It's official: the Club for Growth has endorsed conservative upstart Marco Rubio in Florida's Senate race, over moderate Gov. Charlie Crist (R).
This should come as a surprise to no one: Rubio has been accumulating national support from conservatives since the beginning of his campaign. In May, conservative bloggers (the most prominent being RedState's Erick Erickson) began criticizing NRSC Chairman John Cornyn for backing Crist, and then, in June, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) backed Rubio as well--all amid accusations that Crist was too moderate.
The Club is in the business of supporting fiscally conservative
candidates, sometimes in primaries against incumbent Republicans. In
the 2008 election cycle, they launched an offensive against Rep. Wayne
Gilchrest (R-MD), who, thanks to the Club's efforts, lost his primary
to conservative Andy Harris, and the seat eventually went to the
Democrats.
(This trend on the Club's part, by the way, has not gone unnoticed. Some would say that it's better to keep a moderate Republican in office
than to lose the seat altogether.)
But now, the Club's moment seems to have arrived. The conservative
grassroots have been swept up in fiscal conservatism, and they're fresh
off a semi-victory in NY-23, where the Club backed Conservatve Party candidate Doug Hoffman and became one of the central financial players
in the race, spending almost on par with the big boys--the Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee and the National Republican
Congressional Committee--adding just over $1 million to the race, including bundled donations.
The Republican, Dede Scozzafava, eventually had to drop out, Hoffman
lost, and the rest was history. It proved, at least, that conservative
pressure can trump GOP backing for a liberal Republican candidate.
"Marco Rubio is the real deal, one of the brightest young stars in
American politics today, and a proven champion of economic liberty,"
Club President Chris Chocola said today. "He is a dynamic spokesman
for the principles of limited government and economic freedom, and he
will make a fantastic Senator."
Which is true. He's held office before, and he's generally regarded as a better candidate than Hoffman--a bit sharper and more ready for the big time.
There's a solid chance that the Florida Senate primary will be a bigger
deal than NY-23. Expect the Club to lead the way in getting some money
to Rubio and attacking Crist with TV ads.
"Some would say"?? C'mon, Chris. Who'd say that? The professional Party people who want to keep their cushy jobs, their consluting contracts (yes, I spelled that right), their VIP passes and their other perks?
What about those of us who have principles, Ideals, and spines? Those of us who believe in Real America?
Club for Growth is bankrolling Palin's book tour, they're going to get Rubio elected (or at least he'll win the primary!) and they're going to take over the GOP someday.
"For the last time, all of America is the real America."
-Liz Lemon
What the hell is "Real America"? Elaborate please.
they're going to take over the GOP someday
That's a plenty scary thought. The signature candidate from the "Club for Growth at any Cost" (Doug Hoffman) supported massive immigration and some form of guest worker scheme. Both of those would give more power to the Dems and increase government spending and thereby taxes on their supporters.
As for Marco Rubio, the person who questioned him about this topic as described at the link didn't ask the questions required in order to find out exactly what he would and wouldn't support, but he appears to support the same things as Hoffman. Based on the Rove and Jeb Bush support, he - like Hoffman - is probably quite GWB-like on this issue.
IOW, the people the "CFGAAC" are pushing would make what they whine about worse.
More Republicans like Almatt, PLEASE.
You know, the ones who think keeping GOP seats is a lesser priority. I can totally live with Republicans like that!
I think ALMATT is being facetious
It should be noted that Crist is a closeted gay man, a widely known open secret in Florida. The GOP has all but made gay-baiting and bashing a key part of its agenda. Won't be long before we see this race get much uglier. The GOP created this right wing monster and it is going to doom it regional party status. I say good riddance.
"But now, the Club's moment seems to have arrived. "
Let me get this straight, they launch a holy civil war on a moderate Republican in a district that should have easily gone to the GOP, force her out, costing the GOP $1M or so in the process at which point she turns and supports her former Dem opponent, trump up their own "vetted" candidate and then lose the election to the Dem candidate who initially had no chance? This is their moment?
So what exactly is their moment? A McCarthy like purge of moderate Republicans, closing the flaps on the big tent and regulating the GOP to a 20% regional (Southern) party with no national influence? If so, I'm all in, let's drive Crist out, hell, Rubio better be waving more flags and being a lot more vocal on his hate of all things "Real Americans" hate or we should throw him out to. Who cares if they start losing the South to moderately conservative Dems, at least the GOP will be the party of purity in their eyes.
Thumbs up on the strategy CFG!
Darn tootin' right! Better purity than a bunch of sell-outs.
The Club is not fiscally conservative. It's not fiscally conservative to support tax cuts uber alles, regardless of context-- ie, skyrocketing deficits and wars. Bush was not fiscally conservative, Reagan was not fiscally conservative. The last fiscal conservatives, if "fiscal conservatism" has anything to do with deficits and debt, were Bush Sr. and Clinton, who the Club regards as its mortal enemies.
If Truth in Advertising laws were enforced in the political arena, the "Club for Growth" would have to rename itself "The Club for Greed." The word "growth" somehow implies that things get better economically for everyone, not just for the 2% of Americans whose interests are represented by these people.
They should certainly be allowed to keep the word “Club” in their name, since one of its definitions is a thick stick used as a weapon.
Just out of curiosity, is there any instance of the Club for Growth financing a primary challenge when the moderate GOP candidate was in trouble for the general, the CfG-endorsed challenger winning and then going on to win the general election?
From what I can recall, the Club either loses primary challenges (sucking up lots of general election dollars in the process) or wins the primary and then delivers the race to the Democrats in the general.
So far, it seems to me like the Club and its tea party imitators have an unbroken record of failing to get their candidates elected. If history is a guide, Crist will win the primary or Rubio will lose the general.
Exclusive video: Rubio (@marcorubio) addresses the Pinellas GOP.
http://bit.ly/1zDpnA