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Leading US senate candidate for the Florida Senate Marco Rubio has penned a scathing piece in NRO blasting current Governor Charlie Crist for his participation in the passing of Barack Obama's stimulus bill last year.
Crist’s Stimulus Support ‘Unforgivable’ and Reckless [Marco Rubio]
I continue to be disappointed by Charlie Crist’s unwillingness to acknowledge how his support for massive, unrestrained, and reckless federal spending is inflicting long-lasting damage on our economy.
Last year, Republicans and Democrats debated the best course of action for re-igniting America’s economy. While Republicans were advocating for targeted efforts based on broad-based tax relief and spending reforms, Charlie Crist ignored those efforts, instead siding with Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats in favor of the largest spending bill in American history. That bill added more than one trillion dollars to our national debt and raised the debt ceiling. This is a debt our children and grandchildren will inherit.
Our nation’s debt has exploded so rapidly that it is threatening our standing in the world, while significantly diminishing the options policymakers have to address the looming over-leveraging crisis facing our country.
In many ways, the stimulus is emblematic of Washington at its worst and underscores the differences between me and my opponent. Charlie Crist remains a leading voice in support of a stimulus that was falsely sold to the American people as a job creator, was rushed through the legislative process with little chance for review or revision, and was loaded with special-interest pork that will do nothing to help the 1.1 million Floridians who are without work.
Now, after a year in which independent analysis has proven its failure to meet the objectives under which it was sold, those in Washington and around the country who committed America to this failed policy continue to place their political careers above the best interests of our country.
The differences between my opponent and me on the stimulus and on the virtues of limited government versus a heavy-handed, big-spending government represent the defining issues of this campaign. Although Charlie Crist’s support for big government policies has diminished his standing with Floridians who believe in the free enterprise system, I hope it won’t continue driving him to the desperate measures we’ve seen from him lately in a vain attempt to change the subject.
Floridians deserve a serious debate on the major issues and challenges of our time, and I hope Governor Crist will engage in this kind of campaign moving forward.
Update:
Campaign spokeman Alex Burgos adds the following:
Two polls released this week show Charlie Crist trailing Marco Rubio by 18 points. Two of his top campaign advisors have jumped ship. And former Governor Jeb Bush is now saying what more and more Floridians are thinking – that Charlie Crist’s support of the stimulus was “unforgivable.”
So what does Crist do? Focus on governing? He hasn’t been doing much of that for three years, so why start now. Will he make his own compelling case for bigger government and more spending, and let the chips fall where they may? Nope, he still insists on calling himself a “Reagan Republican.” So instead, he has opted to lash out with his most false, negative and personal attack on Marco Rubio to date.
“These desperate attacks aren’t the work of a 'happy warrior' being civil, but they are clear signs Charlie Crist is giving up on a real debate on the issues in favor of bitter character attacks.”...
Governor Charlie Crist has refused to debate his senate primary rival Marco Rubio for months.
FINALLY, now that he is losing in the polls , he has decided to debate Rubio during Cris Wallace's Fox News Sunday.
RUBIO FOR SENATE COMMENTS ON UPCOMING DEBATES
Miami, FL – Marco Rubio for Senate today released the following statement following Governor Charlie Crist’s decision to finally accept Rubio’s call for debates.
“After eight months of waiting, Marco Rubio is pleased Charlie Crist has finally accepted our long-standing invitation to have a real debate on the issues affecting Florida's and our nation's future,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos. “For nearly a year, Charlie Crist has avoided a serious policy debate or an honest discussion of his record. Instead, he has relied on the broken politics of shrill name-calling, cynical reinvention and petty attacks.
“Only now, when his campaign is increasingly desperate and willing to say and do anything to turn the tide, has he apparently realized the importance of a substantive debate on the issues.
“FOX Network has shown serious interest in this primary campaign since day one and was the first national news organization to extend an invitation for a debate. Marco Rubio gladly accepted immediately and will be happy to debate Charlie Crist on Meet the Press or anywhere else after he has kept his commitment to have the first debate on FOX on March 28. No national news organization has shown greater interest in covering this race than FOX. It’s unfortunate that Charlie Crist doesn’t understand this."
It's about time!! I have chronicled Rubio's repeated requests for debate and Crist's seemingly endless quest to refuse them.
Here are some of those stories starting in JUNE of 2009:
Current Florida Governor ,US Senatorial candidate, and moderate Charlie Crist was booed at the 2010 CPAC conference in Washington DC yesterday.
