George LeMieux named Florida's new senator

Gov. Charlie Crist entered the hushed and historic Senate chamber of the Old Capitol at 11:36 a.m. to introduce longtime confidante George LeMieux as Florida's new junior U.S. senator. The room erupted in a standing ovation as the pair reached the front of the room in full view of the crowd. "Are you surprised?" Crist asked as he walked past.

Crist said he made his decision Thursday night, and summoned LeMieux to the Governor's Mansion to tell him at about 10 p.m.

LeMieux replaces Mel Martinez, who is resigning with about 16 months remaining in his term. His wife Meike entered first with their three sons, Max, Taylor and Chase. The choice is not a major surprise, and it will focus new questions about LeMieux's advocacy on issues such as gambling and his law firm's legal work for the state. The selection also signals that Crist is not worried about a major backlash from the GOP's right flank: LeMieux is a moderate who shares Crist's populist views, especially as they relate to utility companies and other corporate interests. 

After a second standing ovation, LeMieux read a brief statement. "There are tremendous issues facing this nation, and although my time in Washington will be brief, I intend to work every day to address these critical challenges and serve the people of this unique, diverse and wonderful state."

The new senator said it is his love of Florida and his sons' future "that make me most proud of this honor and make me relish the work ahead."

Calling LeMieux a dedicated public servant and "a great man," Crist said: "He will serve well. He has even argued a case before the United States Supreme Court ... his public service is extraordinary."

"I'm happy for my friend and I'm extremely happy for my state," Crist said. The two men embraced as

Crist briefly paid tribute to the nine other contenders for the Senate seat. "I want to thank all the wonderful people who went through this process," Crist said. "This is a grueling thing to do."

The historic and high-ceilinged chamber was packed with Crist staff members, legislative staffers, some lobbyists and Republican Party employees, including chairman Jim Greer. 

LeMieux, a 40-year-old lawyer, served as Crist's chief of staff in his first year as governor, as chairman of his campaign for governor in 2006, and as deputy attorney general and chief of staff during the four years Crist was Florida's attorney general. The two men forged a political partnership in the late 1990s when LeMieux was chairman of the Broward County Republican Party and Crist was running for the U.S. Senate.

Crist could face criticism for appointing a political insider who has never held elective office, and a man who strongly encouraged Crist to negotiate a deal that expanded gambling on Seminole Indian reservations. As Washington insiders know, LeMieux was instrumental in Crist's decision to avoid appearing with President Bush on Election Eve 2006 in Pensacola, a decision that infuriated Bush's senior political adviser, Karl Rove.

Comments

[The Gift That Keeps on Giving]

Charlie just turned the complete fiasco of this selection process into the best punchline.

Charlie supporters are jumping ship based on the phone calls and emails flying around.

Thanks, Charlie!

[Blago]

This pick makes Roland Burress look extremely qualified.

[CRIST=SPECTER]

This comes as no surprise. Chuckles the Clown is the most corrupt governor we've had in this state's history, and this latest action proves it.

He just named a crony to fill his seat, a crony who has been raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for his joke of a senate campaign. This smells of Blago, and everyone should open their eyes to this cronyism.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

So lets go out and interview 20 people and then come to the decision to pick my chief of staff.

Laughable.

Why does Florida like this guy?

[terminator]

FloriDUH is going to hell in a handbasket with guys like Chuckles and Frenchie leading the charge over the cliff.

Talk about dumb and dumber. What's next Jim Greer for the Nelson Senate seat?

All Floridians should be sick to their stomach with this pick.

[Clearwatermike]

The choice is a disaster. It makes the selection process looks like a charade. Do you think any of the fine people he interviewed and their supporters with forgive him for the farce he put them through? There is a reason that of the ten governors who appointed themselves to a vacant Senate seat, only won in the next election. Appointing a shadow of himself makes every misstep by LeMieux becomes a Christ misstep. What was Crist thinking? Rubio probably can't believe his luck. The next poll will show the ludricous wisdom shown in this selection.

[Clearwatermike]

Whoops, left out an important word. Only ONE governor won after he appointed himself.

[Ballard Smack Downdown]

Ballard was trying to take George out of the runing with leaked articles to the media and his friend Roger Stone to discredit George. This is a smackdown to them.

[Disgusted]

I think I just threw up in my mouth. Go Rubio!

[what a goober-nater]

simply offensive

[rich get richer]

The only thing this appointment does is make GL richer. This was obviously a favor to a friend to further help his career.

[Cynical Idealist]

Chuckles can kiss his senate bid goodbye.

[CRIST=SPECTER]

Rich get Richer/1:00pm:

This is not only a favor to the Frenchman. Chuckles the Clown will EXPECT the Frenchman to deliver Washington money into his campaign.

The fact that this do-nothing disgrace of a little "man" would appoint a HACK like the Frenchman is absolutely outrageous. This guy will deliver ZIPPO for Florida, and as a Floridian I am truly offended that he would choose a crony to fill that seat.

FLORIDA DESERVES BETTER THAN THIS DISGRACE OF A POLITICIAN.

