Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

GOP Looks to Centrists for 2010

Candidates should 'fit their states': Cornyn

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 7, 2009 10:29 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – As the GOP eyes 2010, it’s turning to centrist candidates to restore its health—despite a “good riddance” attitude to the departure of moderate Arlen Specter, Politico reports. “I’m absolutely committed to recruiting candidates around the country that fit their states,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee head John Cornyn. It’s “a recipe for permanent minority status and irrelevance if we don’t pay attention to the arithmetic.”

Gov. Charlie Crist, who backed President Obama’s stimulus package, would be the leading Republican candidate for Florida’s open Senate seat; a Delaware representative who supported Obama’s stem-cell research order is considered the sole Republican who could nab Joe Biden’s vacated seat; the list goes on. The danger remains, however, that these moderates don’t make it to a general election—party voters could yet deliver conservatives in state primaries.

Moderate Republican Tom Ridge could battle Specter for his seat.
Moderate Republican Tom Ridge could battle Specter for his seat.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist embrace during a town-hall meeting to discuss the economy, Feb. 10, 2009.
President Barack Obama and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist embrace during a town-hall meeting to discuss the economy, Feb. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Republican-turned-Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.
Republican-turned-Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Yourself
May 7, 2009 6:52 AM CDT
i love the fact that Cantor did a "backpeddle" on his "listening tour" as soon as Limbaugh said "we give orders" A perfect example that you have to be in step with the GOP or GTFO like Corona said. This party has no soul left to it, it's run by a few crazies that think their doing the right thing. Obama won cause he LISTENED! the Dems won cause they LISTENED. They won cause of a 50 state strategy brought to us by Howard Dean, who knew that to win, you listen to EVERYONE!
Corona_Kinq
May 7, 2009 6:35 AM CDT
And that type of thinking is what got your party an ass-kicking this past election. If you're not a die hard Bible thumper red neck then GTFO of the GOP. The GOP used to be pretty decent before the crazies took it over.
AnnieChrist
May 7, 2009 6:28 AM CDT
Definition of a Centrist republican: someone who is only half crazy.

Could Ridge beat Specter?
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Republicans expect Crist Senate run
Politico

 
Congress • Joe Biden • Arlen Specter • John Cornyn • Charlie Crist • centrist • moderate • President Obama • Election 2010 • Michael Castle

More Newser Stories

Pa., NY Dems Ignore Obama, Ready Senate Primary Bids

Obama Already Throwing Weight for Midterms

Specter: I'm Not 'Automatic 60th Vote' for Dems

Obama Steps Into Budget Talks

White House Offers Another $6.5B in Cuts
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne