberal]

25. this may be a mistake.....

as an ind, crist can caucus with the dems.

[AtomicKitten]

26. O did the right thing. If Crist wins, he's still a pariah to the Republicans.

I'm sure the feeling is mutual.

[Pirate Smile]

31. Well, Hi, stranger. Good to see ya. It's been a while. I hope you are doing well.

:hi:

[AtomicKitten]

32. Hey, nice to see you too.