WSJ: Rumors Fly That Crist May Switch Parties

Sorry: I oversold the headline on a tip before seeing the story. It's not an all-caps sort of thing -- just speculation.

So here's the speculation, and apologies for getting up the screamer headline too quickly.

As you can probably guess, there is a lot of Bonus Points if I can be the first blog you've read giving you news, and I try to do that, and in this case, I let me Wanna Be First get ahead of my Wanna Be Accurate.

Is Florida Governor Charlie Crist the next Arlen Specter?

Some people, including MSNBC host Joe Scarborough and former Florida Rep. Mark Foley, are starting to say so. As Mr. Crist's poll numbers sink, he may have no choice but to drop out of the GOP Senate primary and run as an independent or Democrat.

...

Rumors that Mr. Crist may switch parties were furthered by his appearance with Mr. Obama in Tampa on Thursday to promote a $2.5 billion Florida high-speed railway that the federal government is funding. "I want to thank him on behalf of my fellow Floridians. To be able to generate tens of thousands of jobs right now is mission Number One," said Mr. Crist.

The two didn't engage in a hug as they did last February -- which Mr. Rubio has since capitalized on in his campaign ads. But Mr. Crist made a point of warmly shaking Mr. Obama's hand for a full 27 seconds. Three months ago, Mr. Crist was just as eagerly distancing himself from the president and the stimulus legislation. "I didn't endorse it. I didn't even have a vote on the darn thing," he said.

Thanks to AQ.

No I Won't Either: Crist's campaign says he won't run as an Independent or a Democrat.

For what that's worth.

Snarlin' Arlen said the same sort of thing, IIRC, right until it became obvious he was radioactive in the GOP.

posted by Ace at 03:27 PM

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