White House Isn't Flirting With Charlie Crist

Contrary to rumors and published reports, the White House and senior Democrats aren't retracting their pledges of support for Rep. Kendrick Meek, their favorite Democrat running for Senate in Florida. Gov. Charlie Crist, now running as an independent, let it be known that Sen. Harry Reid, the majority leader, had telephoned him, leading to a rush of speculation that Democrats didn't want to alienate someone who could potentially caucus with them.

That's true, to a point, but Reid's aides insist the call was perfunctory. "There is no secret plan being hatched to support Crist," a Democratic political official said. "Just because Republicans dumped their candidate doesn't mean we have any intention of doing the same."

The sentiment was echoed by a White House official, who said that neither Crist nor any member of his team had spoken with chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, deputy chief of staff Jim Messina, or political director Patrick Gaspard, the man who's in charge of the Meek account these days.

Perhaps nervous about being seen as supportive of the White House's agenda, Meek's campaign released a statement supporting Elena Kagan's Supreme Court nomination last night hours before White House officials confirmed that she was the pick. Meek faces a primary challenge from Jeff Greene, a billionaire who made his money by shorting the housing boom. Greene begins his television ad campaign today.


http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/05/white-house-isnt-flirting-with-charlie-crist/56460/

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It will be interesting to see if the president comes down to campaign for Meeks, or just cuts a spot for him. Perhaps it is just Reid saying if you win, we'd appreciate your support as you agree with many issues we do. I still hope Meeks is an excellent campaigner.

Crist will get lots of indys and lots of dems.

Rubio and Crist put together will pull 60 to maybe 62 percent of the vote. The remainder will go to Meek. The very lamest candidates the Dems have run in FL never pull less than about 38 to 40 percent statewide. This is the bottom line base support for any Dem. Crist got roughly 60 percent of the vote statewide, before he became much less popular, and this included virtually all the Republicans, a big slice of Independents, and a scattering of Dems. 60 Percent is the top of his trendline, and Rubio substracts from that with every point he gets. If Rubio makes it into the low 20s, Meek is our next senator. Crist wins or loses on how well Rubio does.

Rubio has the tea party lunatic fringe all locked up. So the question becomes, just how large is this lunatic fringe? Having lived in FL since 1966, I would estimate these fruitbats are somewhere in the range of 25 percent statewide, but far greater than 50 percent in some truly select locations.

of Dems I know. They are moderates, but that's the point. Meek is probably not going to come out of this 3 way race with anything other than a point or two lead over Rubio on election day, although I hope Meek amazes on the trail.

that Crist will do better now with Dems than he did running for Governor, or in any other Statewide race he has ever run in? Charley Crist is not a new name, and while quite popular at first, has lost a ton of support since as Governor. The best he has ever done at the polls was about 60 percent statewide, and that was with all the Republicans voting for him. He will not have that level of support among the Rs this time out. He will crack 40 only if Rubio is below 20.

I think you are mistaken. Kendrick Meek, by Florida Democratic Party standards, is by no means a weak candidate. We have run weaker candidates against Charley and have gotten into the 40s before.

crist "appeals" to no one of either side

I'll avoid them the next time I'm there!

is likely to encounter, given you GPS is working. However, there are places in FL where one can run and win easily by proposing a law in the legislature to outlaw all abortions, provide state tuition vouchers to religious schools, and check birth certificates....