Republican Death Spiral Watch: Florida edition
Republican Strategist #1: Oh, here's a welcome bit of good news: The Republican Governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, will run for senator in 2010! He has high approval ratings from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents! When Crist announced his intention to run, Congressional Quarterly shifted their rating of this race from "tossup" to "leans Republican". This is great! What can we do to support him?
Republican Strategist #2: I know! Let's get behind a right-wing challenger, Mark Rubio, and spark an ugly primary battle that will force Crist to tack to the right, damaging his standing with the Democrats and independents! That way, we can either replace our enormously popular candidate with one who is less popular, or at least damage Crist enough so that he'll be more vulnerable to a Democratic rival! He may still win, but we'll have to spend a lot more money and energy than we would otherwise have to!
Republican Strategist #1: Sounds like a great idea!
Republican Strategist #2: It work so well with Arlen Specter we managed to chase him out of the party!
Republican Strategist #1: Think of the ideological purity we will be able to achieve!
Republican Strategist #2: I know! Let's get behind a right-wing challenger, Mark Rubio, and spark an ugly primary battle that will force Crist to tack to the right, damaging his standing with the Democrats and independents! That way, we can either replace our enormously popular candidate with one who is less popular, or at least damage Crist enough so that he'll be more vulnerable to a Democratic rival! He may still win, but we'll have to spend a lot more money and energy than we would otherwise have to!
Republican Strategist #1: Sounds like a great idea!
Republican Strategist #2: It work so well with Arlen Specter we managed to chase him out of the party!
Republican Strategist #1: Think of the ideological purity we will be able to achieve!
Comments