One has to wonder what happens as the GOP Bloodbath heads next. to Florida

[Perky]

I have always held that in politics it is the center that holds the power and not the wings. Wings typically are not strong enough on their own so they need Moderates to get legislation over the goal line and that means legislation winds up being less progressive than many on DU might like. HCR is a fine example of this, But the recently begun purge of moderate elements of the GOP creates something unique.

They apparently are going after Charlie Crist next in a closed Senate primary in Florida. I suspect that Crist would lose such a race a, but his response could be interesting. From what I have read we do not presently have anyone who is going to be competitive against the GOP nominee whether it is Crist or Rubio, He could pull a "DeDe" drop out and endorse the Dem or he could pull a Lieberman and run as a independent Republican or he could pull a Specter, bolt the party and run as a Dem. Not sure what he is most likely to do but he is ambitious and you have to wonder if the purge is to our benefit in the long run.

Do we want people in the Senate that we can't make assumptions about how they will vote? Of course not....still....keeping the Florida seat out of the GOPs hands can't be undervalued.

[Ineeda]

1. Charlie has not resigned as Governor

With his sinking poll numbers, it's possible that he will drop out of the Senate race to complete his term (up in 2011) or to run for governor again against presumptive Democratic candidate Alex Sink. When things ultimately heat up, I wonder if he'll be willing to subject himself to the inevitable scrutiny directed toward a Senatorial candidate. I doubt, in any case, that he'll turn Democrat. The closet isn't a popular place in our Party. Being a man in his 50's, he has secrets and they are sure to be revealed eventually.

[Perky]

2. I seriusly dout he would ever jump back into the Governor's race he would be called a coward.

His Best option would be to pull a liebermann and run as a independent Republican DOes not need a precedent, because it bery clear that the Cons are beginning a purge,

That would be sure to start a war tiht the cons and that would leav McConnel in a very bad position should Crist win. He would be anathema if he Let Crist into the caucus, I don't have much use for Crist, But I would rather have him in our caucus then theirs.

[Ineeda]

3. I don't think being called a coward would bother him that much.

There would be his claim that he reconsidered the Senate run because 'he can do more good as Florida's governor than in Washington'. And he'd have two years for any accusation of cowardice to die down before the next gubernatorial election. But you're right - independent might be his best bet to stay in politics. Repugs won't want him and neither would Dems, IMO.

[ej510]

4. His homosexual past would be outed if he turned dem. The repuke party would destroy

Crist. They would make him sound like Richard Simmons. The religious nuta will go ape shit and vote against him and end his career.