Should we be rooting for Crist? Will he keep his more progressive positions after the election?

[Karmadillo]

Which of the politicians described below will we see after the election?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/21/AR2010062102041.html

Can Charlie Crist accomplish in Florida what Arlen Specter failed to do in Pennsylvania -- woo Democrats to his cause after bolting the GOP to avoid a tough primary?

In a way, comparing Crist to Specter is a little unfair ... to Arlen Specter. Just three months ago Crist declared himself a "common-sense conservative" who believed in the principles of Ronald Reagan. Specter never made any pretense of being a conservative. He voted with Senate Democrats when it suited his interests, and his transition to the Democratic Party did not require many uncomfortable conversions on hot-button issues like abortion.

Crist, by contrast, has shown an ideological flexibility that makes Specter look like a conviction politician. During the GOP primary, Crist campaigned as a pro-life Republican, and his campaign Web site declared "Governor Crist believes strongly in the sanctity of human life." After he left the GOP, the pro-life page on his Web site mysteriously disappeared -- and Crist vetoed a pro-life bill that would have required Florida abortion providers to allow women to see an ultrasound of their unborn child and would have had Florida opt out of taxpayer-funded abortions under Obamacare.

Crist reversed course on education reform. After declaring his support in March for a Republican bill to end teacher tenure and tie pay raises to student achievement, Crist turned around a few weeks later and vetoed the bill -- angering the GOP while ingratiating himself with the left-leaning Florida teachers union. (He has since hinted that he has an "open mind" when it comes to union "card-check" legislation).

Crist flipped on the Cuba travel ban. In his 2006 race for governor, he blasted his opponent for backing efforts to ease restrictions on family visits to Cuba, and he later signed legislation raising taxes on companies that arranged such travel. And just last month, when asked by a Florida paper if he would support easing travel restrictions to Cuba, Crist replied: "No, I wouldn't. Not until they offer more freedoms to their own people first." But just a few weeks later, Crist announced his support for the Obama administration's decision to lift all restrictions on family travel to Cuba, and he held a fundraiser with advocates of lifting the Cuba travel ban entirely, declaring "I want to listen to what they have to say."

more...

[havocmom]

1. depends...

do you want to be within DU rules or within how they have been applied of late?

edited for typo, since there isn't supposed to be a 'g' in within.

[Karmadillo]

4. Yikes! I missed the memo. We are supporting Meek, right? Democratic candidate etc.

nt

[SunnySong]

14. Meeks is dead... we mourn and we move on. nt

[DCBob]

17. His name is Meek.. Kendrik Meek.

at least in "death" lets get his name right.

[SunnySong]

19. I am a Floridian and Democrat and for the longest time thought his name was Beeks.

[DCBob]

20. Ha! One of my fav movies!

:)

[havocmom]

21. No, DU prime directive is to support DEM candidate

Unless it is Meek or some other DEM who fails some test or another. Reaction to Alvin Green race in SC will be interesting.

Rules is rules. Except when they aren't. Decoder ring required to discern when that is the case. Decoder rings available second Tuesday this November. Void where prohibited by law. Offer may expire at any time. Winner subject to any and all applicable taxes. Rules have no liability. Your mileage may vary.

cha cha cha

[Karmadillo]

25. So if Cindy Sheehan runs for president in 2012 we can--

nevermind.

[HooptieWagon]

26. I believe the mods have allowed discussion of Crist

Since he is far preferable than Rubio, and Meek is invisible (plus has ethics questions he hasn't adequately answered).

[SwampG8r]

27. or green the other dem in florida for senate

support a democrat would be nice

[flvegan]

2. Unleash the DU purists!!

:popcorn:

[Karmadillo]

3. Delete. Meant to reply to havocmom.

nt

[GodlessBiker]

5. I thought one of the Rules around here was that you had to route for the Dem candidate. This is DU.

Seems to me that advocating that someone other than the Dem should win is a violation of these here Rules.

[havocmom]

22. and yet, it has happened

and questioning that fact has made things disappear.

[DCBob]

6. Well, one thing to keep in mind, this article was written by a rightwinger..

Author: Marc A. Thiessen, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, is a visiting fellow with the American Enterprise Institute.

Clearly the Republicans are freaking out about Crist potentially winning this thing. If nothing else, that may be a good enough reason to support him.

[Karmadillo]

7. I don't know much about Crist other than he was recently a Republican. Is there anything inaccurate

in the article regarding Crist's "flexibility" on his political positions? Thanks.

[DCBob]

12. Clearly its an attack article... I am sure even you can tell that..

Its easy to spin negative a politician when they transition their positions from a primary to a general.. they all do it. My point is why are Republicans so desperate to bash Charlie? Well, let me tell you.. its because they know its a major game changer. For one, it further calls into question the teabagger movement, secondly its a gain in Senate for Democrats (assuming Crist caucuses with the Dems), and third and most importantly they know politically, Florida is a huge state, and they know the potential value of having a Dem-friendly Senator Crist there. Crist (I) could be the most important win for Democrats this Fall.

[Karmadillo]

15. Even me? I dunno. Kind of slow sometimes. But even I can see you didn't answer my question.

What in the OP is inaccurate?

[DCBob]

16. I guess its somewhat acccurate as a negative spin piece goes..

I could write one just about as nasty about almost any politician.

[WhiteTara]

8. no and no

He is a republican. They are liars and posers and will do anything to get elected. I know the choices are slim, but it's not what I would do.

[Karmadillo]

10. Crist certainly seems to have had a suspiciously timely "road to Damascus" conversion.

nt

[WhiteTara]

11. he's a republican

and lies so much, even he doesn't know his truth.

[Sebastian Doyle]

9. Anybody who can be elected Governor in a state where the Bush Crime Family runs the GOP

Is absolutely NOT a "progressive" in any capacity. He's a Repuke by whatever name he calls himself. He may be a "Log Cabin Republican" as opposed to a teabagger. But he is not a Democrat. He will never be a Democrat. and FUCK the DLC for favoring him over the Democratic candidate (who apparently wouldn't bow down and worship the Almighty Third Way to Hell.)

[SunnySong]

13. Yes to the first question... as much as Obama has to the second.

:hide:

[scarletlib]

18. I'll be voting an all democratic ticket.

If Crist wins so be it. I hope he will caucus with the Dems. I know he is a political opportunist but I think in his heart he is a moderate liberal.

(Edit for spelling)

[xchrom]

23. In this case - a Third Party candidate pretty much

Has even the DU blessing wrapped up.

Given the ridiculous nader meme still running
around with the center right folks - the irony
is blatant and not worth commenting on.

Their wall of shame just added another character.

[Bluenorthwest]

24. Not on DU, if the rules are the rules

But that is yet to be determined.