Reject politicians: Charlie Crist's move is nothing but politics, pure and simple

How stupid do these candidates really think the voters are in their states?

You are having a bad primary season and it looks like a challenger is about to give you a run for your money, so you make a big stir about how you are going to "rethink your party affiliation."

Right. And if you believe Charlie Crist's -- or Arlen Specter's -- defection to independent or Democrat status had anything to do with conscience, we have some swamp land in Florida to sell you.

When career politicians find their popularity slipping away, they start paddling -- and that usually includes looking up to see which way the wind might blow more favorably and cuddling up to anyone with a vote.

They have to -- getting re-elected is their livelihood and their lifestyle must be protected at all costs. After all, most of them cannot do anything else.

And for those who aren't fooled by appearance, their intent is transparent -- they were never really guided by their ideals in the first place.

A Republican -- or Democrat -- who stands for what he believes in, no matter what it might cost him in votes, is a true believer and a stand-up man or woman of principle.

If you can be swayed by what a poll says, or can jump ship to make sure you get a chance (albeit a slim one) of keeping your cushy Washington job, you are a career politician and nothing else.

And funny how voters usually reject such moves.

Most of us get that in politics, and life, you cannot trust turncoats.

Published in Editorials on April 30, 2010 10:34 AM