NOTE: I had it from good sources that Crist was going to bow out altogether, but it looks like he will keep his partisan affiliation with the GOP and run as an independent.
_________________________________________
It was Rob Jesmer who made the brilliant decision to get Charlie Crist into the U.S. Senate race in Florida.
It was Jesmer whose actions have caused an expensive primary to break out putting the Florida Governor’s mansion at risk on the eve of redistricting. It was Jesmer who caused money to be needlessly spent in Florida on the Senate primary. Remember: Rubio was already in the race and Jesmer convinced Crist to enter after Rubio was already in and raising money.
You can read more about the decisions made by the NRSC’s top strategist here.
Then know this. Today, Charlie Crist won’t return John Cornyn’s phone call and Rob Jesmer just sent out the following email:
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 11:35 AM
Subject: FLJust a quick off the record assessment of where things stand in FL.
We believe there is zero chance Governor Crist continues running in the Republican primary. It our view that if Governor Crist believes he cannot win a primary then the proper course of action is he drop out of the race and wait for another day. We have communicated this message indirectly and would have given it to the Governor directly had he returned Senator Cornyn’s phone call.
Whether or not you supported our endorsement of Governor Crist, we all share the same goal of keeping the seat in Republican hands. To that end, if the Governor decides to run independent, regardless of any public commitments he makes regarding organization, we will support Marco Rubio in any way possible.
If any of you have influence with Governor Crist, we hope you will call his campaign and encourage him to do the right thing.
Thanks for your support of NRSC (through good times and bad).
Let me know if you have any questions.
Rob
_________________________________________
Rob Jesmer
Executive Director
National Republican Senatorial Committee
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
Dan Spencer
Jeff Emanuel
Neil Stevens
Hahahahahahahahhaha....
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Monday, April 19th at 12:15PM EDT (link)… Deap Breath …. ahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahah!!111!!1!!!11!!!1!!
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
I'd like to join you in that laugh,
The_Gadfly (Diary) Monday, April 19th at 12:36PM EDT (link)but frankly, I’m too disgusted to be able to do so.
At least Jesmer seems to know that he laid an egg
RedBeard Monday, April 19th at 12:17PM EDT (link)Sorry. Couldn’t resist.
Standard-bearer for grouchy curmudgeonry since, oh, 1975 or so.
What are Rubios chances now?
earlgrey (Diary) Monday, April 19th at 12:23PM EDT (link)I sort of feel betrayed by the Rep. senate committee.
IF IT IS TRUE that Crist will be dropping out...
Moe Lane (Diary) Monday, April 19th at 12:29PM EDT (link)…and not running as an independent, there will be the temptation out there to kick him on his way out the door.
We should not indulge in that temptation. It will make it harder to convince the next candidate in this situation to bow out gracefully.
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My (combined) wish list.
Agreed, in spades
RedBeard Monday, April 19th at 12:32PM EDT (link)If, and only if, Crist does the right thing here, he should get nothing but public praise.
Standard-bearer for grouchy curmudgeonry since, oh, 1975 or so.
Agreed.
IJB Monday, April 19th at 12:37PM EDT (link)While I don’t particularly want to see Crist run in 2012 either, if he bows out gracefully, we should all just keep our mouths shut about him from here on in (and pretend like he never existed!)…
IF he bows out AND doesn't run we should be gracious,
The_Gadfly (Diary) Monday, April 19th at 12:38PM EDT (link)it’s the second part of that predicate I expect will cause trouble.
Well said.
acat (Diary) Monday, April 19th at 1:18PM EDT (link)I do hope you’ve got your Doc Martens on so you can land like the hammer of god on any Red Staters who engage in such pettiness.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
I'm with ya Moe
In The Hook (Diary) Monday, April 19th at 2:05PM EDT (link)If Charlie quietly withdraws, nods to the public here in FL that it wants Rubio and then backs Marco, I’d be all for him running in 2012 when we’re up against a Dem incumbent in a presidential election year.
