Aug 28, 2009 5:19 pm US/Eastern
DeFede: Crist Appoints Old Pal to Senate
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Charlie Crist's choice of longtime friend and political confidante George Lemieux to replace Mel Martinez in the United States Senate is one of the most stunning acts of political patronage in recent memory.
This choice sets a new standard for cronyism. I'll be honest; I didn't think Crist had the cojones to appoint his buddy and former campaign manager. For Crist to pick LeMieux, who has been raking in big money working as a lobbyist since leaving Crist's side in Tallahassee a year ago, is simply jaw dropping.
Crist had a chance to elevate individuals who know Washington, who have worked in Congress, who have the experience Florida needs in these difficult times to help the state and instead he chose a political insider. A hack, a very nice and friendly political hack, but a hack none the less.
"Today, Charlie Crist decided to play political games with the public's trust by appointing George LeMieux to the U.S. Senate," declared Karen Thurman, chair of the Florida Democratic Party. "This glaring example of political cronyism is the last thing Florida needed while we face these tough economic times and the Congress is tackling critical issues such as health insurance reform and global warming. In appointing LeMieux, someone who has made millions over the past several years selling access to Crist to the highest bidders among Tallahassee's special interests, Charlie Crist once again put his own political ambition above doing what is right for Florida."
What were Crist's criteria for this appointment? Well, it seems obvious. Crist was looking for someone who he could trust to step down and not run for the seat. He wanted to make sure he had someone in there he could control. By appointing Lemieux, Crist knows there is no possibility that the public might say, "Hey this guy is doing a good job, and maybe he should stick around and run for the Senate seat in 2010." There will be no sudden groundswell for George LeMieux, whose nickname is "the Maestro" for his handling of Crist's gubernatorial campaign.
The Maestro will now turn into Houdini. Crist appointed someone who will disappear as soon as he enters the Senate. He will become the invisible man, a seat warmer, a guy who will be thrilled to just be sitting on the back bench.
He will do nothing. He will say nothing. He will be a ghost. Because if LeMieux were to do or say anything, it might reflect poorly on Crist, and Crist won't allow that to happen.
George Lemieux might even make Florida's other senator, Bill Nelson, look life-like by comparison. Heck, I'm betting Nelson is going to seem like a dynamo next to LeMieux who will hang out for the next 18 months and calculate how much more money he will be able to eventually charge his lobbying clients when he has the title "Former United States Senator" next to his name.
Of course there could be another possibility. Crist could be giving the seat to LeMieux to raise his profile and allow him to run for another office someday.
The whole appointment is sad; especially to anyone who has been watching the coverage of Ted Kennedy's life and death. Because at a time when a lion is being laid to rest in Massachusetts a lamb will soon enter that chamber from Florida never to be heard from again.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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