Crist v. Jeb for GOP Senate primary

Hey, a political writer can dream, right?

Let's stipulate that almost every name out there for Mel Martinez's senate seat is rank speculation at this point. But the fact remains that on the Republican side, only two people -- Charlie Crist and Jeb Bush -- could effectively clear the GOP field on a Senate race, just as Alex Sink, to a lesser extent, would on the Democratic side.

And for either Republican, the Senate seat would be their best shot at a long-term political perch that ultimately could lead to, say, the White House. Plus, wouldn't it be a fun to have a wide open governor's race in 2010 if Crist did decide to aim for Washington?

"I think the governor is really in the catbird seat right now. He's a formidable, formidable person,'' said 2004 Senate candidate Betty Castor. "And I don't know that the governor has to make up his mind right away. Everybody else probably does."

Her daughter, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, isn't expressing any interest, but how about Betty making another run for the Senate? "I would support Alex Sink,'' she said.

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Comments

Sink won't run. She wants to be Governor.

As for Betty Castor way too much baggage from USF. She should of stayed out in 2004 and let someone like Jim Davis run.

As for Kathy Castor, she's moving up and moving fast in the House leadership. She's going to be a leader in the House.

On the GOP side. I think Rubio will run regardless of what Crist does. Jeb won't run, he likes the executive role too much. Crist might run but he will get re-elected in 2010 and could run against Nelson in 2012. McCollum might run. Atwater might run. Adam Hasner would be your best candidate. Jewish, formidable fund raiser, from South Florida and young.

Jeb won't ever run against Crist. Crist is a terrible Governor, but for some reason, Jeb is scared of losing to Crist. This is why Governor Bush never made an endorsement in the 2006 Gubernatorial Primary. This is why Bush gave away his last appointments to Crist. This is why Bush rolled over and allowed Crist to unravel his legacy in Florida's executive branch. If Jeb can't stand up to Crist, then he is weak.

Please, Alex, run against Charlie. This Republican will support you in a heartbeat.

If you run for senate against a real Republican, I probably won't. Stick to running against Charlie. That's your best bet.

Allan Bense. I still have my sticker from 2 years ago! Go Bense Go!

How come nobody mentioned Frank Brogan?

the bush-pierce crime family was NOT BRED to be legislators, only LYINGCORRUPT"LEADERS"

interesting, as soon as pedro decides he has NO CHANCE, the R's begin jostling for the "opportuinty" to appeal to the remaining twenty-seven angry, white florida rednecks who are not already soiling their depends!!

Rubio for US Senate!

[zenator]

Jeb will run for senate. Bank on it. Been in the works for a while.

Crist will run again for Governor as expected.

[N.O. Morebush]

zenator how could Jeb do that when his brother has ruined the Bush name forever?

[terminator]

Zenator:
will it be a full time Governor or the part time "empty chair" governor we've had for the past three years?
maybe it's like Sansom's $110K part time college administrator job.
upon hearing Florida will have to cut the budget by another $2.2 billion for this fiscal year, Governor Charlie Crist said: "I'm optimistic blah blah blah".
The state of Florida will have sunk into the Atlantic Ocean/Gulf of Mexico by the time the 2010 election cycle hits.
We won't have to worry about Chuck Crist or Jeb Bush getting elected.

Alex Sink for Governor!
Jeb Bush for Senate!

[J. Brownhill]

Don't discount Katherine Harris just yet. There's more to her than meets the eye.

3:06 Common Sense and Nonsense.

[Mike Mayo]

The absolute ignorance of prognosticators in the media and the general "blogosphere" never ceases to amaze me.

First, Martinez is leaving the Senate - in part - because he will be relegated to virtual insignificance in the next Congress as a member of the dwindling Republican minority in the Senate. In fact, not only does the Senate work through a rather rigid seniority system (probably part of the reason why Senator Clinton is leaving to become Secretary of State), the Democrats have almost reached the 60-vote "filibuster-proof" majority. So, if Martinez runs and wins re-election that should not be considered much of a victory.

Also, if you believe for a moment that Governor Crist will run for the Senate you have completely and utterly LOST YOUR MIND! Crist has one of the best government and political jobs in the entire country, and he's got his sights set on the national stage - perhaps running for President in four to eight years. It is absolutely ludicrous to even suggest that Crist would even consider surrendering the Governorship of Florida to run for the U.S. Senate - to give-up a job where he can be an integral part of proactively shaping and implementing important public policy to become part of the GOP's dwindling, insignificant minority in that chamber of Congress.

