November 3rd, 2009
05:38 PM ET
6 years ago

Rubio hopes Crist-Obama picture speaks volumes

Rubio wants this image to resonate with conservative voters.
Rubio wants this image to resonate with conservative voters.

(CNN) - Pictures can speak a thousand words.

At least that's what former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio hopes.

The conservative Republican battling Gov. Charlie Crist for the GOP Senate nomination in that state has unveiled a new Web site showing a single full-page image of Crist with President Obama at a rally for the president's stimulus package last February.

"Get the picture?" text under the image reads. "Donate now to stand up for conservative principles."

Crist was one of only a handful of Republican governors to extend some support to the president's $787 billion stimulus package - a move that rankled some conservatives in his home state and across the country.

Since the Senate primary race began last May, Rubio has become the favorite of conservative Republicans while national party leaders are openly supporting Crist. Recent polls suggest Crist holds a 15 point lead over Rubio, a margin that is down from more than 30 points last summer.

The picture of Crist and Obama could resonate with conservatives in a similar way an image of Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman embracing President Bush resonated with liberal Democrats in 2006. Lieberman lost his Democratic primary to a liberal challenger that year, though won the general election as an independent.

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Filed under: Charlie Crist • Florida • Marco Rubio • Popular Posts
soundoff (176 Responses)
  1. sonny chapman

    Crist should have placed his personal political agenda ahead of the interests of the people of his state-just like the Honorable(just ask him) Bobby Jindal did in La., turning down unemployment benefits for the working people of his state–for their own good of course.

    November 3, 2009 11:21 am at 11:21 am |
  2. A. Goodwin

    Republicans: Ok to bail out the banks but not the American People.

    Conservatisim: all but dead. Let's put conservatisim where it belongs: IN THE GRAVE!

    Funny – I betcha more people will vote for Crist BECAUSE of the photo with Obama.

  3. Alan

    Yes - let's just watch this election which CNN reports is filled with "anger and frustration."

    If that "anger and frustration" isn't aimed at the Republicans who did so much to bring this country completely to its knees, almost dealing us the killer blow with the first "stimulus" that was little more than a $750-billion hand-out to friends in high places, as they enter the booth and remember how soon it is since we got rid of them...and how much repair is still needed after what they did, then this country will get what it wanted...1% billionaires and the rest of us living in cardboard huts outside their mansion walls.

  4. bush

    i hope GOP gets an other hit tonight

  5. Bubble of Sanity

    Crist is working with the elected president. So what? Why would anyone have trouble with that. I would think, rather, that this photo shows Crist has the president's attention and maybe even his respect. I wish more Demos and Republicans would feel that way and hope we don't have many in congress that are as jerky and immature as the haters that post in this forum on both sides of the aisle.

    Most of us want to get along and work together, and Crist seems to be doing that.

    November 3, 2009 11:22 am at 11:22 am |
  6. Tom C

    I am very concerned here. If these 100% no compromise conservatives start getting a little power, what do you think congress will be like. It has very little bipartisanship now. It will be the McCoys and the Hatfields, no discussion at all, my way or the highway attitude. When you follow Rush, Sean and Cheney and they start cutting medicare, social security, and other government programs and keep giving the rich corporations their tax cuts you just might be in for a rude awakening.

  7. James E

    Even though Crist tries to work across lines but he's simply a politician constantly flying around instead of getting the job done. His speech of presenting his conservative credential of cutting spending when in fact it is the economy forced him to do that. His support for the Amendment 1 flyes in the face of fiscal reality that state was losing money for the past 4 years and the current crisis exerbated the situation more forcing the state to raise fees on variety of things that resulted in sticker shock for the residents (GOP in Legislature decided on this). I wouldn't vote for both Rubio or Crist.
    Many of the Republicans took the money but like to complain because it is great politics to sell it to the voters instead of looking it from a fiscal point of view.

    November 3, 2009 11:23 am at 11:23 am |
  8. Ted Tartaglia

    Isn't it interesting that all of the new so-called conservatives are all former supporters of George W. Bush. After blindly supporting borrow and spend policies and wealth shifting from the middle class to the super wealthy, why are they so enamored of living within your means?

    They must all be disciples of the Rush Limbaugh School of Economics.

    November 3, 2009 11:25 am at 11:25 am |
  9. Terry from West Texas

    This is a typical cheap shot. Both parties do this kind of thing. I could find a picture of Newt Gingrich embracing Bill Clinton and put a caption beneath it that said: "Newt gives Liberalism a hug." Now we all know that Gingrich was behind Clinton's impeachment, and I suspect that those two men are not friends.

