Posted on 11/06/2006 11:35:50 AM PST by Diddle E. Squat
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The White House did not hide its irritation Monday at Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist for ducking President George W. Bush at a campaign rally in the Republican friendly Panhandle.
Crist said he considered the Pensacola area so firmly in his camp that it made more sense to campaign elsewhere in the state as the race to replace outgoing Gov. Jeb Bush tightened.
On a tarmac in Texas where the president boarded Air Force One for the trip east, Bush political strategist Karl Rove mockingly questioned what kind of alternate rally Crist could put together that would rival the expected 10,000-person crowd that Bush was expected to draw at the Pensacola Civic Center.
The White House already had distributed schedules saying Crist would introduce Bush at the rally.
Crist's opponent, Democratic Rep. Jim Davis, seized on the news.
"Now that the president is so unpopular, Charlie refuses to stand side by side with him," Davis said. "It says when the going gets tough, Charlie won't stand up."
Crist's chief of staff, George LeMieux, said the candidate already has strong support in the heavily Republican Pensacola area and thought his time would be better spent campaigning elsewhere. LeMieux said the decision had nothing to do with the president's job approval ratings.
Jeb Bush will attend the Pensacola event in Crist's place. Rep. Katherine Harris, who is mounting a lukewarm challenge to Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, will also be with the president. Before the September primary, Republican leaders failed to support Harris.
Bush is using the last day of his 10-state campaign swing to flush out GOP and swing voters needed to keep Republicans sitting in the governor's offices of Arkansas and Texas as well.
It is his fifth consecutive day of campaigning, traveling to states where his advisers believe he can best help fend off the Democratic threat to take over Congress and end up with a majority of governorships for the first time in 12 years.
After Florida, Bush is heading to Arkansas where the race for governor pits Democratic Attorney General Mike Beebe against Republican Asa Hutchinson, a former congressman and federal Homeland Security official.
The Beebe-Hutchinson faceoff for the open governership already is the most expensive gubernatorial campaign in state history. Overall, Beebe, who is leading in the polls, has raised $6.3 million and spent $5.7 million in his bid for governor. Hutchinson, a former congressman, has raised nearly $3.3 million and spent about $3.1 million.
Before returning to his ranch in Crawford, Texas, Bush is speaking at a rally in Dallas for Gov. Rick Perry, who is leading the polls in his re-election bid.
On Election Day, Bush plans to vote in Crawford and then fly back to Washington to wait for ballot returns.
Get a clue, granny.
All Harris did was HER JOB. She followed the rules as ANYONE would be expected to do. She saved NOTHING. Dont fall into that Liberal clap-trap, because there was nothing to save, because Bush WON.
Jeb Bush warned Republicans that Harris wasn't ready for primetime, and she went out there and proved it. Win or lose, Harris is NOT the best person we could have put in that role, and it is OUR fault for letting her win in the Primaries. Sure, vote for her, but dont get your facts twisted. We could have won that Senate seat with almost anyone else.
I though they were all together, except Crist, in the panhandle today.
I'm from KH's district and have had the pleasure of meeting her several times. She is nothing like the MSM (or even some here) portray her. The way in which she's been treated by the Florida GOP is inexcusable and I've told them they get nothing from me in the future until they apologize to her and publicly promise never to behave that way toward another pubbie ever again.
I don't care if he was upset, so is she at the way she has been ignored by her Party..you know...the one that SHE SAVED in 2000!
She followed the law. It took a lot of courage to endure the punishment that followed and the party should have treated her much better. Shame on the FL GOP and Jeb.
"I pretty sure he is gay too.
I expected the new gay republican scandal before the election. I am surprised it did not happen."
I sorta agree about the defense..
But, I think the loss of that extra point was the biggy...they went for it too early in the game...and were chasing it all day.
It was a bonehead decision...and matched the bonehead decision that TO made in the endzone.
I just can't like the Cowboys very much anymore...although I would like to see Romo do well...he has paid his dues.
I don't see anything in his Bio about his current family. My parents and a brother live in FL. and have told me his "personal" relationships aren't spoken about. If this guys in the closet or out he wouldn't get my vote, no matter who appeared w/ him @ a fundraiser/rally.
Who would you vote for then? FREEPERS are not allowed to vote any way except straight R regardless of the candidate. Haven't you been here long enough for you to know that? Huge sarc!!!!!
The democrats are a very weak party down here now. When I look at Crist, all I see is Mark Foley or Jim McGreevy from NJ. If that situation occurs here, all the hard work republicans have done in this state to build a strong conservative party will disintegrate.
The entire time he is in office I will be waiting for the other shoe to drop. He is already pro civil unions and is not a pro-life candidate. Also, low taxes are not his forte. Now this snub.
As far as the appointments go, you have given a valid reason to vote for republicans, but I have no guarantee that Crist won't try to sneak Souters into the SCoFLA or any where else. Also with democrats, when the next hurricane cycle hits, I believe the running in circles and screaming ala Blanco in La. will be their downfall.
I can't help but believe that Mr. Crist is the worst possible thing that could happen to the governorship. It's just a very hard thing for me to do. I'd say let the RINOs vote him in. I'm having a extremely difficult time supporting him with my vote.
Sadly, I agree.
He really reminds me of Jimmie Carter.
If Crist wins, he will have the power of incumbency to likely prevent a conservative candidate from running four years from now. When Justice Wells retires in 2009, how certain is everyone that Crist will appoint a conservative?
Really dumb move on Crists part. Saw video of the President in AR today. Was almost Reagan like in its power. President is in the groove in a way I have never seen him before.
You speak the TRUTH !!
The Bushes .....George, W, Jeb, Laura & Barbara are all a class act !!
It may be years before the world recognizes that this is a great man who stood steadfast and unwavering to protect civilization from the Islamofascist threat, but it will happen, just as President Reagan's greatness was not acknowledged until after he had returned to private life.
You are so right...that whole family has integrity, honesty..and are very kind.
None of them have deserved what they have gotten.
I don't know much about Jeb...just from the news, but he seems to have been a really good Governor. His brother, was my Governor, before he became POTUS..and he has been really good at both jobs.
Yes..it will probably happen just like it did with Reagan...I just hope that it happens while Bush is alive...and can know that he is appreciated.
Unfortunately, Davis is right.
I agree.
Fortunately, President Bush is still a relatively young man, and he's in excellent health. I can envision him as a wise and trusted advisor for many years to future presidents.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.