The boos occurred during the introduction of Crist's rival, conservative republican Marco Rubio.When DeMint happended to mention Crist's name, the BOOS began. DeMint proceeded to introduce Rubio as the Keynote Speaker for the first day of the event.
(From CPAC 09)"Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R), who publicly supported President Obama's economic stimulus plan, finished last with 1 percent. Crist, who did not attend the conference, was booed by attendees, and pollster Tony Fabrizio, in announcing the results, called him "Barack Obama's favorite Republican."
The boos THIS year came just before the 1:00 mark of this video as Senator Jim DeMint introduces Maroc Rubio to the crowd.
After DeMints eloquent introduction, Rubio went on to receive several standing ovations during an inspiring and insightful 30 minute speech. Click here to watch to speech.
This week we're looking forward to Marco's appearance at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, where he will be delivering the opening keynote speech. Below are some additional details on this Thursday's event, including information on how you can organize a watch party with fellow supporters. In his latest video, Marco talks about why this event and speaking opportunity is so important. Watch here:
In celebration of this occasion, supporters all around the state of Florida will also be hosting evening house parties where they can view the speech together. If you are interested in watching his speech with some of your relatives and friends on Thursday evening, please just email Luis@MarcoRubio.com so we can get you set up with the private webpage information.
Thanks for all of your support! This opportunity has been made possible by the support and encouragement of people like you who have stood with Marco. We hope you'll share in this important event.
Sincerely,
They said someone like me (a Rubio supporter) might use the line above and they were right! I just did.
The Rubio campaign sent out a recap of the week email to supporters which included the following.
CHARLIE AND THE DESPERATION FACTORY
Crist attacks Rubio's character to mask his deep love of bigger government, more spending
Miami, FL – Desperate Charlie Crist is at it again. At a time when his poll numbers are lagging and he sees Marco Rubio raise $860,000 in ten days while continuing to attract support from respected conservatives Mike Pence and Grover Norquist, Crist is launching yet another false, negative and personal attack on Rubio under the cover of a sweet Valentine’s Day treat.
“Charlie Crist’s love of higher spending and taxes will get him nowhere with Floridians this Valentine’s Day and certainly not in August,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos. “These desperate attacks aren’t the work of a 'happy warrior' being 'civil,' but they are clear signs Charlie Crist is giving up on a real debate on the issues in favor of bitter character attacks.
"Given his long track record of dirty campaigning, we have long expected Charlie Crist would go this route of negative attacks. Charlie Crist has chosen this path because he can't win on the issues, but Marco Rubio remains committed to campaigning on a limited government and free enterprise platform to get Florida and our nation back on track."
The Rubio campaign just announced a stunning total for the Marco Rubio Stimulus Bomb.
Here is the PR:
Thursday, February 11, 2010 Contact:
RUBIO FOR SENATE RAISES OVER $800,000 IN TEN DAYS
Miami, FL – Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate today announced that it received more than $860,000 in campaign contributions during the past ten days through its www.StimulusBomb.com campaign and from Sen. Jim DeMint’s Senate Conservatives Fund. The ten day total is nearly half of what the campaign raised during the entire fourth quarter of 2009.
“I’m encouraged by the support we’ve received this month from people who believe a return to limited government is what will keep America free and prosperous,” said Rubio. “We are pleased with our progress, but also realize we have a long way to go to compete with one of the most prolific fundraisers in political history."
This effort marked Rubio for Senate’s best fundraising week since the campaign first launched last year. The money raised was more than double what Rubio raised in the second quarter of 2009, and nearly matched the $1 million he raised in the third quarter of 2009. More than 11,000 contributors donated to both the Rubio and Senate Conservatives Fund stimulus campaigns, with donors registering an average contribution of approximately $75.
“Today’s encouraging news would not be possible without Marco’s positive, issues-based message and the growing support of people who support his vision for limited government principles,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos. “Unfortunately, we are going to need every single penny raised to refute the increasingly desperate and dishonest attacks Charlie Crist has been launching at Marco Rubio on a daily basis.”
If you live in or near Ft. Myers Florida you should plan to attend the rally being held by senatorial candidate Marco Rubio on Wednesday Febuary 10th.
The Rubio campaign issued the following information last Friday.