LET'S SEND CHUCKLES THE CLOWN BACK TO HIS RENTED CONDO IN ST. PETE. ENOUGH OF THIS! WE NEED TO HAVE SOME PRIDE IN OUR STATE AND OURSELVES.

[LIVID]

I am not one prone to blogs and etc, but this truly saddens me. Charlie Crist is the worst Governor Florida has ever had. He does not even pretend to put the state before his own political ambitions. He his used his "Hi, my name is Charlie" routine and the relentless press releases to get undeserved positions of power over and over again simply because he looks good in a suit. Florida, we elected a guy who had never been married, had no children, nor did he own a home, nor did he ever pay propert taxes. A fellow like that is an adult without any inkling of what it takes to hold a family together.. or simply to have to put someone else first (ahead of yourself) day in and day out. If he really cared for Florida, even if it had to be someone in his own party, he should have picked someone with the background to represent our state in a very complicated congressional process, at a very difficult time in our history and with so much at stake....is there any clause in our constitution to recall the governor? To pick the guy whose nose is permenantly attached to your a.. just to make sure that he will keep your political interest in mind by only being a seat warmer while you run for the seat. Why did'nt you just select yourself? The guy you picked could not even beat Tracy Stafford in a house race whom at the time could not even walk the district because of medical problems. Then you , governor Crist, elevates this guy to the US Senate just because he can kiss your a... longer than anyone else. Comon!!! Have some integrity, ... actualyy care about the citizens of Florida...PLEASE.

I have watched legislators abuse the spending of taxpayor dollars by redecorating whole offices when they become so called leaders, I have watched legislators who know nothing about how the world works acend into political power because they had nothing else to do but travel the state and help raise money for other legislators... many have no track record of succes outside of feeding from the public troff much like you.. governor. Then there is the secret votes among friends about who will be the next Senate President or Speaker of the House. Should'nt the voters decide on such leadership if we are going to give them so much power. Our budget committees have been chaired by people who have never had to sign the front of a check for an employee in their lives. Many have never had real jobs outside of what they have conned out of voters.

Now you, Governor. You have abused our trust for your own naked political ambitions. Maybe your father can talk to you. Maybe you will look at yourself in the mirror honestly.

I AM LIVID

[Argument Man]

"LeMieux is a moderate who shares Crist's populist views, especially as they relate to utility companies and other corporate interests." Steve, you're still missing the point: neither Crist nor Lemieux hold any views. Their populist attacks are meant solely to create problems that only "they" can solve, Crist via political money and Lemieux via clients. What a machine, I have to give them credit.

[RPOFTitanic]

Appointing a lobbyist to the US Senate is simply brilliant. I'm all warm and tingly right now.

[CRIST=SPECTER]

LIVID/1:33pm, very well articulated.

[The "Forgotten" People]

Exactly what did you expect from a microwave tanned, hair dyed, lying, closet gay, fake wife sport’n, unaccomplished empty suit… who spent the first half of his/hers/whatever’s first term jet-setting, pimping for McCain, finding a faux wife, and serving up our state to corporate interests… and will spend the second half of his/hers/whatever’s first term running for a Senate seat he no more deserves than the sap crony he appointed to hold the seat for him… all while our state continues to sink ever-so deeper into the economic, government spending, and quality of life abyss?

This is why we’re, “Last in Education; First in Corruption!”… and why we’re known to others as “Floriduuuh!”

[Amazing]

This is so disappointing. Goes to show what type of people we have representing us, OOPS, sorry, they don't represent us, just themselves.

[Boca Grande]

Hey Livid, Lemieux has all the qualities you say CC lacks: family, home, property taxes etc. He is taking a HUGE pay cut. He is a good man. He will vote well.

[jacob watson]

I say burn him

[Ranger]

Charlie calls George a good public servant? What public did he serve? Oh my bad, his service was to Charlie. Laughable

[Bluto Blutarski]

Boca;
What's your cut on the deal?

[Tired of the GOP sneaks.]

Want a good laugh?

Only one blogger thinks that Charlie made a good pick.

He must be out of work and looking for favors from Chuckles, Frenchy, and the rest of the GOP clowns.

Did you notice that Chuck posed with Frenchy and his kids
to show that there was no hanky panky going on?

PLEASE wise up fellow Floridians and don't send another joke to Washington.

Enough is enough.

[Marilyn J. Cunningham]

I am not in favor of government
running a health insurance program.
Lets fix the fraud that seems to be
rampant in the system now. Also I
expect Congress to fully investigate
the Acorn Organization and it's many
dealings. Stop the funding of Acorn
until a full investigation has been
done and either they are cleared or
brought up on charges of fraud.

[JUNE ANDERSON]

I understand something was passed in the Senate yesterday regarding the publishing of the Health Care Bill. I also understand that only portions of it will be published. Why not all of it and let me decide what I want to read? This is not the transparency our President promised. I don't like it. I suppose next they will be editing what we can see on TV, read in the papers, magazines and listening to on the radio. Doesn't sound like freedom to me.