The newly slimmed $787 billion stimulus package has passed through the US House of Representatives. Again, there was unanimous GOP opposition towards the bill by United States President Barack Obama. Now, it is going on the floor of the United States Senate.
This has been Obama’s first major domestic battle let alone first major battle with the Republicans. However, GOP Governors have broken off with their GOP peers in Congress in this respect. There are GOP Governors giving their support for Obama’s stimulus bill.
So far, GOP Governor Charlie Crist of Florida has given his support of the economic stimulus bill. However, it has put Crist on the hot seat amongst his peers in the Republican Party. Those in the GOP believe Crist is going to hurt his future.
Alex Castellanos gave his criticism towards Crist’s support. “I don’t think he’s helped any national Republican ambitions he may have by stepping up to the plate and batting for the other team…. There’s a difference between working in a bipartisan way for the common good and switching sides and putting on the other team’s jersey,” he said. Castellanos simply said that all Crist has done is bat for the other team.
Crist insists that Florida needs help from the federal government. Despite what Crist said, he has brought himself into the cross hairs of his GOP colleagues. While many Republicans oppose the stimulus, there is a tricky dynamic that they will have to deal with.
That dynamic is Crist’s popularity. In the state of Florida, Crist is the most popular politician.
GOP consultant Ana Navarro had some interesting things to say. Navarro implied that angry Republican delegates would probably drag Crist into a dark alleyway and beat him to a bloody pulp. That would pretty much sum up the Republican anger directed towards Crist.
So far, the GOP heat is on Crist.
Despite the heated criticism, Crist had brushed it off. He does admit the heat is onto him. However, Crist still stands by his support of Obama’s stimulus bill. Crist insists that he is not thinking about politics and that he is thinking about jobs and job growth.
Crist said: “We’re in a crisis – I think everyone understands that.” One should ask: Will this affect Crist in the future? Also: Should that be the case, how damaging will the political backlash against Crist will be?