Of course, that’s if he were to win a GOP primary. I’m not saying that we the base or the leaders should give him a wink and a nod that the field for 2012 would be cleared for him, but just that we won’t hold his smear attacks against Rubio against him come ’12 if he quits now and declines an indy bid. He’ll get a clean slate. Well, except for his record as governor, but you get my meaning.
“Hello? You play to win the game.”
Support conservatives that can win.
http://www.marcorubio.com
Why does this even need to be said?
huskerchad Monday, April 19th at 12:29PM EDT (link)The NRSC really feels that it needs to be said that they would support a republican in the general election? And they’re only willing to make that commitment off the record?
FFS.
Whoa, Erick! Way to drop that yellow highlighted bomb!
RedBeard Monday, April 19th at 12:29PM EDT (link)Is this something we can hold on to with some degree of confidence, or is it pure speculation from someone inside?
Standard-bearer for grouchy curmudgeonry since, oh, 1975 or so.
Insider
Erick Erickson (Diary) Monday, April 19th at 12:39PM EDT (link)Telling me all signs and conversations point to him dropping out, not going independent.
Who will stand on either hand and keep this bridge with me?Follow @EWErickson
Fingers crossed, toes crossed, anything else I can find also crossed (nt)
RedBeard Monday, April 19th at 12:58PM EDT (link)Standard-bearer for grouchy curmudgeonry since, oh, 1975 or so.
Hoping your insider is right...
acat (Diary) Monday, April 19th at 1:22PM EDT (link)Claws crossed …
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Any chance he turns around...
In The Hook (Diary) Monday, April 19th at 2:06PM EDT (link).. and tries to fight Scott and McCollum for re-election as governor? Or is this all about salvaging his reputation and living to fight in 2012? I think we all know we haven’t heard the last of Crist.
“Hello? You play to win the game.”
Support conservatives that can win.
http://www.marcorubio.com
Same thing...
congressmouse Monday, April 19th at 12:45PM EDT (link)Is happening in NY-1, where a millionaire Green Party member is being handed the Conservative Party nomination (and is also a favorite of Eric Cantor’s):
http://www.georgedemosforcongress.com/refresh/templates/in_the_news.php?id=34
They're redeploying!
Dan McLaughlin (Diary) Monday, April 19th at 12:56PM EDT (link)“No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong.” – Winston Churchill
I've said it before and I'll say it again
Darin_H (Diary) Monday, April 19th at 2:23PM EDT (link)As a Florida voter, I would support Charlie Crist in 2012 against incumbent Senator Nelson. That will be an expensive fight. Cornyn/Jesmer made a huge mistake this year – an open seat in a conservative year? I don’t fault Crist for getting in, especially if he had the backing of the NRSC, but it’s time for him to get out and support Marco. In 2 years, we’re going to need him to take out Nelson, I doubt we have another ‘Marco’ ready to go by then.
You know why Charlie Crist won’t run as an independent? Because he’s a LOT smarter than Arlen Specter (I know, I know, not real high praise there). Crist would lose in a 3-way race and his career would be over. He drops out and endorses Marco, he still has a political career.
A visionary coward says that anger can be power, as long as there’s a victim on TV – Flat Top, Goo Goo Dolls
My guess
fsured Monday, April 19th at 3:15PM EDT (link)is Charlie runs for re-election and stomps McCollum. This is probably a best case scenario for every republican in the state.
No It's Not - McCollum Would Be a Much Better Governor (nt)
IJB Monday, April 19th at 6:02PM EDT (link)McCollum would be a better Governor
fsured Tuesday, April 20th at 8:55AM EDT (link)however, he’s a dud. I don’t have a lot of faith in his campaign team and are scared to death about Crist entering. Crist beats Sink handily in the general–at least that’s what the polls show. We can’t say the same for McCollum.