Crist vs. GOP

Florida Governor Charlie Crist is facing pressure from GOP leaders to not seek the US Senate seat. Crist, who became governor in 2007, has been under attack from the GOP and conservatives within the past few months for accepting stimulus funds from the Obama administration. Most recently, Crist is under attack for vetoing a "teacher tenure" bill that would have fired teachers and granted raises based on student test scores. Many conservatives and Republican leaders, including former Governor Jeb Bush, supported the bill. Crist's veto was largely supported by teacher's unions.

There is also another factor facing Crist. Republican representative Marco Rubio. Rubio, who was elected in 2000 and served as Florida's Speaker of the House from 2006-2008, is the biggest threat to Crist at the current time. Rubio has gained large support from across nation, including endorsements from Governor Mitt Romney, US House of Representatives Minority Whip Eric Cantor, and other leaders within the Florida government.




From a poll taken by Quinnipiac University on April 15th, Marco Rubio led Charlie Crist by 23%. However, there may be an out for Crist. While many are calling for him to not seek the Senate seat, others are calling for Crist to run as an Independent. Quinnipiac University polls show that Crist would have a slight narrow lead over Rubio if he ran as an Independent. Christ has stated that he is a "proud Republican" and isn't sure about leaving the party. However, as the primary filing comes to a close at the end of April, Crist will have to choose to stay with the GOP or jump ship to become an Independent. Many Republican leaders, including Senator John McCain, said they will not back Crist if he becomes an Independent.


Common Sense- In my opinion, I think Crist should remove himself as a candidate for the Senate seat, as a Republican and as an Independent. If Crist runs as a Republican, most statistics show that he will lose. If he runs as an Independent, Crist runs the risk of splitting the Republican ticket and possibly opening the door the Democrat candidate, Kendrick Meek, who has trailed both Rubio and Crist. I saw Marco Rubio at the Conservative Political Action Conference this past February in Washington D.C. He is a true conservative who represents fiscal responsibility and conservative values. He is a young, fresh face and the type we need for the Republican party. If Crist has any real common sense, he will drop out of the race and throw his support behind Rubio.

Republicans Don't Need to have Minds of "Steele" to Win

While GOP Party leader, Michael Steele, is out defending and/or apologizing for some verbal, spending, or managerial mistake, Republican leaders are working behind the scenes. Many leaders are going around Steele in an attempt to take control of Congress in the midterm elections this November. Republicans are beginning to rely less on Steele's party headquarters for advice and, in some cases, funds. This decision comes after many episodes involving Steele, or his staff, including controversies over party spending and a party-paid trip to a Hollywood strip club. On Saturday, at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Steele recognized the mistakes he and his staff have made. "I'm the first here to admit that I've made mistakes and it's been incumbent on me to take responsibility to shoulder that burden, make the necessary changes and move on," Steele said.

Steele's statement came only days after a letter released by GOP headquarters revealed that only half of Republican National Committee members approve of the job Steele is doing. Many believe that the focus on Steele draws negative attention to Republicans and the GOP when a crucial election is fast approaching. Many Republican candidates are reaching out to other sources for their campaigns instead of the GOP headquarters. Senate Minority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell, and House Minority Leader, Republican John Boehner, have already started efforts to gain funds from the National Republican Senatorial Committee and National Republican Congressional Committee. While Republicans have refrained from attacking Steele in public, they have offered advice to the leader. However, many have stated that Steele will continue on his own path and handle the issue alone. With less than seven months from the midterm elections, Republicans are focusing their attention on Democrats.

Common Sense- I believe the decision to move away from Steele and the RNC at this time is crucial. I am not saying that Republicans should turn their back on Steele and start attacking him publicly. What I am saying is that Republicans need to focus on the issues at hand and continue to attack the Democrats. They need to keep talking about the issues that are important to the American people and keep the "Steele issue" on the back burner until after the election. Some Republican leaders have called for Steele to step down. I believe this to be a BIG mistake. Asking Steele to step down would only damage the GOP right now, not benefit it. My advice, once again, is for Republicans to focus on the issues that are important, keep Steele on the sideline, and worry about him after the election.