Will “the Hug” Be Crist’s Albatross?
Can a hug cost the nomination? That’s what Floridians are asking.
Marco Rubio has less political experience than Charlie Crist. And he hasn’t raised nearly as much money in his run against the governor for U.S. Senate. And he still lags behind the governor in polls leading up the November race.
But he hasn’t hugged Barack Obama.
And that just may be his ace in the hole.
The former republican House Speaker has seized on a February photo that shows Crist hugging Obama as to why he is the better candidate.
And it appears to be working because he has recently swept 12 republican straw polls, tripled his fundraising and cut the governor’s lead in the polls by half.
Now the question remains: Will the hug go down as The Hug? As it did for John McCain when he hugged George W. Bush during the 2004 presidential election, which is described as the “defining moment” of McCain’s career?
This hug occurred early in his Presidency when Barack Obama had favorable ratings of 60%+. The Stimulus, which was opposed by all House Republicans and all but three Republican Sanators has not accomplished what the administration had hoped in terms of creating jobs and reducing unemployment. Will this hug be the albatross that sinks Charlie Crist’s Senate hopes?
Hat tip: NBCMIAMI.COM
[1]
Conservatives are honing their skills in NY23. Will a victory in the Empire State whet their appetite for more RINO takedowns? Will promanent conservatives like Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann become involved? It’s going to be an interesting three years.
[2]
I suspect if Palin is inclined to support Rubio over Crist this might also be the first State race where she will actively campaign for the candidate. What’s not to like? You get away from the Alaskan winter for a couple of weeks. Do some hard campaigning during the day. Sip wine on the veranda in the evening with hubby. Maybe twinkle your toes in the sand at the beach for a day off. All expense paid I might add.
Its a win-win-win-win.
[3]
Rubio is better than foley wanabee crist, but he will be an amnestyite.
A moot point I suppose, as amnesty will have already passed before the next erection anyway.
[4]
“Notwithstanding, however, in the same interview, Candidate Rubio explains, at some length, his current position on illegal immigration. Rubio claims that he is “strongly against amnesty” and illegal immigration, and that he fully supports border enforcement. To bolster his position, Rubio reasons that rewarding illegal immigrants by legalizing them demoralizes legal immigrants and law enforcement agencies. Rubio emphatically asserts that he will never support “blanket legalization amnesty.”
Link.
Mixed signals on his amnest stance.
[5]
The timing of the hug? How is that an excuse?
Anyone with two brain cells to rub together knew Obama was a military-hating marxist thug more than a year prior to this hug.
He had made his plans known for climate change, for socialist health care, for redistribution of wealth, and for the defeat of the US in the war on terror long before this damn hug.
Charlie Crist is a suck up, and should pay politically for this hug and his support of the economy-destroying stimulus bill.
[6]
drdog09 -
“Do some hard campaigning during the day. Sip wine on the veranda in the evening with hubby.”
Who knows, drdog, Sarah may even “go rogue” on Todd a few times. Looking at the size of their brood, it appears she isn’t suseptable to frequent headaches,
[7]
We can hope Crist loses but it is still a long shot.
On the other front-if health care is to be stopped I believe that McConnell has to win big in Virginney. Hoffman has to upset the cart in NY 23 and Christie (hold your nose) must eke out a win in New Jersey.
At that point moderate and blue dog Dems will have their back to the wall with a strong message from the Northeast, the most liberal Dem area in the US of A going against the Dems and Obama.
Imagine how Dems in Conservative states and districts will feel at that point. The tidal wave would be coming.
Anything short of that makes Obama still think he has a mandate for what he is doing.
[8]
‘Tax Refugees’ is a very interesting title to apply. Add in the fact that the earnings cap that the Feds just applied to many bankers and NYC is losing billions in tax revenue. I smell another bail out coming…
See drudge, he has the link.
[9]
Mulletover -
From what I have seen, Crist is an opportunist. This occured in the first 30-45 days of the Obama presidency, when The One was far more popular. I’m sure Crist didn’t realize how quickly Obama would self-destruct.
The thing Crist didn’t realize is how conservatives would come together through the Tea Party movement and other events. If you follow conservative websites, you realize how strong the opposition to RINOs has become. Many conservatives, like BJGers, have stopped donating to the GOP. That means more money will be flowing to people like Rubio, Hoffman, Bachmann and SarahPAC.
[10]
Anything short of that makes Obama still think he has a mandate for what he is doing. — MI
I won’t disagree with your observation. Problem is narcissists don’t think like you or me. Or care about you or me. Remember, Obammy said he would be satisfied with being a one term prez if he get his agenda thru.
[11]
Rasmussen -
Has Obama at -11 today (49 approve/51 disapprove). Obama is running at -4 with women and -17 with men.
Ras also has Christie up by 3 (46/43).
[12]
Hoffman Up by 5%
Dede is folding faster than the Cowboys practice facility in a windstorm.
I don’t care what anyone says. This is the most important elevction on November 3.
Hat tip: Real Clear Politics
[13]
BC,
Good inside joke on the Cowboys. Most won’t get it tho.
— Wash. Times piece.
Yes Virginia there IS a Santa Claus. A trifecta of wins might be the best stocking stuff for this ole Boy has had in a couple of years.
[14]
Even though the RINO doesn’t deserve it, Sarah Palin supports Chris Christie via Fracbook:
[15]
Hmmm….not sure this Christie endorsement will help him much at this late date. My guess is she is thinking the signal an R sweep next week will send a bigger message. It wouldnt have bothered me if she didnt endorse him, he is a dork.
