The Tea Party claims a serious scalp
The Tea Party movement is on the verge of claiming its first major scalp, opting for conservative purity rather than the certainty of Republican victory. And a very well coiffured, silver scalp it is too, belonging to Florida’s Governor Charlie Crist.
Mark Mardell at BBC
Preston Scott opens his show on WFLA Talk Radio with the typical break-neck patter of the right-wing radio host. He’s as slick on air as he is thoughtful, intellectual when the red light goes off. Today he’s also a man who feels he’s achieved something worthwhile.
The Tea Party movement is on the verge of claiming its first major scalp, opting for conservative purity rather than the certainty of Republican victory. And a very well coiffured, silver scalp it is too, belonging to Florida’s Governor Charlie Crist.
For Mr Crist is to announce he’s abandoning his attempt to stand as a Republican candidate for the Senate and will instead fight as an independent (or “non affiliated” for any pedants or wonks among you: there is already a Florida Independent Party).
Preston Scott tells me why he has campaigned against the governor: “He doesn’t really stand for anything. I’ve described him as a political windsock. Wherever the political winds blow, that’s where he is. Many of us have grown tired of that.”
I suggest that may be the definition of a good politician, someone who listens to the mood of the people.
“It may be, but it’s not the definition of a candidate who is acceptable to people like me anymore.”
He adds: “The [Republican] party has decided it has to win elections. I believe it has to win hearts and minds and with ideas that are based on rock solid conservative principles.”
Mr Crist is standing as an independent because it is obvious he would be beaten by Marco Rubio, the former speaker of the Florida Senate, the son of working class Cuban immigrants.
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