Charlie Crist's fading mojo

Charlie Crist has always courted national media attention and lately - for better or worse - he's getting it in spades.

There was the Wall Street Journal piece on disgraced lawyer/fundraiser Scott Rothstein, featuring a front page image of Crist with Rothstein, inscribed, "Scott-you are amazing! -Charlie Crist."

Today's New York Times puts Crist's political troubles on the front page.: As Mr. Crist was introduced at the Ronald Reagan Black Tie and Blue Jeans Barbeque at an open-air rodeo in this Central Florida town this month, hecklers with Rubio bumper stickers on their backs called out, “Go Hug Obama!”

Politico's headline today: Charlie Crist loses his mojo.

Over at CNN David Frum offers a take on Marco Rubio much more sympathetic to Crist: They used to have a saying in Tammany Hall: "It's better to lose an election than lose control of the party" -- and control of the party is precisely what is at stake in Florida 2010.

But here's the most important unasked question raised by the enthusiasm for Rubio among Washington conservatives: What alternative policy should have been adopted back in the spring, when interest rates had been cut to almost zero and the economy was still collapsing? Are vague bromides about big government anything like an adequate response to the worst economic crisis experienced by any American under age 80?

Times Union endorses John Thrasher in Senate District 8

Florida Times Union editorial board says "Thrasher is best pick": If you want someone to go to Tallahassee and cast conservative votes, you shouldn't feel disappointed, regardless who wins the Tuesday special election to represent District 8 in the Florida Senate....We believe Thrasher is committed to District 8 as much as the other candidates and, based on his record, he has the potential to accomplish more.

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Editorial boards mighty unimpressed with George LeMieux pick

Tampa Tribune: In choosing his longtime political confidante and former chief of staff George LeMieux to fill Mel Martinez' seat in the U.S. Senate, Gov. Charlie Crist did what he usually does: what's best for Charlie....While no outrage, the choice of a political operative is hardly inspiring. Still, we wish Florida's new senator good luck.

Orlando Sentinal: It's also not hard to imagine Mr. LeMieux lending his ear to some interests more than others. An attorney, Mr. LeMieux's firm represents U.S. Sugar and Florida Power & Light, among other corporate clients. We hope he'll show better sense than extending them carte blanche.

And better judgment than when he steered Mr. Crist to select Jeff Kottkamp for lieutenant governor. Floridians can thank Mr. Martinez for this state of affairs. For no good reason he quit on them. And they can thank Mr. Crist, who in his choice of Mr. LeMieux again placed his interests above theirs.

Marco Rubio is National Review's cover boy: 'Yes, HE CAN'

Marco Rubio is on the cover the new National Review - a coup that should help the Miami Republican raise some national money from grass roots conservatives. The writer is John J. Miller, who has written several pieces critical of Charlie Crist:

On paper, it looks like a mismatch between an unbeatable juggernaut and a doomed also-ran. 

Yet Crist may be vulnerable: He warmly embraced President Obama’s stimulus spending and is one of the most liberal politicians in the Republican firmament. Rubio is among the brightest young stars on the right. Their contest could become the sleeper race of 2010.

Olbermann blasts Brown-Waite on health care

MSNBC's liberal firebrand Keith Olbermann blasted Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite on Monday night's Countdown for her cozy relationship with the health insurance industry. He included the Brooksville Republican in a larger segment that noted Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats who received big money from special interests and oppose a public health care plan.

Olbermann highlighted Brown-Waite's stuttering delivery of the much-quoted "drop dead" speech and then noted the $369,255 she received in campaign contributions from the insurance industry in past years.

For the full dress-down, read below.

Glenn Beck hearts Alan Grayson

The order of the universe is now in doubt.  Democratic U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson is touting praised heaped upon him by Glenn Beck over Grayson's grilling of Federal Reserve Inspector General Elizabeth Coleman (supposedly the most watched congressional YouTube clip ever) .

"Check out the fine work being done to keep up on things at the Fed. Skip to about 3 minutes where Alan Grayson asks about $9 trillion in off-balance-sheet transactions - the answer is amazing," said Beck, who posted the video on his site.

Grayon's office said they got an e-mail from Theresa, a Beck fan in Tavares: "Although I am a registered Republican, I would definitely vote for you if you continue to do the right thing instead of automatically following party lines. Holding her feet to the fire and not permitting her to wiggle out of answering your simple questions was a sight to see! I am truly proud of you!"

 

VanSickle, Paul, Wilson launch new PR firm

From the release: Erin VanSickle, former communications director for the Florida GOP, today announced the launch of Capitol Energy Communications, LLC. Capitol Energy Communications is a unique partnership between VanSickle and government affairs consultants Jerry Paul and Rob Wilson of Capitol Energy Florida, LLC. Capitol Energy Communications will provide strategic communications services combined with energy policy and legislative expertise.   

“Capitol Energy Communications will offer distinctive communications services, helping clients face today’s industry challenges and effectively share their ideas with key Florida and national stakeholders,” said VanSickle. “Offering a broad range of customized services and an extensive network of Capitol contacts, CEC features more than 50 combined years of consulting expertise.”

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Story behind Sink, McCollum plane story

Steve Bousquet column: The motives of the people circulating news of Sink's trips is not at issue here. Rather, it's how reporters avoid being manipulated for partisan advantage. My colleague Mary Ellen Klas and I quickly determined that while some Sink trips were questionable, it did not make sense to limit our review to her travel when her opponent also flies regularly and his travel data is in the same file as Sink's.

What the McCollum side wanted was a blast against Sink that would provide the essential underpinnings for a mail piece or TV ad hammering her for travel abuses.

To limit our reporting exclusively to Sink, we decided, would make us an accessory of the McCollum campaign, not to mention provide a poor service to our readers.

You spoke, Buzz listened

Per reader feedback you'll notice that Buzz is returning to its old format, with older comments coming first and newer ones later. Keep those suggestions coming.

Buzz blog wins Green Eyeshade Award

Buzz won first place in the Society of Professional Journalists' Green Eyeshade awards, as best blog in the South.

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