Also, CFO Sink will NOT run for Governor against a popular incumbent Governor (which is Crist) - even though that is probably the job she desires. Instead, she will most likely run for the open U.S. Senate seat.

While much of this is pure speculation, one thing that is absolutely for certain - it is always interesting, entertaining and amusing to read these blogs. Good grief!

- Mike Mayo

[Mike Mayo]

One thing that is for certain, many conservative Republicans - both in Florida and throughout the nation - would love to see Jeb Bush run for the Senate. This is especially true of "social conservatives" (the evangelicals).

If Bush were to run, he would certainly be a viable candidate, despite the fact that the "Bush Brand" has been so terribly damaged by the buffoonery, ineptitude and utter incompetence of the current President.

It would seem certain that there will be a strong, aggressive campaign to recruit Jeb Bush to run for the U.S. Senate....

Who the F is Mike Mayo?

i can see the "Bush for Senate"
posters and tv ads now:

pictures of the "candidate" with his lyingdrunkenbrother!!

"we want more busch!"

yeah, thats the ticket!!

are you people for real??!!

Gov Crist needs to run for re-election & Jeb Bush will easily sweep the Senate seat.

If Jeb Bush announces, Gov Crist will not run.

Jeb would trounce Crist in a Republican primary & Gov Crist's political future would be over before it starts.

JEB WAS FL'S BEST GOVERNOR EVER

JEB FOR U.S. SENATE 2010!

3:34 bloviators and blowhards ... You are entertaining indeed!

" an integral part of proactively shaping and implementing important public policy ..."

MAYO, come on!! Are we talking about the SAME Charlie Crist??!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I agree with Mike Mayo, Gov Crist would have had to lost his mind to run for Mel's Senate seat. Usually Senators do not ever get to the White House unless your an African-American.

Even if Gov Crist was interested in a Senate run, he would still have an excellent shot at Bill Nelson's seat in 2012. Plus the fact Gov Crist needs to build his resume if he ever wants a shot at the White House.

Gov Crist will run for re-election as governor & may then run for Nelson's 2012 seat imo.

The U.S. Senate would be the worst place for the talents of Gov. Jeb Bush. His forte is in advancing conservative public policy and it would be wasted time and energy for many years in Washington.

If he wanted to run for the Senate he could have last time and won. His leadership capability would be completely stymied there.

This suggestion for him to run for Sen. Martinez' seat is ridiculous unless you really believe he would enjoy being a senator under a Democratic President with a Democratic majority, cold and cloudy weather, hot humid summers with no coastline and like watching your bills fail repeatedly for years.

great idea!

IF JEB BUSH DECIDES TO RUN ITS BECAUSE HE IS DOING IT FOR THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA... HE REALLY CARES ABOUT THIS STATE AND NATION! NOT FOR A STEPPING STONE!

mike:
you sure lay the mayo on thick.
Chuck Crist for POTUS in four years?
God help the USA if that ever happened. The only worse idea would be a Sarah Palin/Charlie Crist ticket. A lot of skeletons would come out of the closet.
Crist hasn't accomplished much in his three years as Gov except president over a state sinking into the abyss.
Chuck doesn't seem to have many answers or solutions to what ails the state except for silly sound bites and choreographed photo ops.
Maybe Greer could get elected RNC Chair too!
Have you completely lost your mind?

How does Jeb's "my way or the highway" attitude fit with being a freshman senator, a low one of 100?

[Edmund Burke]

Jeb would adjust and accommodate to fit the role as a Senator and in reality never be the "low one of 100" since he is far too smart and talented to ever be the low one in anything.

Crist is likely to figure out a way to appoint himself to this seat. being Governor, especially in these tough times, is very hard work. Being a Seantor is a pace better suited to the Governor's style.

Marco would be a wild card in this race. He is very smart, a gifted speaker, and has boundless energy. His main problem has been in who he surrounds himself with as key people. With stronger assets around him he woudl be a force to be reconded with in DC.

Bense is going to be bogged down by the way the TBRC ended up...not much done after much effort. He is a quality guy and would be a great Senator, but that TBRC effort turned out to be a fiasco. The House ran smoothly under his speakersip but policy wise it was seriously lacking in quantity.

The Senate seat is either best for Bush or Crist who both have rock star potential for very different reasons and all others fall way behind in impact and potential, except Marco has great potential to be a national player and finally a real rock star for Florida.

Jeb would crushed the field if he runs.