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Looking To Washington Holds Risks For Crist

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 5, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist's interest in the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez in two years might seem a blessing for the Republican Party.

After all, Crist's approval rating remains high at more than 60 percent. He has been elected to three statewide offices and won the governorship handily.

But Crist's dallying with the Senate post could end up damaging his reputation, his party and the state. He needs to think hard about his next move but make his intentions clear - and soon.

While Crist is popular now, his support could sink like a rock should he turn his attention from the office he took over just two years ago. Florida is in a fiscal crisis. It needs strong, focused leadership, not a leader with an eye on the next rung up the political ladder.

Setting his sight on another office scarcely halfway through his first term is hardly the way to show voters that he puts the people first.

And it would surely give ammunition to critics who claim he is an opportunistic politician only interested in the next campaign.

There is no question that Crist has bounced around a lot. After serving in the state Senate for six years, he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate against Bob Graham.

Former Gov. Jeb Bush then appointed him deputy secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, but he soon began campaigning for state education commissioner and was elected to the position in 2000. Crist was elected attorney general in 2002 and governor in 2006.

Should he run for the Senate, it would be his fifth campaign for statewide office in 12 years. Some of his choices have been affected by circumstances, including the state's decision to appoint, rather than elect, its top education official. And Martinez deciding not to run for re-election does offer a rare opportunity.

Crist says he will make a final decision after the legislative session ends in May. But by dawdling, he discourages other possible Republican candidates, who won't run if Crist does, from joining the race and beginning the aggressive fundraising effort necessary to win.

The well-known Crist can wait until May to begin campaigning. Others don't have that luxury. Should he decide not to run, he may severely handicap his party.

Crist has the potential to be an excellent senator. A moderate who works well with Democrats, Crist is astute at representing the people's will. He is willing to compromise to get results and can point to a career of accomplishments.

Still, it's fair to say he has not yet made a lasting mark as governor. Property insurance remains a muddle. Reforms haven't taken the inequities out of the property tax system. Even his biggest achievement - arranging the acquisition of U.S. Sugar property necessary to rescue the Everglades - is not completed.

With the state facing staggering revenue shortfalls, this is not a fun time to be governor. But rarely has there been a time when the governor's decisions on budget cuts, spending priorities and the future direction of the state will be as consequential.

As one of 100 senators, he won't have nearly the impact on Florida's welfare.

Perhaps to Crist the opportunity to run for an open Senate seat will be too good to pass up. But if next summer he launches a campaign for yet another office, we would expect many voters to let him know they would have preferred he remain focused on the critical job at hand.

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