If Charlie Crist winds up being the Democratic challenger to Gov. Rick Scott, he will need something–other than Scott’s unpopularity, Medicare-fraud connection and obvious, pander-fest re-election strategy–to divert attention from all his flip-floppery. He could use an issue that truly transcends such baggage.
If this were a memo to Crist, it would read: “Why not follow-up with what Congresswoman Kathy Castor has been doing on Cuba? Why not play the Cuba card while it’s still playable? Why not put yourself on the right side of history–as well as the right side of what’s best for Florida outside the sovereign enclave of Little Havana and the vendetta-agenda crowd? Why not become a Florida-first, de facto Washington player by playing up–and lobbying for–the economic, humanitarian and geopolitical benefits of a normalized relationship with Cuba? Why not promote a more progressive standing for Florida in our own Hemisphere? One that is fitting of a ‘Gateway to the Americas.’
“Why not be seen, for example, as aggressively pushing for more Port of Tampa exports and unfettered public university-related travel to Cuba? Why not underscore a commitment with a serious Havana visit and subsequent campaign theme? Let Ileana, Mario and Ralph call you out. Your opponent will be judged by the counterproductive company he keeps.
“At a certain point, and it’s obviously coming, Cuba will open and capitalizing political wannabes will be too late to get credit for showing guts as well as Florida-first smarts. Timing is everything. You didn’t listen to those hinting at such a strategy when you were searching for a game-changer in that senatorial debacle. This time, go for it. You won’t be flip-flopping, you’ll be helping change history.”