Ok, so lets say you're a very vulnerable Tea Party Governor like Rick Scott (R. FL) who is facing and incredibly tough re-election bid against a well-known and well-liked political figure like Charlie Crist (D. FL). What's the best idea to help someone out like Scott on the campaign trail? Bring in the Republican Governor and potential Presidential candidate who is facing a huge scandal and a lot of negative backlash in the media:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/...
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) is scheduled to campaign for Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) next Friday.
The appearance will come a week after new emails were publicized related to the the George Washington Bridge Scandal. Republicans in the state don't seem to be shunning the New Jersey governor. - TPM, 1/10/14
And how do Florida Republicans feel about Christie's arrival? It's a mixed bag:
http://www.nationaljournal.com/...
"I just hope he doesn't snarl up the traffic on the Pensacola bridge," quipped Senate President Don Gaetz, one of the highest ranking Republicans in the state. "Obviously Gov., Christie has got some image problems right now but I think he has a lot of admirers in Florida. People like his New Jersey style, and hopefully he will be of some positive reinforcement to Gov. Scott."
While much of the fallout from the traffic scandal has looked at its possible impact on Christie's 2016 ambitions, any effect on his fundraising prowess on behalf of fellow Republicans will be evident more quickly. Republican Party sources say he is still planning to attend the Scott events.
"We always welcome Gov. Christie to Florida," said House Speaker Will Weatherford, another top Florida Republican. "An unfortunate situation has taken place and he's addressed it. He's not hiding from it. I think he handled it well."
The governor held a marathon press conference in Trenton on Thursday to respond to questions about his office's role in shutting down lanes to the George Washington Bridge, creating four days of traffic gridlock. E-mails suggest the closure was aimed at aggravating the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee, who did not support Christie's re-election in November. That cuts into Christie's image as a no-nonsense, can-do chief executive who puts Republican politics aside to govern his Democratic-leaning state. - National Journal, 1/10/14
So they're still hoping that Christie can still rile up the base for their endangered Governor. We shall see what impact Christie will have for Scott but Scott's going to need all the help he can get. Especially now with Crist's memoir coming out:
http://members.jacksonville.com/...
A memoir by former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist defends his evolution from a Republican to Democrat, while taking swipes at such rivals as U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. Rick Scott.
"The Party's Over: How the Extreme Right Hijacked the GOP and I Became A Democrat" is scheduled for early February release. It was co-written by Crist and Ellis Henican.
The book comes out as Crist, who was governor from 2007 to 2011, begins mounting a campaign seeking to oppose Scott in the 2014 governor's race. Crist was elected as a Republican, but switched to an independent in his final year in office. He became a Democrat at the end of 2012.
The memoir describes Crist's upbringing and political career, while also giving some behind-the-scenes details of Crist's political and personal life. He also spells out in the final chapter his campaign platform for this year's election. - AP, 1/8/14
And Crist does not have anything nice to say about Scott or his former Republican colleagues like Senator Marco Rubio (R. FL):
http://www.tampabay.com/...
He describes Rubio as someone who was more moderate as a member of the Florida House than he is today. "He was bright and energetic — conservative for sure. But I wouldn't call him an inflexible ideologue. … That was the Marco I knew. That was before he was being called 'the crown prince of the Tea Party movement,' " Crist writes.
Crist saves his harshest attacks for Gov. Rick Scott, his likely opponent in the fall.
"You know me. I'm always an optimist. I hoped Rick Scott would do a wonderful job as Florida's new governor," Crist writes. "But from the day he took the oath of office on the Old Capitol steps, I have been deeply disappointed in the things he's done to our Florida. There's no other way to say it: He's been a terrible governor, and that's not just because I miss having the job." - Tampa Bay Times, 1/8/14
He also talks about Sarah Palin and Karl Rove in his memoir:
http://www.nbcmiami.com/...
Other incidents recalled in the book include how he was considered — but then not picked to be John McCain's running mate in the 2008 presidential election. Crist recalls campaigning that year with vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. He said she campaigned "different from anyone I'd ever campaigned with" and that she sat alone on the campaign bus. Crist said he offered to help her, but she barely talked to him and did not want "engage in conversation."
Crist also calls Karl Rove a "jerk" for yelling and cursing at Crist after Crist decided to bypass a Florida event with then-President George W. Bush in 2006.
Crist writes about many of his decisions as governor, including one to extend early voting during the 2008 election. He recalls how angry some Republicans were about the decision and told him it would cost GOP nominee McCain the election.
Crist also defends his decision to hug President Barack Obama at a 2009 event to promote the federal stimulus even though it wound up alienating GOP voters. He recalls attending an Alachua County Republican Party fundraiser where someone yelled at him "Why don't you go hug Obama again?"
"I didn't think a thing about it about it as it was happening," Crist writes. "But that simple gesture ended my career as a viable Republican politician. It changed the rest of my life. Reach, pull, release - just like that."
Crist describes himself as "pro-life" in several places, but defends his decision in 2010 to veto a bill that required women to undergo an ultrasound before getting an abortion. He said the legislation was being pushed by "rigid ideologues" in the Florida Legislature.
"In government, don't we have to balance our personal beliefs with an understanding that other people have a right to theirs?" Crist wrote.
Crist also tries to explain his stance on Obama's health care overhaul, saying "all Americans deserve decent health care" and that is an "important step down that road to decency." - NBC Miami, 1/9/14
And here's an interesting tid bit:
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/...
Other interesting tidbits include how close Crist came to persuading Miami politician Kendrick Meeks to drop out of the race for Senate -- a race tidily won by Marco Rubio -- and the fact that Crist was seriously considered to be John McCain's running mate before Palin was selected.
Crist writes that he and aides spent three days filling out a detailed questionnaire before McCain officials arranged an official meeting. The group, led by McCain confidant A.B. Culvahouse, met
Crist holed up at his parents' house in St. Petersburg for three days answering the McCain team's detailed questionnaire. "We set up in the living room and stayed there all day," Crist writes. Questions included how far he would go to get Osama bin Laden -- "Anything legal" Crist answered -- and if he believed in torture (Crist said "No"). - Miami New Times, 1/9/14
I bet you any money McCain is regretting that decision. I'm happy to have Crist over at Team Blue because he has a great shot at taking out Scott this year. If you want to get involved or donate to Crist's campaign, you can do so here:
http://www.charliecrist.com/