20 Jul 10
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704229004575371810495691530.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us
If the Republicans come close to the 50 seat mark in the midterms, one of the more compelling and interesting story lines will be Charlie Crist. Having lost the FL Senate GOP nomination to Marco Rubio, he now has a slight polling lead as an independent. If Crist does win, will he punish the GOP for throwing him under the bus and caucus with the Dems or will he come home to the GOP in what could be a very significant decision?
Great quote:
Crist, on being an independent: "It's liberating," Mr. Crist said. "It's a lot of fun, and I'm convinced it's what the people want."
20 Jul 10
Originally posted by sh76Or maybe he'll team up with Lieberman and start an independent movement within Congress. Perhaps people like Snowe, Collins, Brown, Nelson, Landrieu etc could join them.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704229004575371810495691530.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us
If the Republicans come close to the 50 seat mark in the midterms, one of the more compelling and interesting story lines will be Charlie Crist. Having lost the FL Senate GOP nomination to Marco Rubio, he now has a slight polling lead as an independent. If Cr ...[text shortened]... ," Mr. Crist said. "It's a lot of fun, and I'm convinced it's what the people want."[/i]
They could declare that pretty much NOTHING gets done without their approval. It would be a very powerful bloc likely to attract much financial support from almost every interest group. Both the rank-and-file GOPs and Dems would hate them with a passion, which would only improve their standing with a growing share of the American people.
20 Jul 10
Originally posted by MelanerpesYes, but they'd all be primaried come next election season. Crist can probably win as an independent. I am guessing that most of the others would not want to try that path.
Or maybe he'll team up with Lieberman and start an independent movement within Congress. Perhaps people like Snowe, Collins, Brown, Nelson, Landrieu etc could join them.
They could declare that pretty much NOTHING gets done without their approval. It would be a very powerful bloc likely to attract much financial support from almost every interest group ...[text shortened]... a passion, which would only improve their standing with a growing share of the American people.
20 Jul 10
1 edit
Originally posted by sh76yes - it would be risky. It would indeed be the road less traveled. Robert Frost would be so proud of them all. And if Crist wins, both he and Lieberman will have shown that it's possible to win an election without being in either the R column or the D column.
Yes, but they'd all be primaried come next election season. Crist can probably win as an independent. I am guessing that most of the others would not want to try that path.
And as Crist himself said - "it's liberating" and "its a lot of fun". Think of the advantages of not having to suck up to the usual annoying creatures that occupy the party base. And think of the advantages of not having the party's whip leering over your shoulder if you should decide not to toe the party line on an important vote.
And think of the legacy of being the pioneers of the movement that forced America to undergo a fundamental partisan re-alignment.