The other day, I relayed some informed speculation that Charlie Crist could face a serious primary challenge from his party’s right wing if he were to run for Senate – despite his lofty poll numbers. That’s because Crist is carving out a very public profile these days as a moderate, particularly with regard to stimulus spending.
But apart from a few non-insane fellow travelers like Arnold Schwarzenegger, the GOP has made opposition to the stimulus the sine qua non of modern-day Republicanism. The Florida GOP is no exception, and now its most conservative faction has trotted out George P. Bush (Jeb!’s son) to chide Charlie:
George P. Bush may not be ready to follow his father, grandfather and uncle into politics just yet, but he is trying to help the Republican Party regain a conservative message, which on Saturday included criticism of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.
Bush, the son of former Gov. Jeb Bush, grandson of former President George H.W. Bush and nephew of former President George W. Bush, addressed a national conference of young Republicans and told them there is a rift in the party between fiscal conservatives and what he calls “D light” — Republicans trying to appeal to the political middle.
“There’s some in our party that want to assume that government is the answer to all of our problems,” Bush said. “I’m not going to name any names.”
Of course, he did go right ahead and name names:
Afterward, Bush said he doesn’t think Crist is a fiscal conservative and that he may have hurt himself with some Republicans for his appearance with Obama and his support of the stimulus plan.
“That will be on his track record, and people are going to remember that,” Bush said, adding that Crist is running the risk of falling in the “D light” category of the party.
“There are numerous actions that I have seen legislatively that do not speak to a strong conservative; it speaks more to a moderate,” Bush said. “That’s fine, but when you run as a conservative and then you lead as a moderate, that’s one thing that any leader would have to reconcile.”
Could this be a prelude to a fierce moderate-vs-conservative primary fight for the Senate nomination? Or could malcontents like George P. even be hinting at a gubernatorial challenge, if Crist chooses to stay put? This isn’t just a fight for the soul of the Florida Republican Party, but really the GOP itself. Crist is their most prominent moderate on the national scene, and from the wingnut point of view, he must be kneecapped.
I’m starting to really believe we could see a major R-on-R food-fight here. Let’s at least keep our fingers crossed!
Can’t wait!
Another Bush (in politics)! Just what we all need.
“”There’s some in our party that want to assume that government is the answer to all of our problems,” Bush said.”
No asshole, just the answer to putting right your uncles’ screw-ups.
I almost get the sense that Crist is going to bolt the Party. Almost. 🙂
He seems to think Obama’s going to remain very popular, and is doing everything he can to tie himself to the O-Train.
the GOP eating their own.
There’s been bad blood between Crist and Jeb Bush for quite a bit. Crist built his popularity as governor, in part, by rejecting Bush’s approach and legacy. That Bush’s son would criticize Crist isn’t a stunning turn of events.
Which is about a third of the total stimulus package.
http://www.google.com/hostedne…
OMFG..if I had that name I would search for bin laden so i could hide in his cave with him…that way no one would know where the f*%# I was
that Crist wins a Repub primary.