MARCO RUBIO TO MARK FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF CRIST-OBAMA STIMULUS RALLY
February 10 event in Ft. Myers to be held at same venue as 2009 Crist-Obama rally
Miami, FL – To mark the first anniversary of the Ft. Myers Crist-Obama stimulus rally, U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio today announced he will join Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey at a FreedomWorks PAC event next Wednesday, February 10. The event will also mark the culmination of Rubio’s Stimulus Fundraising Bomb effort (http://www.stimulusbomb.com/), which was launched on February 1 with the goal of raising $1000 for every $1 billion wasted on the stimulus – $787,000 in total.
Next Wednesday’s event is precisely one year to the day that Governor Charlie Crist joined President Barack Obama at a pro-stimulus rally at the Harborside Event Center in Ft. Myers. Just a week later, the President signed the $787 billion stimulus bill into law.
“Every day, I am encouraged by the growing support I see for limited government principles throughout Florida and our nation,” said Rubio. “February 10 marks the first anniversary of Governor Crist’s embrace of a failed stimulus policy that has neither stimulated our economy, nor prevented the dramatic job losses that have taken a toll on over 1 million Floridians and families.
“Although Governor Crist may want Floridians to forget he ever endorsed this wasteful policy, this will be an opportunity to remind everyone about his pivotal role in putting our country down a path of reckless spending and bigger government. Through Wednesday’s event and http://www.stimulusbomb.com/, I invite limited government conservatives throughout Florida and the country to send a message to Governor Crist that our government shouldn’t spend money it doesn’t have and that a return to limited government is what will make America exceptional and prosperous.”
The following event is open to the media:
Wednesday, February 10
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. EST
Rubio speaks at a FreedomWorks PAC event marking the first anniversary of the Crist-Obama stimulus rally.
Harborside Event Center
1375 Monroe Street
Ft. Myers, FL
NOTE: Doors open at 6:00 p.m. EST
Conservative author and talk radio host Mark Levin "goes off" on current Florida Governor Charlie Crist for comparing himself to Ronald Reagan.
Moderate republican Charlie Crist is running for the Florida US senate seat vacated by Mel Martinez. He is running against the more conservative former House Speaker Marco Rubio in the republican primary.
Crist has recently started moving towards the center and often trying to compare himself to former President Ronald Reagan. Apparently this does not sit well Mark Levin.
Levin worked in the Reagan administration so I assume he knows of what he speaks. Levin believes that Crist is better compared to Arlen Spector and goes on to say that Marco Rubio IS Reagan-like.
...Marco Rubio talked to Fox 35 about his close race against Crist; his thoughts on unemployment; healthcare reform; illegal immigration and several other issues...
Marco Rubio announced plans for a major new e-campaign project during a conference call with bloggers this morning. He is lauching what spokesman Alex Burgos calls a Stimulus Money Bomb. The Goal? 787 Thousand dollars by Feb 10th. The site will be launched sometime today. It is a huge goal but they feel it can be reached. This campaign is separate from the "money bomb" currently being run by the Senate Conservatives Fund.
The Rubio campaign is confident that they reach this goal by Febuary 10th.
Rubio's current "footprint" on the internet includes his participation in several social networking sites. Here is a current list: Facebook 15,968 followers Twitter 8,542 followers Ning Network hundreds of followers and growing dailey.
Update: Here is the video from Marco Rubio in regard to the "Stimulus Bomb"
Here is press release just sent out by the Rubio campaign:
Miami, FL – In the run-up to the first anniversary of the February 10 Crist-Obama stimulus rally, Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate today launched a Stimulus Fundraising Bomb with the goal of raising $787,000 in ten days.
With an appeal powered by principle and technology, www.stimulusbomb.com is a vivid call to action for Floridians and others around the country to voice their support for limited government principles and against the failed Crist-Obama stimulus.
“Every day, I am encouraged by the growing support I see for limited government principles throughout Florida and our nation,” said Rubio. “America cannot continue on the current administration’s and Congress’ path of reckless spending and government expansion that began with the $787 billion stimulus. That initial step has only served to embolden Washington Democrats to pursue even more costly and intrusive policies on issues like health care and cap-and-trade.
“Governor Crist was wrong to support this wasteful and failed stimulus policy and has repeatedly put his faith in more spending and bigger government to create jobs. Through this fundraising effort, limited government conservatives throughout Florida and the country can help send a message that our government shouldn’t spend money it doesn’t have and that limited government is what’s made America great and prosperous.”
