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The Florida Squeeze 
Bearing the Cantor loss last night, I think the demise of the tea party was overstated. The movement’s power is in it’s decentralization and overarching goal (ideological leadership regime change) as opposed to a actual registered political party (to win elections, retain and gain power). It’s a sometimes subtle but crucial distinction that our Dem state activists and leaders would do well to note.
This explains why people like Cantor were abhorred by Tea Party media and local groups despite being a crucial contributor to their success in 2010 despite one most conservative records in congress legislatively In essence he helped open the gates to the horde got trampled.
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I wish I was Hillary’s definition of “dead broke”. She just proved with that remark that she is nothing more than a 1%er that doesn’t know crap about the average American.
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My big question is whether a Cantor like upset can
Happen in Florida in a primary? Tea Party upset?
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We had one in 2012 – Ted Yoho beating Cliff Stearns. Certainly not the earthquake of last night but a big deal here in Florida. Curt Clawson’s relatively easy win also was a bit of that.
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I can easily describe a path to victory for Scott this fall despite his odds. I know its a very different campaign, but it would be just as shocking to many.
Otherwise,i think a key component to upsets like this are institutional election rules that can circumvent the influence of incumbency and party support like open primaries (which FL lacks but VA-07’s race had).
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Why is anyone surprised ex Governor Charlie Crist is falling in the polls? Senator Nan Rich has always been a more likely candidate to defeat Governor Scott than has ex Governor Charlie Crist. Senator Rich, guided by her progressive principals, supported progressive policies throughout her long career in public service. She has a reputation of integrity with her peers weather Democrat or Republican. Senator Rich is a candidate that Democrats can enthusiastically support.
Ex Governor Charlie Crist has always been a soft target for the Scott campaign. His reputation among Republicans as an Obama hugging traitor assures a large turnout for the Governor. The ex Governor’s record of restricting abortion, of being anti gay and pro gun, of giving public money to private schools, sponsorship of the chain gang legislation and having several friends and associates behind bars rightfully creates skepticism among Democrats.
It is a sad commentary that the majesty of such a flawed ex Governor has managed to skew the judgment of the Florida Democratic Party. Equally unfortunate is the media fascination with the prospect of prodigal Charlie returning to face off against his successor.
Senator Rich can win.
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Senator Rich cannot win but Charlie Crist is a soft target. That is becoming obvious. He is not the candidate we thought he was.
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Nan can.
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It seems the path to victory for Rick Scott our Nations most unpopular governor has gotten clearer and clearer the last few weeks.
Bash Crist and he will not respond.
Watch Crist make mistakes. Hope Nan Rich stays in the primary to weaken him. The primary could strengthen Charlie but the way he’s handling it means it will weaken him. Rally the Republican base so that they turn out in big numbers and off year election.
The path to victory for America’s worst governor is wide open.
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What will Crist do about the embargo thing? How does he walk this back?
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I will have a post up later today discussing that.
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Not participating in a debate or participating in the primary weakens Crist. It makes him appear weak and afraid to many of the Democrats thet he needs to win.
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The Cantor defeat and the potential Cochran defeat show the tea party is motivated again. This does not help us in Florida as a motivated tea party means a spike in Republican turnout and a possible 2010 all over again.
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Who are the leading contenders to be Charlie’s lieutenant-governor? He needs a woman obviously.
His campaign is a complete mess. He is a deeply flawed nominee and if we do not beat Rick Scott it is because we nominated Charlie Crist.
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It doesn’t matter who Crist chooses for lieutenant-governor, HE is the problem. He is the wrong candidate period!
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Crist is the problem. It’s made an already incompotent Florida Democratic Party even more terrible.
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It is too late to get another candidate but it is obvious Charlie doesn’t have it this time and that Nan Rich is a total dud. The opportunity in this election could be completely squandered. I Our party is the most inept in the country. Only Florida Democrats could conceive a way to get Rick Scott the most unpopular politician in the entire country reelected. Even for Florida
Democrats the inept bunch this is taking a remarkable amount of work. The strategists behind our candidates
always stink but it seems they are worse than ever.
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I think we need to once again look at the state House races and the fact that the Democrats are struggling so badly. I think it is highly unlikely the Democrats come back with 45 members. Who is the blame for that? Not Charlie Crist or his position on Cuba but the Florida Democratic Party, the new house leadership and the same old consultants.
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Why is Senator Rich a “total dud”?
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Crist needs to become more responsive to the attacks. A primary campaign can really help him. But he needs to do things the right way.
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Nan Rich needs to drop out next week and not qualify.
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I assure that will not happen. Crist needs to man up and debate. Ignoring her will not make her go away. Crist is guest in our party. He should have some manners.
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