I've written several diaries about the widening rift between the McCain campaign and the Florida Republican Party -- from McCain McCain kicking Florida's GOP chair off of his plane to Gov. Charlie Crist skipping a McCain rally in Florida to go to Disney World. The rift has been worsening by the day, culminating today with Crist and the GOP party calling BS on McCain's smear tactics and running away from John What's-His-Name.
Say what you will about Charlie Crist, the man has keen political instincts and knows how to survive in the ruthless political jungle. He knows when it's time to distance himself from a weak member of the pack, and he clearly views John McCain political value nearing its expiration date.
Jonathan Martin at Politico reports that in a fly-around today in Florida, Crist could barely bring himself to mention McCain's name:
Crist mentioned McCain at each of the three stops, but only fleetingly, devoting more time to candidates like Nancy Detert, running for an open state Senate seat in Sarasota.
I find this rather astonishing. Crist is a popular Repug governor in a state that is crucial to the Repug presidential candidate's electoral win, and Crist can barely bring himself to urge people to vote for him. Some might chalk this up to Crist holding a grudge for not being picked as McCain's VP, but Crist would tie himself to McCain if he thought it would help his political fortunes. Clearly he thinks not.
Not only did Crist barely mention McCain's name today, he tried to put a 10-foot pole between himself and McCain's latest lame attempt to smear Obama:
Crist was asked about the attacks from many McCain supporters that Obama is advancing a "socialist" agenda.
"I imagine different people have different definitions. I don't think it looks that way to me," he said.
Ouch. Florida GOP chair Jim Greer made his strongest statement yet today to distance the state's Republican Party from McCain. He made it clear that the party does not endorse McCain's slimy tactics:
Sen. McCain's campaign has utilized its own strategies that it's developed and the party has provided as much assistance as possible to that particular strategy," (Greer) said.
Jim, could you be any LESS enthusiastic?
Asked about the divisive tone struck by McCain and running mate Sarah Palin in recent weeks, Greer said they were not representative of the RPOF's efforts to focus on issues and policies.
"I think that Sen. McCain has to consider political strategies that are unique to his campaign and don't necessarily reflect how the governor or I as chairman feel," Greer said.
Double ouch. The state's GOP party reported yesterday, by the way, that it has decided to not spend all its money on McCain's sinking fortunes.
Folks, we're in for a tough fight to win Florida. But it is definitely doable. John McCain's campaign tactics are not going over well here, even within his own party. Early voting is upon us, so let's do everything we can to get out the vote. I signed up to volunteer today. How about you?