    Only fools fall for this kind of crap. Unfortunately ...

    November 3, 2009 11:26 am at 11:26 am |
  10. File under "Sarcasm"

    With a double digit lead over Rubio, I doubt one picture will change the dynamic for Crist. It's interesting however that Rubio's political calculation is that associating Crist with Obama is a negative that will benefit him in the primary but not hurt him subsequently in the general.

    November 3, 2009 11:27 am at 11:27 am |
  11. Peggy

    I know Crist isn't the typical conservative Republican. He accepted money from the stimulus to benefit the residents of Florida (I am one). I think it's sad that moderate Republicans are treated like traitors if they try to be bipartisan. The Democratic Party has room for moderates; why not the Republican Party.

  12. Saboth

    So what are conservative principles? Crashing our financial system with no oversight? Ruining the US's world reputation? Illegal torture and wars? Running up the biggest deficit in history? Big brother government performing illegal wire taps?

    I'm really sick of the whole "Morals and values and conservative ideals" repubs try and run on. Perhaps if they were really about small government, low taxes, and more isolationism, I'd go be right on board with them. As-is, although Dems do spend a lot, they at least spend it on American people.

  13. doug12342

    rubio is a right wing nut job with the huge deficit Florida is running he proposed to get rid of all property taxes what a genius this guy is. NO thank Marco go back to Miami where you came from the rest of Florida doesnt want a right wing wack job as our Senator Kendrick Meek is supposed to be the dem canidate he has my vote Crist is a horrable governer and would make and even worse Senator.

  14. Boytjie

    Crist better beware, the GOP can turn on him just as they did on their own candidate in NY23.

    November 3, 2009 11:28 am at 11:28 am |
  15. Nunya

    One has to wonder who you could tie the other guy to with pictures. If he's going to try that sort of smear tactics, he better be very sure what pictures of himself are out there...

  16. Hennessy Black, Racine,WI

    Conservatives have principles?

    When did this happen?

  17. Jack in Florida

    Rubio is way too conservative.......Crist use to be good until he decided to go with the wind...............come on democrats.....get a contender and beat both their butts....

    November 3, 2009 11:30 am at 11:30 am |
  18. Mike S., New Orleans

    Yes, we need to return to the conservative principals that gave us eight years of Bush, Cheney, Rove, wars, recessions, terrorist attacks, deficit spending, and destruction of civil rights.

    Gotta love those conservative principles.

    November 3, 2009 11:31 am at 11:31 am |
  19. JEAN - ATL

    Governor Crist strikes me as a practical man who did what was best for the people in his state. Why shouldn't he be seem with the president of the United States, especially when he has done what was needed at the time to keep them and us all from falling into a deep depression, which is exactly what would have happened if the Greedy Old Party had won the last election. I, for one, will never forget how we got here with the previous administration, and thank God for this president and the steps he and congress have made to save us. I am hopeful that we are, and will continue to come out of this recession with better regulations over our financial institutions, and personally better spending habits than we had before. Crist seems to be what congress needs more tha anything right now, a republican with civility and good commonsense.

  20. catmom

    What exactly IS the picture? A Governor trying to work with the President of the United States to do something good for the people of his state? Are Republicans trying to tell us that they feel that WORKING WITH the President of the United States to get things done for our country is BAD? Is that really what they want their message to be?

  21. Brian

    I guess the whole republican platform can be summed up in three words, get the picture.

    November 3, 2009 11:32 am at 11:32 am |
  22. Rafael VA

    Mr. Obamas approval ratings are low 50 near 40's so why would it be wise to hang with him? Christ is toasted I promise you he will be defeted in primaries.

  23. Doug, New Jersey

    With Obama looking to make this a socialist nation, taking away our rights, freedoms and wealth, and now Americans are no longer being fooled by Obama's lap dog media and their thrills running up their legs, this picture is not good for Crist.

    Good hearted Americans realize that we need a real conservative who stays true to his principles of decency, honesty, fairness, and limited government. As we have seen with Bush and McCain, when you try to compromise with Democrats and balk at their calling you a racist when you look to shut down their socialist agenda, you not only hurt yourself but the country as well.

  24. George

    It seems conservatives are determined to destroy the GOP. When they are done there will be no Republican moderates or anyone that doesn't agree with Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck left. I really can't see how a party of 2 million Fox viewers will win elections

  25. Informed Voter

    This image only helps Crist. He is seen as one of a handful of Republicans who has any sense left at all. He is able to be a "mavarick" and support what is good for the people, not the party.

    November 3, 2009 11:33 am at 11:33 am |
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