By Mary Anna Mancuso
Clash Daily Guest Contributor
Crist is working feverishly to create a buzz around his lackluster campaign, failing at the task more often than not; even with a Primary win under his belt.
While Crist enjoyed a sizable lead when he first entered the race last fall, it continues to dwindle as we head into the final months of the Election season.
Historically Democrats have a difficult time turning out their base in midterm elections, and it isn’t likely Crist will be the outlier in November. It’s no surprise the Governor’s race will be an uphill battle for Crist, and not just because he’s changed parties to run.
The novelty of Crist switching party (again), and joining forces with Democrats has worn off. The most recent Rasmussen poll showed Scott leading Crist, 42% to 41%, and a poll by SurveyUSA confirmed, showing Scott with an even larger advantage over Christ at 44% to 41%.
Crist chose the path of least resistance in his decision not to debate Rich during the primary, hoping to avoid having to define himself as a Democrat. Now with Rich out of the race, Crist is going to have to work hard to connect with Rich supporters and the rest of his newly found Democratic base if he hopes to stand a chance against Governor Scott.
It’s obvious, Charlie Crist is using the Democratic Party to achieve his political desires, and the Democratic Party doesn’t seem to be too worried about it. Their willingness to turn their back on party principals in the quest for a win may look good in the short run, but given Crist’s track record with party loyalty, Democrats may be left holding the bag.
By ignoring Crist’s flexible positions, Democrats run the risk of alienating their base, but according to Rick Wilson, “it isn’t about Crist the candidate. It’s about the Democratic Party. It’s a window into the deep, desperate soul of a state party looking for a foothold back into power.“ Regardless of the reasoning for accepting Charlie into the Democratic fold, the party will need to turn out loyal Democratic voters this fall if they plan to unseat Governor Scott. By compromising their values to secure a win, it looks as if Democrats are playing a short game without considering the long-term consequences.
Originally published on Political Hype
Mary Anna Mancuso was Deputy Communications Director for Congressman Connie Mack’s U.S. Senate race in 2012.
After innovating several successful social media campaigns, she was named one of Florida’s up and coming conservatives by the top political blog in Florida, “The Shark Tank.” Today, Mancuso hosts a lecture series called “Politics 3.0” which focuses on how social media has changed the political landscape.
After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Brockport College, Mancuso obtained a Master’s degree in Political Science with a dual concentration in American Politics and International Relations from Long Island University. Her background is in communications with a focus on online social media. Previously she has worked at the New York Bureau of Fox News, NBC-Universal, and as the Deputy Communications Director for the Republican Party of Virginia.
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