[16]
Gonna have to lay in a good bottle of wine for next Tuesday…comes in handy either way the night goes!
But I’m starting to think it may be more in celebration than despair.
[17]
Just one?
[18]
The best case scenario is that the governors for VA & NJ politically go into the republican column. Hoffman winning the seat in NY-23 would be like frosting on a cake —> sweet!
What is needed now is visible voter discontent in order to dislodge fear into the veins of conservative/moderate dims. Keep remembering that the HC bill continues to be the mother ship of pending legislation hanging over our heads. This is our immediate concern. So I think it would be wise to put aside the RINO rhetoric barbs, and support the possibility of a sweep as a strategic way of avoiding Obamacare.
By Palin’s late endorsement, she certainly sees the larger picture, rather than parsing details of the depth of Christie’s conservatism.
[19]
Crist and Rubio or no different than any other politician. All of them will be caught up in the upcoming Conservative tsunami. Tsunamies, when they occur, are very devastating to many people in many places and in fact are known to have effect on locations tens of thousands of miles away–even if these faraway places don’t suffer from as much devastion.
So where did this political tsunami originate from? Is been boiling like a some undersea volcano that’s been dormant for hundreds of years. Lets go back to President Bush I, who ran on Reagan’s coatails but ended up giving us two terms of Clinton. Bush II gave us Obama and huge majorities in both houses of Congress. Congress has leaned had been leaning left for generations but it has moved even further to the left in recent years. Last but not least are the individual politicians whose votes on key legislation perhaps has the greatest impact on creating the tsunami.
Every time certain politicians (Republicans are soley responsible for this, because Democrats are doing what is expected of them) casts key votes that take away more freedoms (ObamaCare, Cap and Trade, higher taxes, immigration policies, banking) it is like the US Navy dropping depth charges on that dormant volcano. They keep dropping them and dropping them, and at first their targeting was off or the size of the charge wasn’t sufficient enough to do substantial damage, but these politicians have had many years of experience and have the ability to create their own money to pay for as many charges as needed. It was only a matter of time before they discoverd the correct charge size and the correct placement before they set the tsumami off. Let us call their most successful depth charge by its correct name: amnesty.
Rubio and Crist, Chrisie and Corzine, Reid and Tarkanian, McDonnel and Deeds, and all politicians will feel some effect of the Conservative tsumani that that has been unleashed upon them. Of course, some politicians will feel its devastation more than others, but they will feel it nonetheless. One thing about tsunamies: once they have been released there is no stopping them and the only thing that anybody can do is get out of the way. Problem is there are too many politicians who want to get out of the way of the upcoming tidal wave, but the bus is full and its out of gas and there is no driver and somebody keeps dropping Alaskan depth charges on them.
[20]
A TRIFECTA IS IN THE MAKING,
IT’S OURS FOR THE TAKING,
McDONNELL,HOFFMAN,& CHRISTIE,
MAKES YOUR EYES A LITTLE MISTY,
THIS POLITICAL TSUNAMI HAS THEM QUAKING
[21]
Good points CT.
This is really the first time in a long time that conservatives have been organized and are willing to stand up to the GOP establishment.
[22]
Thanks BC
And thanks to IP for reducing my post to 23 words. Well done.
[23]
O/T–this is only the first of many.
Don’t worry, the marxist has a plan. And John Kerry will be in charge.
[24]
When is the Crist/Rubio runoff?
[25]
Morning fix: NY-23 as 2012 litmus test? Link
[26]
Good Washington Post article on the Hoh resignation, PG. He seems like a thoughtful man who has front-row experience in the Afghan theater.
I’ve heard the same thing he said about localism versus nationalism in other interviews…that Afghan has little to no understanding of nationalism. The average Afghan’s identity viewshed is all about the tribes they belong to, rather than the country.
[27]
Last minute endorsements do make a difference. Palin can help Christie with conservatives like us who may skip going to the polls.
Crist’s endorsement of McCain cost Mitt Florida at the last minute and led to the wonderful Barack win in November.
[28]
hristie=Christie=wake up
[29]
My take:
1. Hoffman wins
2. Landslide win in VA
3. NJ likely to be very tight as Christie will get the most votes but the Communists will try to Franken him out of the win
Two out of three for sure
Trifecta would be sweet and a huge shot across the bow of the Communists re HellCare
[30]
MFG-Are you suggesting the Democrats will try to conjure up illegal votes to win? Possibly using union thugs? Having dead people vote?
Scaring Rep from the polls? Finding a judge to keep certain inter-city precincts open for hours while they round up more voters?
You are a true skeptic of fair politics!!! Shame on you!
[31]
bc3b: Crist is an opportunist
That’s him.
HA has video of Rubio.
Video: Rubio on principles and winning
The primary is not until August 2010. Rubio is going to win this one.
[32]
[33]
Oh, thanks INC. I had the feeling it was imminent. Wow, plenty of time to get rid of that phoney-baloney Crist!
[34]
Rubio knows who to pick for a photo op!
Tebow hugs him near the end.
[35]
NJ likely to be very tight as Christie will get the most votes but the Communists will try to Franken him out of the win
I can see a high possibility of that happening, MFG!
[36]
What a “change” to hear someone speak lovingly about this country —-> Rubio. He is indeed a fascinating and sincere-sounding candidate!
Thanks for the video links, INC.
[37]
Bruce, you’re welcome!
Here’s a really brief video of Rubio. As you can see he’s a very comfortable speaker.
[38]
Jan, you’re welcome–just doing my part!