Crisped Crist

Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL) is contemplating an independent run for the U.S. Senate.  Down in the polls and likely to lose to the more conservative Marco Rubio in the primary election, Gov. Crist is unready to release his dreams of becoming a Senator.  Red Elephant welcomes him to run as an independent if he withdraws from the August Republican primary election.

It is unacceptable for Gov. Crist to somehow engineer a way to stay in the GOP primary while laying the groundwork for an independent candidacy in the general election ballot if, or when, he loses to Mr. Rubio. Just as it was poor conduct by Doug Hoffman to run as an independent for the U.S. House of Representatives after losing in the GOP primary in NY's 23rd congressional special election, so would it be in bad form for Gov. Crist to replicate the actions of a sore loser.

Primary elections exist so that voters may chose in which direction they want their party to go, and in which candidate they entrust to lead their party.  Gov. Crist may have decided he cannot lead the GOP.  If that is the case he should step aside in favor of Mr. Rubio.  If Gov. Crist thinks he can lead the state as an independent U.S. Senator he's free to make that choice, so long as he does not try to have his cake and eat it too.  Gov. Crist does not deserve to be a Republican candidate and later an independeant candidate after the party rejects him at the polls.

Why Gov. Crist finds himself in this predicament is another matter.  The situation he finds himself is what it is. What Gov. Crist does next will define him as a politician.  Given it is unlikely he wins the GOP primary election, Gov. Crist may need to come to terms with the fact that the career path he desires is out of reach for the moment, but forever out of reach by making the wrong decision.

First in Flight from Steele

NC Republican State Party Tom Fetzer today called for RNC Chairman Michael Steele's resignation.  This doesn't indicate a Steele resignation is inevitable, but it is a significant crack in the dam that is the RNC Members who have been silent until today.  Probability still favors Steele finishing his term.

Rule of Law

The announcement by American Crossroads, a newly formed 527 committee, that it has hired Steven Law as President and CEO is significant.  Mr. Law has very close ties to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), having been the Senator's chief of staff and National Republican Senatorial Committee executive director.

There is a potent combination aligning between the American Action Network (a 501 c3 & c4) and American Crossroads. Involved in both of these new groups are Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie.  These are very smart, well connected people who have total understanding of RNC operations.  What this means is that RNC Chairman Michael Steele will stay where he is despite his gaffe prone performance because the real action will be elsewhere operating in a manner such that Steele cannot interfere.

With a reported $30 million in pledges already, American Crossroads is off to a spectacular start and will be a major player in the 2010 mid term election.  Meanwhile, the RNC will have a role in this year's election cycle, but the truth is Mr. Steele is there to keep the seat warm for his successor.  The wager is Steele won't manage to burn the RNC down until his replacement arrives in time for the 2012 presidential election.  There's not indication who that successor might be, but Mr. Law could emerge as a good candidate for the job.