John Cornyn Meets RedState.com

John Cornyn guest blogs on RedState.com to explain the NRSC endorsement of Charlie Crist.

The NRSC’s endorsement is not a reflection on Marco Rubio; it is a realistic assessment of both the 2010 Florida Senate race and the national map. With the Democrats standing on the precipice of a filibuster-proof majority, we cannot afford to lose this seat in 2010. Endorsing Charlie Crist will save the NRSC precious resources that can be used to fight in other states. It will also ensure that the strongest Republican candidate maintains control of this seat, and build our numbers with the resulting opportunity to shape policy.

While Rubio is certainly an up-and-comer in Florida, a recent Mason Dixon poll showed that he only has a 44 percent name ID among Republicans, which will ultimately force him to spend a lot more money introducing himself to Floridians. Govenor Crist, in contrast, has a 100 percent name ID among Republicans, according to the same poll. In a general election match-up with Democrat Congressman Kendrick Meek, Charlie Crist wins handily 55 percent to 24 percent.

The reaction by RedState.com readers is priceless.

itrytobenice

These guys aren’t leaders. Leaders lead. These guys are just desperately grasping onto their seats while the democrats use them for wallpaper.

Kitty

It was the Dem establishment that said that Hillary was inevitable. They gave Obama zero chance.

Is it so hard for you to understand that Republicans may want a Republican to represent them. I have a feeling that Crist would run better as a Democrat than a Republican.

Give the voters a choice - they may just choose the Republican

rcov092

so your solution is to elect someone who will be the swing vote in 2011 if we manage to defeat Cap & Trade this year? You wish to ensure its passage eventually by selecting a candidate who said he would have voted for the Stimulus and who would vote for Cap & Trade?

You are going to need to conserve your resources because you will not be getting my contribution this year.

bk

Jeffords, Chaffee, Specter, etc. That did real well for us lately didn’t it?

He made his point clearly. “If we think candidate X has a better chance of winning than candidate Y, then we’ll back candidate X regardless of principles or any other consideration.”

Just because someone made a clear argument doesn’t mean you have to agree with him if you think his argument is misguided.

bk, the base helped chase Chafee and Specter out of the party. Cheney chased Jeffords out of the Republican caucus. Ideological purity is what is making the GOP lose elections. Crist could run as a Democrat and still get elected to the Senate. The NRSC needs Crist more than Crist needs the NRSC.

I love Cornyn trying to reason with RedState.com. This was a waste of time on his part and RedState.com is not and never will be the right-wing version of Daily Kos. RedState.com hasn't gotten any Republicans elected. Daily Kos has increased the profiles and raised millions for Democratic candidates. The RedState.com grassroot movement is a joke.