Left Flank

A political marriage? A marriage of convenience?

Florida's Republican Governor, and unlikely Vice-Presidential nominee, is surely acting like he's running to be Senator John McCain's political partner. Yet, it would be an affront to social conservatives and fiscal hawks alike.

Rome is a 1991 honors graduate of Georgetown University who became
president of her family's 100-year-old Halloween costume business in
2000 when her father died. She has two daughters, ages 11 and 9, with
former husband Todd Rome of New York, CEO of Blue Star Jets. She moved
to Fisher Island in Miami in 2006.

The Romes' divorce was finalized this year, and Todd Rome has
been quoted in New York gossip columns speaking fondly of his ex-wife
and wishing her the best with Crist.

Crist's famously frugal lifestyle could be coming to an end.
While he has never bought a home and earns $140,000 a year as governor,
his net worth of about $450,000 was by far the smallest of any other
statewide officeholder.

Meanwhile, Todd Rome estimated in court records that his
ex-wife's income has been as high as $1.48-million a year, and the
Romes' numerous properties included a 10,000-square-foot vacation home
in Southampton, N.Y.

CBN's David Brody (via Democracy in America's «Crist to Get Hitched») argues social conservatives will raise the black flag.

So why is Crist a problem for social conservatives? Well, first of
all they don't believe he's pro-life. He says he's pro-life but in the
past he's said he was pro-choice. Read more on that here.
He has also supported civil unions. In addition, when the whole Terri
Schiavo controversy exploded in Florida, Crist DID NOT side with
pro-family groups who wanted him to take a more active role. He stayed
on the sidelines.

Would McCain really pick Crist? It would be seen as a slap in the
face to the Evangelical base yet McCain could look at it another way.

Let's face it. The general election is going to be won (just like
every general election) by winning the Independent vote. McCain could
pick Crist which would (as stated above) nail down the key state of
Florida and at the same time be a signal to Independents to say that
McCain is more of a centrist and WILL NOT pander to the Evangelical
base. Independents will love that. The danger of course is that many
Evangelicals will not vote in November. Decisions, decisions. This is a
critical pick for McCain.

As an independent Floridian (as my driver's license says-I have to keep checking), the prospect of a frugal bachelor marying a rich heiress this late in his life is also a smack in the face.