Former GOP Candidate Charlie Crist Out; Tea Partier Marco Rubio is Favorite

Tampa, Florida -- It has not been business as usual for Florida Republicans in the race for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Republican Mel Martinez.

A year ago, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist was the hands-on favorite to replace former Senator Martinez. Crist is a good-natured moderate Republican with some liberal leanings. He was for the Obama stimulus and does not want offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

At the peak of his popularity in the 2008 presidential election, Christ was almost John McCain's vice presidential running mate, but along came Sarah Palin and the rest is history.

But for the last year, things have been going downhill for the Republican governor. With the failing economy and real estate crash, Florida has been affected especially hard, and Crist has not made the situation any easier for Floridians.

He seems to have lost interest in being governor, preferring instead to shop in Miami with his glamorous new wife and taking vacations. His lack of interest in Florida's day-to-day problems has not gone unnoticed. He wants to be senator, not governor.

But the worst disappointment to Florida Republicans came when Crist who considers himself a moderate, thought the Democratic economic stimulus for Florida was a good idea.

When President Obama came to Florida, Gov. Crist gratefully and warmly greeted him in the presence of Florida voters and the media. Unfortunately he and Obama were photographed in an enthusiastic "man hug," which infuriated conservative Republicans who would have rather seen President Obama spat upon.

The photo was shown everywhere and Crist's credibility as a Republican crashed, especially among Florida conservatives and Republican Tea Partiers. The Florida GOP rapidly lost confidence in winning that Republican senatorial seat vacated by Martinez.

Then along came Marco Rubio. While Charlie Crist's hopes for that Republican Senate seat were fading away as fast his popularity with Florida Republicans, a star was born.

Fate sent the Grand Old Party a 39-year-old Latino-American lawyer who is popular, good-looking, charismatic, conservative with proven political experience and ambitions. The Florida Tea Party happily endorsed him.

Rubio favors the Tea Party beliefs and wants health care left alone. He is against big government, abortion and gay marriage. Prayer in the public schools is fine as long as it is Christian prayer. Federal bailouts are a no-no as are borrowing money and raising taxes.

But young Mr. Rubio, while expounding fiscal responsibility, has found himself in a bit of a dilemma. It was discovered that he and his staff have been spending thousands of dollars which were supposed to be used for campaign expenses. It seems that Rubio and staff have been living the good life on the unlimited credit of GOP American Express Cards and political contributions.

Rubio has been extremely generous to family and friends as he campaigns. They have been enjoying plane trips, fine dinners, clothing and spa treatments. Personal limousine transportation and nice Florida Resort hotels are but a few of the goodies he has been able to sample. He also has paid off some of his pesky household bills. It is said he treats himself to $130 haircuts and has his back waxed, all charged to the GOP American Express Card.

He has refused to show his financial records, but admits that he may have made some mistakes. His wife, a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader takes care of his finances. He promises to repay any of the expenses he charged that were not appropriate.

But despite Rubio's questionable finances, he quickly led Crist in the Republican polls. Crist was asked to withdraw from the race, to enable Rubio to easily win the nomination and to keep the party united.

But Charlie Christ did not just go away. To survive, he withdrew, and decided to abandon the GOP. However, he still wants to run for senator, and will run instead as an Independent (a no-party candidate.) He will represent moderate Republicans and independents. Whatever happens, he takes Republican votes away from Rubio and is viewed by the GOP party faithful as a traitor.

The Republican Senatorial Primary race will be exciting. Will Marco Rubio be the first Tea Party senator or should he try to appeal to a broader base constituency? It remains to be seen.

We Floridians must make a choice: Embrace Conservative Republican Tea Party favorite Marco Rubio with his fancy tastes and waxed back. Choose the new independent no-party candidate Gov. Charlie Crist, who hugged Obama, and really wants to be senator not governor -- or just vote Democratic.

To vote in the Florida primary, one must be a registered Republican, Democrat or a no-party independent. Membership in the Tea Party does not qualify since it is not a valid political party.

The 2012 Republican Convention will be held in Tampa. Interesting times ahead.

Sources:
Bay News 9

The Today Show

TBO.com politics coverage

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/marco-rubios-lavish-rise-to-the-top/1079473

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521505/with-waxing-remark-crist-jabs.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/25/crist-obama-hug-haunting-_n_332963.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3382300.ece

http://kendrickmeek.house.gov/

http://www.votesmart.org/election_president_how_primary_works.php