So the blogosphere is simmering with the rumor that Charlie Crist is going to run as an independent if and when he loses to Marco Rubio in the GOP primary. Unlike Joe Lieberman, the best Dem example of this kind of sore loserness, Crist is not running because of any overriding principle, but rather because of an unbridled lust for power, and the desire to save face.

Well, I’m feeling generous today so I’m going to suggest a great win win solution for Mr. Crist.

Gov. Crist:

Drop out. Now. Drop out of the Senate race, realize you’ve lost it and just run for re-election as governor. The deadline hasn’t past, all indications are that you would win, so just do it. Don’t ruin the party that got you where you are by creating an unwinnable 3 way race which will only serve to elect Kendrick Meeks. You probably won’t win that one anyway. Just take for more years as governor, it’ll be easier to work on that tan in Tallahassee anyway. Marco beat you, now save some face and don’t look like a sore loser by throwing a wrench in the system. You are not going to be the junior senator from Florida no matter what, Just cut your losses now and file the papers for governor.

Sincerely,

The 2fek

So, my conservative friends and allies. I ask you a simple question, why not Mark Sanford?

In my estimation the GOP has two big problems that seem impossible to reconcile. The fiscal conservatives and moderates aren’t necessarily in line with the religous conservatives, and the religious folks aren’t in line with the repubs that want to focus on other options. It’s clear to me that religion alienates the middle, and being too far from religion alienates the important voting block that is the religious right.

So I propose that we have an answer. That answer is Mark Sanford. He is personally religious and respects religious folks without making it a central point of his persona. He has a perfect record on the issues they care about (Life, Marriage, etc.) but doesnt wear it on his sleeve. He respects the religious without appearing to be nuts, and standing up to them when he thinks it is appropriate (like another governor, Ronald Reagan).

He also has an unblemished commitment to fiscal discipline and conservative economic principles. He famously brought a live pig to the state house in South Carolina to illustrate his opposition to pork. He has an incredible approval rating, and stayed out of the 2008 race altogether, likely sensing the all but certain defeat.

He is a God’s honest southerner but doesnt appear as one. As a fellow child of the south I realize how important this is. The rest of the country sees us as redneck bigoted rubes, Mark Sanford is none of those things. I love Bobby Jindal, I respect Mitt Romney, I see the appeal of Sarah Palin although I’m not a huge fan personally. To me he is the answer going forward. He has TV appeal and can speak well, which as much as it sucks, apparently is the standard now.

My question, and challenge to my fellow conservatives, is admist all this outcry for a new leader, why not Mark Sanford?

What we need is a Reagan/Goldwater conservative, and IMO Sanford fits the bill.