Crist and the GOP in Florida

Opinion: April 30, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Miami Herald: If Gov. Charlie Crist bolts from the Republican Party, Florida’s voters will be the winners. The more choices for voters in the coming U.S. Senate race, the better for our democracy.

Whether Crist, a moderate, left the Grand Old Party long ago or it left him with a sharp turn to the right after President Obama was elected is a matter for partisan stalwarts to debate.

What’s certain is that former House Speaker Marco Rubio’s Senate bid has been a stunning achievement over a year’s time. With little name recognition beyond South Florida and his West Miami district, Rubio worked like the Energizer Bunny to take his Senate campaign from town to town in the nation’s fourth most populous state. His work paid off, as polls show Rubio would pummel Crist in the GOP primary.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, a Democrat, has also won accolades in his campaign to gather signatures to run for the U.S. Senate without paying the fee. Another Democrat, former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre, brings experience to the mix.

For now, the people of Florida should be satisfied that they will have strong candidates to pick from — and very clear choices.