How Much Will Crist's Move Cost?

FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R) is contemplating his political future this week as he decides whether to run for Sen. George LeMieux's (R) seat as an independent. But he also should be contemplating just how much it's going to cost him.

Crist has benefitted from several strong fundraising quarters, but conservative bloggers and activists have vowed to make a potential independent bid hurt his bank account. And he should take note: Those same activists helped cost Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) more than $1M after his own defection last year.

When Specter bolted, he told donors they could have their money back if they wanted. And the conservative Club for Growth took him up on the offer. The Club received permission from the FEC to help donors contact the campaign and ask for donations to be returned.

A review of FEC reports filed over the last year shows Specter gave $224K back during the second quarter, when he made his party switch, and $602K back during the fourth quarter, when the Club mailed his donors informing them of the policy. All told, Specter has returned $1.031M so far this election cycle.

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/04/how_much_will_c.php

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