While I was checking out the website of Democratic Senate candidate Kendrick Meeks, who is destined for a third place finish behind Tea Party Republican Marc Rubio and Republican-turned-Independent Charlie Crist, an interesting headline caught my attention.
KENDRICK MEEK REJECTS SIERRA CLUB CO-ENDORSEMENT
The anger Meeks exhibits towards the environmental group's support for both him and Crist reminds me of the furor over Sierra Club endorsements in Madison, where many environmentalists were outraged that former Club member Brett Hulsey ran radio ads for Alliant Energy, using his environmental credentials as evidence that the plant, largely powered by coal, would be green. Nevertheless, Sierra ultimately endorsed Hulsey in his bid for Assembly.
Even though some of his detractors have taken to calling him "Burnt Coalsey," none, to my knowledge, have taken aim at the Sierra Club or other environmental organizations who support Hulsey.
The Florida race, by the way, could turn out to be quite exciting. Democrats appear to be negotiating a possible withdrawal for Meeks in favor of Crist's candidacy. The GOP governor has tacked to the left, advocating for health care reform and against off-shore drilling and social security privatization. Crist refuses to say whom he will caucus with, however, if the Democrats make a deal with him, it will undoubtedly include a promise that he will join their ranks, which means he will owe his election to Democrats and Democratic voters and the rest is history.