vc318

Charlie Crist becomes an independent man - Florida - MiamiHerald.com

Charlie Crist becomes an independent man

ST. PETERSBURG -- Gov. Charlie Crist didn't just walk away from the Republican Party Thursday -- he ran, saying he would abandon his lifelong GOP voter registration as he launches an independent and unprecedented campaign for the U.S. Senate.

``I know this is uncharted territory,'' said Crist, flanked by his parents, three sisters and wife at a hastily thrown-together rally of about 300 supporters in a downtown St. Petersburg park. ``I'm aware of that. I am aware that after this speech ends, I don't have either party helping me. I need you, you the people, more than ever.''

Casting his decision as putting ``the people'' before politics, Crist said, ``As someone who has served the people of Florida for 15 years, from the state Senate to the Governor's Mansion, I can confirm what most Floridians already know: Unfortunately, our political system is already broken.''

Left unsaid was the obvious reason for his decision: Former House Speaker Marco Rubio was poised to trounce him in the Aug. 24 Republican primary, in one of the most stunning reversals in Florida politics.

Crist's widely anticipated announcement was immediately followed by an avalanche of harsh condemnations from most every top Republican in Florida, who accused him of putting his own ambition above all else.

``This decision is not about policy or principles,'' said former Gov. Jeb Bush, who has all but endorsed Rubio. ``It is about what he believes is in his political self-interest.''

Crist had steadfastly denied for weeks that he would abandon the party that nurtured his career for decades.

After being pilloried for embracing President Barack Obama's stimulus package and other policies favored by Democrats, Crist now faces being branded as the ultimate traitor to his party. In a closely divided U.S. Senate, a seat long viewed as a Republican sure bet is now up for grabs in a race in which Rubio and Crist could split the party's voters.

``He did not keep his word,'' said the arm of the national party that oversees Senate campaigns, which yanked the endorsement it gave the then-popular governor immediately after he first announced his campaign one year ago. Florida Republican chairman John Thrasher quipped he was taking the governor's portrait down from the party headquarters and putting it on eBay.

``Betrayal! Betrayal!'' a heckler shouted at the governor as he made his way through a throng of supporters after the rally.

The announcement virtually hands the Republican nomination to Rubio, the newly crowned giant slayer of the 2010 election, and thrusts overlooked Democratic front-runner Kendrick Meek into the center ring. An already volatile race becomes a free-for-all between three major candidates. Florida's next senator could be elected Nov. 2 with less than 35 percent of the vote.

``I think all three of them have a very legitimate shot here. When you're talking about winning in the 30s, all bets are off,'' said Democratic consultant Eric Johnson, adding that he would not be surprised if Crist won handily or lost overwhelmingly.

The crowd in Straub Park included hometown friends, environmentalists riled up about offshore drilling and educators enthused by Crist's recent veto of a contentious teacher tenure bill. On the stage was former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco, a Democrat who often supports Republicans and longtime friend and civic activist Watson Haynes, a prominent Republican who said he was switching parties in solidarity with Crist.

Not sure if it'll be enough to win the Senate seat but I guess we'll see in November.

sunnykerr

It happens, though, doesn't it. I mean, Joe Lieberman did the same thing a couple of years back.

Callace

Would be real fun if he did make it Independence from both parties must be a rare thing for a senator He'd still not be free of the lobbyists and sponsors though

sunnykerr

That's a good point, Callace. Independence from party ideology would probably be a good change for many politicians.

vc318

Seems to be working for him although it's still very early:

Poll gives Charlie Crist 6-point lead over Rubio - SFL

Callace

I think it would be. But I still fear for the lobbyists and big business. Without a party, will he be more independent of those too? The campaign sponsors and so forth? Or will they then just matter all the more?

I'm glad he's leading at least I think