Could Charlie Crist make a comeback?

[Lloyd Bentsen's Ghost]

Charlie Crist has indicated he may be endorsing Obama sometime this year.

Could he run against Rick Scott in 2014 as a Democrat? Should he?

[MilesC56]

Yes. PPP tested him as a Democrat for 2014 and he'd beat Scott by like 54-38.

[Emperor SJoyce]

Yes. PPP tested him as a Democrat for 2014 and he'd beat Scott by like 54-38.

In all fairness, I (or any living person, and some dead ones) could run as a Democrat and beat Scott. But Charlie's not done with politics yet, writing opinion pieces like this one (http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/article1224203.ece. His wife's switched to the Democrats already, he's done public events with Alex Sink, Bob Graham, Al Lawson, and Kathy Castor, and he's donated to Patrick Murphy. Florida does need an independent thinker a la Lawton Chiles or Claude Pepper, not another partisan like Rubio, Scott, or Meek, and Charlie's gonna be better than Scott. With his current favorability rankings (42%-33%), he has a real shot at a comeback, especially with Nan Rich and (presumably) Alex Sink in a Democratic primary; Sink/Rich would split the Democratic base, and Charlie'd run up big margins among African-Americans, teachers, conservative Democrats, and Tampa Bay. He can, and will, return.

[ajc0918]

Of course he can.


Crist 2014

[Senator Napoleon]

Crist is a loser.

[RogueBeaver]

Crist is a loser.

This. The less we see of that race-baiting (all but calling Rubio a coconut twice in 2 debates- and I haven't forgotten) fecktard, the better.

[Jayhawker]

Yes. PPP tested him as a Democrat for 2014 and he'd beat Scott by like 54-38.

In all fairness, I (or any living person, and some dead ones) could run as a Democrat and beat Scott. But Charlie's not done with politics yet, writing opinion pieces like this one (http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/article1224203.ece. His wife's switched to the Democrats already, he's done public events with Alex Sink, Bob Graham, Al Lawson, and Kathy Castor, and he's donated to Patrick Murphy. Florida does need an independent thinker a la Lawton Chiles or Claude Pepper, not another partisan like Rubio, Scott, or Meek, and Charlie's gonna be better than Scott. With his current favorability rankings (42%-33%), he has a real shot at a comeback, especially with Nan Rich and (presumably) Alex Sink in a Democratic primary; Sink/Rich would split the Democratic base, and Charlie'd run up big margins among African-Americans, teachers, conservative Democrats, and Tampa Bay. He can, and will, return.

Crist had some conservative views as Governor, and I think if push comes to shove, the more liberal Democrats in the race could easily expose those issues, alienating him with many Democrats. If what is going on now stands in 2014, why would Democrats nominate a Centrist when they could win just about as easily with a liberal?

In order for Crist to comeback, he'll have to get a break in the primary (weak opposition) or run as an Independent. And I'm saying this as someone who supported him in 2010.

[Emperor SJoyce]

Yes. PPP tested him as a Democrat for 2014 and he'd beat Scott by like 54-38.

In all fairness, I (or any living person, and some dead ones) could run as a Democrat and beat Scott. But Charlie's not done with politics yet, writing opinion pieces like this one (http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/article1224203.ece. His wife's switched to the Democrats already, he's done public events with Alex Sink, Bob Graham, Al Lawson, and Kathy Castor, and he's donated to Patrick Murphy. Florida does need an independent thinker a la Lawton Chiles or Claude Pepper, not another partisan like Rubio, Scott, or Meek, and Charlie's gonna be better than Scott. With his current favorability rankings (42%-33%), he has a real shot at a comeback, especially with Nan Rich and (presumably) Alex Sink in a Democratic primary; Sink/Rich would split the Democratic base, and Charlie'd run up big margins among African-Americans, teachers, conservative Democrats, and Tampa Bay. He can, and will, return.

Crist had some conservative views as Governor, and I think if push comes to shove, the more liberal Democrats in the race could easily expose those issues, alienating him with many Democrats. If what is going on now stands in 2014, why would Democrats nominate a Centrist when they could win just about as easily with a liberal?

In order for Crist to comeback, he'll have to get a break in the primary (weak opposition) or run as an Independent. And I'm saying this as someone who supported him in 2010.

He did have some conservative views, which could endear him to conservative Democrats up in the Panhandle/North FL. As for the teachers, as one who's been taught by these teachers, they still remember the veto of SB6. And as a Tampa Bay resident, we still remember and like Crist. His basic coalition doesn't need the liberal Democrats. The Democrats have nominated centrists before (Sink) over more liberal candidates (Moore), and are likely to do it again.

[GPORTER]

This is a man who would turn a government house into the waffle house. He in 2006 republican primary called himself a true conservative and attacked his opponent for not being conservative enough. Now hes an independent, and is flirting with becoming a registered democrat. He really doesn't have a record, its all waffleing.

[GPORTER]

What would a Scott (R) vs Sink (D) vs Crist (I) race in 2014 look like, with all three participating in telivised debates?

[Grumps]

[GPORTER]

What would a Scott (R) vs Sink (D) vs Crist (I) race in 2014 look like, with all three participating in telivised debates?

I think Scott could pull that race out narrowly and Sink would spend the entire campaign trying to convince Crist to quit the race, but she would make another gaffe of 2010 sort in the middle of October 2014.

[MilesC56]

What would a Scott (R) vs Sink (D) vs Crist (I) race in 2014 look like, with all three participating in telivised debates?

I think Scott could pull that race out narrowly and Sink would spend the entire campaign trying to convince Crist to quit the race, but she would make another gaffe of 2010 sort in the middle of October 2014.

I don't think Crist would be inclined to go the Independent route again.

[Reginald]

It wouldn't be surprising to see him try, and it wouldn't be too surprising to see him succeed either. Which is unfortunate, because I like to see obvious opportunists like Crist fail (if the only alternative is Rick Scott, however, I would be less bemused).

[OC]

He will only take votes away from the Dem nominee and allow the GOP candidate to win.

[Speaker Dereich]

He will only take votes away from the Dem nominee and allow the GOP candidate to win.

Not necessarily. There's still groups of Republicans who like him and will vote for him. Not necessarily huge ones, but still. I have a few family members who are Republican who voted Crist last time and would/will next time.

Anyway, in a Crist/Sink/Scott match up I'd expect either Sink or Crist to collapse pretty quickly and consolidate around whoever looks stronger. But really, the likeliest thing is Crist running as a Democrat, probably beating Nan Rich and Alex Sink. Then again I think people underestimate Sink a bit too much, I wouldn't put it past her to pull it out.

[Bacon King]

Crist is a loser.

On that note, I'll just put this link right here.

[MilesC56]

Crist is a loser.

On that note, I'll just put this link right here.

Wow...I didn't know he had fallen that far.

I still think he could make a comeback though, especially against Scott.

[ajc0918]

Crist is a loser.

On that note, I'll just put this link right here.

Wow...I didn't know he had fallen that far.

I still think he could make a comeback though, especially against Scott.

He's also on billboards with his face and in large lettering "For the People".
But I wouldn't feel so bad for him, John Morgan, the head of Morgan & Morgan, is one of the largest democratic fundraisers in Florida. He would most likely be able to get him money, and I'm sure Crist has some loyalists he can tap money from.

Remember, Crist is still popular in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. If he runs for anything he'll have support from Tampa Bay.