Washington (CNN) – Sen. Jim DeMint said Wednesday that Florida Gov. Charlie Crist should abandon his Senate bid and endorse his Republican primary rival.
DeMint was asked about chatter that Crist, trailing badly against Marco Rubio in the primary, might decide to run as an independent instead. "I hope that won't happen," he responded.
"That is a sour grapes approach - when you find out you can't win, you bail out just like Arlen Specter did in his [Pennsylvania Republican] primary against Pat Toomey," DeMint said of a possible independent bid by Crist. "I hope that doesn't happen in Florida."
DeMint made his remarks about Crist during a conference call organized to tout his endorsement of Colorado Republican Senate candidate Ken Buck.
The South Carolina senator threw his support to Rubio last summer, before conservative activists rallied around the former state House speaker and catapulted him from a long-shot candidate to the frontrunner for the GOP nomination. DeMint has since been one of Rubio's most prominent backers.
Though Crist and his aides have pledged repeatedly that the governor will remain a Republican candidate, his campaign in recent days has avoided questions about a possible independent bid, sparking a new round of speculation and gossip. Crist has until April 30, the filing deadline, to remain in the GOP primary.
"I think there is magnanimous way for Marco's opponent to step out and support him," DeMint said of Crist.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
DeMint's endorsement means nothing. The people of Florida are what count
The crazies have taken-over the Republican Party. Sane candidates need not apply.
Crist cannot vote for the QUESTIONABLE [Cubanof suspicious spendingof Florida funds]. because only the Spanish element of Dade county Florida will vote for him. You really can not believe that Rubio will get any votes in the panhandle or any area that does not have a big CUBAN SPANISH POPULATION. Puerto Rican Spanish populations will not vote for him and the rednecks in Florida sureley will not vote for him . Crist should run as an independent and between him and Rubio splitting the vote the winner will be representative Meeks.
Another "drive by" commentary by Demint, a rightwingnut republican who shouold truly retire for the good of the country as well as his party before he causes another Waterloo.
The time for far right Republicants is over. Don't be misled by the teabagger coverage. The majority of American voters will not elect right wing Republicans or left wing Democrats. Marco Rubio is a do-nothing doctrinaire who has played fast and loose with his party's credit cards – he demonstrates an "entitlement" mentality when spending other people's money. He is a hippocrite and is devoid of personal honesty.
Why is Jim DeMint trying to tell Floridians what to do? Doesn't he have enough to do in South Carolina? Silly Repub
Either one, Crist or Rubio, is better than the Marxists we have in control now. Can you imagine what the founders of this nation would think about people like Obama, Pelosi, Reid and Stupack?
They probably wouldn't have fought so hard and we would still be flying the union jack
Can you "swift-boat" yourself? They run the party like they ran the Country during the Bush debaclecle.
Sen. DeMint conveniently forgot to mention Joe Lieberman's move to independent as an example of the "sour grapes approach."
Crist should tell demint to gloss those lips, and kiss his backside.
To say that Jim DeMint is like Ronald Reagan is demeaning the legacy of Ronald Reagan. Jim DeMint couldn't fetch water for Reagan on his best days.
Crist should run as an Indy. Rubio is wingnut and Crist stands no chance against him. As an Indy, he stands a much better chance, especially if he vetos SB6.
Why Crist has ANY loyalty to a party that despises him is beyond me.
I have to agree.
Maybe DeMint should drop out and endorse Christ.
DeMint should give up his "Seat" and allow Rubio to become appointed by the Florida Govenor. DeMint is another "Yes Man" to the Elephant Clan ! No Mas, No Menos!! Hasta Luego or until your legs get straighter !
I hope a real progressive runs against Christ/Rubio, whoever wins in this lot..........
The arrogance of the right, does not cease to amaze........
DeMint should focus on his own state of S. Carolina which has far more problems than Florida. If DeMint solved a problem for his state it would be a first.
Crist should stay in the race...what would it hurt if he ran as an independent, maybe it is time to leave the party of"no." Crist would be a more fair and intelligible senator than Rubio. Rubio is a "wingnut."
He just wants to make a name for himself, Crist would do the people right!
I am a KY Democrat and I would vote for Charlie Crist in a minute. Of course, look at what I have now.....
Why would a man with principals, like Crist, endorse an ethically challenged man like Rubio? Demented?
Rubio & Pork: During Rubio’s 8 years in office, he unofficially pushed $250 million to his hometown. This contrasts with his campaign hawk crusading against “earmarks”. When asked, Rubio wouldn’t comment.
Rubio charged the party $4,000 to fix the family van & $765 to buy a hard drive. Rubio racked up thousands of dollars in personal charges on his GOP AmEx, from the upscale barber to musical equipment, despite party and IRS rules that require the card to be used only for election-related purposes. As House Speaker, he charged $109,681 to the GOP credit card and repaid about $16,000.
Sansom was Rubio’s hand-picked budget chief when Rubio served as Florida House speaker 2007-2008. Sansom then routed more than $35,000,000 in public funds to a college that later offered him a job. Sansom was indicted and is now awaiting trial.
You want Rubio where? Tells you a lot about demint – and it ain't pretty!
The pull to the right is as bad as my dog learning to go on a walk.
Gov Christ will fight for what is right for the American people and I would trust him to vot accordingly instead of just along party lines. I'm am a Democrat and I would vote for Gov. Christ if he runs as an independant.
Who cares what DeMint says or thinks,
he's a freaking IDIOT!!!!!!
He should resign.
He is a huge embarrassment!!!!!!!
"Big Republican urged to quit"
Oh darn I thought you were talkin about Rush Limbaugh
Raul: We kicked out the Marxsists and dictators with the last election... and brought some sanity to the nation with a president who does not shoot from the hip.
DeMint needs to resign himself...