What office should Gov. Charlie Crist campaign for in 2010?
Gov. Charlie Crist looks closely at his portrait that hangs in Tallahassee City Hall. (AP Photo)
The countdown is on for the May 1 end of legislative session and, of course, an announcement from Republican Gov. Charlie Crist about whether he’ll seek re-election or run for the open U.S. Senate seat in 2010.
Earlier this month, I was alone in a Capitol elevator with Crist (and his security detail) and asked him what he was thinking about and considering as he mulls his decision.
He didn’t bite, but he did turn to me and ask if I had any advice for him. So I’ll pass that question on to our panelists here at The Forum:
What office should Gov. Charlie Crist run for in 2010 and why?
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The Forum
April 14th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Governor Crist should run for re-election because it’s best for Florida and his national ambitions.
Addressing Florida’s growing list of challenges is no small order. And whether you like Governor Crist or not, Florida still needs his middle-of-the-road governing style and reliable optimism. The last thing we need now – and over then next 18 months – is a series of bitter and divisive campaign fights which will distract us from our real problems and amplify fringe voices in both parties.
A Crist Senate run would also rob Florida of experienced leaders. Assuming both Alex Sink and Bill McCollum run to replace Crist, Florida will be left with a rookie CFO, Attorney General and Agriculture Commissioner at a time when we need stability.
With the bill coming due for a decade of indiscriminate tax cuts and an overreliance on growth funding, Florida desperately needs more of the reasonableness and balance we’ve gotten with Sink, McCollum and Crist sharing the Capitol dais.
When it comes to his own future in national politics, the Governor is far better off staying in Tallahassee.
Historically, Governors do better in national contests than Senators. Early punditry confirms this as almost all the anointed front runners in 2012 are Governors (Palin, Jindal, Sanford and Perry) or former Governors (Pawlenty and Romney).
If he chooses not to enter a national race in 2012 (and there are plenty of reasons not to), Crist and his political team are likely looking at their options in 2016. But then the calendar that favors Crist now works to his disadvantage; by winning a Senate seat in 2010, Crist will have to seek re-election at the same time he’s running a national campaign.
Serving another term as Governor, however, would give him two full, unencumbered years before 2016 to do what he does best – be a retail political candidate.
Assuming Crist wins either race, he gets to choose between leading a mega-state and being the newest member of an impotent caucus of Republican Senators (Democrats should have at least 61 votes after 2010). That doesn’t sound like much of a choice.
Can you see Charlie Crist wanting to do a Senator’s job – taking votes on contested judicial nominees or overseas family planning? Putting in the hours of closed-door negotiations with more experienced Senators? Or standing behind Senators like David Vitter, Jim Thune and Mitch McConnell at a press conference?
I can’t.
I suspect the Governor runs for re-election because he really cares what people think of him. And he has to know that if he goes to Washington now many Floridians will see him as the guy who ordered the surf and turf and skipped out on the dinner check.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Governor Crist should campaign for US Senate in 2010. Whatever decision he makes, he will win election next year. But the US Senate seat has clear benefits: No term limits in that position. He will continue to be a player in national Republican Party politics. He can expand his national connections and exposure. He would be an instant leader in the US Senate and policy making process as a Republican moderate in that chamber. And he won’t have to deal with Florida’s horrific fiscal situation and budget. No Republican will challenge him in a primary. The Democratic Party will likely save their money and not mount a serious effort against him (Four open Cabinet seats would be a better investment and effort for them). Going to the US Senate a good long term move for Gov. Crist and one that I believe he will make. That’s my two cents worth.
April 15th, 2009 at 7:57 am
I have strong feelings and disagreements with the administration on the issue of property insurance. I believe that Florida and insurance companies must fortify for the inevitable hurricane winds. We must collect sufficient resources up front to pay for the claims we know will occur. For the past two years, the State has decided to pay later, rather than fortify its financial picture for a rainy and windy day. If there is an opening in the governor’s position, the likely candidates for governor (eg, Sink, McCollum and Bronson) seem to believe that proper financial fortification is key to continued prosperity in Florida and that gives me hope.
April 15th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Considering we live in a state that has near double digit unemployment, ranks nearly dead last in high school graduation, has millions of Floridians without health insurance, an economy built on tourism and bulldozers, is arguably one disaster away from significant financial peril, and has a Governor who seems immune from making the tough choices that we need to move us in a new direction, I say run Governor Crist, because it moves us four years closer to my best hope for a better Florida: Governor Alex Sink.
That being said, and I know I am in a strong minority here, I don’t think he is a shoe-in if he runs for the United States Senate. Eighteen months is four lifetimes in politics and the record above will still be on the ballot. Senator Gelber and Governor Sink, now that is a team I get excited about.
May 5th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Agriculture Commissioner
The last time Governor Crist ran for re-election was 1994, so it is clearly time for him to move on.Let’s see. He has been Attorney General, Governor, Commissioner of Education and State Senator. Think of all the cool things he could do as Agriculture Commissioner. There is the Florida State Fair. I am almost sure the Commissioner gets unlimited rides on the Tilt-A-Whirl. Your department weighs the Lottery Balls….”Oh my goodness Carol, you won again!!” He loves fishing and the Department of Agriculture has the Aquaculture Division. Just think how many catfish he could catch in one of those stocked ponds. There are the cool icky insects down in Gainesville at the Division’s insect research lab. But above all, you get to see your name on the gas pump every time you fill up. I am really surprised that Newton, Schale, Custin and Delegal missed this option.